Page 102 of The Twisted Beats

“That sounds kind of scandalous.” I laugh.

The muscles in his back tighten as he struts to open the door. Oh, I guess he didn’t like my joke.

The door swings open and Callum’s uncle comes into view. “Time to go. Where’s Guns?”

“He’s changing his clothes.” Callum looks at the clock hanging on the wall. “It’s early. Do we have to leave now? Lily’s chaperone isn’t here yet.”

“He won’t be here for another two hours. We’ve got to get going, though. The organizers keep changing things. Some of the hotshot divas keep seeing how far they can go with their demands.”

“Why is that my problem?”

“Because there’s more than one and they’re all trying to vie for the top spot.”

“Meaning?”

“You guys keep getting bounced around.” His uncle tips his chin to me. “Hi, Livianna.”

“Hi, John.” I sit on the couch. “If you don’t know where you’re going, how am I going to know where to go?”

“I’ll shoot a message to the guy who’s watching you and let him know.” John slides his hands into his jeans pocket. “Can someone go get Guns? We need to get out of here.”

Bren steps out of his room. He’s dressed more like a rocker than he ever has, in jeans with chains and zippers, a black T-shirt with a skull on it, mid-calf leather boots with chains draped from the top to the ankle. It suits him.

Callum nods in approval. “Nice change of pace. Better than a ragged T-shirt and faded jeans. We’re setting the foundation tonight.”

I gesture between the two of them. “You both have the look nailed. Now go get out of here before Callum changes his mind and gives in to his stage fright.”

He growls but lands a kiss on me. “I’ll see you later. You will be kissing me at midnight.”

“I better be.” I push him toward his uncle. “Have fun, guys, and show everyone what Mayhem is all about.”

“Thanks, Liv.” Bren follows John and Callum out. He turns to me. “If you get bored while you’re waiting, I left a little surprise for you in my room. Top drawer of the nightstand. You can thank me later.”

I smile wide. “Thanks, Bren. I can always count on you.”

“Just don’t do it all at one time.” He shuts the door behind him.

I slip off my heels because let’s be real. They’re gorgeous but kill my feet. I make myself a drink and turn on some music, dancing around by myself.

Some people would wonder why I don’t have a group of my girlfriends with me, but the truth is, I don’t trust girls. They all want something or backstab terribly, especially in Hollywood.

Well, maybe Gia’s different, but she’s not from LA and is home in Denver for the break.

My mind travels back to the night when Zara was at my house. She’s such a bitch. She set that interaction up, and I’m so angry I didn’t see it coming. I knew she was up to something but didn’t trust my gut.

Callum swears he only gave her the necklace because she wouldn’t leave his room. Even though it was his mom’s, every time she looked at it, she cried. He told me he was staring at it on Zara’s chest that night because he was afraid his mom would see it and it would set her off.

He was happy to let it go. That’s why he had it in the first place. He was going to have his uncle hawk it.

I’ve requested that the studio replace Zara with someone new when the season starts filming again. Otherwise, I’m threatening not to sign a new contract.

With myEmber From Denverclothing line and brand products hitting it big across the globe, I hold all the power. I’m the star of the show and replacing me would be nearly impossible.

My chest grows heavy at the memory of that night and I find myself in Bren’s room. I check the drawer and find he left a bag of coke for me. He’s such a good brother.

Callum would kill him for leaving this for me, but what we do when Callum isn’t around isn’t up for discussion. If that’s the rule with them, that’s the rule with us.

Callum and I wouldn’t cheat on each other, so I’m only keeping the drug use from him. Which I know he does with me. That was made clear the night of his birthday.