Page 114 of The Twisted Beats

“I’ll sabotage everything. You’ll be left with nothing.”

“Is that right? Big, bad Cash will just stop helping his ma because he got his tender feelings hurt. Or is that your disturbed Lily speaking for you?” He pushes me back. “Use your head, Cash, not your heart. You’ll go a lot farther if you do.”

I regain my balance and seethe inside. “Leave Lily alone.”

“I already plan on it.” He brushes past me and marches toward his room. “Get your bags packed. We leave town in an hour.”

I stomp away and get my shit together. At least Lily and I are on the same page about what happened last night. She believes Faith… I mean Zara, is trying to break us up. Lily trusts that I didn’t do anything to destroy what I have with her.

I leave the suite and wait for everyone in the lobby. I still don’t have a phone, so I have no clue what’s going on other than we’re supposed to be on the bus back to LA in five minutes.

Hawke and Cooper are the first to show up. Hawke sits next to me while Cooper stands. My legs are extended out as I lounge back in a chair, wishing I could erase everything about last night except performing as Mayhem.

I wouldn’t give up that feeling for anything. It was like I was one with the universe.

Cooper kicks the bottom of my boot. “You little fucker.”

“What did I do?” I pull my legs under my chair and sit straight.

“You left us. Not that we didn’t find a good time on our own, but we’re supposed to be a unit. If you think you’re superior because you believe only the lead singer makes a bandgreat, tell us now.” He flicks his new lip ring with his tongue like he’s irritated.

“That’s not at all what I think. It was a planned move by my uncle. He thinks I need a scandal of some sort to help shed my boy band image and create an edgy rockstar one.” A wave of nausea hits. “And Livianna’s the one getting hurt.”

Cooper shrugs. “What’s she got to do with it? She didn’t even have the decency to show up.”

“She did, but he denied her access when she got there.” I cross my arms over my chest to hold in my bubbling anger. I just might hit my uncle on the way home.

“Wow, dick move.” Cooper turns and gazes out the window of the lobby doors. “Our bus is here.”

“Good. I’m ready to get back to LA.” I grab my bags and lead us out to our transportation.

We get loaded on and I find a seat for Livianna and me. We wait ten minutes for Bren. He throws his bag in the underground storage area and climbs aboard. He nudges me to move over so he can sit next to me.

I shake my head. “This space is for Lily.”

“No, it’s not.” He forces his ass in her seat. “She flew home an hour ago.”

“What? Why?”

“She didn’t text you to explain?”

“No.” I growl. “I don’t have a fucking phone. It got lost last night.”

“Yeah, I bet.” His words are coated in sarcasm.

“What’s with you, Guns? You’ve been coming at me all morning and I don’t know why.”

He faces me with his chest muscles flexed. “Did you ask her why?”

“We cleared up our misunderstanding this morning. We got played and she knows it.”

“Did she?”

“Did she what? Fucking hell, Guns. Say what you need to say.”

“You told her you didn’t do anything with Zara, but you and I know you’re lying about that.”

Every muscle in my body tenses. “I don’t fucking lie, you little prick.”