Page 80 of The Twisted Beats

“Yeah, I bought VIP passes the day they went on sale.” Sebastian moves in for a side hug, catching Callum’s eye.

He turns our way, tense and in slow motion, checking out Sebastian from head to toe. I twist away and step closer to Callum.

“Callum, this is Sebastian Holloway.” I face Sebastian. “Sebastian, this is?—”

“Cash Mayze! Great to meet you, man!” Sebastian holds out his hand and slaps Callum’s bicep.

Callum gives a terse nod, runs a suspicious eye over Sebastian again, and shakes his hand.

Callum glances at me more rigidly than a second ago. “How do you two know each other?”

“Um… He’s my co-star.” I gaze over at Sebastian.

He laughs. “Yeah, she’s mygirlfriend?—”

“What did you say?” Callum’s expression tightens as his chest and shoulders expand.

Sebastian, not reading Callum’s reaction, joins me by my side and beams down at me with lust filling his expression. “Livianna and I have a budding romance. Don’t we, babe?”

My heart skips a beat and not in a good way. “No! We don’t.”

“Did he just call you babe?” Callum growls and takes a predatory step toward Sebastian.

Callum’s uncle gets between them and spins Callum toward the stage. “It’s go time.”

I rush to his side and hurry through my words. “Sebastian only meant on screen. He’s my love interest on my show.”

Something like rage flicks in Callum’s glare. “This is the guy you?—”

“Cash, that’s your cue.” John pushes Callum out on stage.

The pre-recorded background track starts as a crew member hands him a microphone. He trudges out under the spotlights while glaring at me over his shoulder.

There’s a moment of confusion that zooms between us. I shrug and shake my head.

He turns away and does a complete transformation, going from Callum, the guy who just told my dad he loves me, to the lead singer of Ur Boyz who’s in love with every audience member.

My heart soars with the beginning sentiment but crashes in longing with the latter.

Will I always come in second place? Will he ever just love me and only me? I scratch at my nerves, which are itching under my skin.

It’s in this very moment I realize I will always have to share his heart with others and Callum Mayze will never truly be mine alone. The only question is will that be enough?

Chapter Seventeen

LIVIANNA/LILY

Then

Cherry Bombs & Poisonous Hands

Some betrayals don’t come with knives…they light the fuse and dare you to burn.

“Livianna, I’m going to take you to the VIP section on the floor. The crew needs the space and you keep getting in the way.” Callum’s uncle takes me by the elbow. “You’ll be able to see them better down there, anyway.”

“I thought I had to stay with you since I’m underage and you’re my chaperone.”

“Technically, you’re still in my sights, so it won’t be a problem.”