Page 75 of Before You Fell

Jax: Hey, can I come over and talk later?

I hold my breath as I wait for a reply.

A few seconds later, the reply arrives.

Willow: I’m not there. I’m at my parent’s house for a while.

For a moment, I don’t move. It shouldn’t hurt this much. It’s just a fucking text. A few words on Jax’s phone. But it lands straight under my ribs and tears something open anyway.

She answered fucking Jax.

That’s the part that guts me. How easily she makes silence look when it is meant for me. And how fucking fast she breaks it for him.

I turn back, move into the studio, and put Jax’s phone back. The guys and Damon are still arguing.

“I have to go,” I say.

Damon turns on me. “No, you’re not.”

“Yes, I fucking am.”

“The album is due soon.”

“Then sing it your fucking self.”

His mouth tightens. “Don’t tell me this is about Willow.”

Nobody moves. I should deny it. That would be the smart, easy thing to do. Lie first, breathe later, but her text still burns behind my eyes.

“For fuck’s sake,” Damon says. “Don’t tell me you’re going to chase her because she finally realized she is replaceable.”

Replaceable. Something in me goes black.

I cross the space before anyone can stop me. My hands hit Damon’s chest and I shove him into the wall hard enough to punch the breath out of him.

“Come on say that shit again,” I growl.

“Phoenix,” Cruz snaps.

“Say it again,” I spit at Damon.

Damon’s eyes flash. “Get your hands off me.”

“Call her replaceable one more fucking time.”

Jax grabs my arm. Jett grabs the other. Cruz comes in from the side, dragging me back before my fist can finish the thought.

“Let go,” I snarl.

“No,” Jett says.

Damon fixes his jacket with trembling hands. “You think the label gives a shit about your childhood attachment issues? She writes the songs. We can find someone else to replace her.”

I lunge again. This time, all three of them drag me back.

Cruz gets in my face. “Enough.”

I shove against them, breathing hard, rage burning so hot.