Page 35 of A Tragic Melody

I lay all the cards out on the table, because I have nothing to lose now. Nothing to win. And neither does she.

“It’s not what you think,” she says softly.

“Sure.” I nod. “It’s not really my business, either.” I shrug. “Congratulations, or whatever. I got to go.”

“Don’t go,” she says, rolling her eyes. “Hendricks said he has a lot riding on you. He isn’t going to just let them kick you out of the band. One call, and he will fix this whole thing.”

“I don’t want to be in that band anymore.”

“What band do you want to be in?” She studies me, her gray eyes zeroing on me. “What band did you want to pick before you chose staying with them?”

“You.” I sigh in defeat. “I would’ve picked you if I could’ve. I stayed with them because I thought they would have my back after everything. Since I wasn’t sober and they were used to it, I thought it was best.” I chuckle at the fact I’m completely defeated. “But it was going to be you, until I was told not to.” Her lips curve up into a wide smirk. I groan. “Doesn’t matter now.”

“Yes, it does.” She laughs, pushing my shoulder. “Don’t go anywhere, okay? I’m going to fix this for you. Then you’ll owe me.”

“I rather you didn’t get involved.”

“I’m already involved.” She grins. “I have all this control, right? Why not use some of it?” She winks before walking towards the door of the venue. “You just stay put, and let me work my magic.”

I want to believe she can fix this, but part of me is scared. She has threatened to ruin me, so why does she want to help me now? What is her master plan? The girl can’t go ask Hendricks to fix this for me, that would put a target on my back. Unless that is her ultimate plan—get him to help bring me down, that way I really have nothing. No other label would want me if he destroys me.

But ultimately, there is nothing for me to do but let her try. Whatever happens from this point forward is in her hands. I’m just along for the ride.

And hopefully she doesn’t lead me astray.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The very idea that Black Cat would kick Wyatt out of the band annoys me. I don’t really care for Wyatt’s attitude, either, but he is beyond talented. They can’t be stupid enough to think they are anything without him.

And to go and ask my guitarist to do double duty without even asking me? That’s just plain rude and insulting.

Lenny should’ve known better, too. Why would he agree to play for them without checking with me? I don’t want a guitarist who has already played for an hour to then join me on stage.

I can’t stand for this disrespect. I won’t. They just made a huge mistake. All of them.

The whole situation is childish and stupid. I’m not thrilled to have to go after them. Now I have to call Hendricks and play along to get what I want, which makes me sick. I hate asking him for things when he will just use it against me. But I am overly excited to get to save Wyatt.

I’m still going to destroy him. I don’t plan on giving up on that, but for the time being, I’m going to save him. It will be like rubbing salt on the wound. I will offer him a lifeboat just to sink him later when I’m done with him.

I’m not proud that I’m able to do this. Less so that Wyatt knows I have this kind of power. It isn’t even power, not really. It’s just the ability to manipulate the situation. The reality is this only works if I play my part carefully. I have to convince Hendricks this is all his idea.

I have limited pull on the strings, and wasting it on Wyatt isn’t ideal, but the hurt it will cause him later will be worth it.

Laying in my bunk, willing the joy to leave my body, I take deep breaths. I need to play this right if I want to get what I want. Have to come across as the needy girl who he loves to control. Have to seem innocent and dumb when I talk to him, while still leading him down a path.

He answers the phone on the sixth ring. I’m not really supposed to call him. He calls me of which I need to answer, but if I need something from him, I’m supposed to text and hope. But desperate times…

“What?” he snaps into the phone. “Why are you bothering me?”

“Lenny did something stupid,” I whine into the phone.

“Who the fuck is Lenny?”

I groan. “He is my stupid lead guitarist. He went and offered his services to Black Cat without even asking me. I don’t want some tired man playing with me each night.”

“What are you talking about? Offered his services to Black Cat? They have a lead?”

“I guess they are kicking Wyatt out of the band.” I sigh. “So now they need a guitarist and thought mine was fair game.” I sniff. “It’s going to ruin my whole set.”