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“I mean, she’s got a lot going on right now,” Joanne said tetchily. “Isn’t Jason Cain out to get her?”
The name sent a shivering slithering up my spine. I rolled my shoulders back and rubbed the heel of my palm absently into my breastbone. It was a technique that worked great when I wasjust trying to calm pre-show jitters. It wasn’t as effective in this situation.
“Remember our conversation about tact, Joanne?” Mia’s question carried an unmistakable warning. They’d probably talked about this on the way over. Mia had coached Joanne not to bring up Jason and his threats. Joanne hadn’t listened, of course. If I wasn’t careful, they’d launch into another argument.
“Jason and his threats aren’t the problem,” I said to subvert it. “The problem is Callum.”
They all fell silent at that. Renee even removed her palms from her ears and straightened up. Now I was the one feeling irritable. It wasn’t like I had a reputation to protect or anything. We weren’t in high school anymore. But still, if wewere, my record was flawless. When I wanted someone, I got them.
Until now.
“He isn’t–” I made an obscure gesture with my arms that even I didn’t understand. Joanne squinted, confused, then glanced over at the other two to see if they’d figured out what I meant.
“Attracted to you?” Mia guessed. Then she negated her own answer. “No, that’s not it. I saw the way he looked at you just now.”
“He thinks I’m a victim.”
“Are you?” Mia asked carefully.
“No.” I thought about it. “I mean, Jason tried, but he didn’t succeed.”
“Isn’t he threatening you though?” Joanne asked.
I nodded. “But I’mnota victim.”
“Not yet.”
“Joanne.”
I held up a hand. “No, it’s okay. She’s right. There’s obviously this shit with Jason hanging over my head. It’s why I’m here, after all. But Callum thinks it would be taking advantage of me if he and I were to…” I trailed off out of respect for Renee.
“Fuck?”
“Joanne.”
Mia reached over and put a pillow over her face.
“Yeah.” I sent Joanne a little grin. She pushed the pillow aside and grinned back.
“God, he’s so noble,” Mia sighed.
“Annoyingly so.” I rubbed a tender spot on the side of my ring finger. I’d stopped playing for only a few days, but it was enough. My guitar strings were finding soft parts of my flesh to nip at. “Anyway.”
“Anyway, he still wants you, so you should take advantage of that,” Joanne said practically.
I waited to hear how. Sometimes, unexpectedly, Joanne came through with the most brilliant advice. Maybe she had a surefire way to circumvent Callum’s resistance.
“I mean you should ask him about music lessons for Noah,” she clarified. “I don’t have any tips on how to get him into bed. Sorry, killer.”
“Ugh.” I closed my eyes and tried not to feel too sorry for myself. After all, I probably wasn’t going to be here too muchlonger anyway. I needed to enjoy being with my friends and stop thinking about Callum. Once I had my life back, I’d be out of his.
And it would be easier for both of us if we didn’t cross any more lines.
CHAPTER 14
CALLUM
Idrafted up a new contract between Jason and Quinn that would declare the old one null and void. This one would require Quinn to do the three private performances for a total of a million dollars in cash, paid to the order of Jason Cain. It was a shitty contract. I could hardly believe I was drawing it up, but if it got him out of her life, it would be my best work.
