Page 84 of Living on the Edge

“Ryleigh?”

“Look, this kind of thing takes time. They have meetings in private, without me. They aren’t going to just start trusting me with everything—I have to build that trust, and the relationships. I’m working on it. I’ve gotten close to both Kirsten and Lexi, which if you recall was the main reason you sent me here, but the guys are a little different.”

“You’re a good-looking woman—use the assets God gave you, for fuck’s sake. This is rock and roll, not the corporate world. You wouldn’t be the first woman to get a story lying on her back.”

“Seriously?” I ask. “My Dad would knock you into the middle of next week if you said that in front of him!”

He laughs. “Honey, why do you think your dad divorced your mom? He couldn’t do what he needed to do if he was married. He knew exactly what he was asking when he asked me to take you under my wing. The only question now is whether or not you have the guts and foresight to do whatever’s necessary to get the story.”

“I don’t need to have sex with anyone to get a story!” I snap, even though I feel a weird sense of discomfiture as I think about Angus and me. I didn’t do it for a story, but now that we’re involved, there’s going to be speculation. I said I was okay with it, but the reality may be totally different.

A blast of music comes out from one of the bars, and I let out a sigh of relief.

“Listen, we’re in downtown Nashville and it’s really loud and busy,” I continue hurriedly. “I’m going to call you later, okay? Once I’m at the hotel. Bye for now.” I quickly hang up and chew the inside of my cheek.

This isn’t going the way I thought it would. None of it.

I have to come clean to Angus, but we’ve literally been official for a day. How do I explain what’s going on?

His voice echoes in my head, telling me what the press is going to say when they figure out we’re involved. While I’m certainly not with him for his money, there will be a lot of speculation about my motives once the article comes out, depending on what I write in it.

It just now occurred to me that I’m falling in love with Angus.

He’s everything I could ever want in a man and makes me ridiculously happy. Even when we’re fighting—because I’ve never had that kind of back and forth with a guy. He’s gorgeous, rich, talented, and incredibly generous. Not to mention amazing in bed. His touch electrifies me, and that deep voice makes me giddy. The way he took care of me when I was sick showed me a softer side, and our conversation about making our relationship official provided insight into his vulnerabilities.

Falling in love was inevitable, but I’m not stupid.

Our relationship might last a week or forever or anything in between, but I can’t be the type of woman who relies on him to take care of me. I learned that lesson from my mom, and I never want to struggle because a guy decides to leave.

I need this job, even though I have no intention of sleeping around.

My independence—and health insurance—is of tantamount importance.

I can’t let my heart override my brain, no matter how wonderful Angus is.

But the truth is—I don’t think I can have both.

Chapter25

Angus

Ryleighand I get to soundcheck at exactly four o’clock. I catch the look Tate gives me but ignore it, heading for my drum set and checking to see if everything is set up the way I want it. Bobby’s the best, but sometimes I tweak things depending on my mood.

Today I’m in a good mood.

I manage to ignore Jonny and just focus on my own shit. I can’t bury my head in the sand forever, but I can for today. Maybe even tomorrow.

I’m trying not to overthink things, but this new development in my relationship with Ryleigh soothes me. I enjoyed waking up next to her this morning and her smile being the first thing I saw. I like the way she calls me on my shit and doesn’t let me get away with much. I love the way she smells and tastes and how she kisses. I’m fucking wild about the way she enjoys everything I do to her in the bedroom.

And more than everything else, she makes me happy.

I didn’t realize it until we got to the arena and she walked away before I could kiss her. The last time I got this much satisfaction out of a relationship was when I joined Crimson Edge. And I don’t sleep with any of them.

As soon as sound check is over, I hand my sticks to Bobby and let the band know I’m not quite done. Then I make a beeline for where Ryleigh and Kirsten are catching up. There’s a twinkle in Kirsten’s eye as I approach—the girls have been chatting about me—but I don’t mind. In fact, I’m about to give the whole crew something to talk about.

I drop a quick kiss on Ryleigh’s lips as I say, “We finished sound check faster than normal, so I have about ten minutes to do that video you wanted. You still game?”

“Oh!” She looks startled but recovers quickly. “Hell yes! Let’s do it.”

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