Page 122 of Never To Suffer

“James, breathe,” Alexis tries to calm him, rubbing his back.

“We locked her up for extortion, conspiracy, identity theft, and a litany of other offenses, but if I’m being honest with you, which I’m trying to be, none of those has enough weight to keep her behind bars,” The lawyer explains while she repositions her glasses and glances over some paperwork. “If she does sign this confession for the murder of Mr. Barton’s father, there’s no way she’ll ever get out.”

“What about what she did to Skylar?! We’re gonna hand them over like a steak dinner?” Steve grumbles, Ethan at his side. That kid is one of the lucky ones who came around after Elle had gone to jail, avoiding her wrath. But from what Dani has told me, he’s had his own share of traumatic experiences.

“I’m not dead, Steve.”

“It’s terrible to say, but they’re right. It isn’t murder and they’re the only one she’s asked for. Most of the evidence against her in Skylar’s case was circumstantial.” The lawyer says. “No one could place her there because she’s too damn smart. The judge, I hope, has recognized that, too. As Skylar said, their part in this has to do with closure. After this, I’ll want all of you to speak at her sentencing. To remind everyone of what she’s capable of.”

“Oh my god, seriously, you should have seen her face!” Xander cracks up, recounting the story one more time, a beer in one hand, Theo’s hand in the other. “She turned whiter than white, like, so damn pale and just stared at Skylar!”

“I still can’t believe your opening volley was to saythank you. That accident ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me,” Steve chuckles. “We finally got out ahead of her, or you did, Skylar. Gods, what a line!”

“I only told her the truth. No offense, Stevie. But to be fair, the whole thing worked out pretty well for you in the end, too.”

“Oh, yeah. I mean, we were fun together, and if that hadn’t happened, we would have been good together for a long ass time. But if it had to happen, I’m glad we still got our happily ever after or whatever.”

“Swing and a miss, pumpkin,” Ethan snorts a laugh. “How did you let happy endings go? That was a softball for you.”

“Oh, I’m getting my happy ending tonight. Don’t you worry, pal.”

“From who?” Xander jokes and Jamie gives his hair a tousle for that one.

Our group feels whole again. The damage that one spiteful woman did has been cleaned up as best as we can, and we all raise a glass for Jamie’s dad, who finally gets justice. We were never supposed to make it here, but we fought for this. Our own demons, the demons of the world, and even the demons we’ll never stop fighting.

“So, the big show happens in a week. How freaked out are you all?” Alexis asks Dani.

“We had our last rehearsal of the new stuff yesterday. It’s epic.” Dani boasts. “Noah and Sky played some of the new songs that she’s co-wrote last week and I’m still not over how incredible it sounded. Seriously, shivers down my spine good. We’re totally going to win this shit.”

“And, if we don’t,” I say, reminding her of our promise.

“The hell with it, we go on tour anyhow, enjoy the benefits, and find a new label the second that contract expires! We might as well see the world on someone else's dime. It’s better than crying in bed!”

“Atta girl,” I wink.

“Speaking of bed,” Theo breaks up the laughter and cheers. “It’s time I get the kids home and in bed.”

“So, itisjust one bed?” Steve asks, wiggling his eyebrows like he’s uncovered some hidden gem of a secret.

“Why don’t you send Ethan over to find out?” Xander claps back as he jumps out of his chair and drops several hundred dollars on the table. “I’ve got this one. The numbers came back on the site’s opening month, and we’re fucking crushing it. Thefull version isn’t even out yet. Dani and Skylar don’t get to have all the fun throwing money around when they’re famous.”

There’s another round of cheers and clapping Xander on the back before we pile into Theo’s car and head home, exhausted and full of life and love. I’ve never been so sure about my decision to come back to Los Angeles as I am now. I love this crazy city.

CHAPTER 51

EVE

BOYFRIEND

Theoand I are the last in the group to get to the venue, but we’re still an hour early. The line stretches for several blocks, and the people have started getting anxious. The tickets are either VIP, meaning you get a booth, or general admission, so some of these people have been camped out here for hours to guarantee they’ll be close to the stage. I try to count the number of LA Proper shirts I spot, but I lose count. I'm floored at the outpouring.

Win or lose tonight, my girl has done it. She’s famous, and no one can take that away from her. No one.

They beefed up the security detail and aren’t letting people in early unless they’ve got a pass, which we do. As we flash them to the giant of a door guy, and he grunts his approval. The people waiting hiss with envy. I straighten my tie, and spin a few of my rings as we walk through the dark hallway that opens up to familiar faces.

“There you are!” If it wasn’t enough that Dani could pull an A-lister like her best friend Chase Cooper, he’s brought half the cast of the next film with him. That explains the tight security—they probably work for these rich pricks. Chase winks and wavesat us and so does his wife, Dani’s sister. “It’s about damn time. Come on, we’ve already started drinking! You gotta catch up!”

I shake hands with a few of the stars until Jamie pulls me in for a tight hug. “You look good, man.” He beams at me when we part, his eyes bloodshot and half open. “Like, really good. All of you. I’m so proud of you and Dani.”

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