Page 28 of Edge of Heaven

“Because he wants me too.”

“That sounds selfish as fuck.”

“Ryleigh stands on the side of the stage for most of your shows.”

“Because shewantsto, not because Angus demands it.”

“It’s fine. I’m used to it.” She pauses. “Didn’t your album hit gold?”

I nod.

“So how come you can’t afford to fly to New York?”

“Our deal with the record label was they absorbed all the start-up costs for both the album and the tour, and they would take back their money first, before we get any. And while those debts are just about paid, we haven’t sold enough to start making money, so we’re still living on per diems.”

“Ouch.”

“We’re either on the verge or hit platinum this month—the numbers aren’t reported yet—and when that happens, the money situation will change. In the meantime, it’s a little tight.”

“I hear that. Callum doesn’t like when I leave, so I can’t go to many castings. If I don’t go to castings, I don’t get work. Without work, I’m broke too. Which is part of the reason I’m in the situation I’m in.”

“That’s the reason you’re with Callum.”

Her face changes—hard and tight and a little bit angry—before she takes a final drag of the cigarette and then puts it out against the side of the building.

“We all do what we have to do to survive,” she says after a moment. “Don’t judge me, Mick.”

“Judge you?” I shake my head. “Is that what you think? That I’ll judge you?”

“Won’t you? I’m judging myself most days, so it stands to reason you would too.”

“That’s not who I am.” I reach out and gently lift her chin, forcing her to look at me. “You should know me better than that, and if you don’t, I’m telling you now. No judgment. I just want to be your friend. You seem to need one.”

She doesn’t respond, her eyes searching my face, as if she’s going to find the answer to something mystical there.

After a moment, she slowly backs away. “I have to go,” she whispers.

Then she hurries back inside, leaving me with more questions than I had before we talked.

And I have no idea if I just blew any chance of being her friend, much less anything else.

Chapter8

Taryn

The next fewweeks go by quickly. Between shows almost every night and a quick trip to L.A. for the two photo shoots, I’m burning the candle at both ends trying to stay in shape, make Callum happy, and be as available as possible to Toby. He calls me multiple times a day with questions about schoolwork, to complain when he doesn’t feel good, or when he says the doctors are mean to him.

I’m exhausted, stressed, and overwhelmed, trying to keep my head above water. I have just under five months left with Callum, but sometimes I wonder if I’m going to make it. He’s been more demanding than ever, wanting sex multiple times a day, making me wear the most revealing outfits imaginable to his shows, and keeping me up half the night because he’s drunk or high.

All I can think about as I walk through the airport is that I’ll be able to nap on the flight to New York and actually get a good night’s sleep while I’m there. It’s only three days and two nights, but that’s okay. Even one full night of sleep is a welcome reprieve at this point.

I get on the plane and am about to put my carry-on in the overhead bin when a familiar voice says, “Here, I got it.”

I turn to Mick in shock, absently watching as he lifts my bag for me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

He grins. “Surprise. I’m doing the shoot with you.”

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