Page 75 of Not Another Rockstar
Isaiah hesitated, putting them on edge.
“No,” he said eventually. “This might be a good opportunity to draw whoever is doing this out. Sheen might be a lackey, but with the guaranteed media coverage, whoever is harassing you might not be able to resist attending. A small gathering, in a tight location—we could see who stands out.” It sounded risky. “I can be there and help your security keep an eye out,” he offered.
Axel looked at Phoebe, waiting for her thoughts.
“If you think it’s a good opportunity, I can’t say no,” she said, wanting to catch Sheen, or whoever it was that wanted her life ruined, before she ended up in cuffs.
They hung up, both deflated. Still, she had some hope that Lena might pull through with the footage from LouderTech—unlike Isaiah, she didn’t need a warrant.
“Axel! We have reservations in an hour!” Nick yelled down the basement steps, interrupting their tense silence.
“Sorry, I’m only just out of the shower, but I finalised the last two songs. I sent you the recordings, you can listen with August while I get ready,” Axel shouted back, clearly trying to stop her brother from coming downstairs.
“No need, I already sent them on to Mike to finish the production. Once he adds your solos then we’re done with the album,” Nick said cheerily.
Phoebe was sure the three of them had been sleeping less than her while working on the album, but at least they could channel their energy into something. Painting at such a slow pace was only adding to her frustrations.
The sounds of footsteps interrupted her thoughts, and panicking, she hurried into the bathroom. They weren’t ready to tell anyone about the two of them just yet. She just hoped she hadn’t left any visible evidence that she’d been sleeping down here every night.
She listened at the door like a guilty teenager.
“Any news from Isaiah?” Nick asked. “It’s been a few days.”
“No luck with prints on the fan mail, but he’s working on some leads,” Axel told him, cool as a cucumber.
“Who the fuck could do this to her?” She hated to hear her brother so upset. “That fucking party, I let them into the damn house. Anita gave me such a scolding that night, but I didn’t want to listen. I didn’t know about the fan mail; I didn’t think the threats had become so real.”
“It’s no one’s fault, this is a fucked-up situation. We’ll figure it out—it’ll just take time, and she has all of us behind her,” Axel assured him.
“I’m glad she has you. I know you’ve never been close, but you’ve been a good friend to her since everything fell apart,” Nick said. Phoebe cringed. If only he knew how good Axel had been to her. Now she had an idea of how her brother must’ve felt keeping secrets from her for Cillian.
“I don’t know how to comfort her, or even talk to her about any of this,” Nick continued. “I feel like all this could have been avoided if I’d just told her what Cillian was doing. This all started with Munich.”
“You’ve got to let go of the guilt. It’s going to eat you up, and none of us can change the past. Right now, we can only focus on making sure she’s safe, that’s it,” Axel said.
She hated the weight her brother was putting on himself. He wasn’t to blame; they were all in a no-win situation, then and now.
“You’re right.” Nick’s voice softened. “Once we find this prick, I swear I’m going to string him up by his feet and treat him like a piñata.”
Phoebe rolled her eyes. Nick liked to play tough, but he was really a big teddy bear.
“I’ll bring the bat,” Axel chuckled.
“Have you seen Phoebe? I texted her about dinner today, but she hasn’t said whether she’s coming tonight or not,” Nick asked. “August said she was going to get her hair done, but I figured she’d be back by now since she left so early.”
“We wouldn’t have this album without her, so we can’t celebrate without her,” Axel said. “I’m sure we can convince her to join us.”
Phoebe already had every intention of going. She wasn’t going to let anyone stop her from living her life, especially not when it was such a big night for all of them. August had booked the whole restaurant, but considering how much he hated crowded rooms, she guessed it was for his benefit instead of her protection.
“Good luck with that.” Nick sighed.
“I’ll think of something,” Axel said, and she hated the smugness in his voice. “She’s probably in her room.”
Once the coast was clear, Phoebe tiptoed out of the bathroom.
“I hate lying,” she said.
“I didn’t lie, this is your room,” he said with a cheeky grin.
