Page 54 of My UnTrue Love
Clem’s lips flattened into a line, which confirmed Johnny’s guess. That old woman had better taste than he’d thought.
“I’mplaying a set at The Kitchen tonight.” He bragged.
“Break a leg.” Clementine said in an uncharacteristically snarky tone. “I literally mean that.”
Bill chuckled.
His amusement knocked the irritation from her face. “This place is a stepping stone. Bill is just getting started as a professional musician.” She sent him a fond look. “So far, it’s going great.”
“Sogreat.” Bill agreed, his evil eyes on Johnny. “That’s why I signed her to a private representation deal. Just Clementine… and Bill.”
Johnny felt himself pale. “What?”
“She’s my new manager. I thought I’d better scoop her up, while she was between jobs.” Bill lounged there, arrogance personified. “We’re a great team.”
Johnny’s teeth ground together.
“Bill requires my total focus.” Clementine explained, like her crazy decision made sense.
“I’m just a mess of nerves, so I take upallher time.” Bill gloated, still not in a way Clementine would ever notice, but Johnny saw it clear as day. “You’ll be okay, though, John. No worries. You’ve got Rosalee to inspire you, now.”
Johnny felt rage blinding him. Clementine couldn’t just abandon him! What was shethinking? “Clem, do you really not see what’s happening here?”
She blinked behind her glasses, her eyes as innocent as a baby unicorn. “Happening where?”
“He’s using you!” Johnny shouted, gesturing towards Bill. “This is all anact!”
Bill and Clementine exchanged a sideways look, having one of their silent conversations. This one was pretty easy to read.
Clementine rolled her gaze towards the ceiling, insinuating Johnny was acting crazy.
Bill pretended to look sad for Johnny’s deteriorating mental faculties.
Clementine sighed and nodded, impressed with his endless compassion.
Bill lifted one shoulder in a self-effacing shrug and somehow shifted even closer to her body. Malevolent blue eyes flicked over her generous curves with a disgusting amount of ownership.
Did no one else notice this shit?
“He’s lying to you!” Johnny insisted.
“You’re back on that silliness? Really?”
“I’mstillon it, because he’sstilllying!”
“What do you think he’s lying about this time?” Clementine asked in a humoring tone.
“About…” Johnny floundered. Fuck. What had Bill actually lied about? What definite, provable lies could he list?
Johnny wracked his memories and only came up with a whole lot of times the bastard said something true, but he didn’t reallymeanit. Bill would dip his words in some kind of liars’ brew, so you knew he was lying even as he told you something honest. It was a sleight of hand trick that Johnny couldn’t fully explain. He just knew it was happening.
Bill waited for Johnny’s answer, hidden amusement dancing in his wicked brain.
Clementine’s fingertips drummed on the bar, disbelief all over her face.
“He’s a coyote!” Johnny yelled, frustrated and furious. “What else do you need to know about the guy?”
Clementine literally gasped in outrage.
