Page 37 of Conviction
I nodded. “I’m definitely interested. If it’s doable, I’m in.”
“Good,” he replied.
“Well, that’s his career sorted. I’m gonna have a scroll through my phone tomorrow and see if I can find him a good woman.”
I smiled and scratched at the stubble on my chin, while my chest felt like it was being squeezed.
“Thanks all the same Ash, but I’m happy being single for now.”
Why the fuck did saying that cause such a lump in my throat?
We had a rehearsal atthe venue on Friday morning, and sound checked Saturday morning before the TV crews arrived.
Up until this point, we’ve managed to keep our performance together a secret from the press. I’m nervous but feeling much better about getting up on stage. It’s been good catching up with Gunner, and Marley has been a massive support. I would even go as far as saying that I’m feeling the buzz like I used to right now.
And then Lawson arrives, with Amanda in tow. I’ve not seen her since Lawson turned up at my house with her a few weeks back, I’d left her with a mouthful of my spunk and then headed off to my bedroom. She’s messaged me nearly every day since then, and I’ve ignored her each time.
I’m not an arsehole, I’m never rude or disrespectful to the women I fuck, but I always make it clear that all they will get from me is sex. I have no more to give.
There are dressing rooms anda bar upstairs at the venue, and I’ve spent the rest of the morning hiding out up there away from the press, with Gunner. As one of the organisers, Marley has been running around like his arse is on fire, making sure everything is in order. It’s his manager and brother, Lennon that I’m talking to at the bar when Lawson and Amanda arrive.
“Reed, how you feeling? You ready for this? It’s filling up downstairs.”
Lawson leans in, shakes my hand and gives me a pat on the back. I shrug.
“Bit nervous,” I tell him honestly.
Amanda smiles and moves in to try and kiss my cheek.
Why? Why would she do that?
I dodge the kiss, nod my head and smile, “Amanda.” She glares but still runs her hand up and down my arm. I watch Lennon, watching our exchange. His eyes meet mine, he gives a smile, rolls his eyes and shakes his head slightly. He and Marley must be approaching fifty by now and have been in this business a long time. I’m sure they’ve dealt withalotof Amanda’s over the years.
“Not sure if you’ve met before? Lawson, this is Lennon Layton. He runs Carnage Creations with Marley.”
I notice Amanda’s head swing around at the mention of Lennon’s name. Lawson and Lennon start chatting, and I stand back and watch as Amanda ingratiates herself into the conversation by telling Lennon how she’s followed his career for years.
Yeah, right!
“That fucking woman makes my skin crawl,” Gunner whispers in my ear, while passing me another beer. “She always looks at blokes like she wants to eat them. Chels reckons she’s got a thing for you. Didn’t you fuck her once, at the studio?”
I turn sideways to face him so that our conversation can’t be heard.
“Yeah, and I made the mistake of going back for a blowjob a coupla times since. She’s text me nonstop for the last few weeks.”
“Silly boy, Reed, silly boy.” He shoulder bumps me.
Lawson says my name from over my shoulder, and we spend the next ten minutes discussing the legalities of me leaving our current label and signing with CC, the Layton’s label. I can’t help but notice the way Amanda moves until she’s virtually pressed into Lennon’s side. She throws her head back and laughs exaggeratedly at something he says, then turns and says something into his ear.
Lawson watches her, his eyes then meet mine. I shake my head, letting him know that I’m not happy that she’s here.
A hand suddenly appears from nowhere and grabs Amanda’s hair. We all step back, as a stunning looking woman with dark skin and long dark hair shoves Amanda out of the way.
“Have some respect for yourself love. That’smyhusband, andheis innowayinterested inyou.”
“Fuck, bitch fight,” Gun says from beside me, and we clink our bottles together.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t… I mean, I don’t know…” Amanda tries to speak.
