Page 44 of Of Heartbreak and Harmony
“We will,” Hammond says. “We’ve got people on it. But in the meantime, you’ve got to step it up.”
“Fine. I’ll step it up. We’ll be more convincing. By this time tomorrow, as far as everyone in America will know, Callie James and I will be totally obsessed with one another.”
“I don’t like this,” Sav says. “I hate this, actually.”
“It doesn’t really matter what you think. I’m doing what needs to be done.”
Sav shakes her head with a sigh. “Just...be fucking careful, okay? Make sure you both understand what this is about.”
I arch a brow. “Are you worrying about my heart now or hers, Savannah?”
“Can’t it be both?”
“No. It can’t be. You didn’t care about my feelings before. Don’t start now.”
“For fuck’s sake, Torren. That’s not fair, and you know it. I never wanted to hurt you. I’ve apologized a thousand times, but I can’t help how?—”
“You can’t change how you feel. Yeah, I get it, okay? I understand. But you need to back the fuck off. I’m a big boy. I can fucking handle this.”
“Can we...like...notdo this again?” Mabel says. “Savannah, stop handling Tor with kid gloves. He can make his own decisions, and it’s the best fucking option we’ve got right now. And, Torren, fucking lay off her. You’re acting like a jealous, heartbroken asshole, and it’s starting to get old. Your relationship was over way before Levi came into the picture, and you know it. Stop ripping open old wounds.”
I clamp my eyes shut and breathe through my nose. I bite my tongue on the need to defend myself against Mabel’s attack. I know all of this. I know everything she’s said to be true. But how can I explain it to her? I don’t feel like this because I want Sav back in that way. I just want backin. It’s been over a year. I shouldn’t feel so fucking lost around her anymore. She was my best fucking friend and now she barely speaks to me.
Things were supposed to go back to normal. To how they were before. With the band. With us. Withme. I should be fucking fixed by now, and it sure as fuck shouldn’t still hurt the way it does.
“I’m done with this conversation,” I say finally. “I have it handled. So if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”
14
CALLIE
My jaw dropsat the sight of the closet in my room. Not only is it a walk-in fucking closet in a hotel room, but it’s full of clothing, shoes, and accessories.
They must have had it in here before we arrived, and I’m just...
I’m justshocked.
I run my fingers along the garments hanging in the closet. I check the tags and want to vomit. Just one of these dresses could buy groceries for a month for my family. I flip over one of the black booties on the shelf and slam it back down again when I see red.
Not metaphorical red.Actualred.
I feel so lightheaded that I have to sit myself down on the floor for fear of passing out.
For a brief moment, I feel those warm tingles at the thought of Torren doing all of this for me, but then I shake myself back to reality. This was likely all Hammond’s doing. Torren doesn’t even smile at me unless it’s for show. He barely looks at me unless he has to. He wouldn’t have done this himself.
I wipe the frown off my face and stand back up.
I am not upset. I do not care that this wasn’t a kind gesture from Torren. This is a job, and I need to stop being a sensitive child. My mom hasn’t returned my calls yet, but I’m doing this for her, and she’ll understand. We need this. She needs it. Glory needs it. And damn it, as much as I hate it,Ineed it.
I go back to the rack of clothing and survey it with a critical eye. I pull out a sensible dress and a pair of heels. It looks like it would work for a simple dinner date. I’ll curl my hair and do my makeup, and we’ll go on a staged date for the press.
How fun.
I shake my head and scold myself in the full-length mirror on the way.
“This is eighty thousand dollars, bitch. Stop pouting and do your job.”
Do. Your. Job.
