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I m going to kill that son-of-a-bitch.
How can he keep this from me? Why would he do this to me? I know I broke his heart once, but
we were in high school. He knows I m sorry for that. It was a stupid mistake. Do I really warrant
such severe hurt?
Noel really is the womanizer the tabloids portray. The night we reconnected, I found him in a
room with two half naked blondes. The thought of Noel breaking this poor girl s heart by sleeping
with everything he sees makes me sick. There s no telling how many others there have been before
me. How long?
How long what, Lanie? Tyke asks.
The girl. Has he been with her long? Tyke looks to Trip then Riff for an answer, which I find
odd. It s almost like he needs permission to answer.
Riff rolls his lips into a line and I catch a glimpse of what almost looks like pain in his eyes. Not
long only a few months.
This whole time why would he do this?
Because Noel Falcon is a selfish prick, Riff says. He doesn t give a shit about anybody but
himself.
I scrub my fingers down my face. My entire world crumbles before my eyes. Oh, God. I can t
believe this.
Riff s hand touches my shoulder gingerly. I m sorry, Lanie. He s a shit.
Tears sting my eyes and I pinch them shut. What am I going to do? My heart crushes in my chest as
the weight of the situation bears down on me. Everything in my life centers on Noel and his band right
now. Diana Swagger made it quite clear that I won t keep this job if Noel and I split.
Is this his plan? Crush me like I crushed him?
A wave of uncertainty ripples through me. How could I let this happen? How can I be so stupid?
The tears build up in my eyes and I don t want these guys to see me cry. I already look like a sad,
pathetic, stupid fool to them. I don t want to add crybaby to the list.
My legs wobble as I push myself up from the chair. The urge to run as far away as I can hits hard.
Lanie? Are you alright? Tyke asks.
I m fine, I lie as I start towards the bedroom door.
It hurts to know I ve been betrayed, but it feels worse to feel so naïve. I didn t see this coming. I
trusted him.
I slam the bedroom door shut a little harder than I mean to after I pass through it. Tears fall
uncontrollably once I m alone and I allow a sob to escape me. This bedroom, once a place of
happiness between Noel and I, now feels like a torture chamber.
Did he sleep with her on this bed on these sheets? How many other women for that matter?
The thought disgusts me. Before I can stop myself I hurl myself at the bed, ripping and tearing at
the sheets, while I cry. It takes less than thirty seconds for me to strip the mattress naked. The sheets
lay in a massive heap in the corner of the small room.
I plop down hard on the bed and bury my face in my hands. What am I going to do? If I leave
Noel s won and I can t let that happen. I need this job, and whether I like it or not he s the key to
keeping it.
The need to hate him tears at me, and I want to hurt him. Hurt him like he s hurt me.
I stare at the sheets for long minute, then decide the best way to get to him is if I stay. Stay here
and let him see how much I hate him. Stay here for the rest of the two weeks and show him he can t
sabotage this job for me.
I debate on getting a match and setting the pile in the corner on fire. Instead, I grab the sheets from
the floor and remake the bed. This is probably a stupid idea, but it s all I got. Noel will probably tell
me to get the fuck out once he comes back and finds out the game is over that he s been caught, but I
don t care. I ll ignore him. The silent treatment is usually reserved for elementary school children, but
I think this case calls for it.
A soft knock on the door startles me, and before I can say come in, it pushes open. Riff stands
there in a wife beater t-shirt that fully displays his tattoos. His Mohawk reaches up at the ceiling in
perfect alternating colors. My shoulders sag as I pat the spot beside me on the bed.
He gives me a sad smile and then obliges. You okay? I shake my head, but tell him yes. That s
not very convincing.
I sigh and feel the sting from crying in my throat. I know, but what choice do I have?
Riff tilts his head. You have all the power here, Lanie. Noel screwed you over just like he did to
me. That s just who he is. But you have the power to do what s best for you and get the hell away
from him. I would if I could, but I m kind of stuck here.
I snort. I know the feeling.
Ah, yes, the job I almost forgot about that. Well, I guess you and I are both screwed by him.
I turn toward him. You mean you d leave this band if you could?
Riff nods while keeping his brown eyes sets on me, like he s waiting for me to put the pieces of a
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