Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 55510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
I pitched a brief look over my shoulder to see Akio staring down at his watch to check the time. I couldn’t help the blunt blow of disappointment that struck me. So, it was in my head. For all I knew, they were naturally flirty when they were being friendly, and my desire was completely one-sided.
I refused to embarrass myself in front of four guys. One guy was bad enough, so if I messed up four times, I might as well stay inside forever. I couldn’t bear that level of embarrassment in one lifetime. I had done fine throughout my entire life without worrying about guys, so I just needed to ignore them and let them do their job.
If only it was that easy.
8
EMERY
Around noon the next day, my phone rang. I rushed from the kitchen island, which was full of messy notes, to my bed, snatching my phone off the mattress to look at the caller ID. Instead of it being John or the random number of a journalist, I saw another familiar name pop up on the screen.
“Delilah? Hey!” I answered, glancing up as I saw Andrew peek his head inside of the apartment. He must’ve heard my phone ring. He and the others came in and out of the apartment every so often to check on me, but they stayed outside for the most part.
“Hey! Are you okay? I heard about your dad and just wanted to check on you,” Delilah told me, sounding concerned.
I had been close with Delilah for a while now. She was one of the few friends who stuck around despite my father’s rigorous monitoring, since she charmed him with her bubbly personality. She was way more of a people person than me, able to sway and charm any person. Paired with her amazing voice, she used those assets to become a notably successful country singer who made quite a name for herself in New York.
Since she was well-connected, I figured she would catch wind of the news. In her typical caring fashion, she had to check on me immediately because she never left anyone she loved behind. Part of her still had a small town mentality, despite her trying to shed her old, sheltered attitude. She learned that the world was open and exciting for her to explore, and a new Delilah was born.
“I’m… okay. It’s hard to explain,” I said as I brushed my fingers through my hair, seeing Andrew lean against the doorframe. Of course, bodyguards were nosy. I turned away from him to focus on Delilah’s words.
“Are you down to talk? I happen to be in town,” Delilah asked.
I lifted my eyebrow out of curiosity.
“You happen to be in town, or did you come here?” I replied. “I know how busy you get with shows.”
Delilah laughed softly.
“You know me so well. You know I had to come check on you,” she said. “I’m not even on tour, Emery.”
My face softened as I nodded to myself. Honestly, it would be good for me to speak to someone who knew me and wasn’t around just because it was their job.
“You should come by and see me. We can talk and have a drink or two,” I suggested, immediately hearing Andrew’s footsteps head toward me. “I’m at the Westbrook Apartments. Unit 205. See you!”
Andrew reached me right when I hung up with a smile on my face. He gave me a stern look.
“Who was that?” he asked. “It’s not wise to be inviting people over right now.”
“She’s one of my friends,” I replied evenly, not letting him intimidate me. If I was going to be stuck in this apartment, I could have a friend visit me. They couldn’t shut me off from civilization forever.
“Can you trust her?” Andrew asked, still not seeming all that convinced.
I gave him a pointed look as I placed my hands on my hips.
“Do you make friends with people you can’t trust?” I said as I raised my eyebrow at him. He acted like I was going to invite Deviau himself over here. I wasn’t an idiot, but I was lonely and craving a girls’ night to take my mind off things.
“I’ll need to be in the room to monitor,” Andrew told me firmly.
I nearly scoffed at him. He couldn’t be serious.
“Sure. Have fun listening to us gossip,” I replied, acting unfazed, even if I was annoyed. I had a lot to explain to Delilah, but she wouldn’t be scared off that easily. I walked past Andrew and lingered in the kitchen until I heard talking outside of the apartment. I flung open the door to see Delilah staring Rhett and Akio down. “Guys, she’s fine. Let her by.”
“Who is she?” Rhett asked as he glanced back at me.
“My friend,” I said as I reached out to take Delilah’s free hand. A bottle of rosé occupied the other. I dragged her inside and shut the door. “I’m sorry. I have a few things to explain.”