Page 61 of The Only Thing That's Real
Interesting.
It’s so early the sky is still a dark blue, the moon fighting the sun for center stage as the faintest hue of orange paints the horizon.
“Everything’s fine. I wanted to talk to you about part one of your piece. You’re turning that in tonight, right?”
“That’s right.”
Trevor always gets straight to the point. Right now, he seems at a loss for words. His furrowed brows and narrowed eyes give me the distinct impression I’m not going to like what he’s about to say.
“Listen, I’ll cut to the chase. We both know what you overheard the other night. I need to know that was off the record and there won’t be any surprises when the article goes to print.”
A rush of heat burns up my chest and neck. I’ve never been able to hide my emotions. My reactive skin relentlessly gives me away.
“You’re serious right now, aren’t you?”
“I am.”
“Did Knox ask you to warn me?”
I promised him I would never betray him that way. My hands shake at the possibility that he doesn’t believe me.
“No. He assured me you were trustworthy, and we had nothing to worry about, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t ask. So, are we good?”
Sagging in my seat, relief drowns out most of my anger.
“Off the record, Trevor. You’re kind of an asshole.”
“You’re not the first and won’t be the last to remind me of that fact. But you still haven’t answered the question.”
I stand, no longer giving a shit if he’s infected with my morning breath, “Listen, I’m exhausted. I’m gonna head home. Everything I overheard was strictly off the record. I would never do that to Knox or Mia. Hopefully, one day, you’ll know me well enough to know that isn’t the way I work.”
“Glad to hear it. I’d say I’m sorry to have offended you, but I’m not. It’s my job to take care of the band, but more than that, he’s my friend.”
As I hike my bag over my shoulder to leave, he stands, a concerned look on his face.
“What do you mean, you’re going home? There’s a room for you here.”
“But why? I have an apartment in the city.”
“So does Knox, but he’s staying here as planned.” He gestures toward The Domonic Hotel where the crew members are currently lugging suitcases into the lobby doors. “The documentary crew starts today. They filmed everyone getting off the buses. Since Knox is the only one with a place in the city, the band have all agreed to stay together for the duration of the next four weeks. There will be press junkets, morning shows, late night shows, and meet and greets leading up to the run at The Garden. We all think you should be there to document it.”
“Okaaaay. But why do I have to sleep here?”
“He’s been better since you came around. Knox was going through hell since finding out about Sawyer. He was a ghost of himself. But the last couple of weeks have beendifferent. You saw that show last night.” He rubs his bald head with hands before dragging them over his face. His eyes huge. “He twerked, Ryan!”
I chuckle under my breath. “Yes, he sure did.”
“That’s because of you.”
Now my skin flushes for an entirely different reason. “You give me too much credit.”
“He upgraded your room. Well, he gave you his penthouse and he’s taking a junior suite on a different floor.”
“What?” I pull on the front of my sweatshirt, trying to cool myself.
“He wants you near.”
“He said that?”
