Page 27 of The Pursuit of Happiness
I want to be close to him, but the reminder of what’s been said about me makes me so self conscious. I don’t want to give anyone reason to call me those things or to say things about me. Besides, what if he’s just flirting with me and saying things like that for the sake of our fake relationship? Kind of like how method actors actually become the character that they have to play.
He gets in the limo and closes the door behind himself, cautious to keep distance between us. I don’t fail to notice the look of hurt on his face which only confuses me more and makes me look down at my hands folded up neatly in my lap.
Sensing the awkward tension, Ivory asserts, “So, Slater-”
“Sly,” he corrects.
“Sly,” she starts, “are we meeting anyone at this club?”
He nods, “Just my bandmates.”
She rolls her eyes, “Even Rogan?”
He raises a confused brow, “You don’t like him?”
She crosses her arms in a way that I know signifies she’s uncomfortable but whether it’s from the subject of Rogan or something else, I’m not sure. “I didn’t say that.”
“It would be okay if you did. I’m not his biggest fan right now,” Sly mutters the last part, his voice fading out. I give hima confused look that he doesn’t catch because he’s busy looking out the window.
Brody inserts herself into the conversation by asking, “Why’s that?” She has a suspicious note to her tone, one that leads me to believe she suspects something I’m not getting.
He shrugs, “Nothing,” but I know he’s lying. We all do. Something happened between him and Rogan. It was probably just a friendly fight the way that guys do, one where they fight one minute and kiss and make up the next. Not literally, but figuratively of course.
“So,” I make an attempt to shift focus, “I started writing lyrics and I have about four songs written for the new album. Hopefully soon we can get them finished in the studio,” I change the topic of discussion to relieve the tension.
Ivory’s attention is piqued, “I can’t wait. I have some insane riffs I want to try fitting into the album.”
Brody frowns, “Yeah. Can’t wait,” she says sarcastically.
I take a deep breath and feel the guilt rising back to the surface. “I really am sorry you’re not drumming in the album, B.”
She shrugs, “It’s whatever.”
“It’s not,” Sly says intensely.
Brody meets his eyes, “Don’t you think it’s ironic that the person who stole my place is the one apologizing?”
“Why are you acting like I did this on purpose?” He asks, hurt in his voice.
“Did you?” Brody snaps.
“No! Of course not! Are you seriously accusing me of orchestrating this entire sex tape thing? Even after it was confirmed I wasn’t?” He’s angry now, but the betrayal is more present in his voice than anything else.
Brody scoffs, “I didn’t see enough evidence to prove your innocence.”
Ivory gives me a worried look that says we better stop this shit before Brody claws his face off. She’s so bitter about not playing the drums that there’s no saying what she’s capable of. “Okay, now is not the time,” I try to ease the tension, keeping my voice calm.
Brody rolls her eyes and Sly doesn’t stop, “You can hate me all you want, Brody but I wouldneverdrug someone and plot a sex tape just to hurt them or their career. I don’t expect you to understand that because you don’t know me, but I’m telling the truth.” I can see his neck turning red with rage and I immediately have an urge to calm him down.
I reach over the seat and grab his hand to comfort him and he immediately relaxes under my touch and glances at where our hands meet. His eyes meet mine and they soften in such a way that has heat pooling in my lower belly. I give him a sympathetic look and turn to face Brody, “Please, no more arguing.”
She must see something on my face because she takes a deep breath and keeps her mouth shut for the remainder of the ride to the club. I instantly feel pity for our driver because he just had to hear that whole thing. Poor guy. He probably thinks this is a season ofBad Girls Clubor something.
Sly’s thumb sweeps over the back of my hand repeatedly and I feel the tension in my shoulders slowly releasing. I don’t know how to explain this effect he has over me and my body, but the way that I respond to him…I haven’t felt this way in five long years. Not since Duncan. Even when I was with Duncan, I didn’t feel likethis.
We arrive at the club and as expected, there is a swarm of paparazzi outside our limo waiting to photograph and harass us. I can see Brody immediately stiffen and frown in anger. She gets particularly violent when it comes to the paps. Ivory ignores them and likes to play mind games with them. I usually like to ignore them, but given our current situation, they come with acertain stress and anxiety for me.
Sly releases my hand and opens the door, holding out his hand for Ivory to grab so he can help her out of the car. She takes it and steps out, immediately waving at the paps as our security detail helps her into the club. Sly reaches his hand out to Brody and I can tell it’s more of a peace offering than a kind gesture. Regardless, she ignores him and steps out on her own. A pap tries to grab her and she raises a hand to slap or punch, but one of our security guards, who happens to work for Harvey and Dallas, ushers her inside before she can land a hit and dig us into an even deeper PR issue than we’re already in.
