“Trent, I have to tell you something.”
He glances over his shoulder at Sean. Thankfully, Bedo and Austin don’t double back or reappear.
“What are you doing here, Leighton?” Lexi says, disappointment thick in her tone. “She doesn’t want to see you.”
“I know.” I meet her gaze a moment before looking up at Trent. “I’m not here for her. I need to tell you something. It’s important.”
Trent chuckles, a bitter sound, and shakes his head. “You lied. You hurt Opal, and deceived the rest of us. What do you have to say that I’d want to hear?”
“I deserve that.” I swallow and accept his anger.
“Yeah, you deserve worse. You earned our trust and treated it like shit. You are the worst kind of person, you know that?”
I nod. “I do. But I want to make it right.”
His gaze is almost sad as he stares and shakes his head. “Some wrongs can’t be fixed.”
“And I know that, too.” Opal will never forgive me. I don’t expect her to, but I still need to do everything I can to make things right. “Just hear me out. Please. There’s something I need to say. It’s about Bedo.”
Trent’s lips pinch with disapproval.
Sean steps to Trent’s side, his arms crossed over his chest. “We aren’t hiring you back.”
“I’m not here for my job.” I inhale deeply. “I loved playing for Three Ugly Guys, but I know I fucked that all up. I’m here because I need to make this right. Because I love her. Because you all treated me more like family than my own ever did. I owe you this.”
“That’s not how brotherhood works.” Trent shrugs. “The I owe you, you owe me bullshit.”
I know that, too. “Everything I’ve ever been given has been based on conditions. Even with my parents.”
“Look, we don’t care.” Sean shakes his head. “You aren’t going to work that sad millionaire music prodigy woe is me shit on us.”
“Bedo’s fucking Victoria Hale. The CEO of World Music Industries. That’s how I ended up on your tour. I caught them, in the act.” I have their attention now. “I used that to blackmail my uncle for a spot on the tour.”
“Then you sold insider information to the paps? Real nice.” Sean clenches his jaw.
“No.” I straighten my spine.
Both Trent and Sean raise their eyebrows. “No?”
“No. I never sold information. That was all Bedo. All I ever wanted to do was play in the band. I swear.” I shove my hands into my pockets. “But that’s not what’s important. WMI is known for acquiring small labels, but they don’t take care of their artists. They mess with contracts and exploit bands for all they’re worth. I’m worried about you guys. I think that’s why Bedo didn’t want you to know.”
“Why should we believe you?” Lexi glares and it takes everything to not cower.
“You shouldn’t.” I hold my chin high. “You should look into it yourself. But know Bedo used me to get info on you. I never told him you and Opal were sisters. He figured it out on his own. He was so obsessed with Opal, like he was scared of what she might do. He kept insisting she must work for a rival label.”
Trent glances at Sean and Lexi. “Why would he care about that?”
“If he thought you were looking to make a move.” I clear my throat. “Leave Off Track? It might mess with whatever deal he’s cooking up with WMI.”
“That all?” Sean glances over his shoulder.
“Yes.” I know I’m out of time. “Wait. No. I have no right to even ask, but how is she?”
Lexi’s hands go to her hips. “How the fuck do you think she is?”
“I love her.” I blurt.
Trent wraps his arm around Lexi. “Well, you should have thought of that before.”
