My gaze flies up with his admission, along with that of everyone else. It’s quiet for a long moment, the tension thicker than smoke.
“You’re fired,” Trent says.
Bedo grins. “You can’t do that.”
“Can’t? Fuck that shit.” Austin shakes his head.
“Can’t.” Bedo’s grin widens and a shiver works up my spine at the sight. “You’re too late. I no longer represent you.”
“What?” Sean’s brows pull with his frown. “You’re quitting? Letting us go?”
“Hell, no. There’s no way I’d let you out of your contract.” Bedo chuckles and it’s so arrogant. “You make me too much money.”
“This is fucking bullshit, Bedo.” Trent looks ten seconds away from ripping Bedo a new one. Actually, everyone in the room does.
“It’s not. Read your contract. It states you’ll remain with Off Track Records or under any parent company for the next three years.” He holds up three fingers and smiles a shit-eating grin. “And I sold Off Track Records to WMI last week. The deal goes public tomorrow.”
The guys stare at Bedo, then each other. Even Lexi’s stunned by the news. I don’t understand the impact, but by their somber expressions, it can’t be good.
“Why?” Sean speaks first.
He shrugs as if Sean asked him why the sky’s blue. “I’m too old for this shit. I’m ready to spend the rest of my days soaking up the sun on a beach in Cancun.”
“No.” Trent glares. “Why lie about Leighton?”
Bedo’s smile grows. “Because WMI only wanted Off Track if you came with it. I thought Opal was a rep from some other label. That she was here to woo you away. I wasn’t about to throw all my hard work away, so I needed an inside source.” He glances at me and I turn away, taking the opportunity to slide the cookies in the oven.
“But Opal wasn’t a spy,” Lexi smarts.
Bedo glares at her. “Yeah, well, I found that out eventually, no thanks to my nephew. Once he fell in love I kicked him to the curb. His loyalty was with her, and love makes people do crazy things. I couldn’t chance it.”
Sean shakes his head, hatefulness directed with his glare. “So, you broke them up and we lost our best drummer.”
“It’s business, baby. Nothing personal,” Bedo says. “In fact, you should thank me.”
“Thank you?” Trent scoffs incredulously.
“Yeah. With the WMI promotional connections, you all stand to make a lot of fucking money.”
“You piece of shit—” Austin lunges at Bedo, but the man is surprisingly agile for his age and dodges out of the way.
Sean and Trent move to their friend, and between them prevent Austin from attacking again.
“He’s not worth it, man. He’s not fucking worth it,” Sean says.
“That’s right. And my lawyers would sue your ass so fast you could kiss your fortune good-bye.” Bedo’s cockiness doesn’t abate for one second and I’m completely sickened by his lack of character.
Trent points to the door. “I think you need to leave now.”
Bedo stares back. His jaw ticks with irritation, and after a long moment he finally tips his chin. “Very well. Good luck with your new manager.”
I can tell the guys would love to say something, but they don’t. They glare until Bedo’s outside the kitchen and the front door slams. Sean even follows to make sure he leaves.
The timer on the oven pings, a harsh sound in this still room. Grabbing a few dishtowels, I open the oven and retrieve the cookies. My chest feels tight, but I don’t allow myself to fall apart. Not with the truth reeling in my mind.
He didn’t use me.
He never betrayed the band.
