Page 45

“Hey, Case?”

I stop and pull in a quick breath.

“Yeah?” I turn to face him again.

Luke is sitting up now. I can’t see details of his face, but I can tell he’s looking at me.

“Idoremember some of last night. And I’m still a dick and I still love you.”

My chest goes tight. My fingers clench around the door frame.

“And I still believe you,” I force out. “Take a shower and let’s get some food in you.”

He doesn’t stop me when I duck into his bathroom and raid the pile of hygiene products.

The water is still running in the guest room on my way back to the living room. After ordering room service, I clean myself up in the half bath attached to the great room, brush my teeth, then settle in to brave my phone for the first time in… well… almost a day. I don’t think I’ve checked it once since I arrived at Luke’s suite. There wouldn’t have been anything on there I wanted to see, but I don’t have an excuse anymore.

I stare at the long list of notifications with a sigh. Who knew becoming a twenty-five-year-old rockstar meant you’d have a hundred overbearing parents constantly on your case.

TJ: CALL ME. Why is everyone talking about a party in Luke’s room?? You better be working on those tracks.

I ignore that one for now. Our manager is just going to yell at me, and it’s too early for that many expletives.

Sweeny and Eli must have heard the rumors as well because they want to know what’s up and why they weren’t invited. That could get messy, so I assure them the rumors areoverstated and they didn’t miss anything. They probably won’t see my response for a few more hours anyway. It’s only ten in the morning here which means it’s… bedtime for them there.

The next one sends a chill through me, so I ignore it completely.

My email inbox is even worse. The Label is still pissed about Kara Corbin and demanding something. I don’t open the message to see what. The preview was enough. There’s an attachment though, and that’s never good.

The weekly reminder about my “contract obligations” is a separate email.

Below that is another request from a publisher about a book deal. I can’t help but wonder if people would be so interested in cashing in on my life if ithadn’tgone to shit in such spectacular fashion. Funny how The Rise is a fleeting news article and The Fall is a blockbuster bestseller.

I’m more than relieved when the food arrives. Not only am I in need of an interruption, I’m starving. Other than the few snacks last night with Callie, I haven’t eaten a full meal in… I don’t even know how long.

I didn’t really have a plan when I jumped on a plane. I still don’t. Everything feels contorted right now. Like I’m running down a path and just realized there is no path and I have no clue where I am.

Thank the heavens for pancakes, eggs, and coffee.

And Callie.

I hear her before I see her. Her hair is wet and she’s back to casual street clothes.

And I still can’t take my eyes off her.

I forget to chew the eggs in my mouth and almost choke as she approaches. I swallow them down and fight not to cough like an idiot.

I’m afraid I didn’t pull it off when she frowns and scans me with an expression I can’t interpret. Hopefully, she’s just hungryand in desperate need of coffee. I can’t take two grumpy suitemates at once, and I don’t see Luke taking on the role of resident bundle of sunshine.

“Morning. I had some food sent up if you’re hungry,” I say with a wave toward the dishes on the island. I had to scrub away substances I don’t even want to think about to accommodate the family-style dishes I ordered. I never know what, or if, Luke will eat, so we go with a mini buffet on days like this.

After one peek at the mess when they delivered room service, the hotel employee assured me housekeeping would be up shortly. Hopefully, they’re sending an entire crew. I’ll be raiding Luke’s wallet for the tip on that one.

Callie plops down on a stool, staring at my hair like it’s offending her.

To be fair, other than the quick check during my cleanup, I haven’t looked at myself today. It’s possible I’m kind of a mess. I run my fingers through it, trying to determine by feel if my appearance is scowl-worthy.

But when her gaze catches mine, it darts away like it did last night in Luke’s room when she… oh shit. She’s checking me out again.