Page 21 of Broken Harmony (Heartbreak Melody #2)

“Too late for that.” I get to my feet. “You're pretty much telling me that because I’m an Omega, this wouldn’t work.

I might not be your scent match, Liam, but I know there’s something between us.

Something that wouldn’t be so easily forgotten just because I find Alphas that make my pussy leak,” I hiss.

“The pull I feel towards you is so much more than that. But I guess that’s just one-sided, it’s just me.

Because if you found your scent match, I’d try to make it work.

Even if I wasn’t romantically involved with them, I’d share you.

Because I’d rather have you than lose you. ”

“Ally...”

“Stop saying my fucking name.” I’m done.

I’m too worked up. This is all fucked. He won’t pick me.

I need to give up. It’s only hurting me.

“Look, thanks for helping me with my heat. I’m glad it was with someone I know and trust. But from now on, I’ll do it alone and make sure I have everything I need.

Or I’ll work with a heat clinic. As long as I have some NDA’s in place and meet the people beforehand, I’m sure I’ll be okay. ”

“If that’s what you want,” is all Liam says.

“Ahg!” I stomp my foot. “Are you for fucking real right now? You’re just going to let some strange Alpha men fuck me? Be inside me? Fill me with their cocks and knots?”

His jaw ticks and his nostrils flare. But all he says is, “If that's what you want.”

“I hate you,” I hiss, eyes welling with tears. “I hate that I want you. I hate that you won’t pick me.”

His body is vibrating right now. I see the deep emotion in his eyes. Still, he does nothing. He’s so fucked up that no matter what I say, what I do, he won’t change his mind.

“I’m going to stay at a hotel for a few days. I need some space. Too much has happened in the past week. I need some time to think about where I should go from here and how my life is going to change.”

I don’t give him a chance to say anything, turning on my heel and storming back to the bus.

He stays outside while I pack a bag. I find him standing outside talking to another guard when I’m done.

“Where do you think you're going?” Liam asks as I head towards my car.

“I told you. I’m going to a hotel.”

“I know I’m the last person you want to be around right now, but you can’t go alone. The moment the paparazzi find out where you are, it’s going to get crazy.”

“Fine. Drive then.” I throw open the back seat, toss my bag in, and then climb in.

“Back seat, really?” Liam growls.

“Get fucked,” I snap back, crossing my arms and turning my head away from him.

He storms over to the driver’s side and gets in, slamming the door shut.

The drive to the hotel is filled with tension and not the fun, sexual kind.

I’m lost. Confused. Exhausted. My heart is broken, and my soul hurts.

As soon as I’m checked into the hotel, I take off, leaving Liam behind. I need some space between us.

I head straight for the shower, using the hottest water to scrub my body clean of all the sweat, cum, and slick.

Looking down, I see my skin is rubbed raw, every swipe of the cloth stinging.

A sob breaks free, and I collapse to the floor. Water rains down on me as I break apart.

I want Lulu. I want Liam. I want to be happy. I want this pain to go away.

I want to go to sleep and never fucking wake up.

Once all the tears run dry and my head is pounding from all the crying, I pick myself up and get out of the shower.

Wrapping the towel around me, I head straight for the bed, too tired to change into clothes.

As soon as my eyes close, I’m out. Thankfully, I’m not plagued by any dreams.

***

Three days later, I’m feeling better, and my pity party is over.

I’ve spent hours thinking about what I’m going to do with my life and where I go from here.

And now, it’s time I do something about it.

“Alright, tell me what's going on?” I ask, storming onto the tour bus. Everyone looks up at me. I can tell they want to ask questions, but I give them all a look that says not right now .

“Well,” my uncle clears his throat. “Julia has been arrested, which you already know. Your statement is enough to get her charged on multiple counts. We’re pressing charges, but there's going to be an investigation before any of this goes to trial. The lead detective believes you're not the only person she’s done this to.”

The sick thing is that I don't think I am either. How many people did she hurt? Take advantage of? Use and abuse?

“So, for right now, we’re going to be updated when we need to be. Just know she’s behind bars and can’t hurt you anymore.”

“Good.” I nod. Knowing she’s somewhere she can’t get to me has me feeling a little bit more relaxed.

“I want you to go see someone.” Chase surprises me by saying

“What?” My brows furrow. “What do you mean?”

“To talk to someone about what happened to you.” He swallows hard, his face a mask of guilt. “Ally, you were abused,” his voice cracks. “You shouldn’t have to deal with that on your own.”

“I’m fine.” I grind my jaw, not wanting to talk about this right now.

“Are you?” he asks. “Are you reall y? Because I know if what happened to you happened to me, I wouldn’t be.”

Okay, so I’m not fine. Far from it.

“Fine,” I sigh heavily. Maybe seeing someone will help.

I know I need to talk to someone about my depression.

If I’m going to continue to make something of myself in this career, I need to make sure I’m healthy.

Now that I don’t have Julia controlling every bit of my life, it’s time I take it back. Do what's best for me.

“Thank you.” He smiles gratefully at me.

“As for a new manager. I’ve made some calls and I think I’ve found you a good replacement.

He’s an intern at the label. Hard working.

Good guy. And he’s a Beta. So there’s nothing to worry about with power imbalances.

I can vouch for him because technically, I'm his godfather. I’ve known him his whole life. ”

“You have?” My brows furrow. “Who is it?”

Chase grins. “Remember that little boy who would always come to the family barbecues. Jason Wilder’s son?”

My eyes widen. “Nate?”

“Yup.” He grins wide.

Oh fuck. Nate. Really? What has the universe done to me?

Nate Wilder. The only person besides Lulu I ever had a real crush on.

He’s three years older than me, and I used to think he was the hottest boy to ever walk the face of the earth with his dark, wavy hair and bright blue eyes.

The way he would smile at me and call me kiddo would melt my little girl heart.

Sure, it’s been years since I’ve seen him. But the last time I did, I was eleven and he was 14. He was at one of the get-togethers my parents would host. I went looking for him and found him making out with my older cousin. That was the first time I ever got my heart broken.

Any time he came to anything after that, I hid in my room. Refused to see him.

And now he’s going to be my manager.

Fuck. My. Life.

“Is that okay?” Chase asks. “If you want me to look for someone else, I can. I just think he’d be the best fit. I trust him. He’s a hard worker. Eager to learn. And knows a lot about what's expected. He’s been wanting to take on more responsibilities within the company, and he has good ideas.”

“I have conditions,” I say.

“Okay, let's hear them.”

“He does what's best for the band. Not just me. The band as a whole. I’m slowing down on the acting, only taking jobs that interest me. I’m open to modeling, but again, only things that interest me.

Dancing is for our own songs, nothing else.

I will not be a backup dancer for bigger artists anymore,” I spit, hating the fact that Julia pimped me out more than I realized.

“Deal.” Chase nods.

“Then fine. I agree to give Nate a chance. But if it’s not working, we have the right to fire him.”

“Of course.”

I turn to the guys. “What do you think?”

They look at one another before turning back to me. “We want whatever you're comfortable with. But I’d like to meet the guy first if that's okay,” Skyler says.

“Same,” I tell my uncle.

“That I can do. Anything else?” The guys shake their heads.

“Can I talk to you? Outside. Alone?” I ask.

Chase’s brows furrow, but he nods.

We head outside, and the moment I step out of the bus, I can feel Liam’s eyes on me. He doesn’t come close, standing a bit away, talking to another guard.

“How are you doing?” Chase asks. “With so much happening so fast, I’m worried for you.”

“I’ll be okay.” I give him a smile. “Or I will be.” I don’t tell him how I’ve thought about quitting a million times over the past few days.

Or how there were moments I wished I weren’t alive.

That’s when I knew I really needed to get some help.

I’m not ready to let them in on the details just yet. I want to do this myself.

“I really am sorry,” his voice breaks. “If I knew–”

“I know,” I cut him off. “I know. No one knew. She made sure of it. Please, don’t beat yourself up over this. There's nothing you could have done.”

“Still, I’m your uncle.”

“Then you can make it up to me by making sure from here on out, we do the right thing. Hire the right people. And I get full control over everything. I don’t want anyone in charge of me.

If I say no, it’s a no. If I want something, I get it, within reason of course.

Otherwise, I don’t want this job anymore.

I love singing more than anything else in this world, but over the past few years, I feel like it’s become more of a requirement with too many strings attached rather than my soul's fire. I want that drive back. That thrill. The passion. If I don’t have that, then I don’t see the point. ”

He nods. “That’s understandable.”

“And I want a new personal guard.”

Chase’s eyes widen. “Did Liam do something to hurt you?” My heart. Yes.

“No.” I shake my head. “It’s complicated. But right now, I can’t be around him so closely.”

Understanding dawns on him. “You love him, don’t you?”

I bite my lip, trying not to cry as I look away.

“Hey.” Chase pulls me in for a hug. “I’m not sure what’s going on between the two of you, but anyone with eyes could see the connection you two have.

For whatever reasons, you guys won’t take that step, and it’s none of my business.

But if you want someone else, we can fire him and find someone new. ”

“No.” I shake my head. “I don’t want you to fire him.

Just someone to do his job until I can be around him without wanting to break down into tears,” I laugh awkwardly.

“He can still be on the team.” Glancing over Chase’s shoulder, I see Liam watching.

His brows are furrowed. I know he can’t hear us, but I think he can sense that something isn’t right.

He’s not going to like this. And honestly, I don’t either.

I don’t like the idea of someone else being so close to me, like the job entails.

But I know I can’t keep going like this and have a clear head when he’s so close to me.

Just out of reach. His scent drives me crazy, his presence makes me weak.

No. I need some distance, but I can’t stand the idea of losing him for good.

Maybe with some time, it will be different, but this is the best decision I could come up with without breaking down completely.

***

It’s two weeks later, and I’m feeling a hell of a lot better. The guys and I decided it was time for a much-needed vacation. We went to Mexico and booked a bungalow on a private beach. It was the perfect reset. And the number of songs I wrote is enough to fill three more albums. But who knows?

I tried not to think of Liam, who stayed behind. Or Lulu, making sure to keep off social media.

It was hard, but I think I did good for the most part.

I haven’t talked to Liam since the night I went to the hotel. But I know he’s not happy about my decision regarding his job. I heard him and my uncle arguing. Then I heard him and the guys shouting.

I hated it. I wanted to take everything back and tell them nevermind. But I need this.

Still, I fucking miss him like crazy.

Now, we’re back in the studio. My new guard isn’t too bad. Her name is Hillary. She’s a Beta, nice enough, good at her job, we get along, and she came highly recommended.

“That’s it, babe,” Skyler laughs. “That‘s our new hit.”

Is it a song about heartbreak, hating men, and wishing they would get fucked? Yeah, maybe. But hey, it works. That stuff sells. And it’s how my heart felt at the time, so the lyrics aren't a lie.

“My brother really is a fucking idiot.” Skyler shakes his head.

“What makes you think it’s about him?” I cross my arms. He gives me a look. “Fuck you.” I roll my eyes, and he laughs. “But yes, he is an idiot. A big one.”

“No argument on that,” Tyson chuckles.

There’s a knock at the door before it opens. “That was amazing,” Chase says, smiling, beaming, and proud. I grin back, happy he likes it. “Are you all done for the day?”

“Yeah, I think so.” I nod, looking to the guys who nod too.

“Good. Because I want you to meet someone.”

Chase steps aside to let someone pass him,

“Everyone, meet Nate Wilder. Your new manager.”

This has got to be a fucking joke, right? What did I ever do to deserve this cruelty?

“You couldn’t be ugly, could you?” I huff, crossing my arms as I glare at the newcomer.

“Ahh... sorry?” he asks, raising a brow as he hits me with a stupidly handsome grin.

Everything about this man is stupidly attractive. He’s tall, fit, dressed well; his hair is black and long enough to have that sexy bad boy wave, and his eyes are just as blue as they have ever been.

“You’re killing me, Uncle Chase,” I mutter, shooting my uncle a glare.

His lips part in shock. “What did I do?”

The guys snicker behind me, and I flip them off without looking their way, making them laugh harder.

“Alright then.” I click my tongue, stepping towards the sexy Beta. “So, you’re the new guy.”

Nate sticks his hands in his pockets, giving me that boyish smile. “Not so new, Kitty Cat.”

I narrow my eyes. It’s better than being called kiddo, I guess.

“Guess not.” I eye him up and down. “Welcome to the team.”

“I’m delighted to be a part of it.” He winks, and my body reacts.

Oh, no. Nope. Give me a damn break for a fucking change.

It’s not happening. Fuck you, universe! Not. Fucking. Happening!