Page 144 of Hard Rock Tease

“I don’t know. I’m just saying that maybe things were better when we were just flirting over messages.”

“…Do you want to break up?”

I gave him a sad smile. “You can’t break up with someone if you weren’t together in the first place.”

Neil looked pained.

“We tried, Neil, but maybe it’s for the best. We’re both busy people. We’re here to work, after all. Maybe a relationship is just too much to ask for.”

“When I first asked you out, before we even met in person, I meant it. I really did. I’m sorry if it seems like I don’t want this.”

“Neil, it’s okay. We never made any promises. We just wanted to see if there was any chemistry between us, remember?”

“Are you telling me there’s no chemistry?” He took my hand and slowly stroked my palm, running his fingers up and down the skin of my wrist, sending shivers through my spine. I pulled my hand away.

“Sometimes chemistry isn’t enough.”

Neil opened his mouth as if he wanted to protest, but no words came out. He looked frustrated, like he was looking for the perfect words to make me stay.

I stood up and gave his hand a squeeze. “It’s fine, Neil. We can still be friends. I guess we just weren’t meant to be anything more.”

He looked up at me as I laid down a bill to pay for my drink. I thought he wanted to stand up and tell me not to go, but he knew the words I’d spoken were true.

“See you around, Neil.”

Chapter Sixteen

It had been hard enough workingwith Jayce when things were awkward between us, but now I had to see Neil every day, too. What a ridiculous soap opera situation I had found myself in.

I thought everything would come to a head when Neil announced he needed to work with Jayce one-on-one without the other band members.

“We need to take solo shots of you on stage. It’s hard to get the right angles during a real concert. Just pretend you’re performing.”

“Do I have to pretend? Can’t I just play?”

“Yeah, sure, if that makes it easier for you.”

I held my breath, but that seemed to be the end of the conversation. There was no posturing or glaring or growling. It was a relief.

Various members of the film crew told Jayce to pose this way and that, turning his body toward and away from the camera depending on what type of shot they were going for. Neil wasn’t directing the action, but he did have a large hand in blocking out what scenes he wanted to see. Every so often he would call out a request to Jayce, who would nod and do his best to give them the look they wanted.

The afternoon went smoothly considering the tension that had been simmering between the two of them. As long as they were both working, it seemed like they got along quite well on a professional level. They were both dedicated to their jobs. I wondered, if things were different, would Jayce and Neil have become at least friendly acquaintances, if not actual friends?

“Ailey, can I talk to you for a moment? Alone?”

Deena appeared at my side, ever-present headset over her ears and clipboard in her hands. Deena rarely needed to speak to me alone. I was mostly left to my own devices. I began to feel nervous. Had I done something wrong? I thought back, but couldn’t think of anything I’d posted recently that would have caused trouble.

“Is something wrong?”

“Let’s go speak somewhere privately.”

I followed behind her, feeling more worried with every step. Maybe it wasn’t about my job. Maybe it was about my personal life. Had she found out about me and Jayce? Did she disapprove? Even worse, did she think I was also screwing around with Neil on the side? Everyone had seen that kiss. I felt sick to my stomach—was I going to lose this internship? Was this the end of my career in the music industry?

Deena led me to a private office backstage and sat me down. She perched her hip on the corner of a desk.

“What are your plans for the future?”

I was taken aback, not expecting that kind of question. “Uh. Well. After this internship is over, I’m going back to college to finish my last year. Of course, I’m going to continue being active online, reviewing music.”