Page 15 of Love Loathe Devotion (Tightrope #3)

I sigh, stretching my arms over my head as I stare at the half-filled document on my laptop screen.

The PR campaign for Joey’s kidney drive is coming together, but my focus keeps slipping.

It doesn’t help that Eddie has been busy the last few days, wrapped up in meetings with his lawyer and other things he hasn’t shared details about.

When we’ve crossed paths, he’s been friendly—always flashing that easy grin—but there’s been no heat, no lingering touches, no stolen moments. And I hate that I’m noticing.

I press my lips together, irritated with myself. How the hell did I get so attached so fast? I’ve only been here a few days. We aren’t even real. I should be relieved that he’s giving me space, not... missing him.

A car crunches over the gravel outside, breaking into my thoughts.

My brows pull together as I glance toward the window.

A sleek black Audi is parked in the driveway, and a woman with bright pink hair steps out.

Petite, dressed in ripped jeans and a leather jacket, she walks toward the front door like she’s been here a hundred times before.

Who the hell is that?

The doorbell rings, sharp and insistent.

I hesitate for half a second before pushing back from the counter and making my way to the door. Eddie isn’t home, so it’s up to me to deal with this.

When I pull it open, the pink-haired woman stares at me, wide-eyed. “Who the hell are you?” she blurts, sounding genuinely baffled.

I cross my arms, mirroring her expression. “I could ask you the same thing.”

She tilts her head, studying me. There’s something sharp in her gaze, but also amusement. “I’m Cherry. And you are?”

“Laney.” My tone is clipped, bordering on territorial.

Cherry grins. “Laney, huh?” Then, without warning, she shoves past me, stepping into the house like she owns the place.

“Hey!” I snap, reaching to stop her, but she’s already making a beeline for the kitchen.

I whirl around, my pulse kicking up a notch as I follow her. “Excuse me, but who exactly do you think you are?”

She doesn’t answer. Instead, she strolls into the kitchen like she’s familiar with the layout, and something ugly twists in my gut. Does she belong here?

Is she... his?

The thought makes my stomach drop.

I plant my hands on my hips. “Okay, seriously, who are you to Eddie?”

Cherry finally stops, perching herself on one of the stools. She props her elbow on the counter, resting her chin in her palm as she looks me up and down with a smirk. “The better question is... who are you to Eddie?”

I freeze.

Shit.

She could be from his record label, someone sniffing around for dirt. And if she is, I need to stay in character.

Straightening my shoulders, I lift my chin. “I’m Eddie’s girlfriend.”

Cherry’s smirk vanishes—and then she bursts out laughing.

Full-bodied, head-thrown-back laughing.

I scowl. “What the hell is so funny?”

She wipes at her eyes, still chuckling. “Oh, sweetie. Are you serious?”

“Yes,” I snap, folding my arms. “And unless you want me to throw you out on your ass, I suggest you tell me who you really are.”

Her laughter fades, but there’s still amusement dancing in her dark eyes. “You know what? I like you.” She grins wide, hopping off the stool and extending a hand. “I’m Cherry. And before you pop a blood vessel, relax—I’m just a friend.”

I eye her hand suspiciously. “Just a friend?”

She rolls her eyes and waves her left hand in my face, flashing a sparkling wedding ring. “Happily married. No threat to your fake relationship, sweetheart.”

I stiffen. “What makes you think it’s fake?”

She snorts. “Oh, please. I know Eddie. If you were really his girl, you wouldn’t be standing over there looking like you want to stab me. You’d be in his lap.”

Heat flushes up my neck.

Damn it.

Cherry smirks like she knows she hit a nerve. Then she hops back onto the stool and kicks her feet up on the rung. “Now, be a doll and make me some coffee, will you?”

I scowl but grudgingly turn toward the coffee maker. “You’re awfully bossy for someone who just barged into a stranger’s house.”

“Eddie’s house,” she corrects.

I shoot her a look over my shoulder. “You said you’re just a friend. What kind of friend?”

“The kind who once used him to make my husband jealous.” She grins when I freeze. “Relax, I had a good reason. My idiot husband wasn’t getting the hint that he needed to put a ring on it, so I thought if I made him a little territorial, it might push him into action.”

I raise an eyebrow as I pour the coffee. “And did it work?”

Cherry snickers. “Not exactly. Eddie and my husband ended up bonding over their shared love of motorbikes instead. Next thing I knew, they were riding off into the sunset, leaving me fuming on the sidewalk.”

Despite myself, I snort. “That is kind of funny.”

Cherry grins. “Right? Don’t worry, Eddie was a perfect gentleman. But my husband? He’s still mad at him for ‘stealing’ me that one time, even though it was my damn idea.”

I shake my head, setting a mug of coffee in front of her. “Sounds like a complicated friendship.”

“Nah, it’s simple. We’ve got each other’s backs.” Cherry wraps her hands around the mug, watching me. “So, what’s your deal? How’d you end up here?”

I hesitate. There’s something sharp about her, like she sees more than she lets on.

But there’s also warmth.

I exhale, sinking onto the stool across from her. “It’s... a long story.”

She sips her coffee. “Good thing I’ve got time.”

I bite my lip, then sigh. “Fine. But if you laugh, I will throw you out.”

Cherry smirks. “Deal.”

I hesitate, but Cherry’s watching me expectantly, her fingers curled around her coffee mug, blue eyes sharp with curiosity.

There’s something about her—maybe it’s her bluntness, or the fact that she stormed into Eddie’s house like she belonged—that makes me feel like I can trust her.

Or maybe I just want to trust her. It’s been so long since I’ve had another woman to really talk to.

I love Christie but our friendship has always been more superficial, not bad, and I love her for taking me in like she did, but I guess, after what happened with Randy, my trust is gone.

“Okay,” I say, exhaling. “It all started at a tattoo shop.”

Cherry’s brows shoot up. “Eddie was in a tattoo shop? That man does not need more ink.”

I smirk. “No idea if he was getting more ink, but he is friendly with the owners so maybe it was just a visit. Anyway, I was there to get a tattoo, or so my ex thought.”

Her eyes light up. “Ohhh, do tell.”

I sip my coffee, remembering that day like it was yesterday. “So, my ex—Randy—was a cheating bastard.”

Cherry’s lips pull into a sneer. “Scumbag.”

“Yeah, he was, and I wanted a little revenge. After I found out he was screwing around with my friend, I wanted to get even. I was sick of being walked all over. So, I figured—why not have a little fun?”

Cherry leans forward, eyes glittering with delight. “Please tell me this story ends with some glorious, humiliating revenge.”

I grin. “It does.”

She claps her hands together. “Oh, I like you.”

I chuckle, warming to her more by the second. “I had the tattoo artist—who happened to be my friend’s brother—convince Randy that it was a new trend to have couples pick out tattoos for each other and have them done blindfolded at the same time.”

Cherry rubs her hands together with glee written all over her face. “Oh, I’m liking this already.”

“I drew mine for Randy of a cheetah taking a strap-on dildo from some bimbo. I sat next door while he had it done.”

Cherry gasps, then howls with laughter. “You did not.”

“Oh, I did.”

“That is iconic.” She wipes at her eyes, still giggling. “Wait, where does Eddie come into this?”

“That’s the best part,” I say, smiling. “Randy was furious when he saw his new ink. He got in my face, screaming and shouting, making a scene—and then, out of nowhere, Eddie stepped in.”

Cherry’s laughter dies down, replaced by something knowing. “Of course he did.”

I nod, my stomach flipping a little at the memory.

“He didn’t even know who I was. But suddenly, he was just there, standing between us, telling Randy to back off.

I swear, he barely raised his voice, but Randy got this look on his face—like he knew he wouldn’t win that fight.

He left, cursing me out, and Eddie just looked at me and said, ‘You good, sweetheart?’ Like it was nothing to him. ”

Cherry shakes her head, her smile soft. “That’s Eddie. Always swooping in, always the protector. Even for someone he doesn’t know.”

Something tightens in my chest. “Yeah,” I murmur. “That’s exactly what he did.”

She watches me for a moment, then gestures for me to continue. “So, how’d you go from that to living here?”

I take a breath. “A few weeks later, I was at Eddie’s concert with my friend.

Randy had given me tickets as a birthday present last year, so I decided to go.

When we got there, we were told the tickets were fake.

” I roll my eyes because I should have known Randy would never shell out that kind of money for me.

“As we were talking to the security guy, someone in a hoodie walked passed and told him to let us in and we got a backstage passes. I later learned it was Eddie. Apparently, he likes to walk around in disguise before the show and soak up the atmosphere. Of course, by that point, I’d realized it was Eddie.

I’d had posters of him on my wall since I was a teen. ”

Cherry nods. “Let me guess—you recognized his voice?”

“Exactly,” I say, smiling slightly. “Anyway, after the show, my friend and I went backstage but it was so busy, and then... things got complicated.”

Her expression darkens. “What happened? It was bad, wasn’t it?”

I nod, my stomach twisting. “I was trying to find Eddie and somehow got separated from my friend and it was crowded. I felt something like a sting in my hip and, minutes later, I started to feel sick and woozy. This guy jumped me and dragged me out into the hallway. I fought, but I wasn’t strong enough, my limbs felt heavy, and I was out of it.

And just when I thought—” I cut myself off, swallowing the lump in my throat.

Cherry reaches across the counter and squeezes my hand. “Eddie got to you,” she says softly.

I nod again, feeling a lump in my throat. “Yeah. He showed up and pulled the guy off me. Carried me back to his dressing room and stayed with me all night. Even got me seen by a doctor.”

Cherry’s grip tightens. “Jesus, Laney. That’s terrifying.”

I nod, exhaling shakily. “It was.”

Cherry shakes her head, anger flashing in her eyes. “I swear, if I ever meet the bastard who did that to you, I’ll introduce him to my boot.”

A startled laugh bubbles out of me and, for the first time in days, I feel lighter. “I appreciate that, but Eddie said he took care of it. Turns out the guy was one of his new roadies.”

She squeezes my hand once more, then leans back, watching me with curiosity. “Okay, so I get why Eddie feels protective over you. But why the fake relationship?”

I roll my eyes. “Because his record label is being ridiculous. They think his image needs ‘stability’ and, apparently, I look like the perfect wholesome girlfriend.”

Cherry snorts. “What bullshit. They want to package him up into some family-friendly country boy image, huh?”

“Pretty much.”

“Well, that’s just stupid.”

I chuckle. “I know, right?”

She grins. “Seriously, these execs don’t know Eddie. If they think they can put him in a neat little box, they’ve got another thing coming.”

I find myself grinning back. “Agreed.”

Then I pause, realization hitting me like a freight train. When the hell did I start spilling my guts to her?

I narrow my eyes at her. “You should work for the government. You’d make an excellent interrogator.”

Cherry bursts out laughing. “I do have a gift.”

I shake my head, still smiling, but then her expression shifts. She studies me for a second, something unreadable in her gaze. “So,” she says casually, “do you like him?”

I freeze.

Cherry raises an eyebrow. “Eddie.”

My stomach clenches, and my pulse picks up. I could lie. I could brush it off. But she’s already given me so much honesty, it feels wrong to be anything but truthful. “Yeah,” I admit quietly. “I do.”

Cherry exhales, like she was expecting that answer. “Be careful.”

I frown. “Why?”

She stirs her coffee, her expression thoughtful. “Eddie’s the best guy I know. He’s loyal, protective, and when he cares about someone, he really cares.” She meets my gaze. “But he will break your heart, even if he doesn’t mean to.”

A shiver runs down my spine. “What do you mean?”

Before Cherry can answer, the front door swings open.

Eddie steps inside, his boots heavy on the floor, his jacket slung over his shoulder. His gaze lands on us and, for a second, something flickers in his eyes—something unreadable.

Then he smirks. “Am I interrupting something?”

Cherry grins and turns back to her coffee. “Nope. Just girl talk.”

Eddie raises an eyebrow at me, and I shift in my seat, feeling suddenly exposed. How much did he hear?

His smirk deepens, but there’s something softer behind it. And suddenly, I realize—I really need to be careful.

Because if I’m not, I might just be the one breaking my own heart.