Page 120 of The Temptation of Truth

“Something life-altering.”

Her brows jump at my interruption, but she recovers quickly and nods.

“Well, I guess I would start by talking to him about it. I think once he knew about my feelings, he’d respect them.”

I can’t fight the frown that pulls at my lips. Torren would respect her feelings, but I’m certain Brady won’t respect mine. I shake my head.

“And if he doesn’t?”

Callie studies me with concern, her eyes scanning my face as if she’s analyzing a painting. I get the feeling she’s connecting dots, this conversation with the story of my dressing room outburst, and I don’t miss the way she hesitates. She glances over my shoulder toward the guys, then back to me before she speaks.

“If it was important to me, if it was something I truly didn’t want to do, and he didn’t respect that, I’d probably end the relationship.”

I don’t know why it affects me so much. I shouldn’t be surprised. She doesn’t seem like someone who would let another person control her. But I’ve watched them together; they seem so in love. I guess I didn’t think ending the relationship would be an option for her.

“You would?”

“Yeah, I would.”

I fist my hands in front of me and shift my weight, dropping my eyes to the floor between us so I don’t have to look at her. I can’t for this part.

“What if you, like,owedhim. Like, what if he had once helped you, and he did a lot for you, and now you feel like not doing what he wants would be...I don’t know...would be...wrong? Unfair? Like it would make you a bad person?”

She’s quiet for long enough that I can’t help but raise my eyes back to her face just to gauge her mood. Did I cross a line? Did I say too much? Does she think I’ve completely lost it?

I find her watching me carefully, her face soft, and when we make eye contact, she gives me an almost sad smile.

“Torren and I have been through a lot together, actually. I almost died in a car accident a few years ago.” She traces her fingers along the surgical scar on her forearm. “Without him, I probably would’ve given up on piano and my music career.I owe a lot of Caveat’s success to Heartless, too. They’ll never say that—they insist we’re successful because we’re talented—but I know the truth. Without the boost Sav and Torren gave us, Caveat Lover would’ve stayed a dusty memory, and I would still be working two jobs and living in a tiny apartment with my mom and sister. So, I know a bit about feeling like you owe someone a debt you can never repay.”

“And you’d still...you’d still end it? You wouldn’t compromise?”

Callie shrugs. “I don’t want a love that comes with strings, or a relationship built on a foundation of obligation. I’m willing to compromise on a lot, but my bodily autonomy isn’t one of them. If I really didn’t want to do something big and life-altering, and Torren didn’t respect my choice, I would absolutely end it.”

I blink at her like an idiot as her confession settles around us. Torren helped her heal. He helped her professionally. They’ve been through a lot together.

Yet, she’d still end their relationship if her wishes weren’t respected.

And she saidbodily autonomy, which means she definitely has an idea of what I’m talking about. I’m not embarrassed, though. I’m more...I don’t know. Empowered, I guess. Validated. I feel stronger.

My phone goes off with another alarm just as Brynn comes bounding into the kitchen with her laptop.

“Well, I have to go. She has a test today,” I say, nodding toward Brynn. “But thank you for being honest.”

She smiles, and it’s genuine. “Anytime, Aurora. Seriously.”

I could get used to having friends.

27

MABEL

I can’t stop smiling.

I can’t recall a thing my band said at breakfast. Sound check went by in a blur. All I can think about is Aurora. How she tastes. How she sounds when she comes. How she feels under my palms.

I’m a woman obsessed, and I don’t even care. I’ve lost all good sense, but this giddy excitement is addicting. I’m literally counting down the seconds until I’m alone with her again.

“Rossi, pull your head out of the clouds, for fuck’s sake.”