running off the stage. The bands bodyguards didn’t try to stop me from going backstage. Both men stepped to the side as I ran passed them. When I was far enough away so that the band or the crowd couldn’t see me I collapsed onto the floor.
“There you have it ladies and gentlemen. You just witnessed what that girl does best. She runs.” Tristan spoke to the crowd. He sounded proud of himself. The crowd actually cheered. Unbelievable.
I wanted to get out of this place before the guys came off stage. Standing, I ran my fingers under my eyes, hoping I didn’t look like a drunk raccoon. When I rounded the corner where the exit sign was hanging from ceiling I saw a very pregnant and a very pissed off Lydia Cole coming in my direction.
She was yelling at her bodyguard, “What the fuck is his problem! I swear, I am so sick of his selfish bullshit. If he wasn’t Jase’s cousin I would beat the shit outta him. What he did was fuckin’ ridiculous. I can’t believe he made Em do that. If I was her before I ran off stage I would have kicked him square in his dick.”
Lydia finally looked up and saw me standing against the wall. Her face instantly softened as did her voice. “Oh my God, Em! I am so sorry. I had no idea that asshole would do that to you. I never thought he would see you in the crowd. I feel so bad for inviting you then you having to go through that.”
Sniffing, I attempted a smile. “This wasn’t your fault, it was mine. I should have walked away the minute he saw me in the crowd. Hell, I should have walked away eighteen months ago.” I dropped my head and pushed my tears back. “I just want to get outta here before the guys are finished.”
I no more than got the words out of mouth before I heard the rowdy band coming down the hall. There were now two more body guards behind Lydia, making it near impossible to make an escape without the guys noticing.
“Well, well, well. Isn’t this convenient?” Tristan snickered.
Lydia stepped in front of me, attempting to shield me from Tristan. “Don’t start, T. What you did was uncalled for and you know it. She never did anything wrong to you. It’s time you grow up and act like the twenty six year old that you are, not the six year old little boy pulling the cute girls piggy tails at recess. You are an arrogant ass and if it wasn’t for Jase I would love to knock you out myself for that shit you pulled. You owe her an apology.”
Tristan just laughed in Lydia’s face. “Jase, can you control you wife?”
Jase held his hand up in front of him as if surrendering and shook his head. “Hell no. She scares me and I am not stupid enough to piss of the pregnant lady.”
Tristan scoffed, “Fuckin’ great.” He leaned down so he was face to face with Lydia. She never budged. Tristan stuck his hand out and pointed at me, accusingly. “She deserved every bit of humiliation she got tonight. Emersyn Caine is a fuckin’ whore. She doesn’t deserve my respect or my apology. I want her away from my band before we catch some disease from her.”
Before he saw it coming Lydia connected her fist with Tristan’s jaw. She hit him hard enough he stumbled backwards, losing his balance long enough for Lydia to throw another punch. This time she connected with the apple of his cheek. Tristan fell into the wall, grabbing his face. The bodyguards started to step in and reached for Lydia. Jase held his arm up in front of them. “No. It’s fine. Let her go.” The oversized men dropped their hands and took a few steps back.
Leaning down so she was in Tristan’s face, Lydia bit out, “Call her a whore again and I swear I will make sure your dick is made into a smoothie and fed to you, you idiotic prick. You don’t deserve to be around a girl like Em.” Lydia turned on her heel, grabbed my hand, and drug me out of the building into the warm Los Angeles night.
