“You should think about getting back to it.”
“I am thinking about it. I’m already on for Bennett’s interview. Just give me some time to rest my brain and figure things out.”
In my peripheral, I noted Margerie. She emerged from behind the door with the Employees Only sign and shot us a wide smile. Her fierce gaze matched her no less fierce red hair. My excitement grew as she approached.
“Cassy and Levi, nice to finally meet you.”
We shook hands.
Margerie sat on the couch across from us. Her cunning eyes studied me with direct curiosity, and I wondered if she read the tabloids and knew Frank and I were an item. Ever since we’d gone public, I asked myself this exact question every time I spoke with someone.
Levi began. I followed suit. We were so used to working as a pair, our words flowed together as one. He’d been right, after all. Once, we’d been the shit. Best duo on the scene. Industry people loved us. And I was starting to miss those crazy work-filled days.
The release date was still undecided. We were debating between two weekends, and wanted to see what worked best for Margerie.
“I’m sure we can always make room for an event that’s aimed to empower creatives. I’d be nowhere without artists.” She raised her hands and motioned at the surroundings.
“Isabella is one of a kind. I can’t wait for you to meet her,” I said proudly. Part of me regretted that Maria hadn’t been able to make her daughter's schedule work. Having Isabella here with us today would’ve been beneficial, but Margerie didn’t seem to need more convincing.
“Her voice has one of the widest ranges you’ll ever hear.” Levi grinned. “Five octaves. Think Mariah Carey, Mercury, Rose. I get goosebumps every time she sings.”
The meeting went great. We discussed the details of the event, then chatted about music and movies. Lastly, Margerie said she needed a day or two to run it by her father. Levi and I walked out of the theater wearing big smiles.
“You think it’s a go?” he asked on our way to the parking lot.
“Yes. I’m pretty sure it’s a yes.”
We said our goodbyes and made our way over to our cars.
Halfway to Malibu, my phone rang. Levi was panicking. “Shayne is in the ER. She has food poisoning. You’re coming with me tonight.”
Shocked, I stared at the line of cars in front of me in disbelief. “No. I am not!”
“We have ten interviews scheduled.”
“Ask Ashton to run the camera and do them yourself.”
“He’s never worked an event like this. You know how these things are.”
“I can’t.”
“It’s not like you’re going there to screw Marshall Burns. Come on.”
Dread settled in my stomach. I squeezed my fingers around the steering wheel harder and tried to rationalize my thoughts. Rewired was important to me. Frank was important to me too, but Frank had let me down before and Levi hadn’t.
“Okay,” I gritted out finally. “Send me the info. I’ll meet you there.”
Frank was in the gym when I returned to Malibu. Heart pounding, I sauntered inside and positioned myself in front of the treadmill. Even with his arm in a sling, he looked yummy. “There’s something I have to tell you,” I started. My gaze traced the cuts of his sweaty chest and stomach.
“Sounds serious.” He pressed the control button to slow the belt.
I took a deep breath. “Shayne, the girl who’s working with Levi, had a medical emergency and he asked me to help him with the interviews tonight at the event Rewired is covering.”
“Huh?” Frank grabbed the towel from the rail and ran it over his face and neck.
“It’s Dante’s album release party, the event.”
He hit the button again. “That’s tonight?” The treadmill stopped. “I thought we decided we weren’t going?” He arched a brow.
“I’m not asking you to go if you don’t want to. I don’t want to go either, but Levi won’t find anyone else on such short notice, and he’s got a dozen VIPs confirmed. If he cancels, it’ll make Rewired look really bad.”
I wasn’t sure why I was even explaining any of this to him. We’d never discussed the events I attended. It went without saying.
Panting, Frank stepped down from the treadmill. “I thought you were taking a break from the magazine?” He got rid of the sling and rolled his shoulder.
The accusing rise of his voice hit me hard.
“I am. And I’m sorry that you feel the way you do, but I’m not going there to party. I’m going to work. I dedicated seven years of my life to that magazine. I owe it to Levi,” I spoke calmly, but my blood raced.
“And how do I feel?” His gaze penetrated mine.
I matched his stare. He was unbelievable. I didn’t think this would be such a big deal for him. “Like a victim.”
“Oh yeah?” His voice jumped. “What do you know about being betrayed by your best friend?”
“This is stupid, Frank!” I cried out. “You wrote the album. You’re invited to the party. You have two options. Stay home or make an appearance. Your choice.”
Frustrated, I spun on my heels and marched off. My heart thundered. Part of me understood why Frank was so irritable. He struggled with staying sober. Even the smallest things ticked him off. The album release party wasn’t a small thing.
Once I was in the bedroom, I surveyed the closet. My camera-friendly jacket and slacks still hung in the corner. My pumps sat on the shelf as if we’d never had any fights or taken any breaks. Levi’s message stated that the press check-in was at five, which only gave me a little over an hour to get ready. I grabbed my clothes and my shoes and stepped out of the closet. Frank stood in the center of the room. Visibly distraught, eyes dark.
“I don’t understand why you’re so upset,” I said, depositing my items on the chair.
“Because I don’t want you to go to that fucking party if I’m not going.”
“This is ridiculous.” I shook
