Christ.
“It’s Cannon Rhodes,” she whisper-hisses, face turning bright red. “What is he doing here? I never heard about any performance. Do people even perform at these kinds of shows?”
Snickering at her quick words, I shake my head. “Not here. I think I heard he’s presenting an award too. Would you like an introduction?”
“No!” she chokes out, shaking her head adamantly. “Nope. Then I’ll turn into Moffie when she met you. I’ll get all red and squeaky and then people will know me as Mouse Girl or something.”
Grinning, I nudge her leg with mine. “I suppose that’s one way to get the press off other topics surrounding you. Mouse Girl doesn’t have a bad ring to it.”
She glares. “Not funny.”
“Hate to break it to you, love—” I brush my knuckles along her cheek. “—but you’re already red. Redder than your lipstick, in fact.”
Rylee groans, her eyes darting back to where The Wild band member is talking with a few other people I vaguely recognize.
I lean close to her. “Deep breaths. In for three, out for three. Remember? Don’t turn into me when I met Olivia Newton-John.”
“At least people sang to you to lighten the mood. I’m about to sweat myself to death.” She squirms in her chair, flattening her hands down her dress. “Am I allowed to sweat in something this expensive? I’m terrified to move or do anything. Eating? Forget about it. You know I always get something on myself.”
I laugh lightly. “What are you going to do, sit there and look pretty all night? There is such thing as dry clean, Ry. You don’t need to worry about anything.”
She’s about to speak when a well-known actress and her plus one stops at our table and examines the name cards across from us. I only know her from one of Mum’s favorite rom coms that she watches on repeat, so I offer a smile in greeting as they sit down.
The woman, Sienna Cross, looks between Rylee and me. “I’m glad to see we’re in good company. Last year we were put next to Luke Clark and his now-estranged wife and we all know how that turned out.”
Rylee cringes, probably remembering all the breaking news articles that went viral online after the couple was escorted from the premises after one too many drinks led to a huge public fight at the award show. Not many people noticed their absence in between filmed commercial breaks during the broadcast, but they definitely did after the news came out.
Sienna notices the empty chairs left. “Do we know who else is joining us?”
“Si,” the man beside her murmurs.
She brushes him off. “I’m just wondering, Russel.”
I nod toward the spot beside me. “My mate Zayne is supposed to be here. Not sure about a plus one.” When he told me he was invited, he’d never said who was coming with him, if anyone.
Things have been…odd between us. We still talk but avoid the large elephant in the room which seems to be making the tension worse. Every time I try bringing it up, Zayne makes an excuse to leave without saying a word about what he admitted.
Before I can think too much about it, I see the man in question walking toward us. He bumps into somebody and stumbles to the side, apologizing a little too loudly before stopping behind the empty chair next to me.
It’s obvious the second he looks at me that he’s tanked. After he sits down, I lean over and whisper, “You reek, mate. You’re pissed, aren’t you?”
He gives me a lopsided grin, before jabbing my shoulder with one of his fingers. “No, I’m drunk. Might have pre-gamed a little before the event to loosen up.”
Cussing under my breath, I pour him a glass of water and shove it into his hand. “Drink.”
Scowling at the glass in his hand, he grumbles, “What are you my mother?”
Sienna clears her throat. “I heard you’re presenting tonight.” She directs the statement toward me, then trails her eyes over to my mate who’s guzzling the water down all at once.
“Yes. I don’t go on until the end.”
She gestures toward Zayne, an unimpressed look pinching her face. “Probably a good thing.”
Her comment makes my jaw tick, but I brush it off. Looking over at Rylee, I see worry sketched into her expression that’s pointed at my best friend and know none of us are going to have a good night like I’d promised when she agreed to be my date.
32
Garrick
Running a hand through my hair, I help lean Zayne against the side of the building as we wait for our car. It’s been a grueling night of babysitting, and whatever he had before coming here is quickly leaving his system.
“Is he okay?” Rylee whispers, eyes wide as people pass the three of us with curious stares.
I murmur, “He’s crashing.” He starts to slide down the wall, but I quickly correct him. Rylee stands beside him, putting one of his arms around her shoulders to keep him steady.
There’s no doubt people have gotten some interesting photos of the three of us tonight. It’s something I’ll have to deal with after I get us out of here because it isn’t just alcohol Zayne has been indulging in as a pre-game based on how much he fidgeted during the entire program.
“Come on, mate,” I direct once our car pulls over to the curb. I help Rylee walk him forward, sliding him in first and getting him positioned to lean against the car door.
Not wanting Rylee near him, I slide in after and gesture for her to get in last. The man driving us closes the door behind her and walks around the front while I turn to my drummer.
“What did you take?” I ask, shaking his arm. He shoves my hand away and grumbles unintelligibly under his breath. “Zayne. Tell me what the fuck you’re on right now so I can help you.”
His face shifts toward me, a mixture of
