He chuckled and shook his head. “No need to thank me, Mr. Nightwork. I’m just doing my job.” I dropped his hand. “I wish you the best of luck in your relationship, Mr. Nightwork.”
“Thank you, Darwin.”
Once I was in the elevator, I pulled out my phone and texted Spike personally.
Me
I’m working on making our relationship public. I promise.
Spike’s response was almost immediate.
Little Tiger
While you deserve to do this on your own time, I really hope so, Richard. Kalin is a mess.
I blew out a soft breath and leaned back against the elevator wall, my chest nearly too tight to comfortably breathe. Knowing I was hurting Kalin was killing me. Because while he was a bit of a brat and definitely mouthy, he was sweet and too fucking good for a man like me.
I was going to have to grovel like a mother fucker to get Kalin to forgive me for all the pain I’d put him through. But I’d spend the rest of my life on my knees worshiping him if it meant he didn’t walk away from me.
4
Kalin
Record Label Asshole Owner
I know you’re upset with me, so I don’t expect a response.
Record Label Asshole Owner
But I’ve got something in the works so we can finally be public. You, me, and Spike. I want this, too, little one.
Record Label Asshole Owner
I miss you.
I scoffed and tossed my phone aside, fucking furious all over again—and just when I’d managed to find some semblance of peace, too. When I looked at my phone, sure I’d wanted to see a text from him. Of course, I fucking did because I was madly in love with the asshole, even if I was angry with him. But his text just felt like more empty promises.
And I was so tired of empty promises. Tired of feeling like second best to his company and his reputation. Tired of feeling like I was just some fun little toy to him.
I didn’t understand how Spike was so calm and content as we were. I was splintering apart at the fucking seams.
I climbed out of our bunk and headed for the bathroom, only to bump right into Salem, who was coming out of the room he and Tor shared on the tour bus. I scowled at him, bumping into him having been my tipping point.
“Watch where the fuck you’re going, yeah?”
Salem scoffed. “Bro, I was just coming out of my room. Chill the fuck out and stop being a dick.”
I shoved his shoulder, anger burning through my veins. I didn’t have the patience to deal with him—or anyone—this morning. All I wanted was a fucking shower and then a cup of coffee. And avoid everyone I fucking could.
“I’m not the one just walking out of their fucking room like they own the place,” I snarled.
Salem shoved forward, coming toe to toe with me, his eyes emptying and going cold. If there was one person in our friend group who was truly dangerous, it was Salem. He could flip his emotions off like a fucking light switch.
“You wanna do this?” he asked, eerily calm. “You sure you want to start shit with me, bro?”
“Woah!” Tor yelled, rushing out behind Salem. He was shirtless, clad in only a pair of sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his hips. He wrapped his arms around Salem’s waist and tugged him back from me. At the same time, Spike shoved his way between us and gripped my upper arms, guiding me backward.
“Don’t ever fucking think you can put your goddamn hands on me, Kalin. Family or not, I will fuck you up,” Salem seethed before Tor managed to get him into their room and slam the door shut to keep Salem from escalating the situation.