“It was a mistake. The biggest. We both knew that really early on.”
“That doesn’t change the fact you stood in front of a minister and promised your life to someone else. That you could possibly be that much in love when …” He shakes his head.
“I told you things got complicated,” I say quietly.
He folds his arms. “Then uncomplicate it. Do you love them?”
“I don’t know how to explain Shannon. They … they were there for me when I was lost, and I mistook that for something that it wasn’t. I needed someone—”
“You should’ve come to me.”
“I couldn’t!” I hang my head.
“I haven’t so much as had a relationship since you. I’ve barely even tried because it has never felt right. Definitely not enough to stand at an altar declaring eternal love. So am I the moron here? What is this?” He waves a hand between us. “A fling with some guy from high school who didn’t mean shit? A fuck down memory lane? Screw you, Sherlock.”
“It’s not like that. When I met Shannon, I needed … something. I just didn’t know what. You had your fame and your rock star life. You had everything, and I—”
“I didn’t have you! It turns out I never stopped loving you, but you can’t say the same.”
I don’t know what to say. “I …”
“Cash Kingsley!” a voice screams from our right.
“Cash!” Another one.
Paparazzi.
Shit.
“Go back upstairs,” he mutters to me.
“Cashton …” I whine.
“Just go. I’m gonna head to Caesars and find the guys. Tell them the media knows we’re in Vegas.” He turns to the cameras. “Hey.” He smiles and waves politely.
“What are you doing in Vegas?” a photographer asks.
“Who’s that with you?”
Cash steps in front of me. “Just a fan. Take your photos and move on, guys. Surely, I’m not the most famous person here tonight.”
Just a fan.
A few hours ago, I was the guy he wrote his latest song for. Now I’m just a fan.
Got it.
I turn on my heel and stumble my way back inside the casino.
Chapter Nine
Cash
I use the key card the front desk gave me to let myself into Seb’s room. Being famous is good like that. I got the key, no questions asked.
The guy on his knees giving Seb a blowjob isn’t even a shock to me anymore. Seen it all before.
“Get out,” I say.
Seb’s eyes fly open. “Cash, what the fu—”
The twink pulls off Seb’s cock with a loud slurp. “Cash Kingsley?” He gasps. “Oh my God, this is so awesome! Are you going to join us?” He stands, completely naked, his cock long and thin, and I’m not even remotely interested.
I give my best friend the look.
“Sorry, babe. Band business.” Seb pulls up his pants and hands his trick his clothes.
“How long are you in Vegas for?” The poor guy has hope in his eyes.
“I’ll call you.” Seb pushes a now dressed rando toward the door.
“You don’t have my number.”
“Our manager is, like, FBI agent level of smart when it comes to getting intel. He’ll find you.”
“Oh. You want my name?”
“I’ll guess it.”
I snort and then cover my mouth. Seb sure knows how to make me feel better even when he’s not trying to.
He closes the door and leans against it, letting out a loud breath. “I don’t know whether to thank you or hate you right now. His mouth was amazing, but he had stage five clinger red flags. Your heartbreak couldn’t have waited ten more minutes before I got a chance to blow my load?”
I frown. “How’d you know it was heartbreak?”
“Because you left us in the desert a few hours ago all happy and loved up. You’ve had exactly enough time for three rounds of fucking, and that’s the top end of your attention span when it comes to dating.”
I flop down on his bed. Then I think better of it. I sit up. “What round were you on?”
Seb laughs. “You’re safe. You interrupted the opening act.”
I lie back down. “Locke’s married.”
“He’s what?” Seb turns to leave. “Where is he? I’ll kill him.” He gets as far as opening the door.
“He’s separated,” I call out. “Technically.”
Seb calms down almost immediately. “Oh. And you’re being a little bitch about that, why?”
“Because he moved on.” My voice is all mumbly and depressed.
Seb moves to lie on the bed next to me. “I don’t understand. Have you been lying about hooking up with all those guys on tour?”
“That was just sex. I don’t give a shit how many guys Locke has fucked. I mean, I don’t want to hear about it, but that’s not why I freaked out. He fell in love. He promised to have and to hold until death do they part. That’s … Grrargh.”
“But it didn’t work out. So, it was actually promise to have and to hold until we realize we made a mistake.”