“Who knew that being such a fuck up would win us best single,” Liam says earning him a solid round of clapping. “There are really only two people I have to thank for inspiring Painkillers. The first being my buddy, Mason; had he not left us so early, I wouldn’t be standing here; and the other is Josie. I needed to find a way to show you what I was feeling when we weren’t together. I have to thank Harrison and JD for helping make it the hit that it’s been.”
The warning music comes on, causing us all to laugh. Liam holds the trophy up and says, “this is for our kids; Noah, Quinn, Elle and Peyton, we love you and we’ll be home soon.”
We walk off stage and are ushered to the green room to get ready for our performance. The room is busy, but relaxing. Liam is being interviewed and that’s fine by me. It gives me a chance to take off my jacket and loosen my tie. I’m tempted to change, but failed to bring extra clothes with me. My mind was definitely someplace else earlier.
Loud clapping catches my attention. I turn and instant dread washes over me as Sam stalks toward us. I turn away from her, determined to ignore her, but she steps in front of me, brushing her breasts against my chest.
“What are you doing here?” Liam asks from behind me. I roll my eyes and move away from her. I have no history with her other than the fact that I can’t stand her.
“This is an industry event, is it not?”
Sam steps closer to Liam. He moves back a step, keeping space between them.
“What, no kiss hello?”
“Why the fuck would I kiss you?” Liam asks. I have a feeling this is going to get ugly very quickly.
“Because you know you need me.”
Liam shakes his head. “I don’t need shit from you.”
“Well we both know that’s not true.” She runs her long, red dagger of a fingernail along his jacket. He bats her hand away, but that doesn’t stop her from moving closer. Liam sidesteps and comes to stand by me. I hope he doesn’t think I’ll protect him from her. On second thought, I wouldn’t mind slapping the bitch a few times.
“4225 West’s contract with Moreno Entertainment has been severed, Sam. You no longer work for us.”
“We can fix that easily enough. The band needs me, as evidenced by your failed tour. Besides, you and I have unfinished business.”
Liam runs his hands over his face in frustration. I look at JD, who is shaking his head.
“How do you know about our tour?” I ask.
Sam shrugs. “I have my sources.”
“Called DeVon,” JD adds sourly.
I watch her face for any sign that she was behind the double booking, but she’s stoic, mechanical even.
Liam’s face turns red. He steps toward her with his finger directed at her face. “I’m going to find out if it was you, and so help me, I’ll sue the shit out of your company.”
“Is that going to be before or after you tell your little wifey that you knocked me up? Or should I tell her?”
Liam screams, his hands curling into fists in frustration. “You fucking bitch, I’ll –“
“4225 West you’re needed on stage.”
Our name is called before Liam can finish his sentence, which I’m very thankful for. I have a feeling the ending would be a threat that Sam would make sure he paid for. JD pushes Liam away from a laughing Sam and out the door toward the stage.
Liam is worked up, agitated. I set my hands on his shoulders to try and calm him down. “You gotta block it out. We have to perform.”
“I’m going to kill her.”
I know, I want to say, but I don’t. “She’s grasping at anything to hang onto you. You can either tell Josie or wait Sam out. My suggestion is to tell Josie, because hearing it from you is going to be a lot easier than hearing it from Sam.”
“She’ll hate me.”
“For what? You weren’t together. It’s not like she wasn’t planning on marrying someone else.”
“Besides, you gave her Noah, so, happy days, it’s a win-win for her,” JD adds. I look at him and shake my head.