Unrivaled (Beautiful Idols 1)

u scored Madison Brooks, well done.”

“What?” Aster spun on her seat, shooting eye daggers at Diego, who looked momentarily stunned.

“Tommy, you too.”

Aster looked like she was about to implode.

“Brandon and Jin—don’t bother coming back. I doubt Jewel and the Vesper will miss you.”

A second later, the screen went black.

No good-bye.

No enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Not even a gradual fade.

Layla had no idea why she had to show up for that, other than Ira was an asshole with serious control issues.

Still, he hadn’t fired her, and now with Aster soon to deliver Ryan and his crew, she’d last another week for sure. After that, she’d have to come up with some other Hail Mary to save herself.

TWENTY-NINE

GOLD ON THE CEILING

“Hey—” Tommy raced to catch up with Layla, who’d fled Jewel like the place was on fire. “Remember how you owe me that favor?”

Layla did a double take. It was like déjà vu, only this time she was on the receiving end. “Have you been talking to Aster?”

“What?” He squinted into the sun and walked alongside her.

She shook her head, slid on her sunglasses, and kept walking.

“I’m ready to collect.”

She continued to ignore him.

“You know, this is how rumors get started,” Tommy said. “Notice how no one’s talking to each other anymore? Freaks them out that we still are.”

“You’re the one talking. I’m just trying to get to my ride.” Layla shook her head and made for the Jeep.

“Can’t believe you already forgot about the time I saved your ass.” Tommy looked at her.

“Can’t believe you’ve forgotten you’re not exactly innocent.”

“Maybe so, but I handle it better.” He regretted it the instant he said it, and quickly tried to recover. “Besides, you don’t strike me as the type to go back on your word.”

“I don’t remember giving my word. You said, ‘You owe me,’ and I said nothing.”

“You are seriously harsh.”

“And this is news?”

“What does a guy have to do to get a ride home?”

“Well, for starters, you could just come out and ask as opposed to all this cryptic nonsense about deals we never struck.” She propped open her door.

He laughed and climbed in beside her. “What happened to your bike?”