The Rules of Dating My Best Friend's Sister(100)

Just dandy.

“I have to go,” she said.

I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “Alright.”

“Will you call me later?” she asked.

“I’ll try.”

Lala hung up without saying anything else. I couldn’t blame her. I’ll try? I’d acted like a prick again—and I immediately hated myself for it.

After at least five minutes of staring into space, I finally stood up.

“Hey, Holden,” I heard someone call.

I turned around to find a curvy blonde in six-inch heels walking toward me. She was one of a few women who’d hung around for much of our session. I didn’t exactly know who was who, since several random people kept popping up behind the glass while we were recording. She could’ve been with the label, or just someone connected to the studio we were renting.

“Hi,” I said.

She gave me a once-over. “Man, do you know how to work a pair of sticks. You were amazing in there.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.”

“You guys play off of each other so damn well. Great work ethic, too. No one complained when you had to do several takes. Even when it was the tech’s fault. That’s a rarity.”

“Well, we don’t have a lot of time out here. So we want to make sure the demo is as good as it can be.”

“Hopefully it’s only the beginning. Something tells me this won’t be your last visit.”

I wanted to ask her who the hell she was, but didn’t want to insult her in case she was someone important.

“I’d love to get to know you guys better while you’re in L.A. Does the band have plans tonight?”

I was just about to tell her I wasn’t sure when Dylan appeared out of nowhere.

He practically flew over and skidded into place in front of me. “We don’t, actually. We’re all yours.”

“Awesome.” She chuckled. “Carrie and I will send a car to your hotel to pick you guys up.” She raised a brow. “Say eight?”

“Perfect.” Dylan beamed.

She turned to me and smiled. “Catch you later, Holden.”

I waited for her to disappear from sight before turning to Dylan. “What the fuck was that all about? Who is she?”

His eyes gaped. “You don’t know?”

“I know she was hanging out watching us for a while, but no, I have no clue who she is.” I shrugged.

“She didn’t introduce herself to you by name because you’re supposed to already know who she is, fuckface.” He smacked me lightly on the head. “That’s Alana Styles. She’s the head of A and R at Seal Records. She could single-handedly decide if we get this deal.”

My jaw dropped. “Oh shit. Okay. I had no idea.”

“You’d better do whatever the fuck she wants tonight, and I mean it.”

My body went rigid. “Are you suggesting that I’m supposed to fuck her?”

“Whatever you need to do to seal the deal—no pun intended.”

I pushed him. “Get the fuck out of here.”

He stumbled a little, and his expression turned dead serious. “Holden, listen. I overheard her gushing about you to the other woman, Carrie, who works in PR. Alana kept saying how talented you are. We need you to do whatever she wants.”

“Who’s getting whatever they want?” Monroe asked. He’d finally emerged from the car he’d been sitting in with some chick.

“Alana Styles,” Dylan said. “And Holden here is going to be the one to give it to her.”

“Niiice.” Monroe laughed. “I saw her walk over. What did she say?”

Apparently, I was the only one who had no damn clue who Alana was.

“She’s sending a car to pick us up at the hotel at eight,” Dylan announced.

Monroe’s mouth spread into a huge smile as he high-fived Dylan. “Fuck, yeah.”

“What are the chances I can play sick and skip out?” I asked.

Both their heads turned toward me at the same time.

“Well, you could,” Monroe said. “But then I’d have to staple your balls to the bed while you sleep tonight.”

I hung my head. “Dude, I really don’t think this woman wants me. She’s a big deal and was nothing but professional in there. Besides, even if it came to that, I wouldn’t be sleeping with her. But to be safe, maybe I shouldn’t go.”

Dylan glared at me. “The old Holden would have come through for us tonight.”

“Well, you have me freaked now. I get this is important, but I’m not about to prostitute myself for you, dickhead,” I spat.

The sad thing was, he was right. If this had been before Lala? I wouldn’t have had to think twice about sleeping with someone to further my career, if that’s what it took. Seal the deal. I was a little ashamed to admit that to myself.

“Look, you guys figure out what to tell her about me. But as of now, I’m officially sick.” I walked away before they could say anything else.

Realizing I’d left my jacket in the studio, I headed back inside. One of the techs was still lingering.

“Are you closing up shop?” I asked.

He swiveled in his chair. “Nah. I have someone else booked in about an hour. Just chilling until then.”