Drive(88)

“I didn’t want to come,” I said with a sigh. “And now I damn sure don’t want to stay.”

Reid threw out the rest of his drink in a nearby plant, and I moved toward the door. He stopped me with a hand on my arm, which I jerked away.

“Ben, let me have her,” Reid said sharply, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Hell no, she’s already pissed. We need this interview done. We’ve held off the press release for two fucking months so she could announce this tour!”

“I’ll play nice,” he whispered.

I raised my brow without a clue as to what was going on. And I decided it was best if I didn’t. “How about we don’t play at all. I’ll be set up in the living room in ten minutes.” I walked back into the penthouse and gave Adam and Rye a wary glance.

“Oh shit.”

I didn’t know which one it came from and I didn’t care. I mentally rehearsed a list of questions for both my podcast and Speak while I ignored the rattle. My questions for the podcast were far more personal, and I had no intentions of holding back. It’s like the boys said. They owed me.

“Stella,” Reid whispered at my back, making me jump as I tightened the lock on my tripod.

“It’s fine, Reid, save your apology. Let’s just get this over with.”

“You didn’t want to come?”

I let out a heavy breath, refusing to look his direction. “No.”

I felt the tightness start in my chest as I turned to face him and nearly slammed into his chest. All at once, I was surrounded by nicotine, the hint of whiskey on his breath, and the fucking Irish Spring that seemed to dance off his skin, putting me on high alert.

“You’re filthy rich, you think you would switch from cheap soap.”

“They make body wash now.” He chuckled.

Whiplash. Or maybe I’d just forgotten how volatile he was.

“Why are you still working at Speak?”

“I’m happy there,” I said, taken off guard.

“But that’s not what you wanted,” he pressed.

“I’m getting there,” I said. “These things take time.”

“Bullshit. You were supposed to be traveling and writing. That was your dream.”

“Dreams change,” I said with a shrug. “I’m exactly where I want to be.”

He eyed me as if every word I spoke was a lie.

His next words were as dry as my throat. “Way to burn out, Stella.”

The sting of them hit deep. I hadn’t planned on doing anything more than finishing school and traveling to shows, living in the circuit in hopes of getting a break at one of the more reputable magazines. I shared those hopes with him. But that wasn’t all he was insinuating. I wasn’t doing anything that scared me and hadn’t since the minute I fell in love with him. The fact that he had the nerve to call me out on it after three years of being absent had me livid. I had to slow my breathing as the fear set in. The man knew me, I had made sure of it.

“Did you bring me here to shove your success in my face?”

He pressed his brows together. “Of course not, I got you here to do an interview for the band.”

I set my camera on the tripod. “That’s what I’m doing, your highness.”

As I’d suspected, the journalists had done a little word play on Reid’s name. He’d been deemed King Crowne.

“I don’t buy into that shit,” he said with a passive wave of his hand. “This is coming out all wrong. Can we start over? After the interview?”

“I’m going to Paige’s rehearsal.”

“Great, see you there.”

“You aren’t invited,” I called after him. “It’s a family thing.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.”

I managed to pull myself together enough for the interview. And after a shot of whiskey and a few uncomfortable minutes, it began to flow. After an hour of steady questioning, Reid being the most evasive with his answers, I had enough to make journalists everywhere envious.

The guys and I laughed through old memories as Reid stood idly by and watched me. With a quick look at the clock, I grabbed my bag and said my goodbyes. Ben dodged me sheepishly when I looked pointedly at him. “You call her and you make things right.”

Ben’s jaw ticked. “I’m not the one who fucked up.” There was no forgiveness in his voice. Not an ounce of pity. But I heard the hurt and it ran deep.

“Talk to her,” I said, pressing in. “You might be surprised at what she has to say.”

“It’s been over,” Ben said. “There’s nothing to say.”

“You’re here, and that probably won’t happen again for some time.”

“I’ll think about it,” he said as he kissed my cheek. “Thank you, Stella.”

“Of course, thanks for the interview, hot shit.”

“You could have a little patience with him,” Ben said as he eyed Reid, who waited for me by the door.

“We aren’t like you and Lexi. This is different.”

He guffawed and shook his head. “Bye, baby.”

I met Reid at the door. “Let me drive you,” he offered in a whisper.

“I’ve got a trunk full of wedding crap, but thanks,” I said as I opened the door. “Reid—”