Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. #7)(26)

I hear a slap as I round the corner towards the dining room for dinner. I see a red faced Jenysis and a smirking Wayne in the hallway. He’s one of the singers in Storyside and best friends with Stella’s boyfriend, Kace. He has a red handprint across his cheek, so I’m not sure where the smirk is coming from. I step into the shadows to watch this all play out.

“You bloody bastard.”

“You wanted that kiss, Jen. You’ve been asking for it all week.”

“It’s Jenysis to you, and I don’t ever remember saying ‘please kiss me, Wayne.’”

“You haven’t said the words, but you can’t keep your eyes off of me. Admit it, you want me.”

“What I want is for you to sod off. I’m not one of your groupies.”

“You’re not? Because I’m sure it was you I saw dancing to our music on your balcony last night.”

“You were spying on me?”

“No. I was just taking a walk, and then I saw you. It was hot.”

“I’ll give you hot, you arsehole,” she says before punching him in the jaw and then flipping him over her shoulder.

“Fucking hell. I have to sing and play the guitar tomorrow, bitch.”

“You should’ve thought of that before you tried to disrespect me.”

“How did I disrespect you? I called you hot.”

I move down the hall before he gets himself killed. “You should probably shut up now, Wayne. She knows her way around a sword.”

“I have a sword I’m pretty good with,” the loveable idiot says.

I run over and jump in between them before she really does kill him. “What part of shut up did you not understand?” I ask as I look down at him where he’s still on the floor.

“You’re going to protect him?”

“We need him to play tomorrow. The people are looking forward to it.”

“Fine, but keep him in line or I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

“Got it.”

I wait until she’s moved down the hall and into the dining room before helping him up. “What the hell were you thinking?”

“Umm, she’s gorgeous and uptight, and I think that’s hot. I like it.”

“You like that she’s uptight, or you like that she just kicked your ass?”

“Both?”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“But you love me.”

“I do,” I tell him with a laugh. It’s almost impossible to stay mad at Wayne. “Now, please, try and behave.”

“That’s no fun.”

“Nothing is fun about this place.”

“Nothing? Because I’ve seen the way Brayden looks at you. And the way you look at him.”

“There’s not a damn thing either one of us can do about it. So, yeah, nothing is fun.”

“I’m sorry, Darce.”

“Thanks.”

We head into the dining room together and take the only two seats left, which happen to be next to each other. Jenysis shoots me a dirty look as Wayne pulls out my chair for me, letting me know that what was going on in the hall wasn’t all one sided. Interesting. I just give her an overly sweet smile in return.

The rest of the table keeps the conversation going while I just take it all in. Zack and Ainsley are doing a pretty good job of acting like they don’t know each other, and no one seems the wiser. I guess they don’t pay much attention to the American tabloids since those two are regularly featured. Stella and Kace don’t have to hide their relationship, and they’re acting like their usual lovey-dovey selves. Brett and Kevin are keeping the PDA to a minimum, but I can’t help but smile at the way they look at each other. I’m a little jealous of all of them, if I’m being honest.

Nate, Jade, Matt, Reina, Jake, and Aiden will be arriving early in the morning with the mentors and their families. They’re going to be the hardest to ignore, because the guys are my besties, but I’ll do what I have to do. Nate’s already said that if Brayden gets out of line, he’s going to kill him, royal or not, so I have to make sure to diffuse any situation that may arise.

“Hey, should we give the little prince something to be jealous of?” Wayne whispers in my ear as he leans into me.

“No.”

“Are you sure? It would liven up this dinner.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m not into those kinds of games, and you’re too good of a guy to be playing them, either.”

“Have your fans been supportive of you since you came out, Wayne?” Brayden asks as Wayne moves away from me.

Kace spits out the wine he’d just taken a drink of and everyone else looks at Brayden like he’s insane. Wayne raises an eyebrow, before responding. “Excuse me?”

“I’m sure I saw a picture of you kissing some guy.”

Ah. I guess the game is being played, even if I’m not a willing participant.

“That was for charity. Sorry to disappoint you if you were hoping to lock lips with me.”

“You seemed pretty into it for something that was only for charity.”

“If you have something to say, just say it. Stop trying to act like I’m batting for the other team. I’m not.”