Page 59 of Wicked Angel
“Coffee?” I was already frothing a latte for her.
“I’d love one. Man, I could so get used to having a housewife.”
I snickered as she went for the cupboard where she kept her breakfast smoothie mix. “Don’t get used to it. I have no intention of following in my mom’s footsteps.”
“I know. But I love seeing you so… glowing. Do you have to hum Breakneck, though?”
“Oh. Was I?” I totally was. I didn’t even love Breakneck’s music or anything. I’d been listening to it this morning while I showered though, and “Up in Smoke,” which was their biggest hit, had gotten stuck in my head.
“I’ll put some music on. Cleanse your brain.” She put on Ariana Grande featuring Nicki Minaj, “Side to Side,” and started swaying her hips around the kitchen as she mixed her smoothie. I’d never noticed how ode-to-a-bad-boy the lyrics of this song were until they started reminding me of Johnny.
Guilt prickled through me. The fact was, Shayla would support me sneaking around doing just about anything with a bad boy—so long as he wasn’t her brother.
When I glanced at her, she was eying me speculatively. “So what’s got you up so early, and with that blush-pink eye shimmer blended to perfection? Job interview? Or were you vibing on Shane Madrigal last night…?”
“Shane? No.”
“Hmm. Disappointing,” she teased. She’d mentioned it before, that she thought I should hook up with Shane, her reasoning being that she would but Johnny would kill her. Plus, I knew she truly thought the best way to get over Flynn was to get under someone else, preferably someone tall, dark and dangerous, and if he was also handsome, all the better.
I hesitated, feeling like a dick, about to ruin her morning and all. It was tempting to let her think I didn’t even talk to her brother last night. She knew nothing of the conversation we’d had at his table while she was chatting with some guys at the bar.
But I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t keep piling on the Johnny secrets. That kiss three years ago was bad enough. It didn’t mean anything. It was just a mistake. But working with him behind Shayla’s back was bullshit.
I poured her frothed latte carefully into one of her travel mugs. This one saidHot Ass Ho. I screwed on the top, handed it to her, and finally looked her in the eye. “You’re not going to like this.”
She set the mug by her purse and eyed me. “Lay it on me. And if you’re moving back in with Flynn, you’re right, I don’t like it.”
“I’m not moving back in with Flynn. But I am going to get my stuff from the apartment later today.”
She perked up. “Are you kidding? That’s great! I could maybe wrangle Lamar to help you. Or Johnny, if he’s not busy.”
“No. I’ll be fine. I made all the arrangements. Courteney is enlisting Xander’s bodyguard, Lucas, to help me. He’s bringing his truck. I told Flynn he can keep all the furniture anyway, because it fits just right in the apartment and he paid for most of it. I’m just going to take all my stuff and give him back his keys.”
“Babe. I’m so proud of you.” Shayla gave me a big hug, which I felt a little guilty taking. “I know this part is not easy.”
“Thanks. But that’s not the thing you’re not gonna like.”
“Oh?” She raised a brow at me.
I took a breath and leapt. “I got a client. Someone’s hired me to be their publicist. But—”
She gasped, lighting up.
“—that someone is Johnny.”
Her sparkle instantly fizzled. “Johnny? You mean my brother, Johnny?”
“Yeah. That Johnny. Please don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad. I’m… confused.”
“He needs some good PR. His career is in trouble. According to him,” I added quickly. “You heard him last night. And I need a client. A job. A fucking life. This is a huge opportunity for me, Shayla. Please see that. As much as you might feel uncomfortable that I’ll be working with him… No matter what he says about his career struggles right now, he’s still a rock star. Not at Elle’s level, but he’s getting there, for sure. He’s successful. And he’s going to be even more successful in the future, if he can, you know, get through this recent mess. I can help. And more than that… he can help me.”
She made a littleharumphsound, frowning. “I mean, I’m sure he can help you. I know how successful he is. But please don’t diminish how much you’ll be helping him. He’s lucky to have someone like you in his corner.”
Well, that was a vote of confidence I sorely needed right now. “Then… you’re not mad?”
“No. I’m surprised you’d want to work with him, though. I thought you hated him.”
