Page 114 of Ravaged For You

“Sure.”

“Then what we can do is have Ravaged release a break-up album. We won’t use your name at all, Maddie.”

“That sounds great,” Axel replies. His tone is completely neutral. I can’t guess what he really thinks.

Is that all I am? A commodity to sell more albums?

“So, everything is all over?” I ask Lucas, hoping to get Axel’s attention. I want him to realize, like me, how final this all is. “Just like that?”

“Yes,” Lucas replies. “But first, I’ve got a great idea for one last thing before the tour ends properly. Something that’ll boost those sales records even more. It’s a genius idea, coming from a genius.”

“What is it?” Axel asks.

Lucas grins. “How about I get you two on a talk show together? Tonight?”

50

MADDIE

In LA, Astrid is waiting for us at the airport. The boys of Ravaged rush off the plane and embrace her in one big hug. I stand at the steps leading from the jet and smile on. There’s a lot of love between them all.

“Well done,” Astrid congratulates the band.

She gives me a little wave and that makes me comfortable enough to join them.

“How was the tour?” she asks me. “Did the boys treat you right?”

“You know we do, Mrs. Stoll,” Drake replies.

Astrid raises an eyebrow towards me, waiting for my answer.

“They were better than good, Astrid.”

“Good to hear.”

She still doesn’t know about the little fact I’m not really her son’s girlfriend. She’s still been kept in the dark about that by Lucas and Axel. It doesn’t feel right, especially now that it’s definite the contract is coming to an end.

She has the right to know before all this comes public. I don’t want her to think Axel’s played me around or broken my heart.

Although he will after tonight. And it’s all my damn fault for letting my heart get involved in this simple business transaction.

“Maddie has really helped,” Axel says to his mother. “I don’t want to think about what we would’ve done without her, or where the album would be.”

“Or your reputation,” Astrid adds.

I blush. “Shut up, Axel.”

I playfully punch his arm. He doesn’t even flinch.

“Well, it’s the truth,” he replies.

“Yeah,” Bishop says as he wraps an arm around my shoulder. “I first thought it was going to be a terrible mistake having this girl along for the ride, but she’s actually made Axel bearable for once.”

“Don’t make me fight you in front of my mother, Bishop.”

“You wouldn’t even last ten seconds against me, Axel, and you know it.”

“Good to see all your recent success hasn’t stopped you two acting like little boys,” Astrid remarks.