Chapter 19

Mick

Candice and Conner stumble towards me and anger is waiting to explode out of my chest.

“Isn’t this a lovely surprise,” I say.

“I was just helping her to her room,” Conner says.

“She’s fine now,” I reply.

“Stop talking about me like I’m not standing here,” Candice says. I take in her new hair color. She looks wonderful as always, but I like her natural color more.

“See you later Candice.” Conner gives her a hug before glaring at me and walking away.

“I see you’ve had a full day.” My gaze lands on her.

“Shut up.” She fumbles for her room key.

“Need help?”

“Not from you.”

“Did I do something?”

“Shit.”

“Candice?” I frown.

“I can’t find my room key,” she says.

“Come upstairs with me. We can call Caroline from my room.” I reach out my hand to touch her arm.

“Why are you even here?” She stares at my hand on her.

“I tried to call you a couple times, but you didn’t answer so I got worried.”

“Why do you care? I’m not your type remember?” She crosses her arms. Conner is dead.

“Candice I—”

“Stop. I’m done with your words. They mean nothing to me.”

“Then don’t my actions speak louder? Where am I right now? Not out with Tommy. I’m here waiting for you like some lost fucking puppy,” I say, and her features soften.

“Can we go to your room please? I would like to call Caroline,” she says.

“Of course.” We head down the hallway to the elevator. We ride in silence up the two floors till we get to my room. She walks into the suite and turns to look at me.

“Do you like my hair?” she asks.

“I do. I liked your original hair color best though.”

“Figures.”

“Candice.” I grab her wrist and pull her into my chest. God, I missed the feeling of her. She starts to cry. “Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not.” She pushes off my chest to look at me. “What are we doing?”

“I thought it talked about it,” I say and lead her to the couch.

“Telling Rick I’m not really your type after you slept with me the night before hurts.” She sits across from me.

“Listen, I don’t need anyone knowing my business. I said that so Rick would get off my back. Did you really want me to tell him what we’ve been up to?” I ask. She pauses and stares into my eyes.

“No. You’re right,” she says after a beat, and I let out a breath. “It just sucks.”

“I know.” I pull her into my chest. There’s no way I can go ten months without having her in my bed again.

After a few seconds of silence, she starts to giggle.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing,” she says and starts laughing more.

“Seriously what?” I ask.

“I read something interesting tonight—” she says. “A book. Maybe you’ve heard of it? Loving Mick Davies?”

I let out a groan. “So you found erotic fanfiction have ya?”

“It’s very educational. Apparently, you’re big into hair pulling.”

“Only if it’s you pulling my hair.”

“Have you read any?” she asks.

The truth is, I had. When it first started happening it was hard to resist the urge to see how people perceive you. How wrong those girls are.

“I’ve flipped through a few,” I admit.

“Which one is your favorite?” she asks.

“We’re not actually having a conversation about this are we?” I say and Candice nods. “There’s one where I’m in Uni and there’s a girl I fall for and then she turns out to be a princess or some shit. Very well written.”

“I am definitely reading it!”

“How was your afternoon with Charlie?” I ask trying to sound nonchalant.

“It was good. I got my hair dyed.” She sticks her tongue out at me.

“You guys look mighty cute all over the internet.”

“Mick Davies did you Google me?”

“Just to make sure you were still alive.” Of course I Googled her. Thank God for social media and constant paparazzi updates. I knew what she was doing the entire time like a total stalker.

“I don’t believe you,” she says. “So, are you going to kiss me, or do I have to ask?”

“Excuse me?” I laugh, “I thought we were going to be friends.”

“I’m still a little buzzed and you look really hot in that V-neck.” She grins.

“I love this side of you,” I murmur before I kiss her. I let my lips mold against hers and instantly I feel relax. I need to tell her everything before she finds out another way.

“Candice, I have to tell you something,” I pull back.

“What?” A flash of worry crosses her face.

“I lied to you.” I play with my watch.

“About what exactly?” she asks.

“Erm.” I shift uncomfortably. She deserves honesty. I have to tell her before I lose my nerve again. Not only about my parents, about the stupid bet I made with Tommy.

“Mick?” she looks as if she’s trying to read my thoughts.

“My parents aren’t dead.”

She recoils from the words. “What?”

“They’re not dead,” I say again.

“I heard you. What kind of sick joke is this?” She stands and grasps her stomach.

“It wasn’t a joke. I just—I don’t know. Sometimes it’d be easier if they were dead,” I say as I stand close to her.

“Who makes up a story about their parents dying?” She walks towards the door, and I grab her arm.

“Candice please,” I beg.

“You are exactly the person I thought you were. Tell me the truth. Did you do it, so I’d feel bad for you? So I’d spend time with you? So I’d fuck you?”

“No! Of course not! I did it because it was easier than the truth and then you felt bad for me and wanted to be there for me.”

“You’re disgusting,” she says. “Do you even have custody of your sister?”

“Yes!” My eyes go wide.

“How do I trust anything you say anymore?”

“I know. I’m sorry. I just think I—”

“You what?” She wrenches her arm out of my grasp.

“I want to be with you,” I say, and she lets out a laugh.

“All you wanted from me was sex and you got it. So, congratulations, you win.” She leaves and slams the door behind her. I stare at the back of the door, my worst fear now becoming my reality.

******

“Mick?” Brandon calls from the hallway.

“Go away!” I scream at the door.

“We have to go,” he says. I look over at the clock; it’s seven a.m. Last night after Candice had left, I called Tommy and met up with him at some club. Brandon opens the door.

“How did you do that? Don’t come in here. Leave.” I don’t want to move. I’d only gotten into bed three hours ago.

“Rick gave me the key and told me to get you out of bed. Tommy is massively hungover mate. What did you two do last night?” he asks.

“None of your business,” I say and sit up. My head is pounding, and I run a hand through my hair. I’m still wearing my jeans but no shirt.

“You need to grow up,” Brandon says.

I lunge at him and punch him in the mouth. Red liquid starts to pour out of his bottom lip as he raises a hand in shock.

“I told you to leave.” I glare.

In a second, he’s tackled me onto the bed. Brandon pins me down and his fist connects with my eye. The pain is unbearable but there’s no way I’m letting him win. I manage to flip him onto his back and raise my hand. For a split second, I look at my old friend before I hit him in the mouth a second time.

“Boys!” Caroline yells from behind me, “Conner!” Conner rushes inside and pulls me back before I could land my fist again. Caroline goes directly to Brandon.

“Are you okay?” she asks him.

“Is he all right? What about me?” I spit. Conner continues to restrain me.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Brandon says.

“Let me go!” I shout at Conner, but he doesn’t loosen his grip. Caroline helps Brandon up.

“Are you going to calm down?” Conner asks.

“I’m fine,” I say as Conner releases me. Brandon leaves my room without looking back and Conner trails after him.

“What the fuck happened?” Caroline growls as she comes back into the room.

“He was in my space and doesn’t know how to fucking listen,” I say as I take a sip from the glass of water by my bed.

“You can’t just go around beating the shit out of your band.”

“I can do whatever the fuck I want and don’t forget it. Get out.”

“You can’t do whatever you want. When are you going to get it?” Caroline says then sits beside me. “What’s going on?”

“Honestly Caroline, my issues are way more than you could ever imagine.” I rub my face, my eye still throbbing. I’ve fucked up with Candice and now this. My heart is going to explode from guilt.

“Look you’re not perfect. Nobody is but this is something you need to deal with. Candice didn’t come back to our room last night so I’m assuming it has something to do with the same thing?” she says and puts a hand on my back. Instead of telling her to remove it, it’s comforting.

“Candice didn’t go back to your room. That doesn’t make sense.”

“She texted me and said she was hanging with a friend, and I shouldn’t worry because it wasn’t you, so I assumed you had done something.” She stops touching my back and puts her hand on her knee.

“I told her my parents were dead and they’re not.” I regret saying it but having it out there makes me feel lighter.

“Why?”

“Because I wish they fucking were sometimes, okay?” I stand up in frustration and run a hand through my hair.

“You may not believe me, but I know how you feel.”

“Do you now? Somehow, I doubt it very much.”

“You think my life has been complete roses? Not even close. My parents were absent most of my life and you already know the shit I’ve been through with Knox so yes I do have some inkling,” she says still sitting on my bed.

“At least Knox loves you and would do anything for you,” I shoot back. Am I jealous of Knox and Caroline’s relationship? Maybe.

“You may not realize it, but Candice will forgive you. She cares about you no matter how unlikely it seems right now.”

“She needs to stay away from me. You need to make sure she stays away from me,” I say. Caroline doesn’t even know the worst part. I can’t tell Candice there’s an even worse lie.

“You don’t want that.”

“Yes, I do. I don’t want to see her.”

“She works for you.” Caroline sighs.

“I’ll hire someone else.”

“This is the wrong move.” She stands up.

“No, it’s the right one,” I say. “Now if you wouldn’t mind, I need to get ready for practice.”

“All right,” she says, “Do you need anything before I go?”

“Nope,” I say and sit down on my bed again.

She shuts the door behind her. I pick up the glass by my bed and throw it against the wall. The glass shatters all over the floor and my anger subsides. I’m so mad at myself but I need to let Candice go. This is going to be a long day.