Levi
"Goddammit, Charlotte. I fucking told you to keep your mouth shut until I had a moment to tell my family"
Smashing my hand down on the desk in front of me hard enough that bits of the wood splintered off. I had just got off the phone with my hysterical mother because Charlotte had blabbed to the entire fucking world that we got engaged.
This was not the way I was planning on breaking the news to my parents or sister. Fuck, I hadn't even told my best friend yet.
Pushing the chair back as I jumped to my feet, pissed as fuck. Normally this wouldn't be the reaction of someone who just got engaged. But the truth was; this engagement was a sham. It was some massive bullshit put together by our managers and publicists. They thought that Charlotte and I would get more fans if people started seeing us attending red carpet events together and one thing led to another and here we are .. Engaged to a fucking nightmare.
Charlotte was the first person I had been seen getting "serious" with since I had shot to fame 5 years ago. The truth was though; I'd rather be with someone like Charlotte than ever catch feelings for anyone again. The last five years without Ryleigh had been fucking hell.
There were so many nights I wanted to call her up just to hear her voice again. Since the day I met her when we were around 8 .. I knew I wanted to marry that women one day. Every fucking thing I did was for her. There had never been anything in my life that hurt like hearing her call us a "Mistake" did. I vowed that I would never let anyone that fucking close again.
Tour had been a good distraction for me and it helped me push Levi Jennings into the closet. Gone was the nice guy with the guitar. Everyone seemed to love a Rock God more and the bigger the dick I was, the more the girls seemed to fall for it.
Five years changes a fucking lot and there are moments I get a glimpse of the old me, but I'll never let him out his cage again.
Storming into the separate room of the penthouse we were staying at in the City. Since we were "engaged" it would seem wrong to have our own rooms. Just the sight of her pissed me off, this was the biggest fucking mistake of my life.
"I asked you not to tell anyone until I had a chance to talk to my mom and you fucking went behind my back."
Stalking over to the bed, slamming my hand down hard on the top of her case as I forced her to stop and finally look at me. Her eyes rolling into the back of her head makes me want to rip the stupid ass ring off her finger.
"What did you think was going to happen when the press saw the ring on my finger? I couldn't exactly lie to them. Besides, is it really that bad? I thought your mom would be excited to have someone like me marry into your family.
Oh, that reminds me. Rodger told me to let you know you have a meeting with the label at 4 and we have flights to Seattle at 11. Angie thinks it will be a good idea for us to be seen visiting your family in that small town you grew up in .. Push Bay or whatever."
I don't think my mouth has ever hit the floor so quickly .. What. The. Fuck? They just went and made these plans without me?
"And before you throw a hissy fit and forbid us from visiting your home. You should know that Angie has already called all the major gossip sites and magazines. They're expecting us so suck it up, baby. It's time to meet your family."
She flashes that grin that gets her away with legit murder and begins to saunter around me to finish packing, all I can do is stare at her as my body goes into panic mode .. Neah Bay means Ryleigh and I cannot see her again. And most definitely can't introduce my ex to my new fiancé even if I have zero interest in actually going ahead with the wedding.
Glancing down at the time. I curse under my breath when I realize that my meeting is soon and I still need to get into the city.
My eyes turn dark and serious as I glare at my soon - to - be ex fiancé.
"We're not done with this conversation, Charlotte."
Spinning around, I grab my phone and leather jacket off the back of the chair before heading out the door. Maybe I'll get hit by a car and end this nightmare before it goes on too far.
—
"Can you just fucking stop that already .. You're making me nervous."
Looking up at my manager who was pacing the waiting area at the record label. We had been called in for a meeting and I had no idea why. – Actually that's a lie. I knew exactly why. we were late on getting a couple of the songs in, they needed them two weeks ago. The problem was .. any time I thought they were finished, I would rewrite them. I refused to put mediocre music on my album. That meant the songs needed to be perfect.
"They're ready for you, Mr. Jennings."
Glancing up at Amanda, the receptionist as I caught the soft smile plastered across her face. It eased my nerves a little; at least enough for my leg to stop bouncing up and down in anticipation. Sucking in a breath as we crossed the waiting area and right into one of the conference rooms. Across the big board table was Andy the executive producer on my album along with some of the big bosses.
Fuck .
Motioning for me to take a seat on the opposite side; I tried to not overthink what was going on here; but it didn't look very good.
"Levi, the songs you submitted are good; I'm going to give you that. But they're not exactly what we were hoping for. I'm not going to sugarcoat this for you. You're a really talented songwriter but we want more ballads on your album. Where is Levi who wrote the songs for your first one? We want him back."
Wincing inwardly; the first album was all about Ryleigh .. I vowed I'd never write a crappy love song again.
Anger flaring up as one CEO talks over the other, who did these people think they were. I bet they'd never even listened to one of my songs.
"You mean the Levi who was heartbroken and living in hell for the entire tour? I made sure to lock him up long ago."
"Levi"
Ignoring the hiss that came from my manager, I was still pissed at him about the whole Neah Bay thing he'd just go me in. He was hardly the person I was going to take advice from now on my music.
"Look … Sales on your last two albums have dropped tremendously. At this rate if they don't go up more, unfortunately we're going to have to drop you from the label. We're not a charity, Mr. Jennings. We're here to make money. If you can't do that. You'll need to find a new label. So, I suggest you go back to your studio or home or wherever. I really don't give a fuck. Drag him out of whatever closet you shoved him in and start thinking of that girl you loved.
This album needs more Levi on the guitar crooning into the microphone. Make the world fall in love with you again.
You have two weeks to get new material to us or you need to find a new label.. We're done here."
Before I'm even able to get a word in the meeting is over and everyone is already leaving the room.
"It's a good thing you're heading home tonight."
Shooting death glares at my manager as he exits the room with the rest of the assholes. I drop my head in my hands.
How did my life become such a mess in less than 48 fucking hours.
Letting out a sigh, There was only one person I wanted to talk to right now. I needed to at least give him a heads up that I was heading home.
My best friend.
Sliding my phone from my pocket, I keyed in Aiden's number without even needing to look it up; breathing a somewhat sigh of relief when his voice answered. He sounded tired but I guess the one good thing was ..
We get to hang out again.
