Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 121916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“He figured you’d say that,” Savage says as I tap out the message. “But he just needed to know for sure before he replied to the producers. Apparently, time is short for his response.”
As I’m still typing out a message to Eli, Laila says, “So, Kendrick. Have you talked to Ruby about Cooper’s song yet?”
“Yeah. I was there when she heard it for the first time. She’s furious about it.”
“No, I mean, have you talked to her about the lyrics? Does she know if the guy in the song is you?”
My heart is thumping. “We haven’t talked about any of that stuff. Ruby was sobbing when she first heard it, and I haven’t wanted to upset her again or dignify Cooper’s lyrics by asking too many questions.”
“You haven’t asked her if you’re the ‘brother’ she wants to fuck?” Savage blurts, his face awash in disbelief.
“I can’t ask her that. If I did, she’d think I think those lyrics are about me.”
“Well, don’t you?” Savage asks. “I sure as hell do.”
My heart stops. He does? Does everyone in the band think that way, too? Does Titus?
“Who knows?” I babble, sweating bullets. “For all we know, they’re totally fabricated. Or maybe the guy in the song is a mash-up of you, me, and Kai. You know how songwriting is.”
“Maybe,” Savage concedes. “But it seems most likely they’re real and about you.”
“I’d say so,” Laila chimes in.
“Why do you both think that?”
They look at each other and shrug, like I’ve asked, “Why do you think the sky is blue?”
“Who else would they be about?” Laila asks. “I mean, if you want proof, I think Ruby being a ‘gem’ in the song is a nod you. You’re the one who always calls her that. A gem.”
“And I’m sure Cooper noticed,” Savage adds. “Both back when he opened for us and during his stint as tagalong boyfriend.”
Laila adds, “We think he’s giving you the middle finger by repeatedly calling her that in the song.”
“You think so? Seems to me, Ruby being a gem is low-hanging fruit in terms of a metaphor. It’s not like I’m some poetic genius for coming up with that.”
“But you’re the only one in the band who ever calls her that,” Savage shoots back. “The only one, KC.”
He’s not wrong about that. Suddenly, Ruby’s comment to Reed pops into my head: the one about Cooper’s song airing their “dirty laundry.” And my heart rate increases, yet again.
I shift my weight. “Even if Cooper’s lyrics are true from his perspective, they’d still only be his version of the truth. Not Ruby’s. I don’t want to ask her about what Cooper might have meant and make her think I’m anything less than completely in her corner.”
Savage scoffs. “You’ve got far more willpower in this situation than I ever could.”
“Yeah, well, willpower isn’t what you’re known for, brother.”
We all laugh. Savage is nothing if not impulsive.
“All I’m saying,” Savage says, “is that it’s an objective fact Cooper’s song is about someone who’s like a brother to Ruby. And that someone, if you ask me—”
“And most internet sleuths,” Laila interjects.
“Is you.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. Am I fervently hoping they’re right about this? Fuck yes. But I don’t want to admit that to anyone, not even Savage and Laila. Unfortunately, I know for a fact Ruby’s never felt that way about me, and I’m only willing to embarrass myself so much.
I take a deep breath and address Savage. “Hey, have you ever told Cooper what Kai told me about him and Ruby? You know, about Ruby supposedly being ‘desperately in love’ with Kai since the very beginning?”
“No.”
“Are you sure about that, Savage? Think.”
“I’m positive I didn’t say a single word about that to Cooper or anyone else in the entire world.”
Laila raises her index finger. “You told me.”
“Except Laila.”
I roll my eyes. “Could you have said something to Cooper while you were shitfaced? We all know you’re the opposite of tight-lipped when you drink.”
“Why are you asking me this?”
“I’m just trying to get inside Cooper’s head. If you told him, maybe that would make it more likely Cooper’s lyrics are about Kai.”
Savage shakes his head. “They’re about you, KC. I’d bet anything.”
Laila nods her head in agreement and says, “The only question is whether those lyrics are the rantings of a jilted ex-boyfriend or factual.”
We all contemplate that for a moment. But before anyone speaks, my phone buzzes with a text.
“It’s Eli,” I report. “He says the producers have the information from me, and they’ll make their decision about Ruby by tomorrow morning. He says we shouldn’t tell Ruby about this yet, in case the offer doesn’t come in.”
We all agree to keep our mouths shut, and I let Eli know as much in a reply text.
That task completed, Savage claps his hand to my shoulder. “Okay, birthday boy. Let’s get you back out there for a game of Birthday Truth or Dare.”