Page 52 of The Sounds of Her
We eventually decide to sleep on it, and I leave Brooke in her villa after she assures me she is okay.
We need to be sober to make this decision. One thing I know, if this is going to work, she has to come on the tour with us, even if only while she is on vacation.
That is when we can sell it. What better way to spread the word than be all over each other right where the cameras and fans can see us?
The other issue is, do we tell our friends? I can’t see any other way around it. We will not be able to make those close enough believe we’re together. Jenna will love the idea of a relationship blossoming and Brooke won’t hurt her. Adam won’t buy it for a second.
I can trust him. We both can. I need to convince Brooke first, but I’m pretty sure she has already decided. She just doesn’t want to admit it.
“You realise you’re going to get real fucking close? Like, all over each other close. You’re gonna have to hold hands, kiss, and-”
“Don’t say it Mathews,” Brooke glares at Adam.
He smirks back at her.
We’re in their villa and have told them the plan. Jenna is looking at Brooke with sad eyes. She was furious when she heard what Brooke’s mom and dad are pulling.
Neither of them believe this is a good idea.
“And you,” Adam looks at me.
I’ve been pacing, restless. Brooke came to my villa first thing and asked if I still mean it. I do. After talking through how it’s going to work, we headed up to speak to our best friends. We’re leaving the island tonight and flying to Sydney. Brooke is going to come with us, so we need to get things organised.
“No offence, but how long is this going to last?” Adam asks. “And, not to sound like Jordan, but I’m pretty sure this is fake enough that you won’t have sex.”
“Adam,” Jenna smacks his arm. “They can go a few months without sex. Right?”
I rub my lips together and glance at Brooke. She does a double take, seeing something I’m trying not to show. I mean, she’s hot. But it’s wrong. I’m doing her a favour, nothing more. Sex is definitely off the table. No question.
“What?” I hold my hands up to her. “I get it, he’s the one who said it.”
“Oh God, what am I even thinking?” Brooke rubs her brow and turns away.
“What are the other alternatives if you don’t go through with this plan?” Jenna asks after glaring at Adam again.
“They won’t stop,” Brooke says, waving her phone.
“Brooke, I know your mom. She’s a bitch, but can she force you into this? You can say no.”
“She’s tried to mess with her job,” I say, getting a hard glare from Brooke for bringing that up.
“What?” Jenna snaps. “God, I always knew she was cruel, but she is really willing to go that far?”
“Nothing will come of it. Steve knows me. He called as soon as mom tried to tell him I was leaving to go work with dad.”
“Jesus,” Jenna rubs her brow. “What a mess. Brooke, I’m so sorry you’re going through this.”
“So if you’re not going through with the marriage and your boss knows you aren’t leaving the firm, what’s the point of all this?” Adam asks. “Tell her to fuck off and move on, forget this bullshit.”
“It helps me too,” I butt in before Brooke has to answer.
She doesn’t need to tell Adam every single thing about her relationship with her parents. As much as he’s my friend and I love him, it’s none of his fucking business. I walk around the couch and drop my ass onto the seat.
Their villa is huge, it has more than one room and is a lot more opulent. Not that I’m complaining, I’m more than happy with where I’ve spent the last few days.
“How?” Adam asks with an incredulous expression.
“Because of you,” I say matter-of-factly. “You three and your women. I’m hounded about when I’ll settle down. It’s not only at interviews, it’s every-fucking-where I go. We’ve gone from being the band that management wants to keep single to the one they seem to want all married off. Shit, sorry,” I cringe, but Brooke blinks and says nothing. “Even Hannah brought it up a few weeks ago,” I tell Adam.