Page 130 of Bitter Notes

"Is this?" Zepp asks, tilting his head.

"Fucking right it is. They're hella fucking talented, and I can't believe they came out of nowhere," Seger says with a grin, turning to look at me.

His face falls at the sight of what I'm sure is my pale face. Moisture beads above my lip as a heat of rage boils my blood, and my fists clench under the table.

Angry tears pool in my eyes, and my breath shudders in my chest. Of all the songs I could have heard today, why did it have to be theirs? And why did it have to be Roaring River? Like, do they seriously sing that still? Why couldn't they have lost and gotten what they deserved? To rot in the depths of hell. I swear to God, one day, I will enact my revenge on the boys who stole my heart, crushed it, and then abandoned me when I needed them most.

"Whispered Words," I mutter with my lips twisting into an angry scowl.

"Uh, yeah. That's them. They won the Battle of the Bands seven months ago and have taken the world by storm. They're absolutely…"

"Absolute fuck heads," I hiss, clenching my teeth and unleashing my anger.

Seger holds up a hand. "Um…I feel like I'm missing something," he mutters, side-eyeing his brother with confusion.

Licking my lips, an ingenious idea pops into my mind, easing some of the rage boiling over. I swear the moment my body decided to create a tiny human, my emotions ran rampant. So, with that thought, I'll use all my energy and become what I've always wanted to become—a band manager. And who better to give me a chance than the brothers I happened to meet?

"I'll sign the papers for the money," I say, taking a deep breath, but steely determination settles on my shoulders.

"Okay, cool," Zepp says, reaching down for the manilla envelope and placing it on the table.

"On one stipulation," I grind out, looking over the papers with so many zeros I nearly faint on the spot.

"What's that?" Seger asks.

"I want a job at West Records. I want to intern. I want to become a band manager," I say, nodding vigorously as I look over the papers again. "I have experience managing bands from the area. So, in return, I'll sign the papers if you give me a job. I'll move out to California and start as soon as possible."

Whatever it fucking takes. I'll start at the bottom again and work my way up. I'm not entitled enough to think they'd hand me a corner office and say, "have at it." No. I want to learn and dive deep into the music industry. So when my chance comes, and I come face to face with the dickless wonders who left me, I'll be in charge.

"I…Umm…" Seger looks at Zepp, who scratches his chin.

"To become a manager is a hefty undertaking. You'd have to intern at the bottom and get a feel for it. A bachelor's in Music Management is a necessity at West Records. We want the best of the best, but you're family. And if you want a job…"

"I'll start at the bottom. I'll sort fucking mail. I want this…" I say again with a snarl, taking another gulp of milkshake to calm myself down.

"But why? You could take your inheritance and never work another day in your life. Why would you want to?"

I rub my stomach, caressing the tiny human inside who depends on me and only me to provide for her. Looking out the window, heavy memories plague my mind. The laughs. The love. The fucking heartbreak. Everything I've endured over the past year sits on my shoulders daily. And I'm tired of it. I want a fresh start in the industry I've been dreaming about.

"I'm getting my business degree right now and working through summer programs to obtain it ASAP. I can change my major to music business. I'll put in the work. Anything to make those assholes pay for what they did to me." I frown slightly, shaking myself out of my haunting thoughts. I don't need to think of Callum's innocent smile or Rad's contagious laugh. I have to focus on what's suitable for Lyric and me.

"Who?" Zepp asks, furrowing his brows.

"They promised they'd take me with them. They promised…they loved me." A slight hiccup escapes from my trembling lips, but I look away, refusing to let them see me break. I've cried enough, and today, that stops. "They promised me everything, and I believed every lie they told." I swallow hard, vigorously wiping away the tears falling down my cheeks. "They left me, and they left her," I whisper, pointing to my belly.

Seger blows out a breath, filled with so much fucking confusion, and I have to bite my cheek to stop smiling. "Who?" he grumbles, shaking his head.

I stare out the window again, letting the emotions take hold. "Whispered Words promised me the world, and then they turned their back on me."

"They… They what?" Seger asks, curling his fists on the table.

"Not now," Zepp grumbles, putting a hand on his shoulder and squeezing. "We have watchers." With that, Zepp nods for us to follow him as he pays the bill.

The warm sun greets us when we step out of the diner, and I sigh, clutching the envelope tightly to my chest.

"They did this to you?" Seger immediately asks, pointing angrily to my stomach.

"Well, I was an active participant in the endeavor," I quip with a snort when he pales, looking away. "But yeah, this is one of theirs."