Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
It didn’t help that he rubbed her the wrong way. His arrogance and lack of respect for what the band wanted infuriated her. And since he treated her like a servant, she refused to bend to his will on principle. Just because she was the band’s assistant didn’t make her less human than his royal highness.
And then there’d been the time Dean came over to meet with the band not long after their original drummer had quit but Axel was already in talks to join them. Cassidy had been present because Dash had invited Xander over. Xander had brought Sasha and Sasha had insisted Cassidy join them. Typical Kingston gathering.
Dean and the band hadn’t excused themselves to be alone for the conversation, and Dean had pulled up a demo of another drummer for the guys to see and hear. A young up-and-coming musician whose background came from more of a blues sound than the Original Kings’ indie/alternative rock feel. She hadn’t thought he fit with the vibe of the band. She’d glanced around the table to gauge their interest. Mac was frowning. Jagger’s gaze was narrowed. And Dash had a blank expression on his face. Xander, Linc, and Sasha remained silent, but Cassidy, who’d grown up around her brother’s talent, had blurted out her opinion.
Though she hadn’t wanted her brother, who was already invested, to get screwed over, she’d also thought her standpoint was valid. So had Dash. And just as she’d sensed, the rest of the band agreed, making her the source of Dean’s always present anger.
Now he stood on her doorstep with Naomi.
“Well, this is a surprise. Are you sure you don’t have the wrong house?” Cassidy asked, unsure why they’d show up here at this hour.
“Actually, we’d like to talk to you,” Naomi said with a smile. The band’s publicist had always been pleasant and nice, so Cassidy had no issue with her. Other than the fact that Naomi had volunteered Cassidy to be Dash’s girlfriend. But she could have called before just showing up, she thought.
Dean didn’t appear to be in a friendly a mood, but what else was new? He stood there, looking her over, a scowl on his face, and clearly finding her lacking.
“Come in.” She stepped aside so they could enter. “Can I get you coffee, water…?” What did you offer people at nine thirty a.m.?
“We’re good, thanks. Can we sit?” Naomi asked.
“Sure.” Cassidy led them to the small living room, and they settled into seats.
At least Cassidy and Naomi did. Dean leaned against the wall and glanced at his phone before meeting her gaze.
“Why do I feel like the kid in the principal’s office about to be lectured?” she asked.
Dean pushed himself off the wall. “Naomi told me about her idea for you and Dash to pretend to be in a relationship. Dash called last night, all excited about it, but frankly, I don’t think it’s the right move.”
Naomi scowled at him.
Cassidy straightened her shoulders, refusing to be intimidated. “Why aren’t you discussing this with Dash?”
“Because I thought you’d be more reasonable. What Dash doesn’t understand is that any publicity is good publicity. So what if his social life is the subject of interviews? As long as the band is in the spotlight, it doesn’t matter why.”
“I disagree,” Naomi said.
Dean scowled. “Dash pays you to do what he wants. I’m thinking of the overall good of the band.”
Cassidy rose to her feet. “Again, why are you trying to convince me? This is Dash’s life. It’s his choice how he wants to handle things.”
“Yes, but you can say no. Honestly, do you think the world is going to believe that Dash Kingston fell for the girl next door?” He waved a hand at her dismissively. “He’d be better off making a deal with an A-lister like Sasha or a young model.”
She narrowed her gaze. “That was rude. And you don’t need to make excuses for why you don’t want me in the role. We both know you don’t like me.” And the feeling is mutual, she thought. “But I don’t have to listen to your insults in my home.”
“I told you to stay in the car,” Naomi muttered. “Cassidy, you know this was my idea, so I support you. I came to make sure you would feel comfortable in Dash’s world. I thought maybe we could go shopping so you have the right clothes for the VMAs and the after-parties.”
She blinked, surprised that Naomi would take this asshole’s side on anything. “Just because I dress casually at home doesn’t mean I don’t know how to make an impression at an event. I assumed you’d know that or why suggest me for the role?”
These two people didn’t pay her salary, the band did, and she was playing girlfriend at Dash’s request. Though if she had to put up with this bullshit, she might rethink her answer.