Okay, so she was being a little prying and a lot jealous. So what? She could be a little possessive of a guy if she’d had a one-night stand with him, right? It didn’t mean anything, but she also wasn’t able to just turn things off just like that.
She watched as Daphne bounced, still in her shiny leotard with the black tutu, and grabbed Cade’s hands. “I’m so excited you’re here!”
His smile was warm. “I’m glad.”
“You didn’t answer my texts!”
“I was busy. You never answer mine,” he chided.
“I’m busy, too,” Daphne said coyly. “So what made you stop by?”
He glanced up and his gaze met Kylie’s. “Kylie, actually—”
“Oh?” Now Daphne turned, and she beamed at Kylie. “You got him for me, Fat Marilyn? You’re so sweet!”
“I—” Kylie began, then clamped her mouth shut. What could she possibly say?
“Fat Marilyn?” Cade asked, a frown on his face.
“Well, come sit with me,” Daphne said, grabbing Cade’s hand and ignoring his question. “We can catch up.”
“You have press duties,” Snoopy reminded Daphne.
“Don’t fucking snap at me,” Daphne snarled, and Snoopy’s eyes went wide. So did Kylie’s. Daphne had been volatile for the last few days but her reaction to Snoopy’s mild comment was alarming.
The room got quiet. “Maybe I should go,” Cade said.
“No!” Daphne cried, and she clung to Cade’s chest. To Kylie’s horror, Daphne began to cry. “I need you here with me, Cade. I don’t have anyone to lean on. Please don’t go.” Big, racking sobs shook her thin frame. “You don’t know how hard it’s been for me—”
“Shhh,” Cade said, voice soothing. “Let’s sit down. You need to relax, Daphne. You’re under a lot of stress.” He gently steered her toward one of the comfortable sofas and set her down. She didn’t let him go, instead clinging so that he had no choice but to sit next to her. As he did, she buried her face in his shirt and huddled against him like a sad puppy.
“Please don’t leave me, Cade,” she repeated.
“I’m here,” he said, glancing over at Kylie. The look in his eyes was a mixture of sadness and resignation, and she gave him a smile to try and encourage him, to let him know it was all right. Daphne needed him tonight, and if it hurt Kylie to see Daphne crawling all over him, well, it wasn’t like Kylie owned him, was it?
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Daphne murmured against Cade’s chest, not raising her head.
He stroked her hair. “Why don’t we get you some water to drink and then we’ll see about getting you ready for the press meet and greet, okay?”
“But you’ll stay?”
“I’ll stay,” he said softly.
—
After that, things fell into a blur of activity. Daphne eventually calmed down enough for Kylie to wipe off her old makeup and set her up with fresh new makeup. Daphne was twitching and kept scratching at her skin, so Kylie had to do the best she could.
Cade remained nearby, and when Daphne did her press interviews, she insisted that he stay. So he did, and late into the night, the fans left and only the hard-partying types remained. The backup dancers broke out the alcohol, and a few people in the crew started to pass around drugs.
Kylie packed up her things and glanced over at Cade and Daphne again. Daphne wasn’t shooting up in the bathrooms, so that was progress. Instead, she had splashed herself across Cade’s lap and was sipping on a beer while talking to someone else.
And instead of Cade looking content at having Daphne’s attention, he kept looking over at Kylie.
She should have guessed this would happen.
It didn’t matter how wonderful he was, or how they’d connected over dinner. Of course Cade was great. And of course Daphne wanted him.
Kylie was just a momentary distraction. A drunken hookup, just like she’d suspected.
And really, that was okay. At least Cade wasn’t being an ass about it. He wanted Daphne, and his one-night stand was staring at him with big moony eyes. He probably felt awkward that both Daphne and Kylie were in the room together. Heck, he probably felt bad for Kylie because she was clearly second fiddle.
“I’m heading out,” Ginger said. “You coming?”
“Coming,” Kylie said. Leaving was the best thing she could do for all parties involved. She grabbed her purse and slung it over her shoulder, heading out with the rest of the staff.
—
Cade watched Kylie leave with the crew, and tried to squash his annoyance at Daphne as she clung to his chest and seated herself in his lap. She’d done that a million times in the past and he knew it didn’t mean anything.
But Kylie didn’t know that.
And now that his interest had moved squarely to Kylie? It felt wrong for Daphne to drape herself all over him.
Funny how his mind had changed so quickly. A week ago, he would have been beside himself with joy if Daphne had paid half the attention she was giving him tonight. But a week ago, he hadn’t realized Daphne still hadn’t changed. That she was still the same messed-up girl she ever was. A week ago, he’d still had hope that she was clean after her latest round of rehab.
And a week ago, he hadn’t met Kylie. Hadn’t realized how pure and good and right just having someone normal in your life could be.
“Get me another beer, Cade,” Daphne said in her coy, flirty voice. “I’m so thirsty after all that sexy performing I did.” She fluttered her lashes at him, trying to be cute.