Evan put a hand on Kellan’s shoulder, trying to calm him down; Kellan shrugged him off. Matt quietly countered with, “We signed a contract, Kellan. We can’t just walk away.”
Kellan glared at Matt, snapping, “Then they can fucking sue us! I’m not whoring myself out for them. I’m going back to Pete’s. Are you guys coming with me or not?” Knowing that all of this was ultimately because of me, my heart thudded in my chest in a painful staccato rhythm.
Griffin gaped at him. “You are the biggest fucking *—”
Kellan took two aggressive steps toward Griffin, silencing him. Evan stepped between the pair, his hands on Kellan’s shoulders. Matt put a hand on Griffin’s chest, keeping him back as well. There was suddenly so much tension in the air that I knew nothing constructive was going to happen while everyone was present. Kellan needed to be calmed down, not confronted. And, at the moment, I was the only one who could do it. I hated that the power was in my hands. Especially when going back to Pete’s sounded like a fabulous idea.
Keeping my eyes locked on Kellan, I told the guys, “Could you give me a moment with my husband, please?”
Kellan snapped his eyes to mine, his expression still searing. Evan stepped away from Kellan, squeezing my arm before he left. Matt dragged Griffin out of the room, but not before Griffin shouted, “You talk some fucking sense into him, Kiera! This is bullshit!”
When I heard the door close, I took a step toward Kellan. With no one else in the room, Kellan’s anger and frustration turned solely toward me. I was prepared for it, though; I’d been on the receiving end of vicious snarls from Kellan more than once. “You gonna call me a * too? Think I ought to go ahead and fuck Sienna, just to prove a point?”
I cringed a little, but let it slide off of my back. His anger wasn’t really directed at me. Walking over to him, I grabbed his hands; they were still clenched into fists. “Kellan . . . you can’t give up now.”
Kellan pried a hand loose and pointed at the door. “Were you in that meeting? Did you hear what they want me to do?”
Grabbing his hand again, I nodded. “Yes, and it’s okay.” Just saying the words made my stomach tighten, but it had to be done.
Kellan gaped at me. “It’s . . . okay? How is me ‘film fucking’ someone okay?”
Stepping into his body, I trailed my fingers up his arms and wrapped them around the back of his neck. He was rigid at first, but he gradually relaxed as I held him. “Well, all right, maybe ‘okay’ isn’t the best word. The thought of you being with her is actually a little horrifying.” Kellan’s body started to tense again and I immediately told him, “But it’s a necessary evil.”
Kellan shook his head, his arms wrapping around my waist. “No, it isn’t necessary.” His anger draining, he rested his head against mine. “I don’t want to hurt you. And I don’t see how any of this won’t hurt you.”
Pulling back from him, I said, “And I don’t want you to give up on your dream because of me.” He shook his head, looking away from me, and I grabbed his cheek. “You’re so close, so very close. Just do this one thing to jumpstart your career, to jumpstart the guys’ careers. Then, when you’ve completed your contract terms and you’re the most sought-after band in the industry, find another label. That will prove your point much better than . . . you know.”
Kellan smirked at me, and I smiled at seeing some of his humor coming back. But the seriousness in his face returned as he exhaled a long breath. He didn’t say anything for several seconds. I could see that his mind was churning, debating, and I gave him a moment to process everything that had just been thrown at him. When he did finally speak, his voice was quiet. “I don’t want to let the guys down, I really don’t, and I see what you’re saying. But when I said I was through with other girls, I meant it. You’re it for me. I don’t want to touch her.”
Stroking his skin with my thumb, I murmured, “I know. And I love you so much for that. But this doesn’t have to affect us if we don’t let it. You’re still my husband. I’m still your wife. Acting like you feel differently on camera doesn’t change any of that. Okay?”
Kellan slowly nodded, then sighed. “I’m not even sure if I can film a love scene with someone other than you.”
Running a hand through his still slicked back hair, I husked, “Sure you can. Just pretend she’s me. It wouldn’t be the first time.”
I gave him a wry smile so he would know I was teasing. He gave me a devilish grin in response. His face sobered instantly, though. “You really want me to do this?”