Falling out of Hate with You: Hate - Love Duet Book One

bedroom. I flop onto the bed, groaning as the room spins around me. As visions of Laila getting fucked by Malik ravage my drunken brain.
Ever since Philly, I’ve been busting my ass to be on time for Laila—to soundchecks and buses. As much as possible, anyway. Have I been perfect? No. Because, unfortunately, I get easily distracted sometimes. While, other times, I get hyper-fixated. Especially when writing a song, time ceases to exist for me. Which isn’t a great thing for time management. Plus, I try to say yes whenever Mimi wants to talk to me, even if the timing is terrible. So, yeah, I admit I’m not going to win any prizes for punctuality. But I have genuinely tried my best, and for only one reason: to make Laila like me.
But now, I realize I never should have bothered. No matter what I do, she’s always going to hate me and think I’m a selfish rockstar cliché—an asshole who doesn’t give a shit about anyone but himself. Well, fuck Laila Fitzgerald. If she thinks she’s already got plenty of reasons to hate me, then she ain’t seen nothing yet.

Thirteen
Laila
“Cut!” Maddy, the director of the music video, calls out. “That was perfect, ladies! Great job.”
I straighten up and let the baseball bat in my hand dangle at my side, as Reed’s girlfriend, Georgina, my co-star in this scene, does the same. We’re shooting on the street in front of the coffeehouse where we’ve been shooting throughout the day—a scene featuring Georgina and me bashing the hell out of an old sedan that’s supposedly owned by our two-timing boyfriend, played by hunky actor Keane Morgan.
Throughout this particular scene, Keane’s been looking on, horrified and helpless, as Georgina and I have smashed his car to smithereens. It’s the climactic final scene of our “love triangle” storyline. And I must say, it’s been my favorite to shoot. Talk about cathartic! The perfect release after my two fights last night. First, the one I had with Savage in front of the restaurant. And, later, the one I had with Malik in the car, when I soundly told him to fuck right off and never, ever call me again.
As it’s turned out, shooting this video was the perfect way to spend the day. The song is fantastic. The artist, Alessandra, sweet and talented. And the video concept is hilarious and adorable. Plus, it’s been fun seeing all the River Records artists who’ve dropped by to shoot their cameos. Surely, with everything this video has going for it, it’s going to become a viral sensation.
Not surprisingly, Savage was too busy banging his waitress to keep his word and come down here today. But, luckily for Alessandra, everyone else who gave their word to Reed last night, kept it.
Logically, I know I should have expected Savage to break his promise to Reed. And yet, somehow, my heart stupidly held onto hope he’d finally do something kind and selfless, for once in his life. If only for Fish, who’s a great and loyal friend to everyone. But I guess Savage is always gonna be Savage. A narcissist, through and through.
“Okay, guys,” our director, Maddy, says. She looks at her watch. “With the remainder of our daylight, I’d like to shoot some close-ups and pickups. Shots of Laila and Georgina standing over the car, raising their bats and looking like badass bitches.”
Georgina and I respond enthusiastically, of course. But as Maddy moves us into position, the unthinkable happens. A taxi pulls up a few feet away and Savage emerges, looking like a shit sandwich.
He drags his sorry ass to the stunned group, runs his hand through his dark hair, and says, “Am I too late to shoot my cameo?”
“No, not at all!” Maddy chirps. “We’re so glad you made it!” She turns to Georgina and me. “Why don’t you ladies take five while we shoot Savage inside for a couple minutes. This will be quick.”
“That’s okay,” Savage says. “Finish what you’re shooting here, while you’ve still got good light. I’m not in any rush.”
“Oh, thank you,” Maddy says. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.” Savage walks over to stand with Fish and Reed, who are watching from a distance, while Maddy returns her attention to directing Georgina, Keane, and me.
Maddy says, “Laila, stand over there, holding the baseball bat over your head, like you’re going to smash the car.”
I comply with Maddy’s request, and she looks at a nearby monitor.
“Great. Just move to your left a touch. Perfect. Now, give me your bitchiest face and stick out your chest.”
I follow her directions and she hoots with laughter.
“You’re so freaking gorgeous, Laila. And so photogenic. Okay, we’ve got what we need from you. Georgina, you’re up. Same thing.”
As Maddy directs Georgina, I can’t help looking at Savage. And what I see there is molten lava. Which, frankly, pisses me off. He has the nerve to look at me with lust in his eyes, after spending the day in a marathon fuck session with that waitress?
I saunter over to Savage and stand next to him, shoulder to shoulder, watching Maddy finish up with Georgina.
“Hello, Adrian,” I say.
“Hello, Fitzy.”
“You look like shit. You didn’t get much sleep last night, huh?”
He says nothing.
I shouldn’t do it. I know it. But letting sleeping dogs lie has never been my strong suit. My jaw tight, I say, “I hope you signed the waitress’ tits before you sent her on her merry way. That’d be an appropriate souvenir.”
The slightest smirk curls Savage’s sensuous lips. “I did, actually. Signed her ass and pussy, too.”
“Lovely. So glad you two had fun.”
“We sure did. How about you and Malik?”
“Oh, we had a blast. I can barely walk today.”
“Lovely.”
“It was. I’m so impressed you managed to get your ass down here, despite your marathon fuck session.”
“What can I say? I’m a saint.”
“That’s the word I always think of when I think of you. Adrian Savage. He’s a saint.”
“Hey, fun fact. Did you know cheaters are the ones who are always the most