Under the Cornerstone Read Online Free Page A

Jimmy's bail is going to cost me. Once I get an answer, I make the withdrawal at the corner ATM and head back to the precinct to pay it. 
    "I'm paying bail for Jimmy... James Crawford," I tell the man. 
    I hand him the money, sign paperwork, and wait for my friend in the lobby. As I enter the waiting area, Johnny's father, and their manager Leo walk in the front door of the precinct.
    Johnny's father sweeps me up in his arms and asks, "What are you doing here?"
    "Jimmy called to bail him out," I explain. 
    "We've got to bail the rest of them out,” he says.
    "The rest? Jimmy didn't say he wasn't alone."
    Jimmy, Johnny, Rich, and Ryan were all booked, " Leo replies. 
    Johnny's dad smirks, "Boys will be boys."
    "Shit. Is this going to fuck with their tour? " I ask.
    Leo's creepy smile appears, "I'm already spinning it. The fans are eating up the whole white knight story."
    These industry people are snakes in the grass. I don't trust any of them, and I was instantly wary of Leo when I met him.  
    I take a seat while the new arrivals post bail. Johnny's father is the first to join me and takes a seat next to me. 
    "Noely?" He asks and I turn my head.
    He looks my face over and it dawns on me that I didn't put on any makeup. He can clearly see the bruises. 
    "He got what he deserved. You don't ever put up with that from a man, sweetheart."
    "He got what he deserved?" I arch my eyebrow.
    He frowns, "That's what they were arrested for. They beat the hell out of Tony."
    My face must turn crimson red and I'm almost positive smoke comes out of my ears as my blood starts to boil. I specifically told Johnny not to tell anyone, right before he fucked me and left me. Shame, anger and betrayal shoot like spikes through my blood until it travels to the marrow of my bones.
    The rest of the group steps into the waiting room, but I don't make eye contact or speak a word for fear I might harm someone. My hands grip the sides of the chair until my knuckles are white. 
    I have to get out of here. I bolt from my seat, but Leo's slimy voice stops me dead in my tracks.
    With a big smile he announces to the entire room, "The fans are eating this shit up! The band is arrested for assault on a deadbeat who beat on his girlfriend. These guys are heroes." 
    He pauses as Johnny, Jimmy, Rich, and Ryan step into the waiting room with ear-to-ear smiles.
    Leo lets out a big laugh, "You guys defended the honor of a helpless friend. The public is going to want this asshole's head. If the judge doesn't drop the charges completely, he'll give you a slap on the wrist and send you on your way."
    I asked Johnny not to tell anyone. Not only do my friends know, but now the entire fucking world knows. The entire fucking world. It'll make headlines. That’s great for the band since it will be great publicity for an up-and-coming act, but not so great for me.
    I look over at Johnny who is staring a hole into my head with a barely imperceptible smirk.
    He thinks shit is funny? 
    Before I realize what I'm doing, I march up to him and deck him square in the jaw. I pull my hand back and cradle it. Johnny cradles his jaw and winces. 
    Fuck that hurts. 
    Rich gets in between us. 
    I scream, "I told you not to tell anyone!  I told you I didn't want anyone to know. What the fuck were you thinking?!! Did you slip out of my bed and tell everyone how you finally got me to spread my legs? It's not a fucking game, Johnny. "
    I hear a few gasps and it dawns on me that he didn't tell everyone here that we slept together, but they all know now.
    "Oh." I scoff and let out a non-humorous laugh. "They don't know everything? You didn't tell them you fucked me like one of your groupie whores, and then snuck out like a thief in the night? That you didn't fucking call or say a goddamn word? 'Gee, Noely, thanks for the pussy.' Not a fucking word from you!  No, you went out and partied and told everyone my fucking business. The exact thing I asked you not to do.”
    I close