He’d been in LA for a day and a half, and already he was itching to get the hell out. This town had a way of bringing out the worst in people. He’d had meetings all day the day before with his agent, making sure his endorsement deals didn’t fall through thanks to the scandal. He was finally gearing up to get the hell out of this city and go back home to the comforts of Seattle, but there was still one last meeting he had to take care of, the most important one of this trip, and the main reason he’d flown his ass out to a place he despised.

“Now, don’t bring up the shit with the press. If Maxwell doesn’t already know, that’s his issue.”

Camden side-eyed his agent and gritted his teeth. “Jesus fuckin’ Christ, Brock. I’m not exactly new to this. I know how the game works. Get off my ass, will ya?”

“Just a warning, Cam. That buttoned-up snatch back in Seattle might be workin’ wonders on cleaning up your image, but that doesn’t mean this deal won’t still fall through.”

His vision clouded red as he stopped in the middle of the busy sidewalk and lowered his shades so his agent could see just how serious he was when he said, “Talk about Sutton like that again and I’ll rip your goddamn tongue outta your mouth. Got me?”

Without giving the asshole a chance to respond, he turned and crossed the last few feet to the door of the restaurant.

The second Camden pushed through, his friend Ryan let out a loud squeal before throwing herself into his arms as soon as he reached the table. “It’s so good to see you! It’s been too long!”

He returned her hug with a chuckle and a friendly pat on the back before carefully breaking from her hold without making it too obvious. Precautions were made to keep the media in the dark when this meeting was set up, but everyone had a camera phone nowadays, and the last thing Camden wanted was something being misconstrued in the press and getting back to Sutton before he had a chance to explain or do damage control.

He’d known Ryan going on seven years after meeting at an award show after party, and the two had been friends ever since. Nothing like he was with Tate, but he still enjoyed the woman’s company and lively personality. “Good to see you too, Ry.”

Flipping her sandy blonde hair over her shoulder, she shifted to greet his agent, Brock, then turned to the main reason he’d come to LA in the first place.

“Cam, Brock, I’d like to introduce you to Oliver Maxwell. Olly, this is the man I was telling you about. He’s a musical genius. Trust me, you want him producing the soundtrack for Cold Blooded.”

Oliver Maxwell. Fuck me. The man was a goddamn legend. Everyone in Hollywood, musicians and actors alike, wanted to work with him, and Camden was no exception. He’d give his left nut to work on the soundtrack for this movie.

Cold Blooded was the first book in the bestselling Broken series by world-renowned author Rowan Locklaine. Word was studios had been foaming at the mouth to turn the popular murder-mystery series into movies for years, but it was only once Oliver Maxwell tied his name to the potential franchise as not only the leading character, but also the director, that Rowan agreed to sell the rights.

Everything Maxwell touched turned to gold. The man was just that talented. It was an added bonus that Camden loved that series. Rowan Locklaine was one of his favorite writers. If Camden could land this gig, there was a strong chance he’d see an Academy Award of his own in the very near future.

“Camden,” the older man greeted, holding out his hand but not bothering to rise from his seat. “Pleasure to meet you. Ryan’s spoken very highly of you, and I must say, I’ve taken the time to listen to several of your songs. You truly are a gifted musician.”

Camden returned the shake before taking a seat between Brock and Ryan and across from Oliver fucking Maxwell.

Ryan reached under the table and gave his thigh an excited squeeze. He met her gaze and gave her a smile that said he shared in her enthusiasm before speaking. “Thank you, sir. That means a lot.”

The waiter came by the table, taking drink and appetizer orders before scurrying off once again.

“So,” Oliver started after taking a sip of bourbon from the crystal tumbler in his hands, “let’s talk business, shall we? After everything I’ve heard, I’d love to bring you on board. I trust Ryan’s opinion implicitly, and I think she’s right. You have the perfect sound. With original songs, I don’t see why your score wouldn’t win awards.”

Ryan chimed in then to pick up where he left off. “And like I mentioned to you on the phone, if this movie does as we’re anticipating, we’re talking franchise.”

It was all sounding too good to be true. “Mr. Maxwell—”

“Please,” he broke in, “Oliver is just fine. I don’t see the need for such formalities anymore, do you?”

“Oliver… I’d love to produce the soundtrack for this film, but I think you have the right to know before tying your name to someone else’s, I haven’t exactly been painted in the best light with the media lately.”

“Camden—” Brock started in a warning tone, but Camden lifted his hand to cut his agent’s objection off. He knew how this shit went. The guy was there to make sure all the I’s were dotted and T’s were crossed so he’d get his big fat check at the end of the day. Unfortunately for Brock, Camden’s moral compass hadn’t gone completely off-kilter yet. The industry might have been full of piranhas out for no one but themselves, but Camden’s upbringing and family kept him grounded.

“There was… a video—” he continued, but before he could go further, Oliver waved him off.

“There’s always a video, son. Or a scorned ex-lover. The one thing the people in this industry have in common is that we all harbor our own secrets. Sometimes they come to light, sometimes they don’t. If everyone concerned themselves with the reputations of the people they teamed up with, no one in this town would get a damn thing accomplished. Ryan gave me her word that you were solid. That’s good enough for me.”

Camden let out the breath he didn’t even know he’d been holding. A slow smile crept across his face as he looked at the man across the table. Grabbing his water, he lifted it in the air. “Then here’s to a new, prosperous working relationship.”

Oliver mimicked his actions, clinking his glass against Camden’s. “And a lucrative one as well.”

* * *

The meeting ran a lot later than he’d intended. By the time he made it back to his hotel to grab his bags, he’d already missed his flight. But he hadn’t exactly been in a place to blow off a man like Oliver Maxwell when he wanted to cut up for a bit.

To add insult to injury, his cell had died halfway through the lunch meeting turned dinner, and he’d forgotten to pack his goddamn charger. That meant he wouldn’t be able to call Sutton and tell her he wouldn’t make it to the dinner with her and her neighbor. He felt like an ass for blowing her off a second time, but it couldn’t be helped. He just hoped to god she’d understand.

He finished tossing the last of his shit into his duffel and zipped it up just as a knock came from the door of his hotel room.

Frustrated at the sudden interruption when he needed to get his ass on the road, he stomped to the door and flung it open, only to come to a halt the second his eyes landed on Ryan.

“Oh, thank God. I worried I’d missed you.”

“Still here, unfortunately. You know I’d love nothin’ more than to hang and catch up, but I gotta hit the road, darlin’. I’ve already missed one flight. Can’t miss a second.”

“That’s why I’m here,” she replied, her red-painted lips pulling up in a sassy grin. “We barely got any time together, so I thought I’d give you a ride to the airport. Catch up in the car, you know?

Leaning in and placing a smacking kiss on her forehead, he declared, “You’re a goddamn godsend, sweetheart. Let’s go.”

Traffic was at a crawl the whole way to the airport. Normally he wouldn’t have minded the time with an old friend, but every second that ticked by, he grew more and more anxious to get back to Sutton.

“You sure this was the best route?” he asked, craning his neck to try and get a look at what the goddamn holdup was.

“GPS said it was the fastest way,” Ryan answered as she inched the car forward. “Guess it didn’t factor in road construction.”

Camden looked from the windshield to the black screen of his phone to the windshield again.

“Relax,” Ryan giggled. “We’ll get there when we get there. Nothin’ to be done about it now.”

“I know,” he said on a heavy sigh, collapsing back into the passenger seat and rubbing at his aching forehead. “It’s just that I had plans with Sutton tonight, and my goddamn phone died. I hate the idea of her thinkin’ I just flaked.”

She reached over and patted his knee before resting her hand there. “If she really cares about you, she’ll understand that these things happen.” He didn’t bother with a reply, mainly because he didn’t have one. Justifiable or not, he wouldn’t fault Sutton for being pissed. When he remained silent, Ryan spoke again. “You know, used to be we couldn’t be in the same area code without you blowing my phone up. Have to admit, I’m a little jealous of this new girl.”

Camden looked over at her with a smile and gave her a pat on the hand. “Don’t worry, darlin’. I’m not looking to replace you. We’ll always be friends.”

She graced him with a smile that didn’t quite meet her eyes before looking back to the road. “I’ve seen pictures of you two. She’s cute. But I have to say I was a bit thrown. She doesn’t seem your type.”

Camden’s mind filled with images of Sutton: the softness on her face as her fingers played between her thighs, her expression when she came on his cock. It was enough to make him fight against going hard. “People have a way of surprising you. I know you’d love her if you met her. She’s pretty goddamn amazing.”

She hummed noncommittally, but when he looked back at her, she was busy concentrating on the road. Obviously that was taking up most of her attention.

He looked back to the windshield and was silently willing the road to open up when Ryan’s voice invaded his thoughts. “Does she know?”

“What?”

“Does she know? You know, about how you like it in bed? She doesn’t seem like the type to really go for all that.”

Something in Camden’s gut began to twist uncomfortably. “Ry, darlin’, no offense, but I’m not sure I’m comfortable discussin’ that with you.”

Several seconds passed in silence before she spoke again, and as she did, she twisted her hand beneath his so they were palm to palm, tangling their fingers together. “I just care about you, Cam. I want you to be happy.”

A touch like that wasn’t something he’d have given much thought to in the past, especially since they’d hooked up on and off for years. It hadn’t been anything other than sex between two people with mutual tastes, a way to scratch an inch whenever they happened to be in the same city. But now that Sutton was in his life, he found the intimate, knowing touches grated on his nerves.

“I’m happy, Ryan. I promise. You’ve got nothin’ to worry about.”

Her fingers untangled from his so she could wrap both hands around the steering wheel. When she looked back to him this time, her smile seemed much more genuine. “Then I’m happy for you, Cam. And I have no doubt that what you say is true. I can’t wait to meet her.”

With that potential crisis averted, he heaved out a heavy sigh and looked back to the road in relief.

He could only hope the crisis back home was as easily managed.