Lowlife

LowlifeA standalone rockstar Reverse Harem romanceKelsey Soliz Copyright © 2023 Kelsey SolizAll rights reservedThe characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.ISBN: 9798391678717Cover design by: Kelsey SolizPrinted in the United States of America This one's for all the badass bitches out there getting shit done. Who run this mother? Contents Title PageCopyrightDedicationPlaylistNyxCashNyxDuffNyxHayesReedNyxCashNyxNyxCashNyxDuffReedNyxHayesNyxCashDuffNyxReedCashHayesNyxDuffReedNyx PlaylistAmnesia- 5 Seconds of SummerShivers- Ed SheeranLay Me Down- Sam SmithButterflies- MAXToo Good At Goodbyes- Sam SmithGives You Hell- All American RejectsPink Venom- BLACKPINKBra Off- RaeLynnRoll to Me- Del AmitriCan I Be Him- James ArthurTherapy- VoilaDead Inside- Justus BennettsWishing You Hell- Taylor AcornCursive- VoilaLet You Down- NFCover Me Up- Morgan WallenEx's and Oh's- Elle KingThe Chain- Fleetwood MacBaby Said- ManeskinMake You Miss Me- Sam HuntHappier Than Ever- LovelessNothing's Better- FilmoreYou Problem- Cloudy JuneI Want You to Want Me- CheaptrickSorry Not Sorry- Demi LovatoCupid's Chokehold- Gym Class HeroesShe Hates Me- Puddle of Mudd Nyx“I slept in last night’s clothes and tomorrow’s dreams.” -Fallout Boy, Uma Thurman “Is this Nyx, the most badass drummer I know, in real life? Calling my phone?”I breathe, trying my damndest to keep my rage in check. No one wants to do business with a lunatic, I’ve got to keep that shit under wraps. “Sure is, baby doll.”“Shit, I haven’t talked to you in…wait. Why are you calling?"And just that fast, his tone changes. The last time I called him was because my ex, Johnny, OD’d and I needed him to help me fix him again.“He’s…fine. For now.”He lets out a breath. “For now? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”“It means he’s a fucking asshole and I’m going to fuck him up worse than that shit he takes.”Duff lets out a whistle. “So, what can I uh, do for you? I’ve got to tell you, I’m not a very accomplished murder accomplice.” “Do you remember when you first signed Johnny to Lowlife? How hard you worked to get him that shot? And then your label loved him and took him on, because you spoke for him, and they knew you wouldn’t let them down?”I hear the background noise on the other end of the line quiet down, like he’s just stepped into a more private space. If he says no…If he says no, I’ll figure out something else. It’s not going to change any fucking thing about this outcome.“And you told him that if he fucked you over and embarrassed you, that you’d give me his spot just to make sure he knew how fucked he’d be?”“I do…” and then he laughed, thinking I was being funny. “Fuck. What do you want, Nyx, really?”“I want what you promised. He’s fucked you over and he’s fucked me over, and now I want to return the favor. If you’re currently wandering around backstage and the greenroom, you should have already figured out that he’s not there.”Duff lets out an impressing litany of curses, throws a few things, and his breathing gets so much heavier. “Where the hell is he, Nyx?”I open up my camera and snap a few shots of the debauchery I just walked in on, Johnny high out of his mind, passed out amidst empty bottles and a room full of what I’m guessing are hookers. I send them to Duff as a symbol of my friendship, or as proof that Johnny doesn't deserve the life he's got.“You fucking shitting me? After all I’ve done for this asshole? This was supposed to be a huge night— do you have any idea how many tickets we’ve sold to tonight’s show? What the fuck do I do without a drummer?”I smile, knowing exactly where I come in.“Shit. How soon can you get here?”“Twenty minutes, if you can promise me that this will count as my audition. I know that label is strict with their public image, so if you agree to let me play and you like what you hear, I want his spot.”“I can’t just kick my best friend out of his band, Nyx. He has a contract.”“So you’re going to let him screw you over, and screw over the whole band as well? Is there a better option here, Duff? Because we both know I’m better than that asswipe, anyway. I could play circles around him, even when he’s sober. Plus, we both know I’m not the type to pull the shit he’s pulling. I know that label had clauses for unprofessional behavior. There's no way it would be a breach of contract with all the proof I have. But me coming down there has to be worth my while.”“The other guys won’t like this, Nyx.”“How the fuck do you know? I know Johnny has kept me away from all of them but that doesn’t mean I don’t know them. I’ve heard enough stories, seen enough shows, and you know I know the material.”I grab my keys and my drumsticks, heading to the beat-up shit car Johnny and I share because I know that Duff is going to say yes. Might as well start driving now, because if I really want this job, I have to show that I’m reliable.Duff exhales loudly, and I can almost picture him running his hand through his hair, as if trying to direct his thoughts a specific direction. “Duff, you’ve known me as long as you’ve known Johnny.”“Which is why this sucks so much. You two have been my best friends since we made mud pies, and if I do this to him, he’s never going to forgive me.”I expected this response. “He’s sliding, Duff. Even when he’s sober, you know he’s a degenerate.”“So why are you dating him again?”“He has a nice cock, alright? I wasn’t too particular about what was attached to it.