He sat in his desk chair and gestured for me to sit. “I saw the interview, and I heard the band had a big fight outside. If there’s a problem, I can try to help.”

I sank into one of the chairs. How could he help me? He couldn’t fix things with Jared or the band. God, how was I supposed to face any of the guys again after tonight? They’d already been talking about replacing me. I’d turned out to be exactly what Hector predicted, and even worse, I’d probably destroyed my friendship with Kyle in the process. And Jared…I couldn’t even think about Jared right now.

I dropped my head. “I just…I can’t do this anymore.”

“I completely understand. You’ve been through a lot. This can’t be easy for you.” He folded his hands on the table. “We don’t usually do this, but in light of everything that’s happened, maybe it would be a good idea for you to leave the show.” My eyes widened, and he quickly added, “I’m not saying we’re kicking you off or anything, don’t worry. Just that if you felt you had to leave, we wouldn’t stop you.”

Would they really let me leave? It was tempting, more tempting than I wanted to admit. Being on the show for weeks, trying to keep up a certain image while putting everything into the band and our performances, only to have it all fall apart tonight… I was just exhausted. I wanted to go home and sleep for the rest of the summer.

“What about the contract? It says I have to stay for the duration of the show.”

“It has a provision that band members can leave in emergency situations. Say, if they’re injured or ill or if a family member passes away, things like that. This doesn’t technically qualify, but I’m willing to bend the rules a tiny bit. We don’t want you to be miserable, after all.”

“But what will happen to the band? Who will play guitar for them?” Even if the guys were mad at me, I didn’t want to screw them over.

“We’ll find someone to fill in for you, don’t worry.” He gave me a sympathetic smile. “Trust me, they’ll be fine. Let me handle everything. And if you change your mind and want to come back, that’s okay, too.”

I didn’t want to leave, but I couldn’t continue in the band either. That was clear after everything Jared and the other guys had said. Maybe the best option was for me to go home. Besides, it sounded like they would be okay without me. They could still win the show, and they could find a new bassist when they were ready, one who wouldn’t sleep with Jared and ruin everything.