My fingers gripped the edges of the papers hard enough for multiple pieces to slice into the pad of my thumb. I winced but didn’t relinquish my hold, even knowing the grip on my guitar strings tomorrow would be weak and painful.

“I’m worried about my family. Not the label’s response.”

“Well, you better care about their response. They can break your career, Simon.”

I blew out a breath, my eyes flicking to the door where Gerard headed. Where was he going? Probably cooking up something nefarious with Monique. I’d sort him in a minute. Time to deal with the most pressing problem first.

I rotated my head on my neck, trying to ease the tension there. When that didn’t help, I picked up my phone and dialed Asher’s number.

“Lia’s so pissed at you,” he said in lieu of greeting.

“If it makes you feel any better, I’m absolutely livid.”

“Doesn’t. Ella’s beat herself up over your divorce—Lia was over there the night you sent the papers. Who drops shit like that? Oh, and Mason said Jeremiah cried in the school bathroom on Friday.”

I clenched my free hand tight, fighting the urge to punch something. “Shit. I fired Monique because she kissed me in front of Jeremiah and Ella.”

“Considering the world thinks you’re screwing her, Lia and I included, I don’t see why you’d get upset about a kiss.”

I slammed my fist against the table. “I’m not having an affair.”

“Just divorcing your pregnant wife of fifteen years so you can screw around. Nice.”

“You got a divorce,” I bit out.

“Sure did.” Asher’s voice turned cheerful. “Best decision I ever made. Well, except pursuing Dahlia. That was really my best move ever. Should have done it nineteen years earlier and then she wouldn’t be related to you. Even if it is only by marriage.”

“I need a new manager and PR pro,” I yelled over the top of Asher’s next sentence. The man was intentionally pissing me off.

“Then find one.”

“You know people.”

“Thought I knew you, too,” he shot back.

I dropped my head into my hands. “I don’t plan on divorcing Ella. I never did. I didn’t even know she was going to be served papers.”

“What?” His voice turned soft. Deadly.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you! I never asked my lawyer to send Ella divorce papers.”

“There had to be something on file—”