Page 80 of Not Your Little Girl Anymore

“Come on,” she shouts, her voice slightly lower from the glass separating us. I shake my head and blink back the water that threatens my eyes. My chin wobbles, and I try to fight that, too. “Summer Layne Raleigh, unlock this door right now and talk to me.”

I eye her for a moment, anger brewing inside of me. I’m not sure why, but I unlock the door and open it. When I do, she steps forward so I can’t close it again.

“Listen, a wise friend of mine once told me that to overcome the pain building inside of you, you must face it. Accept it. I didn’t take you here to hurt you. I took you here because you need to give him a chance to explain. Or at least watch the show, and if you decide you can’t talk to him because it’s too much, fine. I’ll take you home and let you wallow some more.”

Home. She called her place my home.

I take a deep breath. “Fine. But I hate you right now.”

Her lips pull up. “That’s OK because I still love you.”

Chloe links her arm with mine and pulls me down to the open field, where we maneuver through handfuls of fans until we’re in a less crowded spot off to the side. The stage is in clear view, and my stomach churns, nerves clawing their way through my body.

Everything is the same as it was the first time I was here. Girls swooning over the band, decked out in their merch. It’s almost like I’m experiencing this for the first time all over again.

Chloe wraps her arm around my waist and gives me a side hug, her head touching my shoulder. “You’ll be OK,” she reassures me, but I don’t believe it.

Being here is a challenge in itself. One that I would have never taken.

I watch as James and Tyler walk onto the stage, preparing for the show to start. Something inside of me twists as Samantha emerges next. Jealousy. Anger. I’m not sure which, but if I had to guess, it’s both.

My heart thuds wildly against my ribcage, and my chest tightens as I attempt to inhale. My palms become clammy with sweat, and I drag them along the hem of my shorts, hoping to get rid of the stickiness.

Anxiety rises, coursing through my body and weakening my muscles. Everyone starts chanting, excitement breezing through the air. I clamp my eyes shut, hoping that just for a moment, it’ll help tamp down the chaos.

I’m afraid. I’m petrified to open my eyes. Scared that my emotions will be exposed and leave me vulnerable. If I open my eyes, I’ll cry. The second I see him, an uncontrollable wave will splash against me and knock me down.

I can’t let that happen.

I’m so sick of crying.

But what do I do anyway? Open up my eyes. They land directly on Alec as his hand effortlessly strums the strings of his black guitar. Chloe dances on the side of me, keeping her arm still against my lower back. It’s comforting but not enough.

Alec sings beautifully, and I hate the flutters in my stomach that bang against my insides. I hate that his voice brings goosebumps to my skin.

As the first song ends, I exhale, not realizing I had held my breath for so long. It doesn’t go unnoticed that Tyler nudges his head, subtly calling for a private meeting in the back of the stage.

I glance at Chloe, who gives me a soft smile, her eyes full of hope. Not to break it to her, but that hope will fade soon. Looking at Alec’s side profile, I see him smile.

I miss that smile.

Traitor.

The tiny little box I locked away for safekeeping is failing me.

Alec swings the guitar strap over his shoulder and head, resting it against the stage’s back wall before going back to the front microphone.

He clears his throat. “How is everyone?” They respond with screams and cheers. He chuckles. “That’s what I like to hear… listen, we’re doing something a little different for this next song. But I’m going to need some help.”

Everyone screams, buzzing through my eardrums.

Shaking my head, I glance at Chloe. “I’m sorry. I can’t do this right now.” I push myself out of her arms and start to walk away, but she stops me. That’s not what pulls my attention back, though. It’s the sound of my name flowing through the speakers.

“Summer,” he breathes through the microphone. My eyes dart to Chloe’s, the corner of her lip tilting upward. My heart sinks.

“What did you do?” I manage to rush out in near panic.

Chloe shrugs, her eyes narrowing in worry.

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