Page 54 of Rockstar Daddy's Second Chance

“Be right there,” I call back, forcing cheer into my voice. I settle onto the couch with Cassidy, balancing a bowl of popcorn between us. She’s practically vibrating with anticipation, her eyes glued to the screen as she waits for Cass to make his entrance.

“Mom, I can’t believe Dad’s going to be on live TV! This is so cool!” Cassidy gushes, not even glancing at her handful of popcorn.

I smile, but the tightness in my chest remains, fueled by the image of Cass and Pixie and Derrick’s cutting comments.

The screen flickers, the lights dim, and Cass steps onto the stage. He’s magnetic, commanding the room with his effortless charm. Cassidy squeals, clutching my arm.

“There he is!”

I nod, swallowing the lump rising in my throat. Seeing him so at ease in the spotlight reminds me of the man I first fell in love with—the way he could capture a room with just his presence. But tonight, there’s a new edge, sharpened by the events of the day.

The crowd roars as Cass begins to play, his voice filling the room. For a moment, as Cassidy leans forward, completely enraptured,I let myself sink into the music. The barriers between us blur, leaving only the man I love.

Then, the host steps forward, announcing a surprise guest. My heart drops as Pixie Cane steps into the spotlight.

They launch into a duet—a love song. Their voices blend seamlessly, and Pixie’s gaze locks onto Cass’s, the lyrics dripping with emotion. My stomach clenches as she reaches out at the end, pulling him into a warm embrace. He returns it easily as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Cassidy glances up at me, her face bright. “They’re really good together, huh?”

I force a smile, willing my voice not to betray the storm brewing inside me. “Yes, they are.”

Once Cassidy is fast asleep, I step onto the deck, letting the ocean breeze cool my flushed skin. The house feels too quiet, too empty. My phone vibrates in my hand, a text message lighting up the screen.

‘Just wrapped up the special! I can’t wait to tell you all about it. I’ll see you tomorrow. Miss you guys.’

The message is warm and thoughtful, but it doesn’t quiet the doubts whispering in the back of my mind. Why did it take him so long to message me? The text is downright friendly, like something he would send to his sister. Why didn’t he mention Pixie? Or the duet? Why didn’t he warn me?

Jealousy burns hot and bitter, fueled by Derrick’s manipulations and the undeniable chemistry I saw on stage. My rational side insists it’s just PR orchestrated for the cameras. But the emotional side—the side scarred by Derrick’s meddling—won’t let it go.

Cass finally arrives the next day. His face lights up when he sees us. He pulls Cassidy and me into a warm hug, his arms steady and reassuring.

“It’s good to be home,” he murmurs, pulling me into a slow, lingering kiss. “The special was great, but nothing compares to being here with you.”

I want to melt into his touch, to let his words wash away my doubts, but I can’t stop myself. “Why didn’t you tell me Pixie would be there?”

His brow furrows, genuine confusion in his eyes. “I didn’t know she would be. The host planned it as a surprise. I wasn’t even given a heads-up.”

“I know,” I say, my voice quiet. “But you also had dinner with her. There were photos… you looked… very comfortable with her.”

“Pixie is a friend.” Cass’s sigh is heavy, a blend of frustration, impatience, and weariness. “Kendrick, it was a press setup. Nothing more. Pixie happened to be there. I didn’t plan any of it.”

“It was a love song, Cass. You–”

Cass interrupts, “Kendrick, these things happen. I already told you it was over between Pixie and me, but she’s a celebrity, and we’re bound to run into each other.”

His words are steady, but a flicker of impatience lingers in his gaze. He kisses me softly, a gesture meant to reassure me, but the doubts still claw at the edges of my mind.

“Cass, I trust you,” I say finally, though my voice wavers. “But Derrick… the headlines… seeing you with her—it’s not easy.”

His expression hardens, his arms tightening around me. “I know. And I’m sorry. I’ll handle Derrick. But Kendrick, you need to believe me when I say fame means nothing if I don’t have you.”

I press my forehead to his, clinging to the sincerity in his words. The jealousy lingers, but for now, I let his promises soothe me. But deep down, a small voice reminds me that Cass’s world will always be filled with flashing cameras, beautiful women, and others who want a piece of him–like Derrick. And I don’t know if I’m confident or strong enough to overcome the obstacles Derrick will continue throwing at me.

Twenty-Six

Cass

In the days that follow, we fall back into a familiar rhythm, but an unspoken tension lingers in the air. Kendrick’s answers are clipped and distant, missing the warmth they once carried. She doesn’t pull away when I reach for her, but there’s a quiet detachment in her responses. Even when we make love, her eyes close as if shielding something from me. The passion is still there, but I miss the deeper connection we once shared.

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