Page 111 of Aria

Taking her by the arm, I led her outside the private lounge. Beth peered down at her hands folded in front of her, looking wistful yet resolute.

“Noah, I’m not trying to put a damper on your night,” Beth began, pressing her thumbs together. “I’m honored you invited me to such an iconic event, but… I don’t feel like I fit in here. I’m just a single mom who fell for a superstar. I’m in over my head.”

“I’d like you to stay,” I replied gently. “Screw fitting in. I don’t even fit in here.”

She smiled again, her eyes softening. “That’s why I like you,” she admitted. Then her smile faded, and she let out a deep sigh. “But your heart is with someone else.”

My jaw tightened as I looked up at the ceiling, images of Chelsie flickering to mind. “Beth, the thing with Chelsie… it’s not going anywhere.”

“Whether it is or it isn’t, you can’t change how you feel, Noah. The heart wants what the heart wants. It wasn’t in the cards for us, and that’s okay. I just need to move on.” She reached up and touched her fingertips to my cheek. “I’m glad I met you, Noah Hayes. No regrets.”

I parted my lips with protest, but couldn’t seem to find the words.

I hated that Beth was right, and I was angry at Chelsie for creeping her way into my world and clinging for dear life. I couldn’t shake her; I felt ambushed. “I’ll have my driver bring you home,” I said tersely, nodding my head and stuffing my hands into my pockets.

There were no long goodbyes or mournful embraces. I just walked back into the suite, called the driver, and grabbed a beer out of the fridge.

Beth was gone because my heart was with a taken woman.

Fuck.

Five beers and a shot of whiskey later, a buzz crawled through me as I sat alone on the red couch, watching as my friends mingled and laughed. Waitresses filtered in and out of the room, their hips swaying dramatically as they entered and exited. Most men would do anything to have buxom blondes throwing themselves at them, but not me. Not anymore.

The only blonde I wanted was curled up in a loveseat with my strung out lead singer.

“I want to make an announcement,” I blurted, taking my own self by surprise. I hadn’t intended on making any announcements tonight.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and gave me their full attention. Chelsie sat up straight, looking at me with cautious anticipation.

Rising to my feet, I cleared my throat. “After much deliberation, I’ve decided to take a break from the band.”

The silence was deafening.

I took a swig of beer while awaiting a response.

“Are you fucking joking?” Devon demanded.

“No, I’m not.” I shuffled my feet, glancing around the room. Chelsie’s mouth was agape, her eyes wide and incredulous. “I’m burned out. I need to find my muse again.”

Devon let out a scathing laugh as he stood. “Don’t give me that hippie-dippie bullshit. We’re all burned out. Every motherfucker with a nine-to-five is burned out. You keep going.”

“Is this… temporary?” Chelsie squeaked out.

I gritted my teeth, shrugging. I wasn’t even sure. “Maybe. Probably.”

“How can you leave after the show we did tonight?” Miles inquired, looking rattled as he stepped toward me. “It was like old times again. We killed it.”

“They’re right, man,” Tad added. “We’re in our prime right now. We can’t stop.”

“I never said you needed to stop.” I tossed the empty beer can into the trash, flinching when it clanked against another glass bottle. “I’m sure you can find a fill-in.”

Chelsie approached me, concern glimmering in her emerald stare. “Noah… are you sure you’ve thought this through? The music means everything to you.”

I could see the distress on her face. The worry, the empathy. I softened my stance and let out a weary breath. “I need a goddamn break,” I told her, my words clipped with honesty. “Everything’s a mess. Devon and Tad are always high as a kite. You almost got raped and killed, and then we—” I caught myself before the alcohol had me saying too much. “I rarely see my son. We’ve lost our way.”

Devon stormed over to me, glaring daggers. “Go fuck yourself.”

“Devon,” Chelsie scolded, swiveling toward him with a stunned frown.

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