Page 4 of Wicked Rockstar

“He’s getting worse.” Leo didn’t mince words. He was honest to a fault, and I appreciated that.

“I know.” I rubbed hard at my forehead again. “I don’t know what else to do. We were lucky VS Music picked up Peter and the band. I really think Umbria Productions was looking at ways to get rid of him. He was becoming too much of a liability.”

Leo’s piercing gaze pinned me. “It’s not your job to fix him. He has to want to do it.”

I squeezed out the following words through a tight throat. “I can’t leave him, Leo. He doesn’t have anyone else. I need to get him to see that this downward spiral has to stop.” There was a time when Peter listened to me. When he took my advice to heart. But something had changed in him over the last few months. He still projected the same carefree rock god to the outside world, but he was broken inside, more than ever before, and I had no idea how to help him.

The laughter from onstage cued me in that Peter was indeed bringing his A-game. At least for now, we’d made it all work.

How long can you keep covering for him, a little voice whispered at the back of my mind.

I had no idea how to answer. Being Peter’s assistant was way more than a full-time job. I was a constant ball of stress most days, worrying about him and what he might do next.

More applause echoed from beyond the stage; my first indication that they were done talking to Peter. The second was when he came backstage and tried to chest-bump Leo. Peter bounced off and rubbed at his sternum. “Okay. We’ll work on that, big guy.”

He jogged the last few steps towards me, picked me up, and twirled me around. The backstage lights swirled a hazy pattern, and I giggled at his silliness. “I don’t know what I’d do without my girl.”

My insides melted anytime he called me that, and today was no exception.

“Just like always, you sprinkled your magic pixie dust and made sure everything was perfect. Thanks, Tris.”

“You’re welcome—” Before I could finish, Peter dipped his head down and pressed his lips to mine.

My chest seized as the breath I’d been about to release shuddered out unevenly.

Holy Mother of God.

Peter waskissingme.

Schnikes.

My fingers tightened around his neck, and my knees grew weak. When his lips left mine, I barely moved.

“We need to celebrate,” he declared with a broad grin.

“Celebrate?” I asked, my voice breathy.

His forehead rested on mine. “I want to show you how much you mean to me. Come to dinner with me tonight at Luminosity.”

I swallowed hard. “Luminosity? It’s super hard to get a reservation this last minute.”

“I’ve got it covered.” His hands slowly dropped to my waist, creating more distance between us.

I had to fight my instincts to tug him closer. Luckily, he pulled away before I could do anything besides stand there stunned.

“I have to check in with the band when I get back. Do you mind if I meet you there at eight?” he asked, shifting further away, heading toward the exit.

Leo fell into step with him, and I ignored the concerned look he shot my way. I had no doubt that Leo had already guessed I was in love with Peter. The whole world seemed to know it except for Peter himself.

“No, of course not. Do you need me to go with you?” It had been a gamble to only have Peter interviewed today since the rest of the band was a great buffer when he wasn’t at his best. But emotions had been strained between them all, and I wasn’t sure if it was Jareth’s decision or the guys’ decision for Peter to do this one solo.

“No, I’m good. I’ll text you if we need anything.” Peter waved goodbye, and Leo gave me that chin nod that all guys seemed to have perfected.

My heart fluttered, and my stomach felt like a million tiny lightning bugs darted inside, fighting for dominance.

Since I was a young girl, I’d patiently waited for Peter to realize that what he felt for me was more than friendship.

Was tonight going to be the night I’d been waiting for?

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