Page 31 of Just My Type of wrong guy

“I think you better open the conversation again because I made it clear there were nineteen tickets left! I even thought you were getting all high and mighty with these huge audiences and didn’t care about selling out three hundred tickets in three days.”

My heart sinks in my chest, and I hold onto the table until I feel it return to its place. In the video call reflection, Thalia tells me to smile, but I can’t. My eyes well up, and all I want to do is crawl through the screen, hug my manager, cousin, and best friend, and celebrate with her.

Victor’s definitely gonna scold me for posting something solo in the middle of the boys’ tour, but it’s worth it.

“I know it’s not a big deal, and that only three hundred people fit atSolar, but I’m so happy, you know?”

“Sang in stadiums and went crazy?” Thalia grimaces.

“Of course not, girl, it’s just that…”

“You have fans, Alexandra. People like your work. Have you seen your Spotify listeners? Time to upload some covers in English because your listeners outside Brazil are increasing a lot. You had around two hundred thousand listeners when you started this, and now you’re reaching millions. Plus, we’re closing in on a million followers on Instagram.”

I hear the words, and I know they’re true. But the internet isn’t tangible, you can’t measure how many of those people really like me, likeMaybe, like my not-couple with A.J., or how many would actually pay to see me sing.

“Thalia…” I cover my mouth like that would help me process the info. “So, you weren’t kidding about the demand for three thousand people?”

“Of course not, dummy.” Thalia claps her hands on her shorts at her thighs while I watch the screen, smiling to myself.“I’m your manager, I wouldn’t joke about something like this,” she reassures me as a tear slides down the right side of my face.

Using the Rio show as a “teaser” for what’s coming up in the next few months was a crazy idea, but seeing it work – and seeing the high demand in other states – makes me euphoric. Doing shows this year was just a dream, until, over the past three months on the road, A.J. helped me compose two new songs, Thalia gave her all in finding venues, and things just fell into place.

Going back to Brazil would already be special, but going straight into the arms of my fans? That’s magic.

“I’m happy, you know?” My voice cracks, and I swallow the tears.

“When you come back, things are gonna be different. When you come back, you’ll have a name that won’t be contained by Uncle Luiz’s efforts.” Disdain mixed with bitterness spills from her words.

“God, I hope so, my friend. But I gotta go, my meeting with Victor is in half an hour.”

“Are you going alone, or is yourfriendcoming with you?”

“A.J. is taking me, Thalia.”

“How’s it like spending so much time with a guy who kisses more good-looking guys than you?” She asks, after all, that tall, blond, super-strong guy AJ kissed at last night’s show has been the talk of every gossip site.

“It would be annoying if I was seeing someone, right… But since I have nothing to compare it to, I just get over it.” I laugh, grabbing my phone from the table. “Come on, wish me luck.”

“Good luck, Miss “sold-out show.” Love you,

“Love you more.”

Chapter Eleven - A.J.

We say we're friends, but I'm catching you across the room

It makes no sense 'cause we're fighting over what we do

And there's no way that I'll end up being with you

But friends don't look at friends that way

That Way - Tate McRae

“I wasn’t expecting this mess…” I rub the pasty cream on my face, pressing harder than I probably should.

But if me kissing a guy would be reason enough to cause a big fuss at any time, the fact that I kissed a random guy – and not someone picked by Alexandra, as happens throughout this tour – has all the tabloids claiming we’re fighting and that I did it just to provoke her.

Seriously, how do people jump to these conclusions?

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