Page 52 of Just My Type of wrong guy

Only God knows if I can still do that on my own.

I head back to the living room and grab my phone, opening my messages with Dani and ignoring the mix of curse words in both English and Portuguese she’s sent in the last twenty minutes. I focus on the one that actually matters, walking the six steps it takes to reach my room.

Dani <3:I need to know.

Dani <3:Do you actually like her, are you falling, or are you just dazzled?

I read her message as I close the door behind me and, without even turning on the lights, I throw myself onto the bed, guided only by the phone screen.

Daniele might want to kill me tomorrow, but I lock the screen and roll onto my side, accepting the obvious: Alexandra is, without a doubt, enchanting.

But she’s my friend, and I have to stop thinking about her like she’s anything more than that.

Chapter Eighteen – Ale

Now I want to leave, to rediscover myself,

to learn and hold onto who I am once more.

I want to stay steady, not to unravel at your silly smile,

and to rebuild myself far away from you.

Agora eu quero ir - Ana Vitória

A soft kind of excitement bubbles up in me as Thalia finishes talking about the buzz from my show. Sure, it hit social media and gossip pages because of A.J., but even the MPB and samba pages are talking about it.

Leaning back beside the closed window I don’t even try to hold back my smile.

“Your dad must be losing it. A bunch of his friends reposted the reels.” Thalia’s voice makes me swallow hard, studying the inside of the building across from mine. A.J.'s view is the river. Mine’s this gorgeous garden where autumn leaves fall like it’s a movie scene.

“I don’t even have to say how happy I am, right?” I dodge her comment.

I’m not doing this to prove anything to my dad. I’m not trying to build walls. I just want... to be accepted.

“You really don’t. And hey,” Thalia says, clearing her throat, “people are actually talking about your music. They really liked it. Your Spotify numbers are way up, and even your low-key vibe… Your fans love it. They say you haven’t let fame go to your head.”

“But...?” I grin when I spot two kids down below throwing leaves at each other.

“No ‘but.’ Is just… Seeing you come and go from the spotlight all these years used to feel messy, like a rollercoaster. But after the show, it hit me – you’re not just trying to be a singer.You’re making art of it.And you’ve got your whole life to do that.” Her voice shakes a little, proud and soft, and my chest relaxes in a way it hasn’t in a long time. “You didn’t need to rush and ride the Vicious wave or whatever. Because your art isn’t about hype. It just needs the right people to hear it. Not the ‘right’ time.”

Thalia’s words land like balm on every bruised corner of my pride and heart. Putting my career on hold for a few months to stay with the boys was a strategy – a painfully hard one. But now, having her – and others – finally see my work the way I see it? It fills me completely, lighting up every corner of me with warmth.

“Thanks, Thali. Seriously. Thank you.”

“Anytime. Now tell me – how was your first day living with your hot roommate?”

And just like that, Thalia ruins my deep, emotional moment like a douchebag boyfriend knocking over a puzzle you spent hours finishing.

“Totally normal. We watched a movie, ate junk, chilled...”

“And kissed a little?”

“What?!” I say, offended, as I shut myself in the bathroom to make sure not a single word of this absurd call reaches A.J.

“Oh, come on, cousin. That man crossed a whole continent in under twenty-four hours just to see you sing.”

I laugh because she sounds ridiculous.

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