Page 71 of Heart Break Her

Voices kick up in the hallway. The show is minutes from starting, so this isn’t the time. But this isn’t over either. I’m done hiding what’s been clawing at the surface, even if it will send me to a pit so deep there’s no coming out.

I’ve been lying to myself.

Myth might be a really good reason to stay away, but I don’t give a shit anymore. Now that Cassie’s in my path, there’s no denying something is sparking between us.

I’m going to have her, even if it destroys us both.

20

Cassie

Adrianbringsmeintothe band’s circle, and it feels a little like being on holy ground. Four idols and their manager are all staring at me. And if that’s not stressful enough, the look in Sebastian’s eyes is saying a lot I can’t place all of a sudden. Ever since I stepped into the green room, I swear he’s been poised to eat me up.

Earlier today, I was convinced I needed to put more distance between us. Self-preservation was kicking into full gear. But his expression in the green room told me something I haven’t seen in him before. Or I haven’t been brave enough to look at. What I’ve felt for him since our first night together isn’t one-sided, and I’m not sure what to do with that.

“One more time, just so everyone is clear,” Adrian says, crossing his arms over his chest and giving me the floor.

It feels like a big moment. I’m Cassie Walker, a former nobody from Seattle. Now, here I am with the biggest rock band in the world looking to me.

Somewhere between coming up with the idea to use paint and helping Adrian find an artist to help, I was handed the reins to this production. And while I might be insecure about a lot of things, for once, I’m in my area of expertise, and I’m feeling confident. Because this show is going to be incredible, and a large part of that is thanks to me.

“Adrian explained to me that you’re only on for three songs tonight,” I say, trying my best to take slow, measured breaths. “But you’re also the last band to go on, so the goal is to finish strong.”

Bands have been performing all day for the festival. Now that it’s dark and winding down, the headliners are taking over the stage. Right now, Madison Maine’s voice is echoing through the stadium as she belts out her hit, Glitter Monster, and I realize they weren’t joking when they said bands take this festival seriously. She’s dangling mid-air on a flying pole.

“We’re saving the paint for Your Own Medicine.”

“That’s the last song,” Eloise says, looking a little annoyed.

“Right, but it’s for good reason.” I hold my ground. “The paint is going to get messy quick. Once the girls take the stage and start shooting it out at the band and the audience, it’s going to get everywhere. Your instruments aren’t going to handle it well for long.”

Eloise’s face softens with understanding.

“But also, we need to end big,” I say. “If you pull the same stunt for three songs, there’s time for the excitement of it to wear off, and they’ll be waiting for something bigger. We need to really embrace the buildup. Ease the audience in. And then, in the last four minutes, all hell is going to break loose.”

Rome’s face stretches in a wide grin. “Now we’re talking.”

His eyes move to a line of girls in tiny white bikinis holding paint spray guns, winking at a busty one in the front.

“Keep it in your fucking pants until the show’s over,” Adrian scolds him.

Rome doesn’t stop blatantly checking out the lineup of women, but says, “Will do, boss.”

“One more thing,” I say, and the band turns their attention back to me. I really wish Adrian would say this part, so I wouldn’t sound like such a perv, but apparently he’s letting me take the wheel, full force. “Shirts off, guys.”

Sebastian’s eyebrow quirks up, and I don’t miss the smile that tells me he read my embarrassment.

“If you wanted me naked, all you had to do was ask.” Rome takes a step toward me, but Sebastian slaps his arm against Rome’s chest to stop him, making him laugh. “Kidding, man.”

Sebastian looks less than thrilled at the joke, while Noah ignores all of it, ripping his T-shirt off in one pull. Rome and Sebastian are right behind him, and I’m surrounded by washboard abs.

It’s distracting, to say the least.

Eloise rolls her eyes as she pushes her neon red glasses up over them. “Wonderful, their egos weren’t big enough already.”

The line of women holding paint sprayers are now drooling over the band, and I spot a number of them with their eyes locked directly on Sebastian.

It’s strange how normal it is by now, watching women strip him naked with one glance everywhere he goes. What used to bother me doesn’t have the same effect, and that’s been amplified by our little green room encounter. Because, as I look up and see his eyes locked on mine, the feeling once more takes hold—he can have any woman here, but they aren’t who he’s looking at right now.

---