Page 42 of In the Stars

Kas

Tech

Mr and Mrs. Collins

Jaxon

I look downat the list of people and zero in on the only name that isn’t crossed out. I’m not sure when I’ll make amends with Tech. I’ve talked to Mirrie about it, and she said I shouldn’t push myself to do it, or it may trigger my urge to use.

He was a pain in my ass the entire time he was a part of Lana’s Mischief. We worked well together in the studio, and he was able to contribute to the band in a positive way, but I didn’t fucking like the guy. I overheard him onceasking the label if I could start playing bass so he could sing lead, but they informed him that it was my band, and he wouldn’t be able to usurp that. I’m sure he was pretty fucking happy I was almost ousted. Mitch and Kas have my back though.

God, I miss them. I didn’t think I would, since we weren’t as close as we used to be. But I miss their familiar presence. I saw them practically every day since I was sixteen—it’s weird I haven’t laid eyes on them since I packed my shit in my car and drove up here.

Feeling lonelier than I ever have, I pull out my phone and video call Mitch. Kas never answers his phone, so I don’t even attempt to reach out to him. They’re usually together, so I should be able to talk to them both.

Just as I suspected, when Mitch answers the phone, Kas is in the frame. “Holy shit!” Mitch exclaims. “Did you find us out?”

“Huh?” I ask, resting against the couch.

“We were going to surprise you. How long will it take you to get to Seattle?”

I sit up. “You’re here?”

“Just landed about thirty minutes ago,” Kas says. “Heading to our hotel. We were going to unpack our shit and give you a call to meet us. Guess you read our minds.”

Emotions course through me—wariness, apprehension, fear, but most of all, happiness. I’m…happy they’re here. And glad they still want to see me. I have to cough three times to clear the lump in my throat “Y’all came to see me?”

“Yep. Now getcha ass up here. We’re at the Plymouth Hotel.”

“Gimme an hour and I’ll be there.” I hang up and rush around my room to throw on some clothes.

Once I’m dressed, I grab my keys and my cell and head out the door. After a few seconds, I notice the smile I had onmy face when I was on the phone with Mitch and Kas hasn’t left. I didn’t realize until this moment that I need them. They’ve been constants in my life, and now that empty feeling I’ve had within me is filled since they still want to be around me.

When I slide behind the wheel of my car, I shoot Jaxon a text, that smile still front and center on my face.

After I spent the night at his house after my breakdown, I rattled off my number to him before I did the walk of shame, even though he offered me a ride. It was so embarrassing that I slept in his lap all night. Poor Jaxon had to be uncomfortable, barely moving so he wouldn’t wake me.

It was sweeter than I could put into words.

Me: Heading to Seattle to meet up with Mitch and Kas. They flew in to see me.

---