Page 110 of Starstruck
“Mhm.” I quirk a brow, not believing her for a second. “Does thehatepart make good foreplay?”
Her eyes widen as I stare at her, brows raised. But she avoids the question, opting to change the topic entirely.
“Let’s talk about the concert. How’s the final planning coming along? Things ready for Saturday?”
I lean back in my chair with an eye roll, relenting. It’s obvious something happened—Isa doesn’t hate people for no good reason—but I know her well enough to know she’ll fill me in when she’s ready, so I let it go.
With a nod, I tell her, “Just about. I still feel likesomething’s missing, but I don’t think anything is. All the vendors are set to arrive by seven on Saturday morning for setup, and I’m heading to the venue on Friday to prepare the dressing room trailers and do a soundcheck—which reminds me, are you still good to help with that? I have Sadie and Harper coming down, too, to make sure transitions are smooth.”
Isa nods. “Yes, of course,” she says with a smile before leaning forward.
I smile back at her. “Thank you. I really don’t know what I would’ve done without you over these past few months, and in case I haven’t already told you, I appreciate you, Is.”
“I wouldn’t have had it any other way. You know I’ve always got your back.” She tosses a wink at me and we laugh. “Are you nervous?” she probes.
I shrug. “Honestly? Not really. Not for the concert, at least.” I pull my bottom lip between my teeth then add, “At this point, the show will go how it goes. Obviously, I want it to go well, but it’s almost out of my hands, and as much as I’ve loved planning, I’m excited for it to be done.”
She nods along. “I get that.”
We chat a bit more about the concert before she heads back down to the studio. She has some finishing touches to put on her album before its release in a few months, and I, for one, am so damn excited to hear it.
I focus my attention back on the last-minute planning I have to do, ensuring that all the vendors and performers know what time to be there for on Saturday.
As I scroll through the schedule one more time, it hits me that in a matter of days, this will all be over.
No more stress or worrying about whether everything will go okay—the day I’ve been working toward for the past eight months will simply come and then it will go.
It’s a bittersweet feeling, really. I’ve poured so much time and energy into making sure the day will be the best it possibly can be,but I’m so excited to see it all finally come to fruition.
All I can do now is hope that whatever happens, I make my parents proud.
This is for you, Mom and Dad. I hope you’re watching.
[50 ]
ONE MORE CHANCE
LENNON
“HEAR YOU ME” BY JIMMY EAT WORLD
The day is finally here.
After two dead parents, a one-night stand, one cancelled headliner, eight months of planning, plenty of late nights fuelled by lots of caffeine, and a friends-with-benefits-turned-love-of-my-life arrangement with the world’s most famous rock star, we made it.
Today is the benefit concert.
I should be ecstatic right now. I should be overjoyed, ready to have a great time and see all the people who are coming out to support Mothers Against Drunk Driving on behalf of my parents.
But instead, I’m kind of dreading it. I’ve spent all morning pacing in my apartment, running through every worst-case scenario and giving myself pep talk after pep talk to get myself ready for the day.
What if no one shows up?
What if none of the amplifiers work and no one can hear the music?
What if an act cancels at thelast minute?
What if, what if, what if…
