Page 26 of Starstruck
“Better?” Paige asks with a raised eyebrow as I return to my seat.
“Yeah, I’m good,” I reply nonchalantly as I take my seat again.
“So,” Dylan starts as he leans forward. “How’s the concert coming along?”
I glance up. When I first had the idea for the concert, I was worried my siblings wouldn’t be okay with it. After all, it’s a pretty big deal—or at least I’m hoping it will be—and it’s to honour their parents, too. So when they instantly supported the idea, I was surprised.
My siblings may get on my nerves sometimes, and I may constantly feel like I’m the cause of all their pain, but I know they love me, and the truth is, they’d do anything for me. They’d encourage me no matter what if it’s something that will make me happy.
I should’ve known all along that they would.
A smile fills my face as I tell him, “Good, thanks.”
We talk a bit more about the concert, and I fill them in onbooking SON!C to headline—to which Trevor has a bit of a freak-out over, seeing as they’re one of his favourite bands. Paige tells us a bit more about the case she caught at work this past week—she’s a big-shot criminal defense lawyer in the city—and Emma and Dylan talk about their plan to take the kids to Disney World next week for March Break.
But through it all, I still can’t get my mind off Baxter.
Eventually, the conversation dwindles, and I glance at the clock nearing seven p.m. behind Paige. “I think I’m going to head out.” I stand from my chair. “I had an early morning and have a busy day tomorrow.”
Paige’s brows furrow as if she’s preparing to argue, but before she can say anything, Dylan nods curtly and rises from his seat. He looks to Emma as he says, “We should probably get going, too. Gotta relieve the sitter.”
I smile softly as I meet my older brother’s eyes, thanking him silently. He’s much better at reading my cues than Paige is.
“Okay, no problem,” Paige responds with a smile.
We make our way to the front door, Paige and Trevor in tow.
“Glad you guys could make it,” Trevor says as Paige hugs Emma and Dylan goodbye.
“Thank you for having us,” Emma returns kindly. Turning to me, she asks, “Do you want a ride?”
I shake my head, holding up my phone. “I have an Uber on the way, but thanks, Em.” I pull her in for a hug, followed by Dylan, and then I turn and say my goodbyes to Paige and Trevor, too.
“You know I’m always here for you, right?” Paige tells me as she pulls back from our hug.
I nod. “I know, P.” I am appreciative of her, even if she can be a bit overbearing at times.
“We all are, Lens,” Dylan adds from the open doorway, giving me more reassurance that they don’t blame me for all that’s happened, even if I still blame myself.
Tears begin to well in my eyes, but I swallow them down.
Not here. Not now.
“Thanks, guys,” I respond, looking between my siblings and their partners. Then, with one last wave goodbye, I turn and head down to the road where my Uber is waiting to take me home.
[10 ]
FEELING FINE
BAXTER
“SON’S GONNA RISE” BY CITIZEN COPE
Afew days later, I sit on my living room couch with Isa sitting across from me. I have Colt on one side and Levi on the other, while Kevin paces a hole in the floor behind us, putting out a fire for one of the other artists he manages.
At least it’s not me—for once.
Isa looks at me with narrowed eyes. “Okay, so not that I’m complaining or anything”—she scans the three of us, beginning with Levi and holding on Colt, a smirk playing on her face before she glances back at me—“but what the hell am I doing here?”
