Page 37 of Starstruck
Trying to keep from squealing in excitement, I say, “Yes, that’s correct.”
He’s silent for a moment before he adds, “That’s perfect. Sage gets back from her European tour on the twentieth, so she’llbe good to go.”
“Really?” My face aches from the smile filling it. “That’s amazing, thank you so much.”
“No, thankyou, Lennon. Drunk driving is a huge epidemic in today’s society, and I’m happy to see someone trying to do something to stop it. I know your parents would love it.”
“Thank you, Harrison. That means a lot to me. I’ll be in touch closer to the date once I have the final schedule to let you know all the details.”
“Sounds good, Lennon. Talk soon.”
After we hang up, I spin my chair in a circle, relief flooding through me. Sage is an artist I’ve worked with for publishing in the past, and having her at the show is huge.
Focusing my attention back on the task at hand, I remove the question mark from beside her name. Then I make a few more calls, praying the rest will go the same way.
By the time I finish, all but two artists have been confirmed. I now have Sage and Jett Phoenix, one of Revolution’s hard rock artists, added to the list. I’m still waiting to hear from Hear the Echoes and The Lighthouse, but I have high hopes that they’ll agree.
So all that’s left now is a headliner.
The problem is, aside from Baxter, there really aren’t any big artists left who I haven’t already contacted. And I’m sure this is a result of what happened in Jeremy’s office, but as I scan the list of artists, my eyes keep catching on his name.
It’s crossed out, simply for the fact that I don’t want him to headline, but each day that passes that I don’t find someone is one day closer to thinking he is my best bet.
He’s the biggest name in rock and roll, and though his reputation is similar to that of everyone else on the list of potential headliners when it comes to destructive behaviour, he also has themost going for him on the good side of things—his musical genius (don’t tell him I said that), charisma, and his overall contributions to the rock community make people love him, even when he makes bad decisions.
But fuck, I really don’t want to see him again. Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself. The truth is, Idowant to see him again—I just worry about what will happen if I do.
The only thing I know for certain is that he’s a dangerous choice. It’s not just his reputation that worries me, because honestly, that’s a pretty easy workaround. What worries me more is how if I spend more time around him, I’m going to let him in even more than I did that night we spent together. The last thing I need right now is to get attached to someone when I’m still grieving my parents. And I know myself. There’s no way I’ll be able to spend any time around him and not let him in further.
I didn’t even mean to share what I did with him all those weeks ago, but he was easy to talk to. He somehow managed to break a row of bricks down from my very tall walls, making me feel a little bit less alone. He acknowledged my pain and helped me forget about all the terrible things going on in my life, even if just for one night. He didn’t judge me or get frustrated when I spilled my guts to him—instead, he asked more questions and was genuinely interested in listening to my answers.
He made me feel understood in a way I haven’t in a long, long time.
He made me feelseen.
And I know if I were to see him again, the same thing would happen. If he were to headline for this concert, there’s simply no way I would be able to keep my distance. And in typicalmefashion, I know I would end up falling for him. I’m a hopeless romantic. It doesn’t take much for me to dream up a perfect relationship.
The thing is, Baxter is the opposite. Yes, he joked about being friends with benefits, but in his thirteen years as a famous rock star, he has never been seen with the same woman twice. He’s atotal playboy, and getting people to let him in is just part of his charm.
Falling for him is a surefire way to get my heart broken, and I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t do that again. Loving people leads to losing them, and I can’t lose anybody else.
So I need to try to find somebody—anybody—else who can headline.
For the sake of saving myself more heartbreak, I need to stay away from Baxter James.
[15 ]
YOU BURN ME
BAXTER
“DISINTEGRATION” BY JIMMY EAT WORLD
“Ifucked Lennon Thorne.”
Levi spits out his drink as Colt whips his head up, glaring at me.
“I beg your fucking pardon?” Levi retorts, wiping his hand over his mouth. “When was this?”
