Page 89 of Starstruck
“Lennon—” I start, but she holds up a hand, cutting me off. She spins around to face the other guy, her tone completely changing as she speaks to him.
“It was good to see you, Nate. I’ll be in touch about the passes, okay?” She smiles at him, and my jaw clenches. I want to say something else, but I keep my mouth shut.
He nods, glancing from her to me. I keep my gaze trained on him, and if looks could kill, he would be dead right now. “Sounds good.” He walks past us, waving to Sadie along the way. “Nice meeting you, Sadie.”
“Nice meeting you, too, Nathan.” She smiles kindly as he passes. He wraps his arm around a petite blonde woman waiting a few feet away and they leave.
Shit. I’m fucked.
Turning back to Lennon, I back down slightly. She still has a pissed off look on her face as she moves past me toward my dressing room, and I spin quickly on my heels to follow her.
“Lennon, wait.” I grab her arm, spinning her around just as her hand reaches the doorknob. I don’t even care that my friends and a bunch of random strangers are witnessing me chase after a girl right now, which tells me everything I need to know abouthow deep into this I am—because the old me definitely would’ve.
Matter of fact, the old me never would’ve chased the girl in the first place.
“What the fuck was that, Baxter?”
“He was touching you. No one should be touching you without your consent.”
Her eyes narrow to slits. “It was ahug, Baxter. And in case you didn’t notice, which your dumbass clearly didn’t, I was hugging him back. He had my consent.” She rips her arm from my grasp. “You, on the other hand, currentlydo not.”
I grit my teeth. “Who was he?”
She scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “My ex. You know, the one I was with for six years? We were also friends forfourteenfucking years before that. It was an amicable breakup, and he’s moved on. I haven’t seen or really even heard from him since my parents’ funeral. It was just a hug.”
Her words stab me in the chest.
Well, shit.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.” I swallow roughly, unable to pull my focus from the fact that she only saidhe’smoved on, notwe’ve. “Have…um…youmoved on?” I ask hesitantly, readying myself for more anger and also preparing for her answer, worried she’s going to say no.
Instead, she softens. “Isn’t it obvious that I have?” Her golden irises find mine. “I moved on before we even broke up. Not physically, but I’d been mentally checked out of that relationship for a long time. We both had. My parents dying just made me admit it. So yes, I’ve moved on, Baxter. Withyou. You acted like a caveman for nothing.”
My lip quirks up at her words, and she rolls her eyes again, but I can tell she’s fighting a smile too.
“I got jealous,” I admit, shocking the hell out of all five of us.
She just watches me for a moment before shaking her head, a smile appearing on her face. “You got jealous.”
I huff a laugh, nodding. “You see what you do to me, Lenny girl?”
Her eyes roll as she lets out an exasperated sigh, but I don’t miss the way her cheeks flush pink. “Let’s go, Lover Boy. Now youreallyneed to make tonight worth my while.”
[38 ]
ELECTRIFIED
LENNON
“DRESS” BY TAYLOR SWIFT
Ignoring the stares from everyone backstage, I swing open the dressing room door and drag Baxter inside. It takes less than two seconds for him to spin me around and slam it shut, pushing me up against it.
“You sure do have a knack for trapping me against walls, don’t you?” I tease, my voice breathy.
“Mhm,” he hums as he leans down, placing a soft kiss right on my collarbone before meeting my eyes. “Hi, Lenny girl.”
“Hi, Bax,” I say with a smile. “Great show tonight.”
