Page 19 of Starstruck
I’m the type of person who remembers the moment she heard a song for the first time. I remember where I was, what I was doing, what I was feeling—all of it. I have happy songs I associate with sad moments and vice versa, simply because that’s what was playing at the time. I grew up writing my own songs—terribly, but writing them nonetheless. It was my outlet when I needed one, and though none of those songs will ever see the light of day, I’ve held onto all of them. Music has saved me in more ways than I can explain, and I truly don’t know what I would do without it.
So the fact that I can’t write right now is slowly killing me.
But I am excited to be back tomorrow, even if it reminds me of my parents, because it’s the kind of memory I want to hang on to. The start of their label changed the lives of so many people who may never have gotten their big break otherwise.
And being back is the first step to getting back to myself—hopefully.
Baxter quirks a brow. “Where do you work?”
I hesitate, trying to decide whether or not I should tell him I work at the very record label he’s signed to. There’s no reason he would know, since I work for Revolution’s publishing house and am a songwriter for the label. Baxter writes his own songs, and he has people who deal with publishing for him. Our paths have never crossed professionally in the six years I’ve worked there, and I feel like I should keep it that way.
“Nice try, Lover Boy. I’m not going to give you any way to find me after tonight. One night only, remember?”
“Too bad. We could’ve been friends with benefits,” he jokes, a wicked grin playing on his face.
I raise my eyebrows, scoffing.As ifBaxter James would ever be friends with benefits, but that comment does give me an idea—a brilliant one, if I do say so myself.
“We’d have to befriendsfirst for that to work.”
He grunts. “At least stay the whole night, then.”
I look at him stunned as I turn my dress right-side out. “You let all the girls spend the night with you?”
He shakes his head, moving off the bed to stand in front of me. “No, I don’t. I usually don’t even bring girls here when I fuck them. But I’ve already broken two of my rules for you, so what’s one more?”
I fight the smile that aches to spread across my face. He places his hand on the side of my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair as he presses a firm, passionate kiss against my lips, reminding me of the other rule he broke for me. “You said it yourself—it’s just one night.”
“Okay,” I agree easily, my eyes fluttering open. If it’s only going to be one night, I may as well enjoy it for as long as I can. “I’ll stay.”
[7 ]
FIND MY WAY HOME
LENNON
Six Weeks Later
March
“MAYBE TOMORROW” BY STEREOPHONICS
“So, have you found a headliner for the benefit concert yet,” Isa begins from her spot on the couch beside me. “Or are you finally going to take my advice and ask Baxter?”
I huff a laugh over my sip of wine. My unforgettable night spent with the man in question is what gave me the idea to host a benefit concert to honour my parents. Isa knows that, which means that since Jeremy gave me the go-ahead for it, she’s mentioned asking Baxter to headline no fewer than ten times. And every time, I’ve given her the same response.
“Is, I told you, that’s not happening. Even if he was the last person on Earth, I wouldn’t ask him. We both agreed it was just one night, I can’t find a reason to make it more than that.”
She rolls her eyes with a smirk. “I know what you said. But likeIsaid, I think the fact that he gave youeight motherfucking orgasms?—”
I smile, rolling my lips together. It was actually nine, but I don’t bothercorrecting her.
“—in one night is reason enough. Plus, he’d be perfect as a headliner.”
I cock a brow. “Yeah, and he knows it, too. He’s a cocky son of a bitch, and truthfully, that’s why I can’t include him. He would make the show all abouthim, and I need the focus on my parents.”
She sighs. “If you say so, Lenny.” She finishes off her glass of wine before heading to the kitchen to get more. As she returns with a new bottle, she adds, “For real, though, Baxter aside, have you found one?”
I wait until she’s seated again, holding my glass out for her to pour me some. Then I smile as I share the secret I’ve been keeping. “Actually, yes. I booked one last week.”
