Page 88 of Starstruck
He squeezes me closer, and I let him, all our years of friendship flashing through my mind. I’m just about to pull away when the words, “Get your hands off her and walk away before I fucking make you,” come roaring from someone behind me.
My eyes flash open.
Oh, shit.
[37 ]
LET ME IN
BAXTER
“COME UNDONE” BY JACKSON WATERS
The show goes off without a hitch, and before I know it, we’re heading offstage. The crowd was electric throughout the entire set, and knowing Lennon was here watching made me feel that much morealive.
This past week has been different between us. Our texts have been fewer and more far between, but much more…intimate, when they do happen. I think that kiss last weekend awakened something in both of us. Something neither of us have wanted to acknowledge before now.
Something I know I’d be content to ignore if it were that easy. But now that I know her and I’ve had her…I can’t imagine ever letting her go.
As we make our way through the curtains, I pass my guitar to one of the crew members. Security blocks all the backstage-passholders who scream and shout for our attention, but my eyes are too focused searching for Lennon to worry about them. I didn’t see her when I looked over during that last song, and I’m hopingshe decided to wait for me in my dressing room—which is where I intend to look next.
Right after I sign a few autographs, that is.
I paste a smile on my face and look toward the crowd. It takes no more than five minutes of taking selfies with fans for my eyes to find her like a magnet. And as soon as I do, my brows pull together.
She’s standing near the bathroom with Sadie, talking to some guy. He looks about her age, with short, blond hair. He’s tall, probably about six-foot. Based on his expression, they seem to know each other.
But that doesn’t keep a pit from growing in my stomach.
“Uh oh.” Levi whistles from beside me. “Looks like Groupie has a groupie.”
I let out a low growl at his comment. I don’t get jealous. I don’t do feelings, so jealousy has never been an emotion I’ve felt. But as I watch him lean down and wrap his arms around her, I see fucking red.
Or maybe I should say green.
“Bax, don—” Colt starts as I storm toward them. He tries to hold me back, reaching for my shoulder, but I evade him, marching right up to them.
I don’t even think before the words come out of my mouth.
“Get your hands off of her and walk away before I fucking make you,” I roar, loud enough for practically the entirety of backstage to hear.
If people didn’t know about Lennon and me before, they’re sure as hell about to.
Lennon pulls away from the hug and the guy cowers slightly before realizing who’s talking to him—then his face lights up, making me frown even more.
“Holy sh-shit,” the guy stutters. “You—You’re Baxter James.”
“I am.” I take a step toward him, blocking Lennon from his view. “And who the fuck might you be?”
The guy opens his mouth to speak, but Lennon moves between us before he can. “Baxter,don’t,” she demands, the look on her face mirroring my anger.
“Lennon?” the guy asks from behind her. “You know Baxter James?”
She rolls her eyes, her frustration not dissipating. “Unfortunately, yes.” She holds my eye contact as she says it, and my face falls.
“Ooooh, Lover Boy’s in trooouuuble,” Levi teases from behind us. A grunt follows, likely from Colt elbowing him, but I refuse to turn away from Lennon. She may be fierce as hell, but she doesn’t scare me.
Losing her does. Butshedoesn’t.
