But I didn’t want to go home. Not yet. My lungs ached from running blindly down the street. My feet slapped the pavement as I flew past streetlights.
Have to get out of here.Remembering Mick’s earlier offer of help, I grasped at it like a lifeline.
Finding a dark corner without a streetlamp, I leaned against the rough bark of an oak tree and caught my breath, then pulled out my phone.
Fine, Paxton. I got your message loud and clear.I would steer clear from now on.
I pushed Mick’s number and held the phone to my ear, wiping the cooling tears from my cheeks.
‘Hello?’Mick asked.
“Still up for a movie?” I tried to ignore the pang of sadness aching in my heart.
Chapter nineteen
Paxton Ross
CottonCandydisappearedthroughthe crowd, and even though I pushed through the throng of people, they slowed me down with their praise and claps on the back.
When I finally broke free and ran to the street, she was nowhere in sight.
“Fuck.” I kicked a rock from the sidewalk.
I’d had no idea what Katrina had planned. Shock had coursed through me as soon as she’d plastered her lips to mine. Once I finally gathered enough sense to break the kiss and Terri’s eyes had met mine, I’d died inside.
I shot three desperate texts to her phone, asking her to stop, but they didn’t show they’d been delivered.
Her phone must be off. Or maybe she blocked me.
Then I would find her and make her understand the terrible mistake.
I pivoted around and raced to the backyard, pushing my way to the stage to grab my guitar.
“Hey, Paxton.” Jay smiled as he tipped back a beer. “We definitely gotta do this more often. I think my dad would be interested in hearing some of your stuff.”
His words made me pause. His dad had connections in the music world. Likebigconnections.
“That would be awesome. Look, I have something to do, but let’s talk about this later.” I took the wooden steps two at a time until I hit the grass.
“Just make sure thatsomething to dodoesn’t hold you back.” He wound a cord around his arm and gave me a pointed stare. “Not everyone understands how much dedication it takes to make it in the music industry.”
Frowning, I only strode through the girls trying to get my attention with seductive smiles or purring compliments into my ear.
The only girl I wanted at the moment had just run away.
But that’s okay. I’ll find her and make her understand she’s the only girl I want.
After stuffing my instrument in the backseat, I tore off down the street, scouring the sidewalks for Cotton Candy.
I hated the thought of her out here, alone and in the dark.
Several hundred feet ahead, facing toward me, a car pulled over and someone slid inside.
It was too far to make out any features, so I slowed down as they passed, craning my head to peer inside the tinted windows.
The light from a streetlamp bounced off the glass, effectively blocking my view.
She wouldn’t take a ride from a stranger, would she?
