Dreams really come true.
“As soon as you’re allowed to drive a go-kart, I’ll make sure you become a birdy.” I nod, meaning every word.
If my girl dreams of becoming the next motorsports legend, I will make it happen. Give her every penny for all her equipment, training, practices …
I’ve always dreamed of her becoming the first successful female race car driver, and hearing that she wants that too? I might as well be dead.
“Yay! Thank you, Lee!” she yells, making me smile. “Let’s go now!”
“You’re welcome, princess. But you’re not old enough, just a couple more years,” I reply.
Then, Axel whispers, “Rowan, he’s smiling. Hurry up and take a picture,” and I glare at him.
I’m going to kill him.
* * *
“It’s going to take at least another year and a half to rebuild the new studio,” Fay says, flipping through pages.
“Another year and a half?” Rowan’s jaw drops. “It’s already been months since the fire. What’s taking so long?”
At first, I would’ve felt the same dread, hearing we have another year and a half here in this studio, but I feel relief, knowing I’ll see her every day. I pray that the rebuild gets even more delayed.
“There’re a lot of factors that have pushed the rebuild further. The investigation—we now know the cause was faulty wiring—insurance, permits …” Fay goes on and on, but I tune her out when my attention is seized by the TV that’s playing a local gossip talk show.
I see my girl’s face pop up, and the need to protect her immediately surfaces. Grabbing the remote, I raise the volume rudely and sit straighter in my seat.
“There’s a lot of talk going on about this performance. We all know Amelia is the drummer of the band, so she doesn’t sing much. Whenever she does, their entire fan base is shocked and thrilled. However, our sunshine girl is getting slammed not only for her appearance—which we all know is a heavy topic for this rock star—but some people also find her dance on her boyfriend’s lap, Levi Miller, inappropriate. Thoughts?”
Another lady speaks up, and if it was possible, I would burn holes in this TV with my eyes. “I’m not sure what people expect when it comes to their relationship.” She shrugs at her coworkers. “But it’s a scandal. It always has been, and it always will be. They’re rivals who developed feelings for one another after years of hate. I’m assuming their relationship is very sexual. That’s what I’m getting from all the posts. And it seems they don’t care what they put out into the world. We can see that after that sexy lap dance. So, I don’t think Amelia or Levi cares what people think about their relationship—especially her family’s opinions. She’s ruining her family name.”
The TV shuts off, but I stare at the blank screen for a couple of seconds.
How come it’s always the girl’s fault? A relationship involves two people. How come I’m not ruining my band, butsheis?
God, they make me nauseous.
“Levi”—Rowan snaps his fingers in my face—“this is why we never watch gossip shows.”
I hate all the shit they say about me online. The people throwing hate think it’s easy to get over their words. But nothing negative is easy.
“It’s okay. You’re going to a gala together in a few weeks. All this will be blown over by then. We’ll take a sweeter approach to your relationship.” Fay tries to reason with me, but I stand from my seat.
I feel the familiar pit in my stomach form, making my hands shake. I try to cause myself as little stress as possible in my recovery phase, but the constant hate and negativity she receives now affects me because I care.
I only want her to be happy.
“Where are you going?” Axel says, looking at Rowan, worried.
“Home.”
CHAPTER36
AMELIA
Acomplete curveball was thrown my way today.
I was just sitting in my room when my siblings barged in with empty moving boxes.
