“How much of their money have you spent?”
Stop.
Stop.
Stop.
Tears build in my eyes. Finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, I push through the door, and it slams shut behind Jonathan.
I’m sure Stella can feel my pounding heart as she cries, “I want Leelee!”
As if he has magical powers, Levi runs into the room and brings his crying sister into his arms.
Thank you, he mouths, rocking her back and forth before disappearing around the corner.
Pushing the glasses further up my nose and discreetly brushing a tear away, I’m left alone to ponder how I have no family left to hug my tears away.
TWENTY-SEVEN
LILY
Feeling nothing but alone, watching Times Three perform onstage in a sold-out arena, I take a video of their latest hit and send it to Thea.
Putting my phone in my back pocket, I sway to the music, keeping my eyes on Elijah. His attention is solely on his black guitar as he strums a deep melody to Leonidas’s somber, raspy voice.
Once his eyes slowly open, it’s as if he can feel only my eyes in this venue because he finds me instantly in the crowd, and his mouth lifts in a smirk. His eyes sparkle under the lights; his hair is messy, like he ran his fingers through it; and he’s in all black. I’m hit with jealousy. Jealousy that I’m not the only woman witnessing him do what he does best. Goodness gracious does he look handsome.
A scarlet blush definitely coats my cheeks as I break my gaze from his. While I look anywhere but in his direction, avoiding the intense desire to, a squeal sounds before someone pulls at my wavy hair that I took some time styling. A girl no more than seventeen is gazing up at me with shock.
“You’re that girl everyone’s talking about!” she screams, hitting her friend’s shoulder to gain her attention.
“Oh my gosh, it’s you, the groupie for both bands!” Her hands reach for me as the original girl who pulled my hair puts her phone in my face.
“Say hi! I’m on live!” she yells before turning the camera to face her. “Do any of you know her name? If you do, comment down below!”
“Why are you so private?”
“Do you hook up with them all? Even the ones in relationships?”
“Don’t be a fucking slut.”
What in the world is happening?
Instead of watching their “favorite” band … they’re attacking me. How are they even considered fans?
Just as panic builds in my chest, the music stops playing, and Elijah speaks into the mic. “Hey, can I get some security in the front, please?” His voice radiates with anger.
He points to where I stand frozen in place, as his frustrated eyes don’t stray away from this forced interaction that I’m not sure how to get away from.
“No, no, no.” I throw a hand up at a security guard as he motions for the girls to climb over the barricade.
Elijah wants them out?
That will only fuel their hate for me more.
“I’m going to leave. They can stay,” I spit out quickly.
The guard gives me a hard look but steps back when he sees the seriousness on my face.
