He nods. “I know it might be hard to believe, but I’m not perfect.”
I roll my eyes.
“Besides the fact the entire internet hates me for how things ended with Ada Lane, I’m getting old, Lena.”
I can’t help but laugh at the way he says it, like we’ve gathered here tonight to choose a casket for him. “You’re notthatold.”
“Older than you.” He nudges my elbow that’s propped on the table. “And in football years, I’m almost ancient. At least my body is. After last year’s injury, I didn’t recover the way I thought I would. It might not hurt if people know me for something other than that.”
My first instinct is to laugh at the phrasefootball years, but then I see the sadness in his eyes, the way they won’t meet mine when he discusses his injury. My heart squeezes in my chest. I once had surgery for vocal nodules, and by the grace of God, I made a full recovery. I can’t imagine what I would have done if I’d had to sacrifice my career because my body couldn’t handle it anymore.
I want to tell him that I understand where he’s coming from, that I can sympathize, but someone approaches our table. Gustav steps out from hiding, edging toward us ever so slightly, ready to put distance between the newcomer and me.
“Hi,” the young girl says timidly.
I turn toward Gustav, who has begun advancing, and shake my head. His brute force won’t be needed. This girl is maybe thirteen, her long hair is cut just the same as mine, dyed to match too, if her contrasting roots are any indicator, and beyond that, the pink in her cheeks tells me she’s too nervous to be a threat.
“I’m sorry, I…” She takes a deep breath, thrusting a pen in my direction. “Could I… Could I please have your autograph? I’m a big—huge—I’m a huge fan.”
I put the napkin down, facing her so she has my full attention. “Sure. And what would you like me to sign for you?”
She freezes, glancing around, her eyes wide. “I thought maybe… I don’t know.”
“Here.” I take her pen, grabbing for the closest thing to sign. Decker’s napkin. “What’s your name?”
“Sophia,” she says, brightening.
“Oh, so now it’s okay to sign napkins,” Decker mutters to me.
I kick him under the table, and much to my dismay, it only makes his smile wider. “Sophia. I love that name. Love your hair, too.”
The girl beams as she watches me draw my signature heart that appears somewhere on every album cover. Quickly, I flip Decker’s name so it’s flat against the table, giving myself the blank side for my autograph. I scribble out the lyricsdon't forget to love yourselfand punctuate it with my stage name,Lena Lux,before handing it back. Her eyes are wide as she reads it before flipping it over, her gaze trailing up to bounce between Decker and me.
“I don’t know if this is rude.” Sophia clears her throat. “But I just want to say I’m glad you found someone else. I never liked that Callum guy. And his music is weird.”
My face heats. Some days I’m not sure why I liked him either, but talking about him now only reminds me of the fact I’m probably wanted for arson—if anyone knew it was me, that is. I feel myself spiraling, but I quickly recover. “That’s sweet. You know, he and I are still great friends, but I understand his music isn’t for everyone.”
Decker scoffs, earning himself another swift nudge under the table.
“How long have you two been together?” she asks.
I panic.
Decker is more than a little amused as he sits back and waits for my answer. If only I could reach across the table and slap him, I would. But I consider the whole Callum fiasco, everything that’s happened recently. He made some good points, and although I hate to admit it, so did my mom. If she and Antonia insist on orchestrating every aspect of my life anyway, what’s the harm in me jump-starting their plan?
“It’s pretty new,” I say, groping across the table for his hand.
After what feels like too uncomfortably long, he grabs my hand and gently presses it to his lips. My smile falters as he rubs it against his sandpapery cheek, so I settle for a firm face pat instead.
“It’s still a secret,” Decker says.
Sophia looks as though she’s about to burst from excitement. “I won’t tell anyone.”
Decker nods, and I flash her one more smile before she says goodbye and departs back to a table with her parents, almost skipping all the way.
“Lena with the game time decisions. I knew you couldn’t resist a redemption arc.”
I roll my eyes and shake my hand free. “I’m not sure you can be redeemed.”
