Page 83 of Spotlight Hearts

Another pause. Then Harry sighs, the sound heavy with irritation.

“Fine. We’ll dial it back for London. But don’t think this means you get to do whatever you want. The fans expect chemistry. You still need to sell it. You still have a contract.”

“I’ll sell what’s real,” I tell him. “Nothing more. You can take your contract and shove it up your ass.”

I hang up before he can argue.

The phone feels heavy in my hand. My heart is still pounding, but some of the weight in my chest has lifted.

I don’t know what Kai and I are yet. I don’t know if last night was the start of something or just another messy chapter. But what I do know is that I’m tired of letting the label script every second of it.

Whatever happens between us from here on out, it’s going to be ours.

Not theirs.

TWENTY-FIVE

KAI

Soundcheck feels different now that I’ve faced my feelings.

The arena is dim, the stage lit only by work lights. Our voices echo off the empty seats as we set up. Michael is cracking jokes, Min-ho is focused and precise as always, but my attention keeps drifting to Luca.

I’ve finally let myself admit it.

I’m obsessed with him.

I have been for longer than I want to admit. The way his platinum hair falls across his forehead when he’s sweating. The low rasp in his voice when he sings the lower harmonies. And how his eyes look when he’s lost in the music. They look exactly how I feel when I get that way.

I’ve wanted him this whole time.

Even when I told myself I hated him, and when I snapped at him for being late, especially when I built every wall I could, I was already gone for him.

We move into the opener. The new choreography Harry sent over is waiting. I step into position, ready to do what it says.

Luca stops me.

His hand catches my wrist before I can reach for his neck. He shakes his head once, firm.

“Not doing that anymore,” he says.

I blink, confused. A sharp little sting of hurt flickers in my chest. Did I do something wrong? Is he still angry from the Bahamas? From the plane?

Before I can ask, Luca turns to the others.

“We need a few minutes,” he tells Michael and Min-ho. “Keep running the opener without us.”

Michael raises an eyebrow but doesn’t argue. Min-ho just nods quietly.

Luca grabs my hand and tugs me off stage, leading me through the wings and into the green room. He pulls me into the small changing area off to the side and shuts the door behind us, giving us privacy.

The second the door clicks shut, he lets go of my hand but stays close.

“I called Harry,” he says without preamble. “Told him I’m done with the fake shit. The scripted moves, the forced fan-service, all of it. I said he can shove the contract and replace me if he wants.”

I stare at him, shocked.

“You… what?”