Chapter Forty-Eight
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
BONUS TRACK
Quinn enquired about cancelling.
The event coordinator was a thin man with long hair the same colour as the sand. He did not take her inquiry well. ‘I don’t understand. You’re our headline act. Are you sick?’
‘I’m not ill,’ Quinn replied. ‘Something’s come up. Something personal.’
‘People are lining up in the sun for you!’
‘I’m not your only act.’
‘You’re one of our hottest,’ he replied. ‘If you don’t deliver, they’ll want their money back. I’m sure of it.’
Quinn backed down. Above all, she was a professional. She had a job to do and a reputation to uphold. Besides, what was she going to do? Chase Kya down at the airport? That sort of thing only paid off in movies. Yesterday, she’d got a preview of the airport’s tight security measures. They would likely have her detained if she stormed past security. That said, she had to do something . She couldn’t let things end this way. It was a mistake; she could feel it. Quinn could always tell when her life was going off track, and this was one of those times. This morning, she woke up with a weight on her chest. Bonus Track was the last concert of the season. It was meant to be fun. How could it be without Kya? Ivy and Amanda could skip it; that was fine with her. They were her friends, not her groupies. But Kya was her everything. Why hadn’t she grovelled like Amanda suggested? She’d wasted time, too stubborn and proud to make the first move.
What could she do? The stage manager had already sent for her. The sound engineer checked the equipment while an assistant hooked her up to the mic. The spotlights were switched on and a disco ball hanging over the decks started to spin. What could she do in the short time remaining? Quinn hadn’t replied to any of Kya’s messages. Now was the time.
I’m still not scared.
For once, Quinn didn’t intend to address the crowd; she would just get down to work. If she opened her mouth, her sadness would sail over the waters and tomorrow she’d read about it online; the trolls would make sure of it. On the topic of trolls, Nick was here, prowling about. She’d run into him backstage.
‘Hey!’ he said, casual. ‘No hard feelings, right?’
‘Oh, no!’ Quinn replied. ‘It’s the opposite.’
Her feelings were as hard as lab-grown diamonds.
‘Come on, Quinn. It wasn’t personal,’ he said. ‘You know that.’
‘Wrong again, mate!’
He coughed up a pathetic excuse for his behaviour. ‘It was clickbait, pure and simple,’ he said. ‘You were always trending, more than Angelo, more than anyone. I could post anything about you, anything at all, and it would go viral. Your relationship with Kya was a gift. People were curious, and once the word was out, they couldn’t get enough.’
‘So, basically, you used us,’ Quinn said.
‘I didn’t mean any harm.’
Unless they’d changed the definition of ‘harm’, how could she arrive at any other conclusion? It was too late to change the past. There was nothing else to do but wish him well … and tell him to sod off. Frankly, she had other things on her mind. Why concern herself with greedy men like Nick, when women like Kya existed, warm, generous, loving, smart, seductive women, who didn’t exploit others for their own gain, but gave freely of themselves? The only way for her to crack on, do her job and fulfil the commitment of the day was to hold onto the belief that all was not lost. She’d wrap this up and fly out to California tonight. With some focus, she could play a solid set. Quinn could leave the venue knowing she hadn’t let anyone down. This was the dream she’d sacrificed everything for. Yet, in that moment, it wasn’t enough. A sea of people chanting her name wasn’t enough.
Her gaze skimmed the crowd until she found her. Kya was struggling against the current, making her way to the stage. I love her. The thought paralysed her for a second, but only a second. She had to do something, somehow let her know that she was seen and loved and didn’t have to struggle so hard. They would be together soon.
Quinn jumped and waved her arms, trying to get her attention. This only stirred up the crowd and pushed Kya further back. She couldn’t go to her, couldn’t reach out and pluck her from the mob. The concert was timed, and the stage manager gestured for her to begin. The crew was watching, questioning if something was wrong with the equipment or just with her. She would have to reach Kya in some other way, the best way she knew, through music.
Quinn exited her curated playlist and searched her catalogue until she found what she was looking for. When the lights dimmed, the disco ball whirled faster, and the chanting grew louder, Quinn slipped on her headphones and played Kya’s song.
Kya had made it to the stage, but with no special bracelet or credentials to flash, she could not get any closer to Quinn. She didn’t mind. She was exactly where she was meant to be. What better feeling than to know, for certain, that of all the possible paths, you’d chosen the correct one? Her mind was clear. She’d made work the priority, believing it was necessary to sort out her professional life before focusing on love. Really, it was the other way around. No matter what great job she got, no matter the salary, title, or benefits, her life would be empty without Quinn.
The set wrapped to raucous cheers. A moment later, Quinn charged down the side steps, pushed past security, and jumped Kya. They kissed frantically then broke away laughing. Kya led her away from a group who was gawking, and recording. When they were finally alone, she turned to her and cupped her heart-shaped face. ‘You played my request.’
‘Happy now?’
‘It took you long enough. Was it really so hard?’
‘You have no idea!’
‘I love you for doing it.’
‘I love you, too.’
Kya pulled away and studied her. The setting sun brought out her halo. There was no hint of fear in those sparkling brown eyes. ‘You don’t have to say that. It’s enough that we’re together.’
‘You’re wrong,’ Quinn said, evenly. ‘I love you, and I have to say it. Next time you try to walk away, you should know what you’re leaving behind.’
‘I will never leave you,’ Kya said. ‘I know where my heart is.’
Quinn leaned in and touched the tip of her nose to hers, a familiar gesture that always caused Kya’s insides to melt. She whispered, ‘Survivors always do.’