Chapter Fifteen #2
“Perfect, thanks.” I turn to Mum. “Can I—”
She laughs. “You don’t need permission anymore, sweetheart.”
Right.
I grin, grab my outfit, and head for the bathrooms with Ella right behind me.
After a long, hot shower and a change of clothes, I finally feel human again. The bathroom is shared, thankfully with separate stalls, because I definitely heard Aston and Caleb come in not long after us, and Chad not long after that.
Not that it helped.
My mind drifted straight to Aston. His abs. That stupidly perfect stomach. And then lower…
I squeeze my thighs together, trying to ignore the ache building between them.
Jesus.
Caleb suddenly bursts into song, snapping me out of it.
“Sing with me, guys! Let’s celebrate!”
I laugh and join in, letting the music pull me out of my head.
Eventually, after Dad yells at us to hurry up, we all finish up, get dressed, and Ella and I spend another half hour on makeup and hair.
“Jesus, girls, we’re going to be late to your own bloody party,” Dad calls as I finish my mascara.
“Oh, chill, Dad. The party’s not going anywhere,” I say, leaning back to check my reflection. “Okay, I’m done.”
“Well, if you’re finished trying to make yourselves look ten years older—”
“Just because we look better than you doesn’t mean you need to get pissy,” I cut in.
He smirks. “When women start throwing their underwear at you, then we can talk.”
“Oh wow, big head much?”
“I’m hot. Ask your mother.”
“Gross, Dad.” Ella groans.
“Yeah, don’t be feral,” I add, and he laughs, glancing at Mum, who’s grinning like she’s loving every second of this.
We head toward the party room, and it’s already buzzing. Music pumping. People everywhere. And my eyes immediately find Aston.
He’s talking to Red Velvet.
Of course he is.
“All right, here comes the lecture, and I am only going to say it once,” Dad mutters.
I fold my arms. “Go on, then.”
“No alcohol. Not even a sip. If I catch you drinking, or worse, drunk, especially around industry people, I will not be happy. Do you understand?”
I nod, exhaling. “I get it. And don’t worry, I’m not going near that shit again.”
Not tonight.
“Good. And if you feel uncomfortable, find me. Or your mum. Or anyone you trust. And don’t go outside either. There’ll be more fans out there now.”
I nod again, even though mingling is the last thing I want right now.
“The only person I want to talk to, you won’t let me near,” I mutter.
Dad raises a brow. “Well, if I hadn’t caught you making out in your bedroom—”
“Oh, for God’s sake—”
“Watch your mouth.”
“You’re forcing us apart, and I don’t even know why,” I snap. “It’s not like he’s going to hurt me.”
Dad scoffs. “He’s a young rock star. That alone is enough.”
I stare at him. “You’re determined to keep us apart.”
“You’re too young to be worrying about boys,” he fires back. “And if your focus on Aston ruins your career, you’ll only have yourself to blame.”
I roll my eyes, frustration bubbling over. “You don’t care about me. You want us to be successful so you can take the credit.”
He exhales sharply. “Annie… I want this because you want it. Music is part of you. Don’t throw that away over a crush.” I shake my head. He’s not listening. Not really. “Now go mingle. Meet people. This is part of the job.”
“I don’t want to mingle. I’d rather be at home.”
“Well, that’s not how this works,” he says firmly. “If you want this life, you have to put yourself out there. On stage and off it.”
I sigh. “Fine. I’ll behave.”
“And stay away from Aston,” he adds, holding up a hand when I go to argue. “Non-negotiable.”
Fucking perfect.
“Colt, can we grab a photo?” someone calls out.
Dad glances at me. “Only if my daughter’s in it.”
We pose for a couple of shots.
“Thanks, and you were incredible tonight, Annie,” the photographer says before he leaves.
I blink, surprised. “Thanks,” I call after him.
Dad nudges me. “See? People already know who you are.” Then he sends me off.
Alone.
“Be sociable, Annie,” he says.
I take a breath and head to the bar.
“An orange juice, please.”
“Coming right up.”
I turn and scan the room, which is packed, loud, and alive, but I barely know anyone.
Ella’s chatting with Guy from Peripheral. Chad’s planted at the Xbox station. Caleb’s prowling, probably scouting his next conquest.
And Aston…
My eyes lock onto him.
He’s with Amber.
I swallow.
She’s older, more polished, effortlessly stunning with her bright red hair and sharp features.
The kind of woman people notice.
The kind of woman men want.
I lean back against the bar, watching as Aston laughs at something she says, then she touches his arm.
My jaw tightens. “What the fuck,” I mutter under my breath as her hand slides to his chest, lingering.
Heat flares through me, sharp and sudden. My stomach twists painfully as she leans in closer, laughing again.
Oh.
Oh, shit.
Jealousy.
I’m jealous.
She gets to touch him, laugh with him, and be close to him, when I’ve been forced to stay away all night.
Because of Dad.
Because of his rules.
Because apparently I don’t get a say.
My grip tightens on the edge of the bar. I’m going to lose Aston before I’ve even had him.
To someone older.
To someone better.
Maybe…
Just maybe, I’m not enough.