Chapter 14
Do we have to go back?
Not if you dont want to.
Andreas gaze moves around the bedroom as the sun shines through the open windows.
Sighing, she picks up her backpack and turns away.
Sooner or later, well have to go back to reality.
Discouraged, I watch her walk away.
For a little over a weekend, she’s been completely mine. We had from Thursday night until Monday morning. Ive shut her away from the world and turned off the phones so we dont have to hear news, gossip, rumors, or nagging.
Of course, this will take a toll on both of our careers at some point, but I dont care. Because right now, all I want to is her, and I wont deprive myself of her presence as long as I can help it.
I know that my friends might understand, even though they’re not very happy with me right now, but theyve made their own their mistakes in the past.
Because when Jackson fell head over heels for Haley two years ago, he put us all in danger. Now, Jackson and Haley are a picture-perfect family, but when they first met, their whirlwind romance put all of us at risk. And the same thing happened at the time with Ethan and Kristina, the ex-wife of a dangerous politician who had tried to destroy us.
It seems that in our own way, each of us have indirectly instigated a conflict that nearly destroyed the club. My decision to meddle in Andreas life, to track down her stalker, it could be the straw that breaks the camels back. But I dont care.
Because Andrea is worth it.
As we leave the mansion, she turns on her phone. Immediately, the calls and messages start pouring in.
Where have you been all weekend? Brandon asks, hysterical.
Shes been kidnapped, I joke.
The lack of response on the other end of the line speaks volumes; Brandon clearly didnt expect the call to be on speaker.
Im sorry, Brandon, but I really needed a break from everything, mumbles Andrea.
Silence and then Brandon says, Thats not who you are, Drea.
I realize that he’s speaking intentionally in a way that would make her feel guilty.
She may not be, but it’s who I am, I state.
With annoyance, Brandon ignores me. Drea, turn off the speakerphone.
Brandon, looks like we need to have a chat, I grumble, not appreciating his tone with Andrea as I steer us back towards town.
About what? he inquires.
About the way youre managing Andrea.
A sarcastic laugh bursts from Brandon. Andrea looks at me with alarm.
You plan to lecture me?
Thats precisely what I plan to do, I reply.
He sounds indignant. It was me who made her a star.
Wrong. You took advantage of the talent of a girl with a bright future ahead of her, and its time for things to take another turn.
Which way?
Whichever way she prefers. I look over at Andrea, who sits in complete shock. Well talk about this when we get back to town.
Without warning, I take the phone from Andrea and turn it off, my heart pounding with a mixture of protectiveness and defiance.
I wont stand by and watch her get manipulated any longer.
Brandons grip on her career has gone too far, stifling her true potential beneath his controlling demands. No more. This ends now, even if I have to be the one to make the first move.
Andreas eyes widen as I turn off her phone, her fingers twitching as if to reach for it.
Why did you do that? she asks, her voice a mix of surprise and unease.
Because Im sick of the way he runs your life.
Dont you try to do the same, she asks me, bristling. I remember again that she isn’t a mouse, but a cat with claws.
I smile.
I dont plan to, I affirm, placing my hand on her lap and intertwining our fingers. I want you to be able to own your life, but for that you need to have some freedom. And I plan to give it to you.
I appreciate that, but please dont be so hard on Brandon. Hes been by my side for a long time, and hes like a father to me.
He doesnt see you as his daughter.
Ill talk to him, and well work something out.
After three hours on the road and a much-needed stop for breakfast, we finally arrive in town.
I leave Andrea at home to change her clothes and head over to rehearsal, while I head straight to Club Allure.
I know the guys need me.
On the way there I talk to Jackson. Things seem like they went well over the weekend, but the situation is getting tense with Logan, and I think its about time to move on from him.
He must have also realized that we need to talk, because I catch him in the front of the club as soon as I park the car.
I casually get out of the car and walk over to him.
Were you expecting someone? I ask Logan.
You.
He smiles. His demeanor is that of a typical bad boy, arms crossed with his tattoos and unruly hair.
Part of me understands that Andrea likes danger in a boyfriend. But Logan is not the kind of danger she should be looking for. This is not a stable person who can protect her. This is someone who was always going to bring her down eventually.
Logan takes a step toward me.
I look at him and deadpan as I take off my sunglasses. We can talk if thats what you want. Lets go into the club.
Why would I? When he glances my way, I catch sight of them lurking in the shadows—a bunch of pests Id rather not deal with.
Paparazzi.
Logans eyes darted around, and I knew hed spotted the paparazzi lurking in the shadows. He smirked, as if hed been waiting for this moment, craving the attention.
If this is your game, go ahead, but I dont plan on causing a scene.
Not bothering to check if hes following me or not, I start toward the club.
Logans hand clamps down on my arm, pulling me in tight. His face is flushed, eyes blazing with drunken rage. The stench of alcohol hits me as he leans in close.
Think you can control her, asshole?
I dont have time to respond before his fist comes swinging at my face. Years of boxing and street fights kick my instincts into overdrive. I duck the wild haymaker, sliding inside his guard. My forearm slams up under his jaw, snapping his head back.
Logan staggers, stunned by the jaw-rattling strike. I pivot, driving my shoulder into his midsection. We go crashing to the pavement in a tangle of limbs. Gravel bites into my knees as I straddle his chest, pinning him.
Get off me, you prick! He bucks and writhes, trying to throw me off.
I grab two fistfuls of his shirt, slamming him down. Listen up, rockstar. Andreas with me now. You had your chance.
A glob of bloody spit nails me in the cheek. Logans eyes are wild, lips peeled back in a snarl of fury. Shell always be mine, you piece of -
I cut him off with a bone-crunching headbutt, feeling his nose shatter on impact. He lets out a high-pitched wail, hands flying up to cradle his smashed face.
Sirens blare in the distance, closing in fast. The scuffle mustve drawn attention. I cant afford any more drama tonight, not with another private concert scheduled.
Shoving off Logan, I stalk back towards the entrance.
Were done here, I growl over my shoulder. Stay away from Andrea if you know whats good for you.
Logan coughs out a garbled laugh, blood streaming down his chin. Dont think I wont protect her.
Its not me you have to protect her from.
Logan throws another punch that narrowly misses me, because my reflexes are quicker. I lean away from him as the rockstar gets to his feet, and Logan waste no time before he lunges at me. His arms latch my waist as he screams, full of anger.
My back hits the wall, but I push him off before he can hit me. My fist lands a blow to his face next, which throws him to the ground again.
Youre not very good at this, are you? I joke.
By now, the sidewalk has filled with onlookers. The paparazzi have appeared without hesitation and are snapping pictures from every angle as Logan tries again to punch me.
Youre a fucking bastard, barks the singer.
He comes straight at me, but I dodge out of the way again. Before he hits the wall I grab him by a shoulder and punch him one last time.
Logan falls to the ground, unconscious.
Freeze, police! someone bellows from behind me.
I dont have time to see whats going on or understand whats happening. Ethan and Landon exit the club just in time to witness the police arresting me and this whole mess.
My first impulse is to throw myself at the officers and force them to let me go, but a look from Ethan calms me down.
Breathing raggedly, I remind myself to stay still, and I allow the officers to put me into the patrol car.
Logans words echo in my head repeatedly.
But I know Im not the threat that has been trying ruin Andreas dreams, he is.
And I plan to protect her. Whatever it takes.