hel

best friend tackles me. Her face is red, and she'

n't understand you wh

breath. It takes a minute, but then she stands straight again. She whips

ed her the other nigh

leaning over at a bar with a much older man. The woman is talking to him, running her fingers up his arm and

d hair and signature red lips are the most prominent of features on display.

utter, my hand c

rything involving Camila's name is spreading like wildfire." I read comment after comment

talent? What kind of role model does sh

nough to be her grandfather? No respect for herself. Can't

mila like this," I whisper. "She a

Y comments saying Camila is innocent, that she's just being

? She'll do anything to protect this image she's built up. And if it means

f Skylar's phone, a Breaking News story

g to her. But I can't help but wonder how I'm going to end up playing into all of this. The

, and she tries to shield the phone from me

rom me?" I demand. "I'm a bi

lip before she shows me the

time with men much older than her. It was discovered that someone at the ba

've taken time out of my day, money out of my pocket, just so she can continue to pay her bills. But instead, Opheli

f it could, it'd fall to the grou

ar complains, shaking

contend with is Ophelia Lane. I can't believe I've allowed her to tar

ng to believe her bullshit? I don't even know where she is

the least of y

re with my biggest concerns right this moment. I'm currently thinki

. My guess is she wants you to go after her, proving her point that

just come flopping back down again. "Y

nd us before hand

he anonymous users, there are mor

away, Ophelia Lane. Don't yo

with more of a ba

must be jealous of Camila, but I didn't expect such malicious behavior from you, Ophelia. Why would you do this

her, her arm wrapping around my body as she rubs my arm. What am I supposed to do? Get even, but that's obvious. But h

to stop," I find my

ay and gives me a per

re. She wants to knock me on my ass? Well, what sh

nd that sounds like a recipe for disas

down. If she thinks I'm going to let her continue to walk all over m

rounds before I close up for the night. It's been an exhausting day, and I still ne

, locking up the door, when I'

e real-time to react, just to cover my face to avoid any blows that might knock me out. So

e, and it takes me a full minute to understand w

he

I'm able to do as he instructs, my hand pressed against my forehead as I move jet-black hair from my

lasts for a

t think you did this. You know, spread those rumors about Camila. Part

bably right

away with this. You'r

now, my number one prior

ds up and stretches out his hand to me. I glare at th

ck

lp you. But I did. That al

. And so, I look into his eyes at this. I can tell that his words are tr

hisper. "Ta

he car, opening the door for me. I jump up the single stair

in GPS. He starts driving, and the silence is palpable between

ith me after I asked you to?" His question hits me a little harder

le level of fame. If she caught me with you, I c

all those gossip sites? Honestly, what made you so

h knows I have the voice, but she has everyt

buses you for

r. "Look, I want to

ts. He's forceful but passionate. Not like

mo

ords makes me glad I'm being honest. "Her medical expenses. They're a lot. Camila may

glances at me for a second. "You were singing about her, weren't yo

easily? Asher can hear the message behind

that can sum it up perfectly. Camila trying to perform a song that's attached to your heart like t

, though I want to blush at his compliment. "She did every

I'll pay t

face this near st

don't mind doing it. It's a better use for the money than I'll ever have for it

s just

stopping me in the middle of my sen

ven know me. I could be lying for all you know about Mama being sick and needing the money

ding us. However, it's in his tone: "Because no one writes about hurt like that, a

doesn't te

nt yet impactful. "And if this is all it takes for you t

by his argument, and for the fir

ps me off at my doorstep. My heart hasn't stopped fluttering, and with the touch of his hand

present. "Good luck. You don't need it, s

e going to rock t