Page 73 of Saving the Rockstar

As I huddled on the floor, my phone clutched to my chest, the thoughts swirled in my head. I had ruined everything. The love, the safety, the future I had found with Jared - I had thrown it all away in a moment of fear, of weakness. I had let my anxiety, my insecurity, my past trauma, rule me, and in doing so, I had lost the best thing that had ever happened to me.

Eventually, there was a knock at the door, Dylan's voice soft and concerned. "Ash? You okay in there?"

I couldn't answer. I heard him sigh, heard the thump as he leaned his forehead against the door.

"I'm here, alright? I’ll always be there for you. When you're ready. We'll figure this out."

Chapter 23: Jared

The pain was instant, a searing agony that brought tears to my eyes. I felt as if I had been physically struck, my entire world upended in the space of a heartbeat.

I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. I could only stare at Asher, at the man I had given my heart to, as he threw our love away with a few carefully chosen words.

The room erupted into chaos, reporters shouting questions, cameras flashing. But I was oblivious, my eyes locked on Asher, silently begging him to take it back, to tell the truth.

But he didn't. He just stood there, his face pale and stricken, as the world caved in around us.

I don't remember standing, don't remember walking out of the room. All I knew was that I had to get away, had to escape the suffocating press of bodies, the deafening roar of voices.

Almost without thinking, I found myself at Mason's door, my hand poised to knock. But before I could even tap on the wood, the door swung open. "Jared? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at the press conference with Asher?"

The sound of Asher's name was like a punch to the gut, a fresh wave of agony crashing over me. I opened my mouth to answer, but all that came out was a choked sob.

Mason's eyes widened, his face softening with concern. He ushered me inside, guiding me to the couch and pressing a glass of whiskey into my hand. I downed it in one gulp, relishing the burn as it slid down my throat.

Mason swore softly, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder.

I blinked back the fresh tears that threatened. "I thought we were ready. I thoughthewas ready. But he just threw it all away."

Mason opened his mouth to reply, but before he could speak, there was another knock at the door. He frowned, rising to answer it.

To my surprise, it was Dylan. He looked as wrecked as I felt, his hair standing on end as if he'd been running his hands through it.

Dylan pushed past Mason, his eyes finding mine. "Jared. I'm so sorry. I had no idea he was going to do that."

I couldn't even muster a response, my throat too tight, my heart too battered. I just shook my head, dropping my gaze to the floor.

There was a beat of heavy silence. And then, to my utter shock, Mason spoke.

"Well, well. Look who decided to grace us with his presence. To what do I owe the pleasure? Come to profess your undying love for me at last?"

My head snapped up, my eyes wide. Was he serious? Now, of all times?

But Dylan, to my amazement, didn't miss a beat. "In your dreams. We both know you're the one pining after me. I'm just here to make sure Jared's okay."

Mason scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Please. As if I'd ever pine after you. I have standards, you know."

"Standards? Is that what we're calling your sad little crush these days?" Dylan retorted, his lips twitching.

I stared at them, my mouth hanging open. Were they really doing this? Now, when my world had just imploded?

As they continued to bicker, their words flew fast and sharp. Here I was, my heart in tatters, and these two idiots were squabbling like an old married couple.

"Crush? You wish. I'm way out of your league," Mason said, tossing his head.

"That's rich, coming from the guy who's been making heart eyes at me for months," Dylan shot back, his grin wicked.

"I think you're confusing me with your own reflection, you narcissistic prick."

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