Page 86 of Saving the Rockstar

"Excuse me?" I interjected, raising an eyebrow. "I think you mean the second greatest. After Jared and me, of course."

Dylan stuck out his tongue, his nose wrinkling. "In your dreams. Mason and I are the ultimate power couple. You and Jared are just our ridiculously good-looking sidekicks."

Jared let out a bark of laughter. "Sidekicks?" he sputtered, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Oh, it is on. Prepare to be dethroned."

And just like that, we were off, the four of us trading barbs and jokes and increasingly ridiculous declarations of our own romantic superiority.

Later, Jared walked me to my door, his hand warm and solid in mine.

"You okay, baby?" Jared murmured, his brow furrowing in concern. "You seem a little distracted."

I shook my head, forcing a smile. "Just tired, I guess. It's been a long day."

He nodded, his expression softening. "But a good one, yeah? A really, really good one."

I leaned in, brushing a soft kiss across his lips. "The best," I whispered.

I kissed him again, deeper this time, pouring all my love, all my gratitude, into the press of my lips against his. When we finally pulled apart, both of us flushed and breathing hard, I rested my forehead against his, my eyes fluttering closed.

We stayed like that for a moment, just holding each other, breathing each other in. And then, with one last kiss, one last squeeze of my hand, Jared was gone, disappearing into the night with a promise to return in an hour, groceries in hand for tomorrow’s dinner party we had planned.

I watched him go, and then, with a contented sigh, I turned and made my way inside, ready to fall into bed and dream of the beautiful, brilliant future that stretched out before us.

As I stepped into the foyer, the door swung shut behind me with a soft click. And then, with a jolt of horror that turned my blood to ice, I saw him.

Carter.

He was sitting on my couch, his legs crossed, his expression a mask of cruel amusement. He looked exactly as I last saw him, all sharp angles and piercing eyes, his smile a razor's edge that cut me to the bone.

"Hello, Asher," he said, his voice like silk, like poison. "It's been a while, hasn't it? I've missed you."

I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. It was like all the air had been sucked from the room, leaving me gasping, choking on my own fear.

"How did you get in here?"

He smiled, the expression sharp and predatory. "I can't visit an old friend? Catch up on old times?"

I shook my head, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might break through my ribs. "We're not friends. You used me, abused me. Broke me down until I didn't know which way was up."

His eyes flashed, something dark and dangerous lurking in their depths. "I made you, Asher. I took a scared, sniveling little boy and turned him into a star. Everything you are, everything you have is because of me."

I flinched, his words hitting me like a physical blow. Because there was a part of me, small and scared and so deeply buried, that believed him. That had always believed him.

But then, like a beam of light cutting through the darkness, I remembered Jared. Remembered his love, his strength, his unwavering belief in me.

Jared, who had seen me at my lowest, my weakest, and loved me anyway. Jared, who had held me through the nightmares, the panic attacks, the crippling self-doubt, and never once wavered in his devotion.

Jared, who had taught me that I was worthy of love, of respect, of happiness. That I was strong, and brave, and so much more than the broken pieces Carter had left behind.

And with that memory, with that knowledge, came a sudden, fierce surge of anger, of determination. I was done being afraid, done being controlled by the specter of my past. I refused to be anyone's victim, anyone's plaything, ever again.

I squared my shoulders, lifting my chin in defiance. "No," I said, my voice steady, strong. "You didn't make me. You tried to break me, to mold me into something I wasn't. But you failed. Because I am so much more than the scared, lonely man you preyed on. I am strong, and brave, and loved. And I will never, ever let you control me again."

Carter's eyes narrowed, his lip curling in a sneer. "Is that so? And what about your precious bodyguard, hmm? Does he know about all the dirty little secrets you've been keeping? All the ways you begged for me, pleaded for my attention, my approval?"

I flinched, my stomach turning at the cruel, taunting edge to his words. But I refused to back down, refused to let him see how much he was getting to me.

"Jared knows everything," I said, my voice like steel. "And he loves me anyway. Because that's what real love is. It's not control, or manipulation, or mind games. It's acceptance, and understanding. You left scars, Carter. Deep ones, ones that I'll probably carry for the rest of my life. But they're not openwounds anymore, not festering sores that you can poke and prod at will."

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