Page 75 of Wild Stars

Just to get a glimpse of you, wild star.”

CHAPTER19

Dare

“Earth to Dare!”Richie calls, pulling me from my daydreams.I note his expression as he nods at the amp at the edge of the stage.

“Oh, right, sorry,” I say as I head over to help him with the equipment so we can get ready for sound check.

I still can’t believe tonight kicks off our tour.

The last few days have been nothing but craziness as we all tried to cram in as many appearances as we could on practically every show that would take us.

Which meant rehearsals were sporadic at best, which means I haven’t seen Matty since...

Since I woke up curled around him like a damn facehugger.

Or a stage five clinger.

Real smooth, Dare.

I’d wanted nothing more than to stay in bed with him, wrapped around him like a monkey, but I could see in his eyes he was already freaking out, and I didn’t want to add to his meltdown.

I’m not an idiot, I know Matty’s dating history, just like mostMage Of Mercyfans do, but I’m pretty sure a blind man could tell his venomous tone, his bite...

It’s a defense mechanism.

I don’t know the details, but I know you don’t just get over a guy you were with for five years.

A guy who is all over the Internet right now with some rising star model who looks like he could use a cheeseburger.Or two.

And thenPennyshowed up, which did not help my game whatsoever.

I’d walked him outside, to where the limousine was waiting creepily, like it’d been there all along.

I didn’t want him to go, but I knew he needed to.

And almost as if he couldfeelmy spiraling thoughts, he leaned forward, kissed me softly, and told me goodbye.

And I haven’t seen him since, thanks to our clashing schedules, and every time Ithinkabout texting him, I end up writing a fucking dissertation and then erasing it because I don’t want to sound like a fucking stalker.

But today Iwillsee him.

Because it’s the summit tonight.It’s our first show of thePillars of Rocktour, and he’ll be here for sound check, just like all the other acts.

I drop the amp next to my microphone as Ines and Spike bring out the guitars.

“You good, bro?”Richie inquires once we set everything down.

“Yeah, of course,” I reply, even though I feel a little on edge.

We’ve played a lot of places, big and small, but never astadium.

Though I think if I think about it too much, I’ll jinx myself, so instead of focusing on the biggest show of my life this evening...

“You just seem a little...”

“What?”I ask as the sound check guys call out for us to tune.

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