Page 30 of Wild Stars

And he liked what he was watching, that was obvious.

But then he ran away.

And I am bound, tied to a fucking chair, and I can’t get to him.

My dream turns into a nightmare as panic and heat flush through me.

When the angels finally set me free, I practically jump off the stage, nearly taking out Hans and Celina.I look around us, but I don’t see anyone else.

“Where did everyone go?”I ask.

“VIP maybe?”Hans shrugs.

“Maybe they went to get fresh air?”Celina says.

I scan the room, but my sight is blurry to begin with from the bright lights, not to mention the copious amounts of alcohol in my system.

Every time Matty told me to take it easy, I just went harder, because I didn’t want to look like a fucking pussy in front of him.

One drink had turned into at least four and I was half certain the man was trying to out drink me or something just to prove a point.

But I am too fucked to care what that point was, because the more I drink, the better I feel, and the more I believe in my performance.

I’m, like, Leo DiCaprio method acting or some shit.

I push my way through the crowd, heading for VIP, but the only person left is Geo, who seems to be much more interested in his phone.

“Where did he go?”I ask.

Geo looks up at me, raising an eyebrow.“Who?”

“Fucking Matty,” I huff, only slightly out of breath.

Geo’s lips pull at the corners.“Probably heading to the Sinner’s Playground.”He shrugs.“Especially, afterthattitillating theatrical performance of yours.”

I’m too fucking drunk to know what that even remotely means, but Geo takes some pity on me and points me in the right direction.“He’s talking to the ringmaster as we speak.”

I follow Geo’s direction to see Matty’s tall frame, his shoulders, waiting at the velvet rope, and I don’t think twice.I leap down the steps and I run.

Chasing something I’m not quite sure I understand.

Maybe I have it all wrong.Maybe he’s just fucking wasted, too, and forgot where he was.

Maybe it has nothing to do withme.

I call his name, but he can’t hear me.

Or worse, maybe he does and he’s fucking ignoring me.Like the asshole he is.

Except I thought...I thought maybe with all the whiskey and all the dancing...maybe Mateo Star was actually starting to thaw.

Maybe he isn’t a cold, bitter asshole.

Because as we all danced under the lights, side by side, I could have sworn he looked like he was havingfun.

I reach the ropes just as he disappears and the attendant looks at me with disdain.

“I’m with him, obviously,” I bite.The devil in leather only raises an eyebrow.

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