Page 47 of #Starstruck

The sound of screams fading in and out echoed off to our left.

“Zoe, that’s Splash Mountain. I know what you said about rides like that, but it’s my favorite. Would you go on it with me?”

“You mean the one with the five-story drop at the end?” I gulped audibly.

“Fifty-two point five feet,” Braden added. Which was so not helpful.

“The ride where people are screaming hysterically. That’s the one you want us to go on.”

“It’ll be fun,” Chase said. “Promise.”

We had very different ideas about fun. But it was the only thing Chase had asked to do all day. I would be the worst person ever if I said no. I could get on, grit my teeth, and close my eyes. “Sure. Let’s do that next.”

I got another certificate from the captain, but all I could think about was what I had just agreed to. And before I knew it, we were settling into the Splash Mountain canoes. Which had no seat belts and no straps of any kind. Chase asked if I wanted to sit in the front and laughed when I violently shook my head. The ride operators asked us to put away anything that could fly off—hats, sunglasses, etc. Braden promised to meet us at the exit.

Then it was dark, and we alternated between going slowly and very quickly. I couldn’t tell much beyond that, as I screwed my eyelids shut. The worst was going up, up, up to that drop. I held on tightly to the railings on either side of me, my heart beating in my mouth.

“Open your eyes, Zoe! It’s awesome!”

“Shut up, Covington!” I yelled back, and even with all the rushing water, I heard him laugh. I didn’t open my eyes as we hovered at the very top, then I hyperventilated as we plummeted to our doom.

Okay, not actual doom as we (obviously) survived, but it was terrifying. I did not enjoy it. Chase, on the other hand, was laughing and shaking water off his arms. I forced my limbs to relax, not quite able to breathe yet.

I hoped he realized how much I liked him, given that I was willing to risk premature death to go on a ride he liked.

“See? Not so bad.”

“Says you.” I put my head down close to my knees, worried I might actually faint even though it was all over.

When we got to the very end, Chase was there to help me out of the canoe. My ankles felt weak, and I leaned against him. “Hey, you seem a little shaky.”

“I’ll be fine,” I told him, feeling much better now that I was back on solid ground.

He put his arm around my shoulders and helped me walk. I didn’t know if it was the shock and adrenaline from the ride or just having him touch me, but every nerve ending sparked inside me like fireworks on the Fourth of July.

Which was why I didn’t notice all the whispers and stares until it was too late.

“Aren’t you Chase Covington? Can I, like, take a picture with you?” A bottle-blonde twenty-something in a tank top so tight it was obviously meant for a toddler stood in front of us, blocking our way.

“My friend’s not feeling too well. Not today, sorry.” He was polite and kind, but that didn’t please his fan.

She wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“It’s, like, one picture. Are you really that big of a douche?” Miss Too Tight Shirt said, giving us an ugly look and crossing her arms.

“He’s not a douche,” I retorted, ready to yank out some extensions if necessary.

But our confrontation quickly ended as her actions emboldened the people around us. There were autograph books thrust at Chase, flashes from phones going off, and cell phones being held up, recording us. Girls were screaming and crying, and others started reaching for him, tearing at his shirt. Chase looked panicked. I ducked my head and rummaged through my purse until I found my keys. I yanked them out and blew my rape whistle, hoping Braden would hear. If he didn’t, I was going to use the Mace attached to my key ring to get everyone out of our way.

More and more people surrounded us. We were literally being mobbed.

Braden appeared, along with three other cast members, who made an opening for Chase and me. We were led through another employee-only door, which Braden slammed shut.

Chase’s shirt was torn in several places. His fans had treated him like a piece of meat, there for them to grab and harass. He leaned against the wall, breathing hard. “Are you okay?” he asked me.

Me? My clothing was intact. “I’m completely fine. Are you okay? That was crazy.”

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