Page 98 of Paint the Town, Dove
All while looking at the woman in scarlet.]
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Scarlett
“… until the weight of love turns you into something ugly”
Tav stood by my side as Ryden outperformed himself, song after song, lighting Radio City on fire.
He was, well and truly, exactly what the headlines coined him.
The greatest rock star of this generation.
The greatest rock star I’d ever laid my eyes on.
And he wasmine.
You never see the crew, but behind the curtain, we were all silent admirers.No, there’s no way they could be fans, we’re the fans! The ones decked out in merch, glow lights like halters around our necks!
That sea of bodies out there… they couldn’t have been more wrong.
The shining pride in Tav’s eyes held a sentiment familiar to my own.I made a rock star, he was undoubtedly thinking.
I love one.
“He’s a real superstar that one,” Tav nudged my shoulder as Ryden leapt off Derek’s platform, screaming out song lyrics like an ascent of passion.
I smiled. “He found his destiny.”
“You think the kid was made for this?”
I rolled my eyes. “Tav, when will you ever refer to us as mere adults?”
“When you act like one.”
“Excuse you,” I pinched his wrist. “I single-handedly carried the entire tour on my back.”
“Was this before or after you ran away toNeverlandupon hearin’ Ryden’s little serenade?”
I bit back. “After.”
The corner of his lips turned in victory. “What did I say the other –”
“Sir –” A security guard tapped him on the shoulder. “There’s uh, someone who wants to speak with you at the gates.”
“Lots of people want to speak with him,” I teased. “Unfortunately I always have the pleasure.”
Tav opened his mouth in response, but the security guard seemed adamant, insistent. “It’s important, sir,” then leaned down to whisper in his ear.Huh.
Tav’s mouth contorted in a frown.Double huh.
“Everything okay?”
“I’ll be right there,” Tav told the guard, then faced me. “Ryden’s done in what? Ten? Fifteen?”
“He’s on his closer,” I supplied.
“Fucking hell. Get him to do another song, will you Red?”
