Page 109 of Knot Their Starlet

“But—but he abused my mom. I’d—I’d be betraying her if I went and saw him, right?”

“His relationship with your mother doesn’t mean that any desire you have to meet him is invalid. You have a right to know where you come from, Andi.”

I grip my hair, tugging until I feel a burn against my scalp. The pain grounds me, keeping me from getting swept away in the torrent of thoughts.

But Nancy’s gone and done it. She’s opened Pandora’s box. There’s no going back now.

CHAPTER 24

Beck

Beck

Tough therapy session?

Idrum my fingers rhythmically on the kitchen table.

“That Andi?” Leo asks, leaning over my shoulder.

“Yeah,” I nod. “She had therapy today.”

“You know her schedule better than you know your own,” Eli grunts, placing a plate of takeout in front of me. “Eat. You haven’t eaten all day.”

He’s right. I spent the entire day in the little makeshift studio we have in our apartment, strumming my guitar until my fingers went numb.

There’s a little, angry red callous on my middle finger from all the writing I did.

I told Leo not to step a foot inside, because I knew the crumpled up pieces of paper scattered about the floor would bother the hell out of him. But he’s not allowed to throw anything away until I say it’s okay, because what if I need the lyrics from twelve drafts ago?

“I mean, I have you guys to help with that,” I grin, flashing Eli a grateful smile. “She’s got⁠—”

“No one. I know. You’ve mentioned,” Eli grunts, pulling up the barstool next to mine.

His blood orange scent swirls around me. Even though his words are harsh, there’s not the usual tartness in his scent that becomes present when he’s actually upset.

Andi

Define tough

Asking for a friend

Obviously I’m fine

100% fucking peachy

I wince, seeing her rapid text messages.

“I take it things didn’t go well,” Leo asks, taking a sip of water and eyeing my expression.

“Doesn’t sound like it,” I answer.

Beck

I’m sorry, that sounds terrible

Andi

My head feels like it’s going to explode. How can just talking do that to you?