Page 129 of Now Their Starlet

She clings to my tank top, hands fisting in the loose fabric as the crowd goes feral.

“Distracted enough?” I murmur against her lips when I pull back.

“Mhmm, plenty distracted,” she laughs.

“Perfect,” I grin, grabbing the mic again. “Everyone, I’d like for you to meet muse—and also my biggest fan—my girlfriend, Andi!”

She offers them the most adorable wave.

“She’s the one behind that entire music video, so it was only fitting that I brought her on stage to meet you guys after showing you that masterpiece!”

I lace her fingers with mine and smile down at her, setting the mic back on the stand.

“Would you be interested in this life?” I murmur, leaning forward so my lips are brushing against her ear. I could pretend that this is purely out of logistical necessity, so that she can actually hear me. But I know deep down—actually, scratch that, not even deep down—I know at a surface level that I just want to breathe in her soothing chamomile perfume.

“I’d be stupid to say no,” she giggles, gesturing at the crowd. “It might be nice being on the other side of the camera. I’m sure they’d go crazy for a tour movie.” She tilts her head, a small line forming between her brows. “That is why you’re asking me, right? ‘Cause you’re planning on going on tour?”

“I think I’d be crucified if I didn’t go on tour for this album after tonight,” I say with a small huff. “Not that that’s a hardship or anything. I just... want to make sure you’re on board.”

“Of course I’m on board. This is your dream. And lucky for you, I can pursue my own dream alongside yours.”

“Makes it easier when you’ve got a handsome and awesome muse, huh?”

“Hell yeah it does,” she says, agreeing automatically.

Despite the fact that we’re having a conversation in front of eighteen thousand people that can’t hear what we’re saying, I feel like the only thing that matters is her.

“I’m lucky as hell I’ve got a perfect muse too, then,” I murmur before leaning down and capturing her lips in another kiss.

CHAPTER 26

Andi

My heart is still threatening to beat itself out of my chest long after I’ve returned to the wings of the stage. I’ve sat in on meetings with the producers of Gina’s show before and heard ridiculously large viewership numbers being discussed.,.

I’m sure if The Real Omegas of Beverly Hills only got eighteen thousand views on even a spinoff bonus episode, heads would roll. But the feeling of having eighteen thousand people looking at me right now is incredible.

“You did great out there,” Eli murmurs, wrapping his arms around me as I leave the stage.

“I literally only said hi,” I say, leaning back against his chest and laughing.

“And the crowd ate it up.”

Beck is putting on an actual concert for everyone. He’s running through the entire album tonight, plus a few throwbacks sprinkled in. Showcasing the music video at the beginning of the concert was just the beginning.

I’m so proud of him up there. Hell, I’m so proud of me, too. I feel like I’ve been making so much progress in life lately.

Like in work? I literally just watched Beck’s music video that I filmed, produced, and edited on an absolutely massive screen, and in front of a screaming audience.

My Omega Stress Syndrome diagnosis? Dr. Brennar said at our last meeting that she can drop me down to a level two soon. My hormone levels have been stabilizing, thanks to my consistent diet, reduced stress, and copious orgasms.

My mental health? Nancy and I have been working through my anxieties and she’s been teaching me how to regulate my breathing and thoughts to reduce the foreboding feeling I get when things don’t go as I expect.. I’ve been having far fewer panic attacks, these days.

Maybe that’s why I’m so caught off guard when Cameron stiffens in his seat, his eyes going wide in shock. Because the moment something goes wrong, it feels like everything is falling apart.

Cameron is looking down at his phone, his mouth dropped open in horror. He immediately nudges Leo, showing him the screen..

When Leo reacts the same way, fear skates down my spine.