Page 128 of Fame & Rhythm

“Annie, please,” Aston calls through the door. “I’m so sorry. Just talk to me.”

I drop onto the bed and yank a pillow over my head.

I feel sick.

Every part of me wants to go to him. To kiss him. To lose myself in him again.

But I can’t.

I won’t let myself fall just to get hurt again. And even worse, I don’t know how to explain any of this to him. It makes sense in my head, but probably doesn’t to anyone else.

And tomorrow?

Tomorrow I’ll have to face him.

Six months on tour. No escape.

I can’t keep running.

I’ll tell him it’s over, properly, but not tonight. Tonight, I need junk food, soda, and something mindless to drown out this noise.

“Annie,” Ella says softly over the knocking.

“Tell him to go away,” I mutter into the pillow. “Tell him I’ll talk to him tomorrow. On the jet. Not before.”

I hear her move, the door opening slightly.

“Ella, please,” Aston says. “Just let me in. I need to see her.”

My chest tightens.

“Aston, I’m sorry,” Ella replies gently. “She can’t do this right now.”

“She has to… Annie!”

Tears spill from my eyes.

“Aston, stop,” Ella says more firmly. “She said tomorrow. Give her time.”

There’s a long pause before a shaky exhale. “Okay… if she needs time, I’ll give her time,” he says quietly. “Just… tell her I’m here. That I want us to be okay.”

My throat closes.

“I’m sorry,” he adds, his voice breaking. “I should’ve realized she wasn’t ready.” Silence. Then… “Tell her I miss her. Everything about her. Not being able to touch her…” he trails off. “It’s killing me.” I curl tighter into myself. “I might’ve ruined us,” he whispers.

Ella’s voice softens. “You haven’t. She’s hurting, that’s all. She’ll come around. It’ll just take time.”

Traitor.

“I hope so,” he says. “I can’t lose her.”

Another pause.

“Aston?” Mum’s voice joins them.

“It’s okay, I’m leaving,” he says quickly. “I just needed to know she’s alright. I never meant for this, Dee. I swear.”

“I know,” Mum says gently. “Just give her time. She’s dealing with a lot right now.”