Page 154 of Fame & Chaos

Immediately, her smile falters. “You’re not happy to see me?”

“No, it’s not that,” I reply carefully. “I’m just surprised.”

“A good surprise?”

There’s something off about the way she says it.

Too hopeful.

Too loaded.

“Yeah, well…” I gesture vaguely behind me. “I should probably get back to my mates.” Turning to leave, I barely make it two steps before she grabs my arm tightly.

“Wait.” Her fingers dig into me harder than necessary. “Don’t you want to talk?”

I glance down at her hand gripping me before looking back up at her. “About what?”

Her expression shifts into something almost desperate. “Don’t you wanna come back to my place?” she asks quietly.

For a second, I think I’ve misheard her, and a stunned laugh leaves me. “No, Sasha.”

Her face tightens. “Well… then I’ll come back to yours.”

I blink at her slowly. “No,” I say more firmly this time. “I don’t think you understand. I’m with Indi, and I’m not cheating on her. Not with you. Not with anyone.” I shake my head. “I love her way too much to ruin what we have.”

Something dark flashes across Sasha’s face instantly. “If you really loved her,” she snaps loudly. “You wouldn’t have slept with me.” Her voice rings through the ballroom loudly enough that nearby conversations stop.

People turn.

Look over.

My heart instantly starts hammering violently against my ribs.

Goddammit. Taking a slow breath, I bite down hard on my bottom lip while trying to keep my composure. “Sasha,” I say quietly but firmly. “I know you want something more from me, but I can’t give that to you. I’m sorry.” I yank my arm free from her grip and start walking away.

“You’ll be back!” she suddenly yells after me.

I don’t even turn around this time. “Leave me alone,” I call back coldly.

And just like that, my good mood completely disappears. The adrenaline high from the concert vanishes beneath a wave of unease and guilt.

All I want now is Indi.

I need to get back to her.

Sasha feels unpredictable. Unstable even. And right now, all I want is to hold Indi in my arms and remind myself that everything between us is real, solid and safe.

Quickly returning to the booth, I make my excuses and say goodbye before heading straight for my car. The drive back to London takes over two hours, but I barely notice.

My mind keeps replaying Sasha’s words, ‘If you really loved her, you wouldn’t have slept with me.’

I scrub my hand over my face while gripping the steering wheel tighter.

If Sasha keeps showing up at gigs, we might eventually need to ban her from backstage and VIP areas. I hate even thinking that way this early into our career, but if protecting what I have with Indi means drawing hard lines, then I’ll do it.

Because the truth is brutal.

If Indi ever finds out I slept with Sasha that night…