Page 27

I try to swallow. My mouth really is bone-dry.

“Here.” Koh hands me his water. “Take a sip.”

I drink the whole glass in one go.

Koh laughs again. “Someone was thirsty.”

“Water. I taste water.”

“That’s good. How do you feel now?”

My pulse has settled. The panic is gone, but I feel drained. I push the damp strands back from my forehead and exhale slowly.

“Like shit. Same as always.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“No, but… thanks.”

Koh notices how hard it is for me to thank him and gives me a gentle smile. He takes the empty glass and heads back to the kitchen to refill it.

I stay on the couch and watch Pixie trot after him. Koh is wearing a simple shirt and jeans. His hair is down today. It looks good on him.

There’s something calming about his presence. He’s different from everyone I’ve ever surrounded myself with—or who forced their way in.

It feels good to just sit here and breathe. My muscles are so tense, it’s like I spent the whole day lifting weights. I don’t even move when the doorbell rings and Fox walks in.

“Hey, you two! How’s it going? You ready?” In his black suit, he steps closer and stops between the kitchen and living room. He focuses on me and frowns. “Aran, what’s wrong? We said six o’clock. You’re not even dressed.”

I’m completely wrecked.

Exhausted, I wipe sweat from my forehead. My body feels like concrete. I don’t even want to imagine stepping on stage tonight.

“Aran? What is it?”

“I can’t,” I say quietly.

Fox’s brows knit together. He glances at Koh, then back at me. “You can’t what?”

“Go on stage.”

“Excuse me? The show is in three hours. You can’t back out now.”

Like I have a choice.

I push myself off the couch with effort and stand up slowly. Everything hurts. I feel like a crumpled piece of paper.

“Aran, people are waiting for you!”

“People hate me! They all hate me!”

“That’s not true.” Fox’s gaze flicks to the TV. He pauses. “Don’t tell me you were watching Broderick’s show.”

I bite my lower lip and turn away from him.

“Why do you watch that trash? The Vanguard is sold out! People are already lining up. So go take a shower and get ready. You don’t want to keep your fans waiting, do you?”

“Fans… sure,” I mutter.