“Since the news of your identity came out, you’ve been trying to prove you deserve a seat at the same table as your mom,” she says.
I grit my teeth.
Here we go.
“How did that play into your thoughts at that moment?”
I’ve been expecting a question like this. Dreading it, honestly.
So why does it land like a slap?
I stand straighter as a bead of sweat slips down my spine.
“I wasn’t thinking about anything except my audience—wanting to make sure they got the show they paid for. The show they deserve.”
“Right, right,” Cassie Jo says, nodding like she’s disappointed I dodged the question. But she isn’t done. “You know, when I watched your performance tonight, I couldn’t help but think of your mother. She left the industry at the height of her career. Does that ever weigh on your mind as you step into the spotlight?”
The air thickens, heavy and suffocating.
My mouth goes dry, and for a moment, the noise in the room fades. It’s just me and the drumbeat of panic in my head.
I stare at Cassie Jo, hoping the professional mask I’ve fought to perfect is holding.
“I mean, it’s a different time,” I say carefully. “Different circumstances.”
“She’s always claimed she was done, but do you believe the rumors that she was forced out because a pregnant star wasn’t the look music execs were going for? Or maybe the ones about your dad?—”
“I can’t say,” I blurt. Then I breathe slowly and smile. “What Icansay is that my mother has had everything she’s wanted.”
Cassie Jo tilts her head, clearly not satisfied.
“Sure. But do you ever wonder if there’s a lesson there? That maybe some people can’t have it all? Maybeyoucan’t have it all?”
A tight laugh escapes before I can stop it. “I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?”
My voice sounds steady. But deep down, that’s exactly what I’m afraid of.
And Cassie Jo seems to know it.
“That’s all the time we have,” Manny says, coming to the rescue—twenty seconds too late. “Thanks for coming, Cassie Jo. Feel free to email any other questions you have.”
I give her and her cameraman a polite goodbye, then exhale in relief the second they’re gone.
I want to finally see my friends, but my buzzing phone is driving me nuts. I’m about to flip it to Do Not Disturb mode when I see a text from …
Connor Nash.
Connor Nash
LJ—my feed is full of you tonight! First show and you’re already crushing it, like I knew you would. Hate that I couldn’t be there. Save me a ticket next time. And maybe a dance. ;)
My inner seventeen-year-old screams at me to forget about that stupid interview question and start fangirling, already.
And that’s exactly what I intend to do.
My heart isn’t in it—yet—but I turn around and scramble to find my nearest friend. Ash sees me looking around and rushes over.
“What’s up?”
