Mum and Iwatch the screen where we’re all crowded around Dad singing happy birthday in the dining room. “That black cake that made us all shit green for a week!” She cackles.
“Don’t remind me! Now look at Jett, oh that little fucker!” Dad points at Jett with his arm around AnnaBella, and I’m reminded we were all coupled last year.
Lola had a girlfriend, Jude had a girlfriend, even Asshole Archer was there with an arm around my waist. We’re all looking at Dad as we sing, everyone except Jett.
His eyes are on me the whole time, and of course, Ihadn’t known because I’m completely daft. Seeing the intense gaze I’d missed sends a chill down my spine, and tears spring to my eyes out of nowhere. Iclap my hand over my forehead.
“I don’t want to get hurt again, and especially not by him!” Isob.
Mum strokes my hair. “And yet, you’re not willing to keep him at arm’s length anymore, are you? Did he kiss you on the deck when the pool’s camera mysteriously cut out while we were eating lunch at the party? Is that what started all this?”
I groan, not knowing why Ibother hiding anything from them, anyway. “Yes! Jesus, Mum!”
“And it must’ve beenreallygood to change the course of your life, Baby.”
“Mum!”
“Well, how life-changing was it?”
“Dad, plug your ears!”
“I will not!”
Suddenly, I’m recalling all the times Iprayed fornormalparents. With a name like Morningstar, it’s no wonder God didn’t care to answer.
“A thousand percent life altering, all right?” My cheeks begin to pinken but again, these people live for TMI. “It was the best kiss of my life.”
“Well, I’d bloody hope so, his mouth is bigger than Steven Tyler’s.”
“Dad!”
Mum’s eyes narrow. “And you’resurethis isn’t just lust, darling?” Istart to pick Mum up out of my bed and escort her to the door as she cackles, Dad getting up to follow her.
“I’m not sure of anything anymore. Why? You think Ican sleep with him once and get it out of my system? That would be super convenient, and no one would get hurt. Should Itry it and let you know how it goes, or maybe write out a play-by-play for you to judge if it’s worth more than a one-nighter?”
Dad feigns mock horror on his face. “The women in this house are completely mad!” Dad hugs me goodnight, and Mum swats him.
“And you’re not?” Mum rolls her eyes at Dad, then kisses me on the temple before she says, “We trust you, Baby. And Iwas teasing, all right? Because you wouldn’t have given us this much hell, waterworks and all, if one night was all this was.”
Well, Iwould surely god damn hope not.
Chapter 18
Maddy
“Well, I’m fucking sorry!” my sister admits.
“Then I’m fucking sorry, too!” Isay, for calling her a bitch a few agonizing days ago, even though she one thousand percentis.
Lola grips me in something too tight to be called a hug. “We’re arseholes, Baby, we didn’t mean to judge you, control you, or say that Jett will dump you like an old sack of potatoes, we’re just tired of seeing your tears, you know?”
“I get it. I’m not the one that needed some big,sealed in F’ing bloodcommitment from him, that was all you guys! Iknow what happens on tour! Iknow he’s a little slut, but don’t Ideserve a piece of him just as muchor morethan those groupies?”
Lola dusts powder and spritzes setting spray over my foundation before starting on my brows. “You deserve a lot more than a little piece, that’s what we’re saying! But nothing I’ve said has ever stopped you before. And for what it’s worth, Idon’t think Jett would hurt you on purpose. Ilove him like a brother, but likemy brother,he does stupid arse shit sometimes!”
I nod and hand her a shimmering liquid eyeshadow. I’m doing a fun little BuzzFeed interview this afternoon, and Lola always does a better job than the makeup artists on set.
“Baby!” Isee Jude peeking his head into Lola’s enormous ensuite bathroom, where she likes to do everyone’s makeup. “You’re gonna forgive me for being a dick, too,” he grins, “When you see this!” He hands me his phone with TikTok open.
