Page 75 of Rush

I’ll have to taste for myself.

A shiver runs through me at the memory of him devouring those burgers, his mouth, his hands—maybe I shouldn’t have left so fast.

Riley plates up pancakes, sliding one toward me with a grin. “You’re acting really strange this morning, babe.”

“I’m just tired,” I mumble, stabbing a piece and trying not to smirk at my phone.

We eat together, discussing what to do before my second show tonight—Madison Square Garden, round two before Boston.

When I finish the dishes, my phone buzzes again. My pulse skips; I expect Broderick.

But when I glance down, the name on the screen knocks the breath out of me.

Alex

I’m sorry about last night.

Fuck.

I didn’t expect the guilt to hit me like a punch to the ribs.

I ran to Broderick to drown out Alex’s cruel words—to scrub him from my skin, my mind, my memory.

And for a blissful moment, it worked.

But now, with one little text, I’m reeled back into his orbit, feeling the sting of something I can’t name.

Did I make a mistake?

Chapter 9

Closer

After two sold-out shows in New York, the next stop on tour is Boston.

I still haven’t gotten used to the rhythm of show days—the early arrivals, the press runs, rehearsals, and endless sound checks. Every detail has to line up perfectly; every night has to feel like magic for the fans.

Now, sitting in my hotel suite with Mark and Kylie, the city humming somewhere below us, my phone hasn’t stopped buzzing—and neither has theText in the Citygroup chat.

Riley

Good luck tonight, I wish I was there!

Philippa

Break a leg

Andrew

or shake a leg. LOL

I glance at the other notifications and can’t help the smile tugging at my lips. For the first time in a while, the noise feels good.

Even though the news was coming in hot and fast after my performance, I find my mind drifting back to Broderick—writhing in pleasure under my touch, jaw tight, as he came hot and fast because of my…other performance.

Now that’s the kind of headline I care about.

The way he looked at me like I was the only thing that existed...He’d given in completely—and it made me feel powerful. In control. Especially when so much of my life feels out of my hands.