Page 74 of Fame & Rhythm

“Please!”

My heart slams against my ribs as I grab the door handle and yank, but it doesn’t budge.

Panic spikes.

“Annie, we can be your friends—”

“Best friends!”

“You’re all mental,” I snap, trying to pull free as they start tugging at my hair. “Ouch! Fuck!” The pain jerks my head back, and I lose my grip on the handle.

Suddenly, the door flies open, and Dad stands there, Mum just behind him, both staring at the scene.

“What the fuck!” Dad barks.

The girls freeze.

“Oh my God… Colter fucking Slade,” one shouts, instantly letting go.

The others drop me too, suddenly starstruck.

Mum rushes to my side, smoothing my hair as I lean into her. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

I nod, still shaken, and she pulls me inside. Dad slams the door behind us just as the girls start surging forward.

“Annie. God!” Dad’s voice is sharp, tight. “You’re just like your mother. You can’t go outside at events like this. You know what happened to her… you do remember that, right?”

“I know—”

“Then w-why?” His voice cracks with something raw. “She was pushed into traffic, Annie. Hit by a van. She nearly died. Do you understand how dangerous this is?”

I wince, swallowing hard.

“Colt,” Mum says gently, stepping toward him. “She’s okay.”

But Dad just stands there, staring at me, like he’s still seeing what almost happened.

“I can’t lose her, Dee. I nearly lost you to them,” Dad says, his voice rough.

Mum wraps her arms around him, soothing him while I stand there, hugging myself, feeling stupid for upsetting him like this. I know how scared he is of losing us. It’s the one thing that terrifies him most. It’s why we’ve lived such sheltered lives, barely any photographs, hardly any information out there. He’s always been afraid that some unhinged fan, Mum’s evil minions, as she calls them, might try to hurt us.

“I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t think anyone would be out there—”

“There is always someone out there, Annie.” He pulls me into his arms again, holding me so tight it almost knocks the breath out of me. “You can’t go outside on your own. Ever. Do you understand?”

“I understand. I’m sorry. I just needed some air… to clear my head.”

“Just promise me you won’t do that again. Not at events like this.”

A small laugh slips out of me. “After that? Don’t worry. I’m never going outside again.”

That is not an experience I ever want to repeat.

“Are you okay? Did they hurt you?” he asks, finally pulling back to look me over.

“No, I’m fine. Just… a bruised ego.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Bruised ego?”