Page 256 of Fame & Chaos

“Indica.” Mick’s voice brings me back to reality. “You expect me to be okay with this?”

“Don’t call her Indica,” Caleb mutters. “She hates it.”

I shoot Caleb a warning look, and he immediately raises his hands in surrender.

“Mick…” I step toward him. “You deserve someone who can give you their whole heart.” My voice trembles. “I wanted that person to be me.” I shake my head. “But I can’t keep pretending.”

He looks away, rubbing his bruised jaw. “You’ve broken my heart.”

“I know.”

He exhales slowly before meeting my eyes again. “Please leave.”

The words aren’t angry… they are defeated.

“And take your rockstars with you.”

I nod. “I’m truly sorry, Mick.”

He turns away before I can say anything else, and I watch him disappear into the back of the café, while guilt settles heavily in my chest. “He deserved better than what I gave him,” I murmur.

Caleb slips his fingers through mine. “I know.”

I glance toward Aston and notice the red-haired woman tucked comfortably beneath his arm.

I smile. “Who’s your friend?”

Aston grins. “Long story.”

“I’ll tell you later,” Caleb says with a smile before looking back at me. “There’s a lot I need to tell you.”

“If you’ll have me back…” I squeeze his hand. “I’d like to hear all of it.” Emotion shines in his eyes. “I’m tired of running, Caleb.” The words leave me before I can stop them. “Every time something went wrong, I ran.” I smile sadly. “I don’t want to do that anymore.” I look into his eyes. “Being with you isn’t easy.” I laugh softly. “But being without you…” My throat tightens. “That nearly destroyed me.”

He brushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I never stopped loving you, but I honestly thought you were better off without me.”

“I wasn’t.”

He lets out a slow breath. “I’d rather fight beside you than spend another day without you.”

A smile finally breaks across my face. “I don’t want another day without you either.”

He smiles back. “And Sasha…”

I shrug. “I don’t even care anymore.”

He laughs quietly. “Oh, trust me. You’re going to care once I tell you what really happened.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Over dinner?”

“I’d love that.” He leans down and kisses me again, this time softly.

“I hate to interrupt…” the redhead says with an apologetic smile, “… but someone just pulled out their phone and started filming. I think it’s time we disappeared.”

I glance around the café and notice several people watching us. “Good idea.”

Caleb laces his fingers through mine, and together we hurry outside with Aston, the redhead, and security following close behind.

The cool London air hits my face, and I glance back through the café window.