Page 92 of A Tragic Melody

“I don’t want you to die, Tues,” he says softly. “I was terrified when I saw you like that. I don’t know what I would do if you…”

“You’d have a career.” I shrug. “You would survive.”

“Not worth it.” He pulls my head down, putting his arm around my shoulder. “I'd rather lose it all than you.”

“But you don’t have me,” I say softly. “No one can have me. My soul has already been sold.”

“I’ll find a way to buy it back.” He strokes my back.

I have nothing to say to that, so I just lay against him as he scrolls through more pictures, enjoying the moment even though we both know how this ends.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Tuesday is curled up in my bunk. This is not a good thing, but I like it. She lays facing me, sleeping soundly. I fell asleep telling her stories about my sister and showing her pictures. It’s the most I’ve talked about Wenny in two years. That also felt good. Tuesday listened, commented, making it feel normal.

I don’t know when she fell asleep, but I don’t want to wake her regardless. I want to enjoy it a little longer. I don’t know what happens from here.

The tour is almost over, and I know that means my time is almost up. Hendricks will never let me stay with her. And Tuesday can’t exist with me as her competition. Everyone knows I’m the talent now. Bands are going to fight over me, and me being a good fit for someone else isn’t going to sit well with her.

Not that I want to be good for anyone else, either, but we aren’t meant to be. Tuesday is going to hammer the last nail into my coffin so she can stay on top, and I have to pretend to hate it.

The truth is worse. I would fail ten times over for her to stay in the spotlight. I would die to keep her safe, and that is scary, but she deserves someone who cares enough to suffer for her to succeed, instead of using her to get ahead

I’m grateful for the opportunity.

When she finally stirs beside me, gray eyes blink at me. She smiles, pushing her platinum hair out of her face.

“Have you been watching me sleep?” She stretches.

“No.” I laugh.

“Liar.” She pushes at me. “You are such a creep.”

“You like it.”

“Doesn’t change the fact it’s creepy.” She sits up. “Did I miss your morning wood?” She pouts.

“Afraid so.”

“Did you jerk off to me sleeping?” She smirks.

“No. I’d never waste that on you sleeping.”

“I wouldn’t mind waking up to your…”

I slap my hand over her mouth and roll to hover over her body. She giggles, letting her teeth nip at my palm.

“Don’t say things like that,” I say softly. “I’m barely able to control myself as it is.” I pull my hand away.

“But you do manage to control yourself.” She grins. “You are such a good boy.”

“Don’t start.”

“Do you not want to be my good boy?” She grins. “I’d treat you very well. I’d reward good behavior, you know? Give you something nice and juicy to suck on.”

“You can leave now.” I chuckle, dropping on my side next to her. My hand slips above her head, fingers twirling a strand of her hair.

“I should go before the guys get the wrong idea about us.” She sighs.