Behind the Mask: A Rockstar Romance(58)

“They want Star to sing again.” I continue looking through the paper when she takes it away from me. “Hey,” I whine. “I was reading that.”

“You are allowed to sing, you love to sing, and this won’t be like being in a famous band. It will be easier. Besides, if you don’t like it, just quit.”

I think it over in my head. “Fine, I will apply. They might not like me.”

Naomi starts laughing, sitting down next to me. “Yeah, and I’m a virgin.”

I chuckle.

“They are going to love you.”

“Well, I’ll do it if you’ll be my manager. You never know. I might get more gigs and need someone to talk hardball for me.” I scream when she jumps on me, bouncing up and down.

“I will be a great manager. That will look amazing on my CV. I will call on your behalf now.” She gets the number and calls them and I sit there listening when Naomi gives me a thumbs-up before hanging up.

“They want you to come down now so they can hear you sing. Apparently their main singer got tonsillitis and need someone ASAP.” She pulls me off the couch. “Go get showered and wear something hot but not too hot. You don’t want to give them the wrong impression.”

I laugh, heading to my room. “Yes, sir.” I salute her and she gives me the finger, making me laugh.



I am sitting on a chair on a stage with Naomi and a woman with gray hair tied up in a high bun on the top of her head. From her hoarse voice, you can tell she smokes like a chimney, but she seems friendly enough. She is the owner and the person deciding my fate.

I decide to sing Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song.” I sing off slow, letting the music guide me until I start to sing with my whole heart. I haven’t sung since that night, but I want to prove that I still got this.

I won’t let him ruin this one thing.

Singing the song, I feel the words affecting me more than I thought. When the chorus hits, I feel it hitting me right in my core. Music is me. Letting the words take over, I sing the end of the song and press my hand to my chest, feeling my heart beating erratically.

I look at Naomi, who is looking at Yvonne, the owner. She shows no emotion until she stands then starts clapping, a huge smile on her face.

“Holy cow, girl. You can sing. You are definitely going to go far one day.” She grabs a piece of paper. “Here is the contract. It’s just you agreeing to sing on the premise, etcetera.”

“I’ll look these over as I’m her manager and all.”

Yvonne rolls her eyes but doesn’t object.

“I am surprised you are singing in a club like this when you could probably go to a label and get signed.”

“I want to start from the bottom. I don’t want anything to come easy.”

“That is very admirable. You and I are going to get on like a house on fire. I have to admit, you do sound similar to that girl Star. Have you heard of her?”

My body tenses a little.

“She gets that all the time. To me, I think Blair sounds better.”

“Yeah, me too.” Yvonne winks at me. “Can you start Friday night?”

“Yes, she can,” Naomi jumps in.

“You are always going to be around, aren’t you?” Yvonne says with a sigh.

“We are a pair, joined at the hip as you say.”

“Great,” Yvonne says. I chuckle. “See you both Friday.” She walks off.

Naomi runs to my side, jumping up and down. “Your first gig. We are going to make such a great team.”

When we get home, we both slump on the couch with a bottle of wine, wanting to celebrate my new job. I am holding a glass, taking a sip when Naomi turns on the TV and the first thing I see is Nate. His eyes looking right at me.

He is doing an interview saying he is clean now and that the last few weeks were the biggest regrets of his life. Naomi and I are just watching frozen.

“Nate, have you seen the videos online? The ones with how you treated Star?”

I lean forward a little.

“I have. You have no idea how disgusted I feel. Star meant so much to me. She still does. I ruined our friendship, ruined anything that was there between us.” He sighs.

“It sounded like you two were more than friends.”

I take another sip. Nate never talks about his personal life, so I’m shocked that he is opening up now.

“I was hoping we were heading to something more, but one mistake turned into a line of them. Knowing how I acted, what I did and said, I deserve all the hate that I am getting from my fans. I don’t blame them.”

“Have you talked to Star? No one seems to be able to find her. It’s like she has disappeared.”

“Unfortunately, I haven’t. I heard she wants to leave all this in the past. I want to respect that.”

“If she is watching now, what would you tell her?”

He looks right to the camera. It’s like I’m looking into the eyes of who I always fell for. It’s my Nate. “I’m so sorry I hurt you. I love you. I love the girl behind the mask and I’m sorry I never had the chance to tell you that. You will always be in my heart.” A tear falls down his cheek and all over again I feel my heart breaking.

“Holy shit,” Naomi says.

“Hopefully she is watching,” the interviewer says. “You want to sing a song to her?”