Starstruck (Heartstrings Duet #1)

37. let me in

[ 37 ]

LET ME IN

BAXTER

“COME UNDONE” BY JACKSON WATERS

T he show goes off without a hitch, and before I know it, we’re heading offstage. The crowd was electric throughout the entire set, and knowing Lennon was here watching made me feel that much more alive .

This past week has been different between us. Our texts have been fewer and more far between, but much more…intimate, when they do happen. I think that kiss last weekend awakened something in both of us. Something neither of us have wanted to acknowledge before now.

Something I know I’d be content to ignore if it were that easy. But now that I know her and I’ve had her…I can’t imagine ever letting her go.

As we make our way through the curtains, I pass my guitar to one of the crew members. Security blocks all the backstage-passholders who scream and shout for our attention, but my eyes are too focused searching for Lennon to worry about them. I didn’t see her when I looked over during that last song, and I’m hoping she decided to wait for me in my dressing room—which is where I intend to look next.

Right after I sign a few autographs, that is.

I paste a smile on my face and look toward the crowd. It takes no more than five minutes of taking selfies with fans for my eyes to find her like a magnet. And as soon as I do, my brows pull together.

She’s standing near the bathroom with Sadie, talking to some guy. He looks about her age, with short, blond hair. He’s tall, probably about six-foot. Based on his expression, they seem to know each other.

But that doesn’t keep a pit from growing in my stomach.

“Uh oh.” Levi whistles from beside me. “Looks like Groupie has a groupie.”

I let out a low growl at his comment. I don’t get jealous. I don’t do feelings, so jealousy has never been an emotion I’ve felt. But as I watch him lean down and wrap his arms around her, I see fucking red.

Or maybe I should say green.

“Bax, don—” Colt starts as I storm toward them. He tries to hold me back, reaching for my shoulder, but I evade him, marching right up to them.

I don’t even think before the words come out of my mouth.

“Get your hands off of her and walk away before I fucking make you,” I roar, loud enough for practically the entirety of backstage to hear.

If people didn’t know about Lennon and me before, they’re sure as hell about to.

Lennon pulls away from the hug and the guy cowers slightly before realizing who’s talking to him—then his face lights up, making me frown even more.

“Holy sh-shit,” the guy stutters. “You—You’re Baxter James.”

“I am.” I take a step toward him, blocking Lennon from his view. “And who the fuck might you be? ”

The guy opens his mouth to speak, but Lennon moves between us before he can. “Baxter, don’t ,” she demands, the look on her face mirroring my anger.

“Lennon?” the guy asks from behind her. “You know Baxter James?”

She rolls her eyes, her frustration not dissipating. “Unfortunately, yes.” She holds my eye contact as she says it, and my face falls.

“Ooooh, Lover Boy’s in trooouuuble,” Levi teases from behind us. A grunt follows, likely from Colt elbowing him, but I refuse to turn away from Lennon. She may be fierce as hell, but she doesn’t scare me.

Losing her does. But she doesn’t.

“Lennon—” I start, but she holds up a hand, cutting me off. She spins around to face the other guy, her tone completely changing as she speaks to him.

“It was good to see you, Nate. I’ll be in touch about the passes, okay?” She smiles at him, and my jaw clenches. I want to say something else, but I keep my mouth shut.

He nods, glancing from her to me. I keep my gaze trained on him, and if looks could kill, he would be dead right now. “Sounds good.” He walks past us, waving to Sadie along the way. “Nice meeting you, Sadie.”

“Nice meeting you, too, Nathan.” She smiles kindly as he passes. He wraps his arm around a petite blonde woman waiting a few feet away and they leave.

Shit. I’m fucked.

Turning back to Lennon, I back down slightly. She still has a pissed off look on her face as she moves past me toward my dressing room, and I spin quickly on my heels to follow her.

“Lennon, wait.” I grab her arm, spinning her around just as her hand reaches the doorknob. I don’t even care that my friends and a bunch of random strangers are witnessing me chase after a girl right now, which tells me everything I need to know about how deep into this I am—because the old me definitely would’ve.

Matter of fact, the old me never would’ve chased the girl in the first place.

“What the fuck was that, Baxter?”

“He was touching you. No one should be touching you without your consent.”

Her eyes narrow to slits. “It was a hug , Baxter. And in case you didn’t notice, which your dumbass clearly didn’t, I was hugging him back. He had my consent.” She rips her arm from my grasp. “You, on the other hand, currently do not .”

I grit my teeth. “Who was he?”

She scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “My ex. You know, the one I was with for six years? We were also friends for fourteen fucking years before that. It was an amicable breakup, and he’s moved on. I haven’t seen or really even heard from him since my parents’ funeral. It was just a hug.”

Her words stab me in the chest.

Well, shit.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.” I swallow roughly, unable to pull my focus from the fact that she only said he’s moved on, not we’ve . “Have…um… you moved on?” I ask hesitantly, readying myself for more anger and also preparing for her answer, worried she’s going to say no.

Instead, she softens. “Isn’t it obvious that I have?” Her golden irises find mine. “I moved on before we even broke up. Not physically, but I’d been mentally checked out of that relationship for a long time. We both had. My parents dying just made me admit it. So yes, I’ve moved on, Baxter. With you . You acted like a caveman for nothing.”

My lip quirks up at her words, and she rolls her eyes again, but I can tell she’s fighting a smile too.

“I got jealous,” I admit, shocking the hell out of all five of us.

She just watches me for a moment before shaking her head, a smile appearing on her face. “You got jealous. ”

I huff a laugh, nodding. “You see what you do to me, Lenny girl?”

Her eyes roll as she lets out an exasperated sigh, but I don’t miss the way her cheeks flush pink. “Let’s go, Lover Boy. Now you really need to make tonight worth my while.”