|chapter 38|
ACE
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3:12 AM
I sat on the hotel bed, head in my hands, room spinning slightly even though I barely drank compared to old times.
CeCe sat at the table, watching me with that tired, worried look.
I hated that look.
"Come on," she said softly. "Lay down. You'll feel better in the morning."
"I won't."
She sighed and moved closer to me. "Why not?"
"Because she saw it," I whispered feeling my eyes began to water.
CeCe didn't ask who.
She never had to.
"Do you love her?" she asked.
I lifted my head slowly.
My throat tightened.
My voice cracked.
"...Yes, of course."
She nodded once.
"Then stop pushing her away."
I closed my eyes.
Pain sliced through me.
"It's not that easy," I whispered. "I don't know how to... be loved. I don't know how to keep people. Everyone I've ever loved—"
I stopped before the emotion choked me.
CeCe set her hand on my shoulder. "I'm here. You're not alone anymore."
I looked at her — really looked — and saw the truth:
She wasn't just my manager.
She wasn't just the woman who saved my career.
She saved me.
"I don't deserve her," I whispered.
CeCe frowned. "Ace... that girl looks at you like you hung the moon. Stop acting like you're unworthy of that."
I swallowed hard.
Looked away.
My phone buzzed beside me — Ariana's name lighting up the screen.
I grabbed it fast.
Ari:
We need to talk when I see you next. No yelling, and no playing games. Just honesty.
I stared at the message for a long, long time.
Then I typed back:
Ace: Tomorrow. I'll come to you. No games Ari, I promise you.💕
I hit send.
Then finally — finally — lay back on the bed and closed my eyes.
Knowing tomorrow...
could change everything.
