Nineteen-year-old, Bea Somerton, knows exactly how she wants to live. Become a doctor, remain in remission from her childhood Leukaemia and have a happy, normal, life.
The last thing she expects is to meet rising star and troubled musician, Holden P...
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My leg drums underneath the table as I stare at Parker's message. This can't be good. Nothing is ever good when I get a text like this from him.
Where are you? We need to talk. NOW.
"He's pissed," Charlie agrees. "Like severely pissed."
"You're a great help," Jett rolls his eyes, snorting. "I've seen Parker mad before, and it is not pretty. Especially because usually he's so cute looking."
"Stop hitting on her brother," Charlie gags.
"I am not hitting on—"
"Guys," I groan, "no fighting. Please."
The library is quiet as the last few students trickle off campus for the day. Coming to the end of the school year always means that the library clears out, making it my favourite time of the day.
"Do you know what it might be about?"
"With Parker? It could be anything. You know how protective he gets."
"Yeah," Charlie whispers. "Usually it would come across as over-the-top, but with Parker, I understand. He could have lost you, Bea."
"I know," I say, sternly. "But at some point he's going to have to realise that I'm—"
That I'm fine.
"That I'm nineteen," I finish, staring at the hardwood desk. "That I can look after myself."
Can you?
"Are you okay?"
I meet the worried gaze of Jett as he offers me a concerned expression. "I'm fine," I lie. "Work is just tiring me out at the moment. But I need the money anyway, so I shouldn't complain."
"So, is Holden Pacheco still gracing your presence?" Charlie chimes in, leaning her hand against the table. "It's so annoying that you had to sign that confidentiality agreement. Especially because you're such a sucker for the rules and I know you won't tell me the goss."
"Yes," I glare playfully. "He's still there. And before you even try to ask; no. I don't know why he's there."
Hours of research during my lunch breaks have pulled up nothing. I haven't seen Holden for days. He's always gone from his room when I get there, and a part of me always feels let down that I won't have his snarky company for an hour.
"You're totally starting to like him, aren't you?" Charlie grins.
"He's growing on me," I shrug. "He annoys the hell out of me, but he makes the time go quicker, so that's something."
"Won't be long before you're buying his merch and listening to his album on repeat."
