“That’s not what I meant,” he said, tearing at his hair. “Music is the only thing I’ve ever been good at, and if I don’t succeed at that, I’ll have nothing, I’ll be nothing. I thought you, of all people, would understand that. And if I have to pretend I’m single and that I’ll sleep with every girl in the world to keep people voting for us, to keep them coming to our shows and buying our albums, then that’s what I’ll do.”

I did understand, on some level, because that same passion for music and that same drive to succeed urged me on, too. But Jared’s words made it clear that this would never stop. Not even when the show ended because there would always be something else: the tour, the album, future shows. As long as we were this band, with Jared’s “villain” image, we could never be together.

“I love you, Jared,” I said, my voice breaking. “But I can’t do this anymore. I can’t pretend we’re just friends and sneak around and watch you flirt with other girls. I just can’t. And you’re wrong—people will buy our albums and come to our shows because they like our music, not because of your stupid reputation. But if this is what you think the band needs, then I’m done and this is over.” The words were torn from my chest, burning my throat on the way out, but I couldn’t stop them.

His mouth fell open, but he didn’t answer. I supposed his silence was my answer. I darted around him as the tears burst free. I couldn’t look at him, couldn’t be near him, couldn’t hear another word from his mouth. I’d bared my heart to him, and he had nothing to say in return.

“Maddie, wait!” he called. But it was too late, and I was already through the door. Because that’s what I always did when life got to be too much for me: I ran.

I dashed inside the theater, tearing past the roadies and other bands, heading for the exit so I could return to my hotel room and sob my heart out in private. But before I could get to the door, I bumped into Steve.

“Maddie, everything okay?” he asked.

I wiped at my eyes but couldn’t answer him. No, everything was very much not okay. I’d just lost everything, and I didn’t know what to do now.

“Let’s talk somewhere private.” He led me to his office, with a desk and a computer and a mountain of paperwork. I didn’t know what he wanted, but at least there was no one watching me here.