Page 38 of When the Stars Rise

Hayley grew up as an only child in a quiet household. On the flip side, my family is big, loud, and chaotic. So I can understand why it would have been hard to adjust to such a drastic change.

But what the fuck? Why hadn’t she told me what happened in London?

Why would she feel the need to keep it a secret from me?

Now that I’ve heard the story, it all makes sense, though.

That’s why I’m here. She invited me to join her because I’m her soft place to fall. I’m her home and the person she feels safest with.

No matter what happens with me and Hayley, she will always be my best friend and the girl who owns my heart.

“I just want to have some fun. I want to be a carefree twenty-two-year-old girl.”

That’s what she told Dean in Atlanta before I gave her a ride on my motorcycle. Hayley craves normalcy, and I represent that for her.

Despite all the crap we’ve put each other through over the years and all the times we tried to go our separate ways, I have always been the one constant in her life.

Another thought occurs to me. “Why didn’t I read anything about this?”

“Zoe took care of it. That’s why we pay her the big bucks. She makes the bad shit disappear.”

“Maybe she can make Asher Keating disappear,” I mutter.

Dean looks amused. “Not a fan?”

I give him a look that says it all.

“Then I guess you’d better get your shit together. She never would have been with him if you hadn’t fucked things up.”

My jaw clenches. Fucking Dean. Just pour salt in the gaping wound, why don’t you?

But I need to discuss this with Hayley, not Dean. I’ve gotten all the information I need from him, so I push off from the railing. “Thanks for the chat, but I need to get my beauty rest.”

I stride across the room and grab the door handle.

“So skydiving wasn’t enough for you, huh? Guess BASE jumping is where it’s at now,” he says casually.

I pause. “How do you know about that?”

“You were sleeping in the bunk right across from me. You talk in your sleep.”

“Like hell I do.” I yank the door open and step into the hallway.

“You left your laptop open with all your BASE jumping videos. I shut it before Hayley could see it.”

Fuck. I was studying the videos in anticipation of my upcoming trip.

Last year, I’d started training with a BASE-jumping expert in Italy near Lake Garda. Since then, I’ve made close to a hundred jumps—Yosemite at dawn, from rock cliffs in Switzerland, off Tasman Glacier in New Zealand, and Navagio Beach in Greece. Two of those places were technically illegal but I didn’t get caught. I haven’t posted any of those videos and don’t plan on it. I did it for the rush, so those videos are just for me.

“From one addict to another, do me a favor. Quit while you still can,” Dean says. “I only agreed to let you join us because I thought it would make Hayley happy. Don’t make me regret my decision.”

I turn to face him. “It’s her choice, not yours.”

“Maybe so, but I’m in charge of this tour. If a member of the crew fucks up, they’re out. If a member of the band fucks up, they’re out. The same goes for you.” He stabs his finger at me, eyes narrowed. “We still have another month on the road. If you create more stress for her, I will kick your ass off the tour. I likeyou, Noah. Always have. But I love Hayley, so she will always come first.”

My jaw clenches. “You’ve known Hayley for what… five years? I’ve known her for most of my life. She hasalwayscome first for me, and she always will.”

With a shake of my head, I walk away, pissed that he even felt the need to lecture me on how to treat Hayley.