Breaking Stars - J. Sterling Page 0,10

sunglasses so she could eyeball me, and I narrowed my gaze to meet hers. “Because you’re their cash cow, Paige. You know this. You stop giving them milk because you want to visit a new farm, they freak. I’ve told you this before, but I really hate your agent and your manager. They aren’t good people. Why do you think Madison left? Jayson’s an asshole.”

“I know, but I’ve been with him since the beginning, so it’s just easier.”

“Easier to what? Compromise everything you want? Have absolutely zero say in your own life?”

“It’s just easier to stay,” I said sadly before slipping my sunglasses over my eyes to hide from her judgment.

“Paige Lockwood, the sweetest girl in Hollywood. Oh, if they only knew how true their headlines about you were.” Quinn smiled as she took a swig of her lime-filled beer.

“What am I supposed to do then?”

She waved a dismissive hand in the air. “Leave them. Someone else would be happy to have you. Hell, sign with Madison. I’m sure she’d actually give a shit about you and your career. I’ve even thought about signing with her.”

“Shut up,” I said incredulously. “You have not.”

Her eyebrows raised as she pursed her lips together. “I have so. I even talked to Walker the other day about it.”

My interest was piqued. “What’d he say? Although he’s completely biased, so you can’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth.”

Quinn rolled her eyes. “He is, but…” She hesitated for a second. “He says that she’s the greatest thing to happen to his on-screen career. They discuss everything he’s offered and decide together if they think it’s a good move or not. He says she’s completely invested in what’s best for his future and the things he wants to accomplish. And I know it’s not just because she’s dating him, it’s because that’s the kind of person she is.”

I nodded. “That’s true. Madison is a really good person and she has integrity. I always liked her.”

“Just know that you have options, Paige. You always have options, okay?”

“Then why do I always feel so trapped?”

Quinn slipped her sunglasses over her eyes and leaned back in her chair. “Because you refuse to rattle that cage you’re in. It’s easier to stay behind the bars.”

Her words struck more than just a nerve in me as I sucked in a quick breath and my chest tightened. The only question I had to ask myself now was: What was I going to do about it?

Meeting of the Minds

Paige

I spent the next few days holed up with Quinn. The paparazzi refused to leave, and even though I felt incredibly guilty for bringing all this drama to Quinn and Ryson’s front gate, they both insisted that they were used to it and couldn’t care less. Plus, I think Ryson enjoyed having people to direct his pent-up anger at.

“You don’t have to go,” Quinn whined as I folded my clothes and placed them into my duffel bag.

“I can’t stay here forever, Quinn. I need to go home and just…” I paused from packing to choose my words. “To just put all of this in the past. I can’t do that if I keep avoiding it.”

She tilted her head and blond strands fell across her eyes. “You’re such a grown-up. One day I want to be just like you.”

I swatted her shoulder. “Don’t make fun of me.”

“I’m not! I’m seriously not. You’re just so damn well adjusted, it’s almost nauseating.”

“Thanks,” I muttered, not quite sure if that was a compliment or not.

“No, really, Paige. I think it’s because you weren’t raised in this crazy environment your whole life. You’re just more stable or something.” She waved a frustrated hand in the air. “Geez, I don’t know what the hell I’m trying to say.”

“I love you,” I said before launching into her arms and squeezing tight. “Thank you for saving me this week.”

“I love you too.” She pushed me away and leveled her gaze on mine. “That’s what best friends are for. So are you really going to try to take a break and go to school?”

I nodded. “I think so. I have a meeting scheduled with Jayson at three, so we’ll see what he says.”

“Good luck.”

“I’ll need it,” I admitted before slinging my duffel bag onto my shoulder.

“I know.”

• • •

Walking down the hallway toward my agent’s door, I stopped myself from putting on a big smile for Madison as I remembered that she no longer worked there. Making a mental note to touch