Fandom (Famous #3) - Eden Finley Page 0,27

when it comes to this stuff, but I wanted to say, they’re assholes.”

I snort. I actually like these kids. And by kids, I mean they probably range from eighteen to twenty-five, maybe. God, Denver is a mentor to people his own age. “Thanks, but it’s all part of the business.”

I hate that I still have that ingrained response fall from my mouth, and my instinct is to defend an industry that is full of body issues and impossible standards.

“Actually, you know what?” I say. “You’re right. They are assholes. A lot of people you’ll meet in this industry are. But if you call them out on it, it will only look bad on you.”

“Mase,” Denver warns.

“No, they need to hear this. If you’re all serious about having a music career, you’re going to need to hear some hard truths. Changing your image, putting on weight, having a different hairstyle is always going to make you a target for online hate. Remember when Harry Styles cut off his long hair?”

“Teenage heartache around the world,” Denver says.

“If you’re going to be a public figure, you need to have thick skin to survive. Is it right? No. Should someone take a stand? Probably. But there’s already enough pressure on new acts to be mainstream enough without having to worry about scandal. Managers see troublemakers and run the other way. Record labels drop acts without warning.” I know. Trust me on this.

“Now that Mr. Grumpy Pants has brought down the mood, there are good things to the industry. Right, Mason?” Denver stares at me intently as if to say I need to fix this.

“Fine. I will say there is absolutely no better feeling than being onstage”—my eyes meet Denver’s—“with your best friend, and watching as thousands of fans scream for you. That kinda makes all the bullshit worth it. It’s hard work, but you get to see the world, you perform for packed stadiums to people who have paid so much money to come and see you. The fandom of it all is intoxicating.”

Their smiles are back, and Denver’s is too.

Later, after I clear all the plates away and put them in the sink, Denver sidles up to me. “Admit it. You miss it.”

I do, but I gave my everything to this industry and walked away heartbroken and lonely. I can’t do that again.

Denver’s breath on my neck makes me hyperaware of how close he is, and I realize we haven’t even touched since I’ve been back.

No playful shoves, no bro-hugs, nothing. I’m sure I’ve brushed against him at some point—when I’m covering him with a blanket maybe—but I can’t be certain.

I miss Denver’s hugs. We were affectionate once upon a time, but he’s been purposefully holding back. I don’t want our issues to come between what we used to have.

I turn to him and grip his shoulder. Warmth fills my gut, and the feeling of coming home tries to consume me. It makes me want to pull him to me, crush his body against mine, but I refrain because we aren’t there yet.

“Tell anyone I miss it, and I’ll kill you.” I say this as serious as I can, but when Denver’s eyes widen, I have to laugh. I nudge him out of my way. “You’re too easy, Denny.”

He watches me walk away like some pod person has taken over my body.

There are a lot of things I miss about Hollywood, but the thing I probably miss the most is my old self. Not my appearance, but the old me. The guy who thought he could conquer the world and saw pessimism as a useless and unproductive emotion.

I want to find that guy again.

Chapter Eleven

Denver

I’ve been consciously trying not to touch Mason because while we’re on the right path, we’re still nowhere near where we were. But last night there was a spark. Just a simple moment where he squeezed my shoulder, made a joke, and then walked away.

It’s good, but … while Mason’s trying to get our friendship back to normal, my heart’s running about ten paces ahead. It’s bypassing friendship and shooting right for cartoon love heart eyes.

Hell. No.

Make it stop. Please make it stop.

Today, I have private one-on-one time with each of my contestants, and when they’re not with me, they’re hanging out by the pool. Declan asks me if any celebrities are going to drop by, to which I reply by pointing at the guesthouse and saying, “I’ve already brought you a celebrity.”

I’ve spotted Mason out there with them