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“I just—” she starts, but every part of her is getting weaker by the second.

“Shh, enough. I’m here now. I’ve got you, baby.”

Settling her into my arms, I gather her gently and carefully escort us to the car. As I walk, my eyes don’t leave her, too consumed by the thought of something bad happening to her. More than that, I’m trying to re-wire my brain to understand why she’s on a constant path of self-destruction.

With her and her belongings secure her in my arms, the subtle vibration of her phone glows in my hand. Across the top, Haven’s name dances on the screen. When I look down at Fia, her closed eyes and labored breathing let me know she’s fallen asleep.

Fuck, I’ve got to get her out of here, but I know she wouldn’t want to ignore this call.

Rushing to the car, I set her in the passenger seat and slide the accept button once the door is closed.

“Haven, hey,” I answer, leveling my breathing.

“Jett?” Haven’s voice sounds confused.

“Yeah, how are you?” I look through the mirror at Fia and pace by the side of her door as I think of how to make this call as fast as I can.

“I guess the dating rumors are true, huh? Good for you guys.”

My lips tilt in a worried smile.

“Fia’s in the restroom. Can I have her call you back?”

“Of course, I was just calling to check in with her about something. Tell her no rush, and I’ll see her at rehearsal.”

Just as fast as she called, Haven hangs up, and I’ve never been more thankful for a down-to-earth pop star.

Inside the car, I spin the top off a bottle of Gatorade and put it to Fia’s lips. When her weak eyes open, and she sips slowly, I feel a little better that she’s at least feeling okay enough to drink.

“I didn’t finish,” she murmurs meekly as I watch her throat slowly swallow the blue liquid.

I don’t answer. I can’t.

Driving way faster than the speed limit, I’m back at our hotel in less than ten minutes. When the dimmed lights of the valet lighten the inside of the car, Fia stirs in her seat, reaching for the door handle.

“Don’t touch it,” I practically growl.

“I can do it,” she weakly smarts back.

The patience I’ve been hardly hanging onto snaps. I move so I’m face to face with her, settling my hands on both sides of her face.

“Give up on the act tonight, Fia. I don’t know what you’re carrying, but you don’t have to carry it alone, not tonight. I know what this is to you; I don’t need the reminder, but I’m pretty sure you know exactly what you are to me, so for the love of God, Sofia, please let me take care of you tonight. Please.”

Glassy green eyes plead with mine as her resistance dissolves.

“T-Those aren’t the rules,” she quivers, protecting herself, while her underlining petition screams for me to throw every single caution to the wind.

And I do.

“If you haven’t noticed, I don’t give a fuck about rules when it comes to you.”

I fought tooth and nail to carry Fia back to my room. I couldn’t stomach the thought of not holding her close. I didn’t care if she kicked or screamed. Letting her walk when she was so weak was not an option.

“I can’t stay here tonight.” Fia’s voice is still low, but regaining its throaty texture as she munches on the protein bar I forced her to eat the second we entered my hotel room.

“Eat,” I bark, rushing to the side of the bed, dialing zero on the room phone.

I’ve tried to rid my boisterous ways—resist the urge to use my family’s legacy to my advantage. But old habits die hard in some categories.