Faded (Rock Star Trilogy)

cops.”
    He stands there for a few seconds, but when he sees that I’m serious, he turns to walk away. “Goodbye, Scarlett. Don’t call me when your life is in ruins, your career is over, and you’re broke, because I won’t give a shit.”
    “You never did.” I slam the door and let out a frustrated scream. Seconds later the door opens again, and Peter and the rest of the camera crew walks inside the house.
    “Perfect timing,” Peter says, smiling. “Maybe we should have an overnight crew here. We don’t want to miss anything.”
    I crinkle my nose at the thought. “No need to record tonight. Stephan and I are just going trick or treating with Anna.”
    “What about Mona’s party?” Peter asks, obviously disappointed.
    “What about it? I want to spend Halloween with my niece. But I think Alec and Bridgett are going,” I say. “You can go with them.”
    “You’re no fun,” Peter says. “But we’re still going with you. We don’t want to miss anything.”
    “It’s okay,” I shrug. “Anna really likes being on camera.”
    “Do you feel like going to school?” Stephan asks, obviously concerned about me. But I’m over it. I’m sick of my parents. I’m not going to let them get me down.
    “Yes. We should probably go.” I grab his hand, and we walk to his car. “Let’s just not talk about my parents, okay?”
    “Whatever you want, Scar. But I’m here if you need to talk.”
     
    5:17 PM
    Because you’re not in love with me…
     
    School is fun. Everybody is dressed up — zombies, vampires, superheroes, animals, cartoon characters, cupcakes, etc… All of the costumes are unique. Even a few of the teachers dressed up. It has been great to keep my mind off of what just happened with my dad.
    But I am most looking forward to trick or treating with Anna. The truth is, I never got to go as a kid, and I think that it will be a fun experience. I’m glad Stephan is going with me. I can’t wait for him to meet Stacy and Anna.
    “Do you think your niece will let me steal some of her candy?” Stephan asks as we drive to their house.
    “You are not eating her candy!” I laugh. “But I will buy you some of your own as long as you behave.”
    “That sounds an awful lot like a bribe.”
    “It is,” I admit. “Just keep in mind that Anna is nine years old. You probably shouldn’t say fuck around her.”
    “I’ve been around children before. I know how to behave.”
    “You’re going to love her. She’s seriously the sweetest girl ever. In fact, she’ll probably have a crush on you.” I laugh. “She’s a little boy crazy.”
    “Oh, you might have some competition,” he jokes.
    “She also loves my music. She has posters of me on her wall. And she decided after meeting me that she too wants to be a rock star.”
    “Isn’t that every nine year old’s dream?”
    I shrug. “Maybe. But she wants to be like me . It’s a good feeling.”
    “You do realize that you’re a role model for a whole lot of nine year olds out there, right? You are a rock star.”
    “Really?” I’m actually surprised that he says this. “I always thought people saw me more as a sex symbol.”
    “Oh, that too. I’m sure there are lots of guys who jack off to pictures of you.” He shakes his head. “And now I want to kill every one of them.”
    I laugh. “Don’t be jealous. They are getting off to pictures of me. You get off to the real thing.Or, you will… eventually.”
    “Oh right. Because you’re not in love with me.”
    I shake my head. “I thought the L word was like a dirty word to you.”
    “Right. Let’s just drop it,” he says angrily.
    “You’re the one who brought it up.”
    “Well, maybe we should talk about it then,” Stephan says as we pull up to the curb in front of Stacy’s apartment.
    “Okay. But not right now, Stephan. I want to enjoy tonight with Anna and Stacy, and I don’t want to fight right now.”
    “Fine,” he says, getting out of my car. He shuts the door a little harder than necessarily.
    And I thought girls were the only emotional ones…
     
    6:03 PM
    I’m Scarlett.
     
    Before we can knock on the door, Anna opens it. She’s wearing a long blonde wig, a pink dress, and a pair of high heels.
    “You look scary, Aunt Scarlett,” she says and gives me a big hug. Once she backs away, she looks over at Stephan. “Is he your boyfriend ?”
    “Yes, he is.” At least for now , I think. He’s probably going to “talk” to me soon, which can only