Faded (Rock Star Trilogy)

would like this one.”
    “ I do. But I don’t want everybody else looking at my girlfriend.”
    “That dress is perfect,” Alec says, coming up behind us. “It shows them your best assets… Or at least what they think is best.”
    Bridgett walks down the stairs, and her eyes widen as she sees me. “Geez… Where is the rest of your dress?”
    “My thoughts exactly,” Stephan agrees with Bridgett. “Seriously, go put on something else.”
    I put a hoodie over the dress and zip it up. I really don’t like being told what to do, but I know that Stephan doesn’t mean anything by it. “It will be fine.”
    “Peter and the crew are going to meet us at the airport,” Alec says. “They are excited about this meeting.”
    “I’m glad somebody is,” I groan. “This is going to suck.”
    “Maybe you should have a shot of whiskey on the plane. It’ll help calm you down,” Alec suggests.
    “I don’t drink anymore,” I say flatly. Right now, though, I’m wishing I did.
    “Oh, right,” he says. “Well, I guess I will just have to have two. One for you, and one for me.”
    “I hate you.”
     
    10:22 AM
    I’m not Scarlett.
     
    It’s just after ten when we land in LA, and a limo is waiting on us when we get there. It was literally the longest four-hour flight of my life. Alex downed two shots, as he promised, and I wanted to rip the shot glass out of his hand. Thankfully, I resisted.
    As we drive to my record company’s corporate office, Stephan holds my hand. He doesn’t say a word, which is exactly what I need.
    “I’m scared,” I whisper to him, as we get closer to downtown Los Angeles.
    He squeezes my hand. “Don’t be. They will love you.”
    But his words don’t comfort me. He doesn’t love me, so why should they?
    “So when we get there, they are going to bring us right back,” Alec explains. “I think that since I’m offering to produce the album, it will help your case. Bridgett, you need to be there. They’ll be excited. Once the world figures out that Scarlett has a twin, you are both going to get really popular. Besides, you are her manager now, and you need to learn all the ins and outs of the business. And Stephan, you should go back because the women that work there will think you’re hot.”
    “Is it appropriate for me to be there?” he asks.
    Alec nods. “Yeah. It won’t be a big deal.”
    “Guess I’m going to hear your new song.” Stephan grins, obviously satisfied.
    Fuck my life.
    When we get there, the limo lets us out up front. Peter and the camera crew get out and film us. Paparazzi are also waiting. They begin snapping pictures of us all.
    “Scarlett!” They yell.
    “Which one is Scarlett?” I hear somebody ask.
    “Scarlett! What do you have to say about the rumors of you and Alec Torch living together? Is it true that you’re dating?” Somebody shoves a microphone towards Bridgett’s mouth.
    “I’m not Scarlett,” she says, shoving the microphone away.
    “Is this your sister?” a reporter asks.
    Security rushes out of the building and holds the back crowd while the four of us walk inside, with Peter and the crew following close behind us.
    “Guess everybody knows about Bridge now,” Alec says.
    “Fuck,” I say. I always knew it would eventually get out, but I wanted to protect Bridgett a little longer before the madness began.
    Security walks us to the elevator, and we take it up to the 51st floor.
    “Did I mention that I don’t like elevators?” Bridgett says, leaning against the elevator wall. She looks really pale, and is taking slow, deep breaths.
    Alec walks over to her and puts his arms around her. “It’ll be okay,” he says softly to her. His touch seems to calm her down a bit.
    What is going on with Alec and Bridgett? They have a very weird love-hate relationship going on. It’s kind of sweet, actually. I hope that Alec doesn’t break her heart.
    But then I remember what we are doing on this elevator, and I felt faint. I’m about to go in front of my record label, and see if they approve my new song; a song that my boyfriend hasn’t heard yet, even though it’s about him.
    “Are you okay?” Stephan asks.
    I’m really not, so I shake my head no.
    “They’re going to love your song,” he promises.
    “I think I’m more worried that you won’t like it,” I admit. “Maybe I should have just played it for you. I don’t want the first time you hear it to be in front of a bunch of other people.”
    “I will wait