Page 85 of Carte

And I was about to go to a stage and perform in front of thousands of people.

“What just happened?” Tim demanded from across the room.

“Cassie,” was all I could say.

Tim frowned, “Cassie what?” Then his eyes widened. “Did something happen to Cassie? Oh, my God, did that stalker get to Cassie?”

I shook my head, once again squeezing my eyes shut, a tear escaped and went down my face. “No.” I croaked. “It seems that Cassie was behind all of that.”

“That’s not possible. She’s your assistant, for God’s sake.” Tim scoffed.

“I don’t think I can go out there tonight,” I whispered.

“What?” Tim boomed. “Of course you can. This is all just a huge mix up. The guys will straighten everything out. You just worry about having a great show.”

But I could see that he had trouble standing behind his words. He was shook, but he also had to think about the people that came to see me tonight.

Those people spent their hard earned money on tickets, and it wouldn’t be fair to them if I bailed at the last second, no matter if we offered a refund.

I looked at Reid then. His face seemed as if it was carved out of granite. Only a vein pulsed at his temple.

My mouth opened and closed. I couldn’t look away from Reid’s stormy eyes. They looked how I felt. Angry, lost with guilt mixed in there.

Have I done something that hurt Cassie? Hurt her so much that she would turn on me. That she would stalk me, make me fear for my safety. My life. She tormented me so badly I was even considering stepping away at one point.

How could I not see it?

“Get that out of your head,” Reid’s voice lashed out, stopping my swirling thoughts. “Nothing you did brought this on. You’re not responsible for her. Something twisted in her head, and it made her do what she did. It’s not your fault. If it wasn’t you, she would find someone else to fixate on.”

I knew his words were meant to calm me, to free me of responsibility. To stop the guilt eroding at my insides.

Unfortunately, they fell flat.

“I-”

Reid was across the room in a flash, grasping my hand, and pulling me up.

“I’ve never told you this, but I’m a huge fan. Was before, but with the time I spent around you, I became even bigger one. I see the way you are with your fans. I see how you talk to people around you, people who work for you, people who take care of you.” He spoke softly, only for me to hear. “You didn’t do this. If anything, you bring joy to people, happiness. You bring the light to so many while they are trapped in the dark. Your words bring hope.”

I gulped. His words felt like a balm.

“Don’t let her take that away from you. Don’t let her take you away from your fans. And don’t ever let her distinguish that ray of light.”

“Reid.” I started, but he cut me off.

“You can do this. I’ve seen you up there. Hell, we all have. You’re magic.” He smirked then. “I totally see why Carter Ryan lost his head for you. I can only wish I was brought on sooner, so I would have a fighting chance.”

I couldn’t help it, couldn’t even dream that it would happen in a moment like that, but I threw my head back and laughed.

Sobering up, I chuckled and dragged the pad of my thumbs underneath my eyes to clear any smudges that my mirth had left there, “Hate to break it to you, big guy, but there wouldn’t even be a competition.”

“Just my luck,” he muttered, a half a smile still on his mouth. “But it would be fun to watch Carter squirm a little.”

“Oh, who could bear his scowls then? It took me weeks to get him to crack a smile.”

Reid pulled on my hand, “C’me on, Ms. Thorne. Let’s go so you can light the fire in thousands of souls.”

I indeed let Reid guide me from my dressing room and to the stage.