A cold knot forms in my stomach. Every instinct I have screams at me to go after her, to protect her from the storm I know is brewing.
But I force myself to stay put, watching until they disappear from view. The night air feels heavy, weighted with words unsaid and chances missed.
5WENDY
I gripJett's hand tightly as I yank him away from Cruz, my heart pounding wildly against my rib cage. The vodka fumes emanating from Jett's breath make my stomach churn. I clench my jaw, praying silently that we can avoid another blowout argument tonight, when he snakes his arm around my neck.
As we stumble behind the food trucks, Jett jerks to a halt. His abrupt stop forces me to whirl around, my hand still clutching his.
The muffled sounds of the dying party are nothing more than a distant buzz, and it feels like it’s just me and him in the entire damn world.
"What the hell, Jett?" I snap, frustrated, and drop his hand like it’s scalded me.
"The fuck was that?"
"I can’t talk to other people now?"
"Other people? Yes. Him? No!"
"What’s wrong with him? And why do you always have to put me down in front of everyone? Do you get off on humiliating me or something?"
Jett snorts derisively, waving a dismissive hand. "Oh please, babe. You always think it’s about you."
"It’s supposed to be about us, not about you or me."
Jett closes the distance between us. He tilts his head forward and hisses out, "Let me get this clear. You’re here to support me this weekend. To help land this vodka deal. That’s your fucking job. That’s what girlfriends are for."
"Excuse me?" I try not to show it, but deep down, it stings. I feel like a pawn in his grand scheme, not a human being.
"Instead, you’re over there chatting up that loser. He and his entire band are fucking one-hit wonders. Tomorrow, nobody'll even remember their names."
Anger flashes through me, hot and bright. "You're unbelievable, you know that? I bust my ass for you, Jett. I’m sick and tired of you treating me like?—"
"Like what? An accessory?" His eyes narrow into slits. "Because, babe, that’s exactly what you signed up for when you moved in with me. Don’t forget it. Don’t forget who puts food on the table."
"Of course," I grit out. "It's always about you and your needs, your feelings. What about mine, huh? This isn't a relationship when it's so one-sided!"
"Ungrateful bitch," he growls, his voice low and menacing. "You'd be nothing without me. I’ve given you everything, and this is how you repay me?"
Fear knots in my stomach, but I refuse to back down. Not this time. "Giving me a place to stay doesn't give you the right to treat me like shit, Jett."
In that moment, clarity washes over me. No matter what I do, no matter how hard I try, Jett will never change. He'll never see me as anything more than a stepping stone to his own success. He just called me an accessory. And yes, he is drunk. But drunks are rarely liars. On the contrary.
"I never should've come to this stupid festival," I say, my voice flat. "I’m going to get a hotel."
Turning on my heel, I start walking. My pulse is a staccato beat in my ears, loud and hard to ignore. Fear and thrill course through my veins in equal measure.
"Fuck you, Wendy!" Jett yells after me. "Good luck finding a place to stay! You think any hotel 'round here's got room with all these people coming to see all these bands? You'll come crawling back, babe. You always do."
I flip him the bird over my shoulder, not bothering to look back. "Go to hell, Jett. I'll take my chances."
What a shit show of a first day.
The partyingon the festival grounds is starting to gradually die down as I trail across the lawn with no destination in mind. It’s pretty late, past midnight, and a lot of crew members will need to be up tomorrow at the crack of dawn to get ready for the first day.
Jett’s right. With over a hundred thousand people expected to attend from all over Europe and beyond, finding a hotel I can actually afford just to get a couple hours of sleep will be challenging.
With each step, the reality of my decision sinks in, the adrenaline giving way to a creeping sense of uncertainty.
