Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 59

Chapter 59 Accidental Stardom 

Finished 

“Well, duh. Did you see that look? That glare was lethal. If the camera kept rolling, that poor cameraman would’ve been toast.” 

“What’s the big deal? If you don’t want attention, don’t come. What a killjoy.” 

“If you’re that curious, go see them in person. That guy was just onstage getting an award, and the winners were practically bowing to him.” 

“What’s wrong?” Ava asked, catching Asher’s mood shift. 

Asher withdrew his gaze. “Nothing. Just saw something annoying.” 

“You don’t like it, yet you keep staring. That’s on you,” she teased. “Ignore it if it bugs you.” 

He changed the subject. “Focus on the race. Food’s on me after.” 

“It’s not often you go out like this,” Ava noted. “Your team just took home an award, too. Shouldn’t you be celebrating with them?” From what she could see, Asher and the racing team were genuinely close. After a win like that, skipping a post–race celebration felt unexpected. 

“We’ll see,” Asher said, not committing either way. 

Meanwhile, screenshots and clips from the livestream were circulating online as people tried to identify the pair. 

The tag “Visual Power Couple” climbed the hot searches. 

‘Who’s got info on this girl? Serious money involved.’ 

‘Who is this lucky jerk?‘ 

‘I’ve just suffered my first heartbreak.‘ 

‘I’ve lived 80 careful years and never even held a woman’s hand. This is emotional damage. 

But within 10 minutes, the trend vanished, and the video wouldn’t load anymore. 

In that narrow window, Ryan was swearing under his breath while calling contacts to erase the topic. 

“So you go watch races with Asher and forget all about us? Guess we’re not the priority anymore?” 

“And you, Asher. You had one job. What kind of family lets this happen?” 

Ryan had fallen asleep without turning off his Holoband. The nonstop pings woke him, and one look at the chat killed his sleep. By the time he checked online, Ava’s face had gone viral. 

The word “couple” in the trending tag slammed like a gut punch, his rage building into a storm as he kept scrolling. 

15:51 Thu, Jan 8 GD J• 

Chapter 59 Accidental Stardom 

Once the trend was removed, Ryan went nuclear in the group chat. 

‘Weren’t you supposed to be watchdogs? Great job, all of you! 

Finished 

‘So no one knew Ava went to watch a race with Asher? It blew up online. They’re calling them a visual power couple. Are you kidding me? That’s her actual cousin, not some romantic interest.’ 

‘F*ck Asher. He can’t get a girl, so he drags my wife everywhere instead. Like she needs his attention. 

‘Did all of you pass out or what? Completely useless when it counts. 

Ethan saw the messages and went to his room. “Ryan?” he called. 

“Come in.” 

Ethan entered to find the room in a mess. Ryan was halfway dressed, clearly pissed. 

“Go wash up. I’ll take care of it.” 

“No need,” Ryan snapped, storming into the bathroom. “It’s handled” 

Ethan mulled it over, then fired off video calls one by one. By the time he finished, Ryan was stepping out of the bathroom. 

“I checked,” Ethan said. “No one knew beforehand. Ava and Asher are close. Don’t be rash.” 

Ava, still watching the race, remained blissfully unaware of the chaos unfolding behind the scenes. 

As the race progressed, it grew more intense. Her blood surged. Now she understood the appeal. 

The winner was a striking man with soft features. 

The ceremony unfolded smoothly amid the cheers. “Is he famous?” Ava asked, leaning over. “Why’s everyone screaming his name?” 

The frenzy was mostly high–pitched shrieks from women. 

“Skyler Steele,” Asher drawled. “He’s 38. A rising star these past two years. Huge female following online.” 

“That’s pretty young, actually.” 

Ava watched from the crowd as Skyler stood onstage, flashing a shy smile that sent the women into hysterical screams. 

Just as the ceremony seemed ready to conclude, a burst of fireworks exploded overhead. Pink smoke unfurled across the sky, slowly gathering and twisting until it formed enormous, unmistakable letters. The bold declaration read: “Skyler, I like you.” 

The scene grew even more chaotic. Cheers spiked into piercing shrieks, his name echoing endlessly as the crowd lost itself in the moment. 

Skyler stood frozen onstage, one arm clutching his trophy, looking thoroughly at a loss. The sudden public 

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