He pauses a beat. “Manual labor kicked your ass that hard, huh?”
“Can’t even jack off, my arms are so sore.”
A snort flies from his lips. “And that’s my cue to leave. Rest up, man. Can’t have you dragging during tomorrow’s show.”
I roll my eyes as he walks to the connecting door that leads to his room.
“And enjoy your blue balls!” he yells at top volume — loud enough for Carly and Felicity to hear him next door, if the flurry of giggles that erupts through their wall is any indication.
I hurl a pillow at him, but he’s already disappeared.
Prick.
* * *
Somehow,the Vegas show tops our LA debut. Everything goes off without a hitch. Our transitions are totally cohesive, our choreography more natural now that we’ve clocked some performance hours on a real stage. The crowd is just as enthusiastic as they were the first time around, swaying in their seats and singing along as Felicity and I make our way through the set list. The emotional stakes have never felt higher as we share a mic, eyes locked, the spotlight shining down on us like a halo in the dark arena.
‘Cause love don’t burn out, even though you’re gone…
And hate don’t come just ‘cause you write it in a song…
By the timewe reach the final notes ofFaded, our platform sinking down to the depths of the stage, we’re both riding high. I can feel the energy jumping from her skin to mine as we walk through the catacombs of the arena in the dark, bare arms brushing with every step. Backstage, Aiden and Linc have already popped a bottle of champagne. They chug it down, straight from the bottle. Felicity and I have a toast of our own with cold bottles of seltzer.
“To you,” I murmur, holding her stare.
She looks away too quickly, pulse pounding visibly in the veins of her neck.
To us,I add silently inside my head.
Try as she might to pretend she’s not feeling this strange new current between us, our eyes tangle throughout the VIP meet-and-greets. She might not want to admit it, but something has thawed, since that moment in the storage closet yesterday. There’s a new catch in her voice every time she says my name, a new glint in her eyes every time she looks at me.
Maybe it’s stupid, maybe I’m setting myself up for disappointment… but I can’t suppress the hope that stirs in my chest as I catch her staring at me again from the other side of the room.
Just friends,I remind myself.Play it cool. Don’t push.
I toss a wink in her direction over the heads of three squealing fans, and watch a deep blush flood into her cheeks.
Screw being friends, my throbbing cock demands.Grab her by the hand, unzip that sparkly little dress, and reclaim what’s yours.
My jaw clenches in a smile as I pose for yet another selfie, forcing my eyes away from her as the fans crowd in from all sides. For their sake, I try to summon the charming, flirtatious lead singer they came here to see.
“SayWildwoodon three!” Carly calls in a mockingly sincere tone, snapping a picture with glee.
This. Is. Hell.
The last wave of VIPs features a highly inebriated bachelorette party. Thanks to the super-platinum tickets they purchased, Carly lets them hold me hostage for far longer than any of the previous groups. I spend a half hour fending off the sloppy advances of the bride-to-be, attempting to extract myself with as much chivalry as possible. Still, by the time Carly hustles them out, the rest of the band is long gone. I glance around the empty room with an unhappy glower.
“You should get some sleep.” Carly waves a hand in front of her nose. “And maybe a shower. You smell like the perfume store at the mall.”
“That’s what happens when someone sics an entire bridal party on you.” I narrow my eyes at her.
“Sorry.” She laughs unapologetically. “Go. Be at peace. I relinquish you of your duties.”
“How magnanimous.”
“Yeah, uh, those magnanimous qualities will fade if you’re late tomorrow morning — we’re out of here bright and early, so get your ass to the bus on time. “
“Where to?”