I reached in my backpack for my Adderall. Time to get my game face on. We had a long show ahead of us and I needed to get back in work mode. I sent my girl a quick text and told her I missed her.
“Let’s go asshole,” Lennon shouted before pushing my door open.
“Hello to you too.” I rolled my eyes and followed him out.
“Look at you,” Lennon said.
“I know. I look fucking good.” I walked beside him down the hallway.
“No. You look sober though. It looks good on you.”
“Fuck you, very much,” I said. “I heard Adam and Dex went at it a little this week. Everything okay now?”
“It’s as good as it’s going to get. They really hate each other. Dex wouldn’t stop messing with Tory. Adam had every right to be pissed off. The dude does it on purpose. He wants to get a reaction.”
“Look at you, Dr. Phil. Impressive. And speaking of sober, you seem to be pretty sober yourself,” I said, studying him as we walked toward Adam backstage.
“Yeah. Tia’s sister, Bailey, tours with her. She’s part of the crew, and she’s a super cool chick. She’s been sober for ten months. We’ve been hanging out, so you know, just trying to be respectful.” He smiled and I couldn’t help but laugh. My brother was a sappy bastard and I loved it.
“It’s always about a girl, isn’t it?” I teased.
“Glass houses, brother. You’re the most pussy-whipped motherfucker I know.”
“Touche,” I said. Because he was fucking right.
“Tia shut Dex down. You would have loved it. She doesn’t take any shit. You’re going to like her,” Lennon said.
“Did you hear about that cocksucker?” Adam moved to stand beside me, anger radiating from him.
“I did. How you doing with everything? Did Tory head back to school?” I asked.
“Yeah. She was pissed though. Dex was a dick all week. I swear that dude has a death wish. If you weren’t so hell-bent on getting out of this band, I’d cut his ass right now. I don’t know how long I can work with that asshole,” Adam said.
“Is that so? You’re over here whining like a little bitch?” Dex walked up behind me. I stiffened at the sound of his voice. I needed to be on guard with this dude.
“Fuck you,” Adam spewed.
Lennon and I stood between them. “We’re going out in five. We don’t have time for this shit. Pull it together. People paid a lot of money to see us play tonight. Sold out show. Let’s get our heads in the game,” my brother said. Holy shit. Look who’d gone and grown up this year. Lennon was leading this band now, and I was fucking proud of him. I’d been so lost in my own bullshit I hadn’t even noticed.
“Lennon’s right,” Luke said, stepping up to stand beside Adam. “Bury this shit for the next three hours.”
My gaze locked with Adam’s and he nodded. “Alright. Let’s do this.”
Dex slammed half the bottle of whiskey and offered it to me. “No. I’m good.”
“Another fucking boy scout. Just what this band needs,” he said, and jogged out on stage in front of me.
The crowd went crazy.
And just like that, I was back in work mode.
Chapter Thirteen
Jade
“I can’t believe how fast this year has gone. It’s spring break in a couple weeks,” Ari said, pausing to take a bite of her salad.
“I know. Have you and Jace decided yet if you’re going to go to Mexico?”
“Yeah. I agreed to go. I just don’t want it to be a drunken week with all his friends, you know. But he promised we’d do our own thing too, so we’ll see how it goes. And a little sunshine and a few pina colada’s does not sound bad right now.”
The café was booming, and we were lucky to find a little table in the back corner. The black and white floors and hanging chandeliers gave it a French feel. I liked to come here and study in the mornings when it wasn’t busy, but we’d definitely hit the lunch rush now.
“You’re going to have so much fun. Just go with the flow and don’t overthink it. Jace’s friends are cool and they all love you,” I said.
“Yeah. And you’re going to be out west with Cruz? Will he have shows the whole time?”
“Yeah, I’m excited to spend a week with him. He has a few days off, so we’ll sneak away from the band and do our own thing.”
“Are you excited to meet Tia for the first time tonight?” she asked.
“I’m curious to see what she’s like. Cruz likes her, which is odd since he dislikes most people he meets.” I laughed.
“I’m excited for the show tonight. I’ve never been backstage at a concert before either. We’re going to have so much fun,” she said.
“Hey, ladies.” Brayden walked up to our table. His brown hair was slicked back neatly, and even wearing a T-shirt and jeans, he looked like a politician.
“Oh, hey,” Ari and I said in unison and laughed.
“Jace gave me a ticket to the show tonight. Thank your boyfriend for me,” he said with a smile.
Cruz wasn’t a fan of Brayden’s, but he offered Jace ten tickets and he couldn’t really control who he gave them to.
“I will.” I nodded.
“We’ll see you there, but I’ll be backstage with the cool people most of the time,” Ari said, and she wriggled her brows and chuckled.
“Sweet. Well, I’ll see you guys tonight.” He walked back to the counter to grab his order from the pick-up window.
Ari and I finished lunch and headed back to class. Cruz would be here in a few hours and I couldn’t wait. We’d only have two days together and they’d be busy. But we had spring break right around the corner, and we’d get to spend some quality time together. Those were the visits that got me through the misery of being apart. Things had been better since he’d returned from Europe. He was drinking less and feeling better. And so was I.
Ari and I stepped out of the Uber and Cruz came running out the back door. Security chased after him, but he didn’t seem to care. He forgot how famous he’d become most of the time and I tried to do the same. A few people had gathered by the door and security held them back.
He scooped me off my feet and spun me around. The air left my lungs and I laughed.
“Hey, baby,” his gruff voice said against my ear.
“Hi. I missed you.”
“Missed you too,” he said, putting me back on my feet and giving Ari a quick hug.
Two security guards hurried us inside and shot Cruz a warning look. Obviously, he’d run out without letting them know and they weren’t pleased.
“Sorry, man. Just excited to see my girl,” he said and both men nodded.
“I can’t believe I’m back-stage at a concert,” Ari said, rubbing her hands together and smiling. She wore her Exiled T-shirt, leggings, and Doc Martens. She called this her rocker-chic look.
Cruz led us to the back room where a group of people were hanging out. Lennon rushed me and gave me a hug. He then hugged Ari, as they’d met a few times in the past.
“Jade, come meet Bailey. She’s the chick I told you about.” Lennon called me often for girl advice, and he’d been talking about Bailey for the last two weeks.
“Bailey, this is Jade,” Lennon said after he pulled me across the room to find her. Cruz and Ari followed us.
“Hi, Jade. I’ve heard so much about you. Literally, from everyone. It’s the only time I can get Cruz to even speak to me. Apparently, you’re his favorite topic,” Bailey said with a laugh. She had a blonde pixie haircut, her eyes were large and brown, and she had multiple earrings covering her ear. She was warm and kind, and I instantly liked her.
“She’s my favorite—everything,” Cruz said, wrapping his arms around my middle, his chest to my back. His chin rested on my shoulder and he kissed my cheek.
“Oh gag. I can’t ha
ndle you all sappy, Winslow,” a voice said from behind me, and I whipped around to see her. Tia.
Tia and Bailey looked nothing alike. Tia had platinum blonde hair that fell down her back and stopped at her waist. Her sapphire blue gaze locked with mine as we assessed one another. She smiled and I did the same. She was a few inches taller than me, much curvier than I was, and she wore a sports bra and skinny jeans. Her boobs filled out the black and white sports bra, but I guessed that was the point. She had on tall black spiked boots, that stopped at her knees. Her makeup was dark and dramatic, almost a bit goth, and she oozed confidence.
“Shut up, asshole,” Cruz teased, turning around to face her.
“Takes one to know one.” She winked and stopped in front of me. “You must be Jade.”
“Yeah, nice to meet you, Tia. This is my friend, Ari,” I said.
Tia shook both of our hands. There was a hardness about her, but at the same time, she managed to come off friendly.
“Well, this guy mopes around and talks about you all the time, which is saying a lot because it took us days to get him to actually speak to us,” Tia said, punching Cruz in the arm.
I watched them interact and didn’t miss the comfort between them. Cruz told me she was cool, and they’d obviously become friends.
“I just don’t have much else to say.” Cruz leaned down and nuzzled my neck.
“Dude. Get a room. No one needs to see you fawn all over her.” Tia’s laughter filled the room, and everyone joined in. I couldn’t read her yet.
“It’s time Tia. The guys are already out there. Let’s go,” a guy I’d never seen before said as he leaned his head in the room.
“On my way. Just had to meet the infamous Jade. Impressive,” she said, looking me up and down.
Cruz laughed. “Told you.”
“You sure did. See you out there.” She turned and walked out the door.
“I’ll catch up with you guys when Exiled goes on. I need to go watch my sister,” Bailey said. She gave Lennon a quick kiss, and her cheeks burned red. He slapped her on the ass on her way out the door.
“What do you think?” Lennon asked me the minute she was gone.
“She’s super cute. I like her.” I smiled at him. I liked grown up Lennon. He was coming into his own. This tour had been good for him.
Adam, Luke, and Dex walked in the room, and Adam did not look happy. Cruz leaned down and talked so only I could hear him. “Don’t ask. Those two are going at it.”
“Princess, you’re back,” Dex said, saluting me.
“Ignore that prick,” Adam said, hugging me and smiling at Ari.
“Hey, Jade. Good to see you,” Luke said, and the hug-fest continued.
“So good to be here. I missed you guys.”
“Sam texted me. He’ll be here in about thirty minutes. I told him to text you and he and Cara can come through the back door.” Cruz and Sam had become good friends, which was great, seeing as they hated each other when they first met.
“That was nice of you. Thank you,” I said, pushing up to kiss him. My stomach fluttered when his gaze locked with mine. I loved the way he looked at me. The way he kissed me. The way he made me feel.
“What do you think, Ari? Should I bring you and Jade out on stage so I can sing to her tonight?” My boyfriend asked, his gaze never leaving mine.
“Hell yes.” Ari fist pumped her arm in the air, and I laughed.
“Hell no. You have no idea how scary it is out there. Their fans are insane, and they hate me because I’m dating him. I don’t need anyone to throw their dirty panties at me,” I said.
“I’ll guard you. They don’t hate me,” she teased.
There was a knock at the door, and it was the same guy who’d come to tell Tia she needed to get out on stage.
“They’re ready for your guys, Luke,” the man said.
“Alright, let’s go. Adam and Dex, leave your shit backstage. Lennon, kick some ass. Cruz, try not to stare at your girl all night while you’re performing for a crowd who paid money to see you.” Luke opened the door and winked at me. “I’ve got chairs set up for you and your friends, Jade.”
“You’re the best. Thank you,” I said.
“Sit where I can see you, okay?” Cruz asked as he led me down the hall, beside the stage.
“Always.” I agreed and dropped down on the stool where I could see him.
Cruz rumpled Ari’s hair when she sat beside me, and he picked up my hand and kissed the tattoo on my wrist. “Love you, More Jade.”
“Love you.” I pushed up to kiss him.
“Have fun, princess,” Dex said as he stopped to look at me. His gaze traveled from my feet to my face and chills ran down my spine. He chuckled and jogged on stage.
“What the hell was that? He’s so creepy,” Ari whispered close to my ear.
“Tell me about it.”
Bailey came to sit beside us after her sister jogged off stage. Tia said she’d be right back. She wanted to go get cleaned up.
“So, you both go to school at Northwestern?” she asked us.
“Yep. This one is basically a junior because she’s graduating early next year. I’m a sophomore. How about you? Do you go to school?” Ari said.
“Nope. I was going to state school in Oregon, but I left a month ago. Getting to open for Exiled was a big break for my sister, so I promised I’d come with her on tour. I hope to go back at some point.”
“That was nice of you. Lennon said you work for the band?” I asked.
“Yeah, I do all the behind the stage stuff. I handle all the drama. And trust me, when Tia’s around there’s always drama,” she said with a laugh. “So, it keeps me busy.”
It reminded me that Cruz had agreed to come on tour for his brother. Cruz and Bailey had both left their lives in order to support their siblings. It was honorable. Cruz was not going to finish his courses as quickly as he’d hoped, because his tour schedule was far busier than he’d expected. But he’d finish next year when he was out of the band.
“What are we talking about over here?” Tia asked, pulling up a stool beside me.
“I was just telling them I was in school in Oregon before we came on tour with Exiled,” Bailey said.
“Yes. My little sacrificial lamb.” Tia chuckled and patted her sister’s cheek. Bailey’s smile appeared forced. “So, Jade, you’re pre-med, graduating next year, and just the most brilliant thing in the world. Why in the hell are you dating Winslow?”
Her tone was all tease, and everyone laughed. Except me. I couldn’t read this girl. She was cool and flippant, yet her questions felt more purposeful. Manipulative, maybe? She wanted to know about Cruz and I. And I had no problem talking about it.
“He’s the best guy I know.” I smiled and sipped the beer that Luke had given me.
“Really? Fascinating. He such a brooding asshole though,” Tia said.
“Not with Jade. He’s different with her.” Ari beamed at me, jumping in to rescue the awkward conversation.
“I can tell. Seriously, when we can get him to speak, he talks about you. It’s so un-Winslow of him,” she said. How close were they? She acted like she knew him really well. They’d been touring for two weeks, and Cruz wasn’t easy to get to know.
“Love will do that to you,” Bailey said. She was clearly the more soft-spoken, delicate sibling.
“Oh my God. All these people around me in love is nauseating. My sister’s as bad as Winslow,” Tia scoffed.
“Yeah, Lennon has been talking about you non-stop.” I smiled.
“Really?” Bailey’s face flushed, and she tried to cover her smile.
“Please. Like you don’t know? You two are always all over one another. It’s annoyingly cute.” Tia winked.
I couldn’t tell if she and her sister were close or if they hated one another. The fact
that Bailey had come on tour with her told me they must be close. Tia just had an edge to her that I hadn’t quite figured out.
“So where are you from?” I directed my question to Tia.
“We’re from the Bay Area, and this one tried to escape by moving to Oregon for school.” Tia smiled and thrust her thumb at her sister. “We grew up similar to Cruz and Lennon, you know, with the whole silver spoon thing. We’re just a couple of spoiled rich girls chasing our dream.”
“Chasing your dream,” Bailey said, staring hard at her sister.
“Fine. I’m definitely the more spoiled one. I begged this one to come with me to chase my dream while she figures out what hers is.”
Bailey chuckled. “That’s true.”
Ari and I locked gazes and I could see how fascinated she was with them.
“Baby.” I heard Cruz’s voice over the speakers.
Oh my gosh, not again.
I waved, and Tia laughed so hard she fell off her stool. “No wonder he’s so crazy about you. You’re not caught up in his bullshit at all. You’re clearly not after the fame. I kind of love it.”
I smiled, but put my focus back on my boyfriend, who was calling me out in front of a packed house.
“They want me to sing to you, Jade. Come on. Ari can come too,” he said, and the crowd cheered.
“We so have to do this,” Ari said, moving to her feet.
“I really don’t want to go out there,” I said. My heart raced. Why did he keep doing this to me? I didn’t like the attention. The only one I ever wanted attention from was Cruz.
“Oh, hell yes, we’re so doing this. Let’s go, Bailey,” Tia said before tugging my hand, as she led me, Ari and Bailey all out on stage. I couldn’t make out the crowd because the lights were so bright. Cruz beamed when our eyes locked.
The screams were deafening. The crowd liked that we’d come out in some sort of girl posse, and Tia reached for a mic. “Who wants to see Winslow sing his ass off to his girl?”
Dear God. She wasn’t helping. I glanced over at Ari who had a grin spread clear across her face. She was loving this. Bailey looked as horrified as I was, and she kept smiling at Lennon. Before I knew it, Luke had four stools on stage and we all sat down, as Cruz sang “More of Me,” and the audience sang along. For a moment I just took it in. The way my boyfriend commanded the attention of everyone in the room. The way he oozed confidence and owned the stage. His words sunk in and my heart exploded. Ari’s hand came around my shoulder and I swiped at my cheeks when I realized two tears were streaming down my face. When had I become such a blubbering mess?
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