“What the hell was I thinking,” I groan, falling onto my bed.
Blair and Haven each grab an arm and pull me back up. “You need to stop,” Blair says.
“I told my grandfather I will shine!” I yell.
“And you will,” Haven says. “You don’t need to be told that you are capable of doing this, you know you are. You’ve been working toward this moment tirelessly. Your grandfather never supported you, it makes no difference now. You will go, you will be flawless, and you will fucking shine.”
We all laugh, and I stand back up. “What am I going to do without you guys?”
“Be surrounded by a bunch of hot musicians,” Blair says. I glance at her and she shrugs. “Like you haven’t Googled them.”
“Of course, I have. I need to know everything before I get to work.” They both laugh and I frown.
“I’m jealous as hell. They are all sexy and talented, but holy shit Kegan makes me need to change my panties,” Blair says, fanning herself.
I roll my eyes and turn to finish packing. “I can’t think of them like that. I will not gain any respect if I’m drooling.”
“I’d say you’d gain a great deal of respect if you get him moaning your name,” Blair says, sighing wishfully.
“Blair!”
“What?” she asks, laughing.
I shake my head as I turn toward them. “I’m their publicist. They will respect me as much as I do them. Now, let’s order pizza.”
The night goes by all too quickly, and while they are both feeling the full effects of all the wine, I’m stone sober. I didn’t want to get drunk and be hungover in the morning. It’s too big of a day. However, sitting here laughing with my best friends, makes me sad. I’ve been so excited that I never really stopped to think about how I will be on my own. I won’t have them with me to talk me off the ledge or have my back when I need it. There will be no late nights of celebrating and early mornings of regretting it. Not with them anyway. I’m going to miss them so much.
They are right, though. I know in my soul I am ready for this and I am determined to prove my grandfather and everyone else wrong.
My leg is bouncing as I wait for the flight to take off. It was harder than I expected saying goodbye to Haven and Blair, but they stayed with me until the very last minute. Now I’m on my own. I’m as excited as I am nervous.
I put in my earbuds and listen to Loyalty. I figure the best way to get to know them is to know their music. They won’t take me seriously if I don’t even know what they sing. I close my eyes and let song after song wrap around me. I’m beyond impressed. They are unbelievably talented, and their lyrics are amazing. Some songs are angry, some are happy, and some are even heartbreaking. It’s a fantastic mix.
Kegan’s voice sends chills through my body. It’s powerful, demanding, deep, and rough. It’s sexy as hell. I can see why they have gained the fame they have. I read online that they write their own songs and I wonder if that is true. You can’t believe everything you read online.
Their music distracts me to the point that I don’t even realize we’ve landed until passengers start moving around me. I pull out my earbuds, tossing them into my purse as I stand up. I grab my carry on and follow the crowd out.
I visited New York a lot when I was in college. It was just another bonus to going to school in New Jersey, being so close to the city. I smile thinking of all the fun I’ve had here, and I’m so grateful for the memories.
I head to pick up my luggage and I’m so thankful when my suitcase is right there. I grab it and wheel it behind me. As I head for the exit, I see Jennifer from JRJ waiting for me.
“Lorelei,” she yells, waving.
I smile as I walk toward her. “I didn’t realize you’d be here to pick me up.”
“We’re on a tight timeline, so I figured it was the easiest way. Come on, I’ll tell you everything on our ride to JRJ,” she says.
I follow behind her and when we walk outside, I take it all in. The busy crowded sidewalk packed with business professionals. The fast pace everyone moves as if there is no time to slow down. The loud chatter, blaring horns, and the wind whistling. The tall buildings, bright lights, and the world in front of you. You can feel the excitement, the anticipation, the ambition. This is my dream finally coming true. It’s a surreal moment and one I will never forget. I tighten my hold on my suitcase as we walk down to a black town car.
“Here we are. We can put your things in the trunk, and I’ll have a driver grab it all before he brings you to the hotel later,” she explains.
Damn a driver. I have arrived. “Great,” I say, putting my bags in the trunk.
We climb in and she pulls out into traffic. She doesn’t seem to notice or care that cars are trying to pull out in front of us. She just pushes through and I grab onto the handle of the car, a bit nervous. She’s swerving around cars, cutting them off, and once we are on the highway, she hits the gas so hard, I push back into the seat. My eyes are wide as I watch the blur of cars as we rush past them.
“We are going to meet Loyalty at JRJ. They are aware that you are now in charge, so don’t let them give you any shit. I chose you because I know you can do this job. They aren’t looking forward to the change, but I think once they meet you and you all have a chance to talk, they will come around,” she warns, glancing at me with a smile.
I want to scream for her to keep her eyes on the road, but I force a smile instead. “Change isn’t easy for anyone. We’ll be fine,” I say, hoping I make it alive to actually meet them.
“I spoke to your grandfather this morning,” she says, peeking over at me.
I roll my eyes, but keep facing forward. “Oh yeah?”
“Between us, I have no idea how he still is able to keep clientele. His thinking is very old fashioned when it comes to you,” she comments, annoyed.
I clear my throat as I shake my head. Of course, he called talking shit about me. “It’s just me he’s like that with. He’s great with clients and even better with his employees. I’ve yet to prove myself in his eyes, so I guess he’s having a hard time with me getting this position,” I say, embarrassed that he would do this to me.
She laughs as we pull into a parking garage. “Well, I guess we both have a lot to prove here. Two women taking on the world.”
I smile at her as she pulls into her reserved spot. “Hell yes.”
Once inside, I take a minute to myself in the bathroom. I want to fix my hair and makeup, but I also want to give myself a minute to relax. I don’t want to go in there uptight or nervous. I want to go in smiling with confidence.
As I look at myself in the mirror, I smile. My brown hair is a riot of loose curls, giving me a bit of a wild look. My makeup is light though to keep it professional. I have on my gray pencil skirt and white blouse with red heels that match my red lips.
I’m ready.
I exit the bathroom and see Jennifer up the hallway a bit talking with someone. She turns her head when she hears my heels clicking and smiles. “You ready?”
“Absolutely,” I say, smiling.
At this moment, I am feeling more confident and surer of myself than I ever have before. This is it, this is the moment I have been busting my ass for. All the late, sleepless nights, long hours, and tireless days, are finally worth it.
I follow Jennifer into a large conference room, but I’m surprised to see no one sitting. They are all standing toward the back laughing with each other. It causes me to pause as I take it all in. They are hot, I’m not blind, but they seem so normal. They are talking loudly and animated and it makes me feel like I’m in a room of friends, not rock stars.
I’ve done extensive research on them, so in a way I feel as if I know them.
Remi the bass guitarist is twenty-three. He’s the one that’s kept out of the tabloids the most. My guess is because he has a girlfriend. And what a lucky girl she is. He’s every bit as hot as his pictures. His short black hair, green eyes, and a well-defined body would be welcomed
by any woman. He’s not overly muscular like Everett and Kegan, but you can see he works out.
My eyes slide to Everett next. He’s the drummer and is twenty-five. He’s definitely a party boy, gaining the attention of the women. It’s easy to see why with his short brown hair, blue eyes, muscular body, and dark tattoos. It’s rumored he’s the comical life of the party.
Lane whispers something to Kegan and that pulls my attention to them. Brothers and the only similarity are their dark eyes.
Lane, who is the lead guitarist and Kegans’s baby brother is twenty-four. He definitely doesn’t look like a baby with that body. He’s not as muscular as Everett, but he’s built. His blonde hair and dark eyes are a sexy contrast. He’s also a partier, but not as bad as Everett or Kegan. He comes off as the gentlest of the group.
Finally, my eyes land on Kegan. His presence seems to take up the entire room. He’s the lead singer and the biggest problem. The things I’ve read have horrified me. The sex, drinking, carelessness. I’m just hoping they aren’t all true. The countless stories about all the women make sense though as I stare at him. He’s fucking hot and demands attention. His wild brown hair and dark eyes pull you in. His insanely muscular body and vibrant tattoos keep you there. He’s got that bad boy, asshole persona perfected.
“Guys,” Jennifer says, grabbing their attention and mine. “This is Lorelei Seidel, your publicist.”
I begin to walk toward them, but I stop when the smiles they had are replaced with hard eyes and tight lips. Shit.
Jennifer sighs as she ushers me closer. “Kegan Donovan, Lane Donovan, Everett Dasse, and Remi Williams,” she announces, gesturing to each of them.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” I say, keeping my smile in place even though I can feel the coldness pouring off of them.
None of them acknowledge me as Kegan stares at Jennifer. “Anything else?”
“How about you all sit the hell down and let Lorelei explain her plans,” she hisses, frustration clear in her voice.
Kegan crosses his arms as his eyes dart to me. They darken as he takes me in and not in a good way. It’s a warning. “We’re good. We have to get ready and get to the bus.”
“Actually, you are all having dinner with Lorelei and me. After that, you can finish getting ready because you don’t need to be on the bus until morning. I suggest you take this time to ask Lorelei any questions you may have and to get to know each other. It will make things go much easier.” She steps closer to them and her back faces me. I can’t see her face, but from the tone of her voice, she’s pissed. “For all of you,” she hisses.
“Great, lets head to the restaurant,” Remi says.
He hits Lane and Everett in their arms, and they stop the stare off and begin following him. Kegan, however, does not budge. His muscular, tattooed arms are tightly folded across his chest as he heavily breathes staring at Jennifer.
“Kegan,” Lane hisses.
He finally breaks the stare off and walks past her. He stops in front of me, and I feel about two inches tall. He looks down at me and a smirk hits his lips. It causes my stomach to drop and I don’t know if it’s because he’s sexy as hell or intimating as fuck.
He shakes his head and follows them out.
What.The.Fuck.
I turn to Jennifer with wide eyes. “They don’t want me here at all,” I say, searching her face.
“No, they are reluctant, but the choice isn’t theirs. They need you and they will realize it soon enough,” she says.
“How the hell is this going to work? How are we supposed to work together when they can’t even acknowledge me?” I rush out.
She smiles and wraps her arm around my shoulder, leading me toward the door. “Let’s go have dinner.”
Dinner is at the hotel I’ll be staying in, so she decided to drive me instead. I was hoping it was because she was going to give me some inside information or tell me they are always like this, but no nothing. She sits quietly the entire drive.
My confidence is slipping, and I haven’t even started. This is not what I expected at all. When she said they were having a hard time with it, I just figured it was change. No one likes change, but this is something completely different. This is anger and I’m not even sure it’s all toward me.
I need to use this dinner to my advantage. Get them to see I’m not someone who intends on changing them, just keeping them out of the negative headlines and helping them with everything along the way.
I can do it. I can charm these guys. I saw how they were when I walked into that room. They were having fun, laughing. I think this is just to see how I can handle them. From both Jennifer and them. This must be a test. And I don’t fail any test.
When we get to the hotel, Jennifer has the bellboy grab my bags and take them up to my room. She’s so in control and very well known. Everyone is stopping to talk to her or wave as we walk by. Shit, this is a test. I need my confidence to show.
We are led into a private room and, of course, the guys are in there already. There are two seats open. One next to Kegan and an empty one next to that. Shit. I know they are waiting to see where I’ll go, so lift my chin and pull out the chair next to Kegan.
He doesn’t even bother looking my way, so I pick up my menu. I need a drink, like now.
Once we order and I have a drink in my hand, I clear my throat. Lane looks at me, but the others keep talking. I do it again, louder and they all finally turn my way.
I smile as my hand tightens on the glass. Having all their eyes on me, burning into me, is intimidating as hell. Especially, because Kegan’s scent is wrapping around me and distracting me from what the hell I should be doing.
“You wanna say something?” Kegan asks, lifting an eyebrow.
Oh right, shit. “I understand that you guys are used to doing things a certain way. I’m not coming in to change all that. I’m coming in to help with that. I have no intention of changing who you are,” I reply, forcing a smile.
“Great,” Everett mutters. The rest just stare at me.
“Do you want to ask me anything? I’m willing to answer anything,” I offer.
Kegan smirks again and I sip my drink to keep from biting my lip. He makes me nervous.
“You fuck musicians?” he asks, giving a wink.
The others laugh and I feel my face flush with embarrassment.
“Kegan, what the hell?” Jennifer yells.
“What? She said we could ask anything.”
This is how the entire meal goes. They ask one ridiculous question after another. They ask my bra size, if I prefer boxers or briefs, if I’m into girl-on-girl action. The more they talk, the more I drink. I’m failing this test. I find no humor in their words. I’m frustrated with them and with Jennifer. She’s been on her phone the entire time not saying a word. I know I need to figure this out, but I didn’t expect this much hostility. This much anger and resentment.
They can’t wait to get out of here, so when we’re done eating, they begin to stand.
“I guess we’ll see you around,” Remi says, heading for the door.
“Hold on,” Jennifer finally speaks. “You guys are to be on that bus at nine in the morning. Do not go get trashed and be hungover.” She looks at me and sighs. “You should be saying this to them. They need to listen to you.”
I laugh as I stand up. “I don’t even have their schedule, how the hell am I supposed to tell them where to be when I don’t know.”
“You don’t need to know our schedule, angel. We know exactly where we need to be,” Kegan says, moving past me.
“She’ll have your schedule because I’m emailing it right now. She’ll be in charge because that is her job. You will listen because that is what we pay you for. You will be on that bus at nine and you will see Lorelei waiting because she’ll be there at eight.”
“Coming to see us off,” Lane says, putting his arm around me.
We both laugh, but he immediately stops and pulls away with one look from Kegan. Oka
y, so you are the boss, got it big guy.
“She’s not seeing you off. She’s going with you.”
Total pandemonium.
Chapter Four
Kegan
“How the fuck is this going to work?” Everett asks, for the tenth time.
I scrub my face as I turn to him. “You can keep fucking asking me that and I can keep telling you I have no idea. We can’t get out of it. If she doesn’t go, we don’t go. Jennifer has us by the balls and she knows it.”
“Well, maybe you will all focus more on the tour and not the partying this time,” Olivia chimes in.
I swing my head toward her, but Remi steps in front of me. “Come on, let’s go have our last night together.”
They walk out of my apartment and I grab a beer out of the fridge for each of us. I hand Everett his and he shrugs.
“I think I’d rather be stuck with the publicist over Olivia,” he says, trying to lighten the situation.
“Dude, I’d rather fuck that publicist and let Olivia choke on my dick,” Lane says.
“She’s kinda hot, right? In a shy, sexy, I’m gonna try to take charge, kind of way,” Everett says, rubbing his hand on his dick.
“She is hot. My dick noticed her before I did,” Lane agrees.
I want to laugh. I want to let some of this tension roll off of me, but I can’t. The idea of some suit coming in and trying to tell us what to do. Trying to tell us where we can go and who we can be with. Fuck no. I won’t stand for it. I can’t go against the label, but I can make it so fucking miserable for her that she leaves on her own.
“Enough,” I yell. I’m tired of them talking about fucking her. She’s the punishment, not the reward. “We will run her off. We can’t fight the label, they own us, but we sure as fuck can make her life a living hell.”
Loyalty: A Salvation Society Novel Page 3