Fame

by Meghan Quinn

  “I’m sorry, what was it?” a slight blush crept over Willow’s body from daydreaming and being caught. It almost felt like school when you were called on by your teacher and the prayers you sent up to the school gods clearly didn’t work.

  “Playboy, are you excited about seeing your issue?”

  Now, that was something she could easily talk about.

  “I can’t fucking wait.”

  Derek cringed, and Steve laughed. “Good thing we have a delay, folks, because we had our first F bomb of the day.”

  “Oops, sorry,” Willow wilted a little in her seat and put her hand over her mouth.

  “That’s okay, the audience will just hear a cow moo to cover the slip up. So, tell me about the pictures. Am I going to be a very happy man?”

  Leaning toward him, giving him a great view of her cleavage, which he took full advantage of, she said, “Oh, Steve, you’re going to be a very happy man.”

  A light sheen broke out on his forehead as he looked down at Willow. Yes, she was flirting with the DJ, but she didn’t care. He loved her and that was all that mattered.

  “Will you sign a copy for me?”

  “I bet she’ll do more than sign for you,” Cruz said, being the idiot that he always was.

  “Eat a dick,” Willow said to Cruz, who leaned back in his chair and laughed.

  “Pretty sure we’ll be mooing that one out as well,” Steve laughed. “On that note, I want to thank Twisted Perfection and Shattered Souls for coming into the studio; it’s always a delight hanging out with you guys. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for their tour coming this summer. Tickets will be going on sale shortly. Oh, and let’s not forget your E entertainment special.”

  Everyone said thank you into the microphone at the same time and the “on air” light clicked off, letting them know they could take off their headphones and speak freely.

  “Thanks, guys, that was awesome,” Steve said, as he led them out to the hallway where they had taken a picture together before the show. “I would love to have you come back during the tour or right before you launch it. You’re always a good time.”

  “Sounds great,” Grey said, as he shook hands with Steve.

  Who made him the boss? Willow thought, as she could feel herself give him the stink eye.

  Without even a good bye, Rook took off, leaving everyone in his wake. Willow didn’t much care, because she couldn’t stand the tool bag. Landon met up with Quinn, and they frolicked down the hallway with Cruz trailing behind, making fun of their little Candy Land relationship. Willow agreed with Cruz on that one. Kaid spoke into a somber Maisy’s ear while he gripped her shoulder and led her down toward where their car was parked. She said something about going to the studio, but Willow didn’t really care. She’d done her part; she wanted to relax now.

  Looking to her side, she saw Grey standing next to her with his hands in his pockets, looking at her with that “I’m pitiful” look. Well, she wasn’t falling for it. He could cry all he wanted. She’d had a weak moment, and she didn’t plan on showing it again.

  “Can we talk, Willow?”

  “Do you really think that’s a good idea?” Willow asked, while looking around the studio.

  “Probably not a good idea to do it here, but will you ride back to the house with me? I really want to talk.”

  “What could we possibly talk about? How to flip your hair to the side without being all Justin Bieber like? Because, you know, you’re borderline creepy with the hair flip.”

  “It’s long,” he said, while running his hand through his hair and pushing it to the side. “I need to get it cut.”

  “And that pertains to me in what way?”

  Grey was about to answer, when Willow’s phone chimed with a text message. Ignoring Grey, she looked down at her phone to read her text message.

  Declan: Hey, hot stuff, I’m down in the parking garage of the radio station with a little package for you.

  Squealing inwardly, Willow typed back quickly.

  Willow: Be right down!

  “Got to go,” she said to Grey, as she walked past him and toward the elevator. Declan had, by far, the most perfect timing.

  The elevator door was about to close when Grey caught up to her and let himself in. Rolling her eyes, she continued to press the door close button, and then crossed her arms over her chest, while she waited to be transported to the parking garage. She could feel Grey’s gaze on her, but she chose to ignore it.

  “Can we please talk?” his voice sounded a little ragged, and she hated that it actually had an effect on her.

  “As much fun as that sounds, I’m going to have to pass, Grey.”

  “Why are you being such a bitch to me?”

  Willow snapped her head at Grey and glared him in the eyes.

  “I’m the bitch? You were the one who embarrassed me and beat up my fucking heart in front of Quinn and whoever else was in hearing range.”

  “I know!” Grey shouted, while raking both hands through his hair. He was losing his cool, and it was almost nice to see. She liked seeing the imperfect Grey come through…it showed that he was human. “I fucking know what I did, and I’m sorry. How many times do I have to say it? But, you’re not that innocent either, Willow.”

  “I’m not claiming to be a nun. Did I try to fuck you while you were with Quinn? Yeah, and you know what? I don’t feel bad about it, because I loved every second of it. I loved every moment I was able to capture your attention, and I loved the way you came undone around me.”

  “I’m still that way around you, Willow. Fuck, I need you so damn bad it’s unhealthy.”

  The elevator doors opened with a ding and Willow got out, but turned to face Grey one last time. “Unfortunately for you, I don’t feel the same way anymore. Yes, I got lost in the kitchen, and I’m not going to lie, having your dick in my mouth was fantastic, but there is too much damage between us.”

  “There isn’t,” Grey countered. “But, do you know what there is? There’s heat, yearning, and need.” He stepped closer to her and pulled her into his chest. She could feel his hard muscles against her soft skin; it was intoxicating. “Don’t fucking lie to me. I mean something to you. I can see it in your eyes.”

  Shaking her head now, she tried to pull away, but instead, he grabbed her neck and pulled her just close enough that his lips were only a whisper away. He spoke softly to her while he rubbed her back with his hand.

  “I’m going to give you some time to think, but I will be back for you, Willow. This time, I have nothing holding me back, and my need for you is much stronger. You will be mine, Willow.”

  A car honked, and they both turned to see Declan pulling up in a black Escalade.

  “That’s my ride,” Willow gulped, losing all her bravado from being so damn close to Grey.

  Grey eyed the car suspiciously, and she could tell from the disapproving look on his face that he was not happy about Willow leaving with Declan.

  “Who is that?” he asked, while letting her go just a little. He still had his arm wrapped around her.

  “None of your business.”

  “He doesn’t look like he’s good news, Willow.”

  “And how would you know?”

  “Uh, maybe by the way he’s eye fucking you, his sloppy appearance, and the cigarette hanging out of his mouth.”

  “You’re too quick to judge, Grey; you don’t even know him. I suggest you go take a look in the mirror with those judging eyes before you lay into someone else.”

  “When are you going to be home?”

  Willow pulled away and said, “Once again, none of your Goddamn business.”

  She turned her back on Grey and went straight to Declan, who leaned over the passenger seat and opened the door for her. The minute she hopped in his car, he pulled her in for an all-consuming kiss, probably to put on a show for Grey. When Willow pulled away, she saw Declan’s eyes look past her at Grey, and then a smirk played across his face. Declan had obviously made Gre
y jealous, and he was satisfied with himself.

  “Ready to go?” Declan asked as he put the car in drive.

  Just to put a cherry on top of Grey’s cake, Willow smiled at Declan and then lowered her head into his lap. In a flash, Declan put the car back in park and pushed his chair back to give her room. She unzipped his jeans and pulled out his already hardening erection.

  Giving him a blow job was the least she could do for all the blow he gave her. Plus, she liked the thought of being able to just get lost in the action, rather than think about Grey and his soulful eyes that cut right through her.

  **Maisy**

  The hallways of the studio were dark, making the space feel almost eerie. After the radio interview, she needed some time alone. She could feel Rook’s heated gaze on her the whole time and she was worried sick through the entire interview that someone was going to slip up and mention Maisy’s break up with Rook. It was a topic she couldn’t handle on air, let alone in real life. She needed time, she needed space, so when Kaid asked her if she wanted to ride back to the house with him, she instead asked him to drop her off at the studio. She wanted some alone time.

  The past week had been beyond uncomfortable, living in the same house as Rook. He didn’t push her, never pressured her into having a conversation, and only ever talked to her in passing. If she didn’t know any better, she would have assumed he was mad at her, but whenever she met his eyes, she knew that wasn’t the case. He was giving her the space she demanded, but his eyes were telling her a different story. He looked at her as if she was the only person, or thing for that matter, that could make him smile, make him happy.

  Kaid tried talking to her again about Rook, and she immediately shut him down. She hated that Kaid kept taking Rook’s side, helping him encourage her to forget. It was all too hard. She could still see the image of that girl on top of Rook with her head thrown back in passion.

  Many nightmares of the that day had woken her up in the middle of the night, but the one thing that remained in her mind was the dazed, almost hurt look in Rook’s eyes when she walked in on them. Maisy didn’t want to believe him, that he was trying to save her from his life, but what she still didn’t understand was the fact that he didn’t realize she was his life.

  Shaking her head of the damning thoughts, she turned the corner to the studio and stopped in her tracks when she saw Rook in the room, sitting at the piano with a single light shining over him. Immediately, thoughts of when she first truly interacted with Rook came to her mind, when they were in a studio very similar to this one and he was playing the piano. She had always been madly infatuated with Rook, ever since the first Shattered Souls album came out. But, seeing him playing the piano, in the dark that one time in the past had Maisy’s heart beating at an impossible rate, and right now, he had the same effect on her.

  His fingers ran across the keys of the piano, playing a very bleak, but beautiful, sound. Rook’s eyes were closed as his head fell back, and he played without even having to look at the keys. He was so beyond talented that, even though she knew she should leave, she couldn’t tear her eyes off of him.

  She watched as the sinew of muscle in his arms flowed flawlessly with his movements. His shirt was tight around his biceps and chest, but was loose when it hit his stomach. His hair was pushed to the side, but also a little out of sorts, like he had been pulling on it. On the side of his head, a pen was tucked behind his ear, and in front of him, music sheets were scattered around the ground. Clearly, he had been working on the song he’d talked about during the interview.

  It was difficult for her to take her eyes off of him. He was a beautifully ugly vision of soul and heartache, a stark contrast of heart and hatred, a passionate bastard with a talent that could eat her alive, and hell if, at that moment, she didn’t start falling for him all over again.

  She leaned against the wall and watched him as he continued to play the piano. He stopped for a brief moment and her breath caught in her chest, wondering if he knew she was there, but when he pulled the pen from his ear and made a mark on the music sheets in front of him, she knew he was in the zone. She had seen him like this before, and it was hard to peel her eyes off of him, off of the broken masterpiece that was sitting right in front of her.

  After shuffling some papers around and making a few more notes, he took a deep breath and started playing the song from what seemed like the top. He cleared his throat and then the deep baritone of his voice rang out in the piano-filled air. His voice captured Maisy and never truly let her go.

  She listened closely to his lyrics, trying to focus on the story he was telling.

  The road is getting darker, the tightness in my chest won’t go away

  The moment I told you to leave, I should have asked you to stay

  Your eyes haunt me at night, your smell lingers in my air

  Your smile is etched in my brain, but I know I shouldn’t care

  I pushed you away, I asked you to leave my life

  You gave me your heart and I handled it with a knife

  This was my decision, my choice to let you go

  But why do I hurt so bad, I wish you told me no.

  My edgy angel, I didn’t know how to fucking love you

  When it came to your heart, your voice came through

  With my ugly heart, your smile lit up my soul

  The blackness started to fade and your pretty heart I stole

  You rocked my world when you fell out of the sky

  You sang to me through a crowd, a love lullaby

  You captured my heart, you gave me a chance to live

  I shattered it all, took everything from you, rather than give

  Even though it hurts, I see that smile on your face

  I was wrong, I should apologize and just give you space

  But hell if I can keep my distance, it’s a mad game I play

  Please forgive me, ask me to be yours, ask me to stay

  My edgy angel, I didn’t know how to fucking love you

  When it came to your love, your voice came through

  With my ugly heart, your smile lit up my soul

  The blackness started to fade and your pretty heart I stole

  I don’t have much to give, but I do have a beating heart

  Please be with me, please don’t let our souls ever be apart…

  Tears streamed down Maisy’s face as she realized the song Rook was working on was about her, but what shattered the walls she put up around her heart was the way his voice caught in his throat on the last line, like he was about to break down any second.

  She could feel the hurt in his voice, the sorrow, and the attempt to mourn what they once had. Not being able to take the deflated way his shoulders hung anymore, she peeled herself away from the wall and walked down toward the bathroom, where she splashed some water on her face. She couldn’t be in the studio when Rook was there; there was no way. She’d already started to feel for him, and she wasn’t quite sure if her heart was ready for that.

  After spending a little time gathering herself in the bathroom, she took out her phone and started typing a text out to Kaid, while she walked to the parking lot. She would wait for him outside, so she wouldn’t have to hear Rook playing that beautiful song anymore, or be tempted to go back and listen.

  In the midst of her text message, she was startled by the clearing of someone’s throat. When she looked up, she saw Rook leaning against his motorcycle. His arms were crossed over his muscular chest, and his head was tilted ever so slightly as he looked at her. It was a stance she had seen him in many times, and every time, her heart never failed to do a full-on flip in her chest, just from the sight of him.

  He was too gorgeous.

  “Hey, Boo,” he said in his normal greeting that was starting to become a phrase she looked forward to, even though she swore she wanted nothing to do with him.

  “W-what are you doing out here?” she asked, still startled.

  “Figured you would need a ride home.
Would you like one?” he asked, still very nonchalant, as if they just didn’t share a moment in the studio. Well, technically, he didn’t share the moment; she just did, but that was beside the point.

  “Kaid is going to get me,” she said quickly, even though she had yet to ask Kaid yet. She just needed to get away from Rook.

  Rook’s lip twitched to the side as he stood up and grabbed a helmet from his seat. He held it out to Maisy and said, “Kaid asked me to bring you home, since he was in the middle of something. If you want to stay at the studio and work on some things, I can wait.”

  “No,” Maisy said, while shaking her head.

  “No, you don’t want to work on things, or no you don’t want to ride with me?”

  “Both,” Maisy replied, while stepping back and running into the curb. She tripped and fell on her butt ungracefully. Within seconds, Rook was at her side, asking if she was okay, and helping her up.

  When he stood them both up, his hands remained on her arms as he inspected her.

  “You sure you’re okay?” he asked, concern in full force.

  “I’m fine. Just a little embarrassed,” she admitted.

  “No need to be embarrassed, Boo, it’s just me.”

  “Exactly, it’s you. You eat me alive whenever you get the chance, Rook. You’re intimidating.”

  “Intimidating?” Hurt passed his eyes as he tried to understand what she meant.

  Taking a deep breath, she tried to put some distance between them, but he wouldn’t allow it as he gripped on to her tighter.

  “Please, talk to me, Maisy. I don’t want to be intimidating to you; that’s the last thing I want. How am I intimidating?”

  “Everything about you is intimidating,” Maisy said, not able to control the waver in her voice. “The way you look at me, your voice, your talent, the way you wear damn clothes; it’s all intimidating, Rook. I’m just…” she paused and took a deep breath. “I can’t measure up to you.”