They stood together, varying their positions now and again, and Sophie thought they made a striking group. Each brought so much to the band and their personalities came through as they stood staring into the lens of the camera. As the photographer grunted his approval and gave minor directions, she imagined the impact this cover would have. The sudden rise their career had already taken was merely the beginning, and she knew she wasn’t the only one to sense this.
“That’s the one,” she murmured.
“What’s that?” Riley asked.
“That’s your cover shot.” She pointed to the boys. Gavin had his arms around Conor’s and Shay’s neck and was leaning forward slightly, a taunting smile playing at his sensual mouth as he focused intently on the camera. Martin was to Conor’s right, but Gavin drew all the focus.
“Yeah, maybe. Listen, it would be fantastic to hear how Gavin popped the question. I can use it to wrap up the story neatly.”
Sophie was slow to look at the reporter. “Um, no, I don’t think so.”
“No?”
“It’s something that should be kept private. You understand, don’t you?”
“Well,” he said with a laugh, “not exactly. Maybe you can give me just one detail? Like, where you were when he asked?”
Sophie thought about that. It didn’t seem terribly harmful, even if it meant admitting trespassing. “I wanted Gavin to see the city at night. We hiked up behind the ‘Hollywood’ sign. Alone up there, with the lights spread out before us, it was . . . perfect.”
~
John Riley was good on his word to the band. He walked a fine line in the cover article, consciously keeping the heart of the story on the band and their music while sprinkling the more romantic elements of Gavin and Sophie’s reunion and engagement throughout. He used some liberties in the conclusion, however, as he described the beauty of their nighttime engagement spot. His flourishes, along with the actual romance of the couple that had unwittingly gained so much attention, would cause countless imitators and prompt a night security detail to keep similar trespassers away.
A postscript to the story noted that sales for the band’s debut album had seen a steep increase, likely due to the extra publicity they had received with the Sophie radio call intrigue.
Sophie’s instinct for what would make the best cover shot was correct. The photograph would become iconic for the band.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The plan had been for Rogue to continue on with their commitments on the east coast over the next five weeks, and then for Sophie to fly to Dublin once they were all back. Gavin and Sophie took to speaking by phone several times a day during this time of separation. Sometimes the connections were short if either were committed to something else, but they also found time to talk in depth. Gavin told her about their experience recording the first album, readily admitting that the four of them had quickly lost the blasé front they tried to wear and became nakedly awe-inspired by their surroundings.
“We tried to walk in there like we owned the fucking world,” he told her, “but as soon as we saw the control board and the sound booths—and realized it was all for us, that we were really making an album—we completely lost it. I mean, we were like kids in a candy shop—and totally obvious about it.”
Being in an actual studio, he said, with a great producer like Roger Ahearn, was an overwhelming experience. They became sponges, soaking up every technical detail so as to learn how to make improvements themselves and really understand the process instead of being dictated to. Gavin told her of nights he slept on the couch in the studio, waking up to hot tea and honey to soothe his rapidly aching throat, and the pattern of perfectionism the band as a whole began to rely on. It was an obsessive process whereby they all shut out family and friends and relied only on their producer, their manager, and each other. And in the end it was precisely the right formula because it generated a successful album.
Sophie couldn’t stop from asking about Gavin’s history with groupies and the continuing temptation they would be. It was uncomfortable to acknowledge the fact that her fiancé had been with a slew of women over the last few years. She also knew that asking a twenty-year-old rock singer to give up being with anyone else was a ridiculous expectation.
“I want no one but you,” Gavin told her more than once. “I think of no one but you. Darlin’, I’m absolutely obsessed with you.”
“That’s easy to say when it’s only been a few weeks since you’ve gone without—”
“Listen, I understand there are consequences to this commitment. I know it’s not always going to be easy, but it’s going to be okay. I promise you, sweet girl.”
Conversations like this brought them closer and made them eager for the physical connection. Late one night, they decided to change up the plan by having Sophie join the band in New York City for their appearance at MTV’s Video Music Awards show. They were less concerned with the consequences of her unexpected addition to the event, and more interested in being together once again.
~
When Gavin greeted Sophie at JFK Airport, he held her so tightly she felt dizzy. And when he released her it was only slightly so that he could kiss her.
“I can’t tell you how much I missed you, darlin’,” he breathed into her neck.
“Oh, tell me, tell me!” she said with a laugh.
Gavin looked into her eyes, a smile playing at his mouth. “You’re it, Sophie. You’re the one.”
His simple declaration revealed his unwavering and absolute certainty about their reunion, and it mirrored Sophie’s feelings as well. It sent relief and joy coursing through her body. But instead of letting herself be overcome by the emotion of the moment, she changed the subject to something she knew he would have no trouble resisting.
With a mischievous smile, she grabbed his hips and said, “You’d better take me somewhere private—and quick. I’ve had five hours on that plane to think about naughty things.”
“Good Christ,” he murmured, shaking his head. “I do love you.”
~
When Gavin told Sophie she would not be accompanying the band down the red carpet at the VMAs, she suspected the decision had come from Conor but did not question or fight it. Not that Gavin had given her the option of a discussion about it as he had told her matter-of-factly they would have to separate once they got to Radio City Music Hall and regroup inside at their assigned seats.
While the band was doing their sound check at the venue, Sophie made a mad dash to find a dress suitable for the evening. She hadn’t seen James or any of the other band members because of their separate tasks and so wasn’t sure what the conversation had been like when Gavin let them all know she was in town.
Now she was in their hotel bathroom with the door half-closed as she got ready. Having spent nearly two hours perfecting her hair and makeup to accent her new dress, she decided the time and effort had paid off. She felt amazing and the six-hundred dollar dress had a lot to do with it.
It was formfitting and a nude shade that blended so well with her skin tone it would have been scandalous had it also not had the shimmering bead embellishments on it. Falling to mid-thigh, with just one shoulder strap and a draped back that fell away to reveal smooth bare skin, it had the perfect amount of sex appeal without going too far. The nude Jimmy Choo stilettos she wore were the perfect match. Her drop-down earrings were multi-colored gems and served to turn her hazel eyes deep green. She had set her hair so that it fell past her shoulders in soft, full curls, and done her make-up in delicate shades. The overall look was incredibly sexy and ultra-feminine.
When she stepped out of the bathroom, she was not surprised to see Gavin in a completely different mode of dress. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching television. He wore black Dickies, a black Guinness tee shirt and a black leather jacket he had found the previous year in a pawnshop in Las Vegas.
“You ready?” he asked absently, still staring at the TV.
“Yep.”
“Is it too much?” she asked.
“No, no. It’s . . . well, you’re absolutely beautiful, Sophie.” He took her hand and kissed it.
“Thank you, baby. Guess we better go.”
“Let me look at you for another second,” he said softly, making her smile.
~
James and the rest of the band greeted Sophie and Gavin in the lobby of the hotel with whistles and appreciative comments.
“So, what are you doing with the like of us?” Martin asked Sophie.
“Just call me a groupie,” she said and glanced at Conor.
“Not even funny, darlin’,” Gavin said.
“We have to run now,” James said, ushering them all toward the waiting limousine.
CHAPTER TWENTY
This was Rogue’s first visit to the MTV event, and though they had built up popular and critical respect, the huge response from the waiting crowds was due in large part to the publicity they had garnered from the well-chronicled Gavin and Sophie romance. Though the boys felt silly moving slowly down the red carpet, stopping and posing for each media outlet calling their names, they did so while avoiding questions on Sophie’s whereabouts.
James had remained on the sidelines to see that his boys gave each media group enough time, leaving Sophie to find her seat and wait by herself. The situation was made even more awkward when the show started and she was still alone.
Within a few minutes, however, they all filed into their seats. Doing so hurriedly and in the dark meant that Conor ended up sitting next to Sophie.
The opening act began with Britney Spears doing a cover of Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” complete with the white veil and a short wedding dress. Christina Aguilera soon joined her in the duet. When Madonna herself appeared as the “groom” all in black, she brought the house down. The only thing that topped her initial appearance was when she and Britney had an open-mouth kiss. Her kiss with Christina was chaste in comparison.
When Gavin turned to Shay to get his opinion on whether any tongue had been used, Conor took the opportunity to talk to Sophie.
“You look amazing tonight, honey.”
“Thanks,” she said.
Conor looked at her with exasperation, reading more into her short reply than she had intended. “Look, you didn’t miss anything out there. You’ve got to understand that this band, it’s a job. We were working out there and if you were there, it would have become the Sophie and Gavin show and nothing about Rogue. Understand that, please.”
“I do. It’s okay.”
Though she had been sincere, he heard the opposite and was instantly annoyed. “It’s a phenomenal skill you women have, to say the exact opposite of what you really mean.”
Before she could respond, Gavin interrupted by telling Conor to switch seats with him.
~
The show flew by and Sophie thought herself incredibly unbiased when she found Rogue to be the best performers of the night. And when Gavin and the boys took the stage to accept their award for Breakthrough Video, they made the most of it. Gavin quickly thanked the producers of the video, James, and MTV and then shifted gears.
“This show opened with an amazing performance by three lovely ladies,” Gavin said and the audience cheered wildly. “I must say, I felt a little left out. But then again . . . .” He looked to Conor and before his friend could understand his intentions, he grabbed him by the back of his neck and kissed him hard on the lips as the crowd laughed, screamed, and whistled.
“He’s been looking for the perfect excuse to do that,” Martin told Shay with a laugh and the microphone picked it up.
Conor finally pushed Gavin off of him and wiped at his mouth.
“Well, he is a pretty bastard,” Gavin said with a grin. “No, seriously, one more thing. Thanks also to my sweet girl, my love, my Sophie.”
~
During commercial breaks, the band had been deluged by other musicians as well as actors who eagerly introduced themselves. Sophie was amazed at how calm and unaffected the boys were in this heady environment. This event clearly signaled Rogue’s arrival in the music scene.
While in the limo on their way to Blender Magazine’s after party at Tao, she remarked to Gavin that they were all handling their entry into this industry incredibly smoothly.
He replied, “Sure we are, because, you see, none of this is real. This vibe about who’s hot and what’s on is manufactured by ordinary people, and that doesn’t impress us. Only bands that have created quality music consistently and stood the test of time get in that category—which, I guess, means I can’t be impressed by Rogue yet. Even though I am!”
“The exception to the rule,” Shay added.
“Exactly, mate. Thanks.”
Conor helped himself to the mini bar, pouring a tumbler full of Jack Daniel’s and taking a gulp. “Aye, Gav, did you see that little actress who was chatting me up backstage after we performed?”
“No, I didn’t catch that,” Gavin said, glancing at Sophie.
“You sure? The reason I ask is ’cause she said she would find me at the party and that she had a friend who was interested as well.”
“So, take Shay along,” Gavin replied.
“Thing is,” he said in between draining his glass, “she’s interested in you in particular, so I thought—”
“For fuck’s sake, Con, you’ve never needed me to get yourself laid. What are you going on about?”
“He’s trying to annoy me since my being here seems to annoy him,” Sophie said. The progress she thought she had made with getting on Conor’s good side back in Los Angeles had clearly dissipated with her surprise arrival. It was obvious he saw her as intruding.
“No, this is normal tour life, honey,” Conor told her, smiling. “You think your man wasn’t taking every advantage before you came back?”
“Enough of that,” Gavin said curtly.
Conor shrugged. “It’s the truth now, isn’t it? If she’s to be a part of all this, glued to your side and all, then she’ll have to deal with it.” He refilled his glass.
“Ignore him—he’s drunk,” Gavin told Sophie.
“I’m just enjoying myself, don’t everyone panic,” Conor said before taking a prolonged swig.
It was a new experience for all of them to see Conor affected by alcohol. He had always been known for his ability to maintain control no matter how much he had to drink. And he never got sick or hungover. It was a constant source of consternation with his friends and inspired them to try to get him drunk whenever possible on the off chance that he would react like a normal guy.
“Do you think he’s taken something?” Sophie asked Gavin. If Conor was going to make her uncomfortable by suggesting that Gavin help him chase groupies while she was right there, then she would go ahead and push right back against his game-playing.
“Why, you want what I got, Sophie?” Conor asked with a suggestive smile.
“Knock it the fuck off,” Gavin said, leaning forward so that he and his friend were inches apart.
“Piss off, Gavin. You know what your problem is? You’re no bleeding fun anymore. You’re tired and boring me to death.”
The look of hurt on Gavin’s face was unmistakable. Before he could recover and respond, the limo drew to a stop and the door was opened for them. A waiting crowd of paparazzi and gawkers drowned out any effort Gavin could have made to reply. Conor jumped out first and didn’t wait for the rest of them. He ignored the red carpet screams of photographers for him to stop at the step-and-repeat background for photographs and went straight into the restaurant-turned-event space.
“Let him be, Gav,” Shay said, “he’s bound to get it out of his system first girl he finds.”
“Yeah, sure.”
Sophie expected to navigate around the media like at the awards show but Gavin held her close, his arm around her
waist as he slowly moved them along the red carpet entryway. Sophie was blinded by the flash of the dozens of cameras but Gavin held his own, doing his best rock star stare.
“Conor is going to really freak out about this,” Sophie said.
“He needs to shut his gob and worry about himself.”
She hated the idea that she was creating a rift between Gavin and his best friend. She wasn’t quite sure why Conor felt so threatened. There had been none of this adversarial attitude back in school. In fact, Conor had quickly stood down from flirting with her once it was clear she and Gavin had a connection. Their friendship had been easy after that. But she realized now that might have been at least partly due to her temporary status with the group.
“He’ll come around,” she said and they inched forward.
They were both oblivious to the fact that Martin was mimicking them by trying to hold Shay in the same intimate way that Gavin was holding Sophie.
“Fuck him,” Gavin grunted.
“Oh, don’t say that,” she said reproachfully. When he didn’t turn to look at her, she playfully bit his earlobe, pulling on the tender skin with her teeth and making him laugh.
The resulting increase in the camera flashes meant the moment would be well documented the following day.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The Blender magazine party was a sexy, splashy affair, with go-go dancers performing on a stage backed by a giant bronze Buddha statue. Oversized lanterns hung from the thirty-foot-high ceilings. Amber and blue lighting washed against the expansive brick walls. Alcohol was offered everywhere, including from a specially crafted Jägermeister shot slide carved out of ice. The magazine’s latest edition featured Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, and versions of the cover were displayed throughout the space as both hanging posters and embedded within ice carvings. Popular DJ Junior Senior had the crowded room on their feet, and the first floor was a mass of sweaty bodies.
Gavin thought he saw Conor talking to Carmen Electra, and briefly wondered if he’d have to jump into the fray if her man, Dave Navarro, took issue with it. Before he could sort out the odds of this, he heard his name being called.
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