by Anthology
“I’m flying out Friday night to Atlanta. He’s performing at a music festival this weekend.”
“See, that’s not so long.”
I sighed. “You’re right. Thanks for making me see what a baby I’m being about the whole thing.”
“I have a gift for making others see the error of their ways, what can I say?”
“I’ll have to remember that.”
“Now, let’s talk about your latest viral sensation. Holy crap, girl. No one knows how to make a splash like you do.”
“I was tired of letting everyone else control what was out there about me. It was time to set the record straight.”
“Good on you. I thought your video kicked ass. Has Jeff said anything about it to you yet?”
“No, I’ve been dreading that.” Dealing with my boss’ reaction had been the repercussion I’d feared most. I didn’t want to lose my job, but really if I did it wouldn’t be hard to replace. My problem had been finding a career in the field I’d studied in, not finding a minimum wage entry level position somewhere.
“Be sure to let me know when he does. On second thought, I have a feeling the entire office will be able to overhear that conversation.”
“Gee. Thanks.”
Katie stood to leave but clamped her hand on my shoulder. “Seriously though, I’m proud of you. I didn’t think you had it in you.” She left the room humming under her breath, not at all aware her last comment could be construed as a backhanded compliment.
I smiled to myself, happy that I had such a great friend.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
My body was humming when the car pulled up outside the security gates Friday night. I’d been looking forward to seeing Mason all week. Thankfully the flight from Virginia to Atlanta wasn’t a long one so it was still early when I arrived. Mason had said to text him and he’d come meet me after I’d made it through the security check.
The beefy guy who stopped us checked his clipboard, seemed satisfied with what he saw and pulled up the metal barrier that’d been blocking the way. The car crawled down the makeshift road past enormous trailers and miles of electrical cables until we came to the end.
Immediately the car door opened and sex on a stick slid in beside me. He was wearing khaki cargo shorts, a fitted black t-shirt and a black baseball cap on backward. He was absolutely edible.
“I couldn’t wait for you to get out.” Mason’s lips came down on top of mine in a crushing kiss, as his hands ran up and down my back. I’d missed this. I relaxed into his kiss and wound my hands around his neck. Eventually we came up for air. “I also didn’t want everyone to think I was a pussy because I couldn’t wait two seconds after seeing you to get my hands all over you.”
“We can’t have anyone thinking that about you now can we?” I giggled and Mason led me from the car by the hand. The driver was standing beside the car by this point and Mason asked him to put my bags in his trailer. Mason placed a lanyard over my head. It held all my credentials, allowing me backstage.
“You hungry?” Mason asked.
“I could eat.” I hadn’t eaten any dinner yet but I’d barely noticed on the flight. I’d been nervous about seeing Mason again. Worried that somehow things might have changed, that the dynamic between us would be different. I felt silly now since it was clear nothing had changed.
“I’ve just been hanging in the trailer working on some new material but I’ve heard they have a pretty good spread. Wanna check it out?”
“That sounds great. Are you performing tonight?”
“No, I’m up tomorrow evening. I figured you’d want to see some of the acts since most of them tend to lean toward your rock.”
“I never said I didn’t like your music…I just hadn’t heard it before.” Mason enjoyed giving me the gears when he could about my love for rock and roll and lack of knowledge about hip-hop. The festival this weekend had a little something for everyone. There was rock, hip-hop, electronica, pop, and even some folk bands on the bill.
He brought our linked hands to his face and kissed the back of my hand. We walked past row after row of trailers until we came to an open area that’d been set up between two rows of trailers, with event tenting overhead. There were living room sets here and there, a bar in the one corner and a dozen tables overflowing with food. Music was piped in from the stage and all kinds of people were milling about. I didn’t recognize anyone but I was doing my best not to stare so I didn’t look like a total newbie.
“What is this place?” I asked.
“People hang here when they aren’t performing…sometimes reporters do interviews back here.”
“Wow, that’s cool.”
“I don’t spend too much time at these places anymore. I’m usually in my trailer doing my own thing.”
“How come?” I asked.
Before he could answer a rough-looking man in his fifties, wearing a black leather vest over a t-shirt and a black bandana on his head approached. He had a cigarette poking out of the corner of his mouth.
“Mason, got a sec? I need to run something by you.”
“Sure. Brawley this is Ellie. Ellie, Brawley. He’s handles the sound for my tour.” I shook the man’s hand and smiled.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Same. Been a while since Mason’s invited anyone backstage,” he said.
Mason turned to me. “Ellie, why don’t you go grab some food while I talk shop with Brawley. I’ll be right there.”
“Okay, sure.” I made my way over to the table. I’d been nervous about looking like I didn’t belong but no one was paying me much attention. Suited me fine.
I walked over to the closest food table and stood behind the guy who had gotten there right before me. He must have heard me approach because he turned, and seeing me passed me the plate he just picked up.
Oh. My. God. I was about to go all fangirl because the lead singer of my favourite band had just handed me a freaking plate and was standing no more than two feet away.
“Ladies first,” he said smiling and motioned for me to go ahead of him. He tucked a piece of his long brown hair behind his ear.
“Th-thanks.” What a time for my tongue to take a vacation. I was doing my best to get my shit together and not make a complete ass out of myself. I walked around him and began perusing the table.
My eyes were open. I was looking at the table, but nothing on it was registering. It was a blur of undefined color. He stood beside me waiting for me to grab something and move on. I saw the feather tattoo on his forearm out of the corner of my eye. Not knowing what to do I just started reaching down, putting unknown items on my plate.
“You should try the king crab. I heard it’s the best,” he said to me. He was actually saying words directly to me. Unbelievable.
“Thanks,” was my über-intelligent response. He was going to think that was the only word I knew in the English language. I reached the end of the table, grabbed a napkin and turned to see Mason approaching.
The object of my fangirling finished with his plate, walked by me and said, “Have a good time at the festival.”
I refused to say thanks again so I smiled and nodded as Mason reached me.
“Did you get everything you wanted?” he asked and glanced down at my plate with a confused look. I followed his gaze to see that I’d filled my plate with some lunch meat, no bun, beets, couscous and cookies. Terrific. “What’s with that?” he said and raised a questioning brow.
I ignored the question. “Did you see who that was?”
“Who, Dave? Yeah, he’s cool.”
“Cool? That hardly covers it.”
“He’s one of the best lyricists in the business if that’s what you mean.”
“Damn straight. I can’t believe I just stood beside him. This is crazy.”
“Easy there. How come I don’t earn this kind of reaction from you?” he said as he took the plate from my hands, put it on the table behind me, and slipped his hands around my waist.
&nbs
p; “Hmm…you earn plenty of other reactions from me.” I kissed him and ran my tongue along his bottom lip. He let out a small growl. God, I loved that growl. That growl did funny things to my insides.
Mason picked my plate up and passed it to me. “Here. Let’s get you fed so you don’t pass out from malnourishment. Then I’ll show you what the inside of my trailer looks like.”
“Oh really, I’ve never seen the inside of a celebrity’s trailer before.”
“Allow me to give you a guided tour…”
We never did end up making it out of Mason’s trailer that night. He’d been a great tour guide and I now had intimate knowledge of the couch, kitchen table and bedroom. In the end when we were done with the “tour” we’d decided to go to his hotel for the night since he was performing the next day.
We arrived back at Piedmont Park, where the festival was taking place around one the next day. I’d opted to wear a pair of cut-off shorts, gladiator sandals, and a double-layered sheer white tank top. Atlanta was humid in the summer and today was no exception so I’d pulled my hair up into a messy bun.
“Troy’s going to meet us here in a bit. We have some business to discuss.”
“Did you want me to give you guys some privacy?” I’d only been in the company of Mason’s manager the one time, and even though Mason spoke highly of him, something about the guy had rubbed me the wrong way. I didn’t think he’d cared too much for me either but I told myself it was probably because he was looking out for his client. I’m sure he’d seen some real succubus types make the rounds a time or two.
“No, we’re not discussing anything you can’t hear.”
A few minutes later there was a knock at the door and Troy walked into the trailer. The room suddenly felt entirely too small. He eyed me briefly but said hello. “I didn’t realize you’d be here, Ellie. Mason fly you in?”
I didn’t like how the statement rolled off his tongue—more of an accusation than anything else. “Yes, Mason asked if I would come.” I wanted it clear to him I hadn’t had to beg Mason to include me this weekend.
Troy walked past me and sat on one of the chairs. “So, Mason when can we talk?” His eyes darted to me briefly when he finished speaking.
“Now’s as good a time as any.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t be more comfortable talking…in private?”
“Troy, anything you have to say you can say in front of Ellie. She’s not running to the press with anything.”
Troy cleared his throat. “All right then, we have a few things to go over. I have it on good authority that you’ll be getting a nomination at this year’s music awards.”
“Really? I didn’t think there was any chance that was happening. The competition was fierce,” Mason said.
I couldn’t contain my excitement. “That’s terrific!” I got up and hugged him where he stood.
“Thanks, babe.” Mason leaned down to kiss my forehead. As usual, goner.
I heard Troy pipe up behind me, seemingly unable to let us have this moment. “You do realize, Ellie, that information can’t leave this room. The announcements won’t be made for another few weeks.”
I removed myself from Mason’s embrace and returned to my seat. “Of course I realize that, Troy.” I kept the agitation from my voice as best I could but it was probably obvious anyway.
Troy continued like I hadn’t spoken. “That being the case, the TV producers are even more interested in looking at you for the reality series now. They want to shoot a pilot so they can test it with target audiences and get some feedback.”
“Finally we’re getting somewhere with them. I bet all Ellie’s hard work on my site and social media presence helped, too.”
“Gaining millions of followers in the span of a week certainly didn’t hurt things. Case in point as to why I’ve been telling you to get on there for years.”
“I didn’t like anyone’s approach to it until I heard Ellie’s.”
Troy looked like he’d swallowed glass, but Mason didn’t seem to notice. “They’d like to start shooting as early as next week.”
“That works. They can get some footage of us backstage on tour. People love that shit. Make it happen. Anything else?”
“Nothing that can’t wait. We have a few details about the tour to hammer out but we should wait until someone representing the promoter can be here, too. Tomorrow maybe.”
“Cool. I’m gonna chill for a bit before makeup gets here and insists on covering every inch of my body with pressed powder.”
“I’ll see you out by the stage.” Troy got up, nodded at me as he passed, and left the trailer.
I wasn’t going to waste the short amount of time I had with Mason worrying about that guy. Mason had just gotten some amazing news and it deserved a celebration. I got up, grabbed his hand and forced him to sit where I’d been seconds before. When I straddled him his eyes became pools of lust.
“That was a lot of good news, Mr. Nash. I think it calls for a celebration of some kind.” I leaned in to nibble on his ear and his head fell back against the couch. He let out a small groan.
“You do, do you? What did you have in mind?”
“Well I thought a little of this…” I trailed kisses down his neck. “…And this…” This time I bit down on his shoulder. “And maybe even some of this…” I moved my hand between us and cupped his groin.
“Hey, Mason, I figured we’d get started and—”A female voice behind us startled me. I jumped off Mason like I was fourteen year old who’d just got caught making out with her boyfriend. My cheeks flamed. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know there’d be anyone else in here. Oh my god. I’m so embarrassed.”
Mason laughed. “Don’t worry about it, Jas. No need to be embarrassed, looks like Ellie’s got that covered for you.” He slumped over, laughing hysterically.
I smacked his back, which was the only part I could reach otherwise it might have been a more delicate area of his anatomy. When he was finished he sat up and wiped tears from under his eyes. Seriously? I mean, come on. My embarrassment was not that funny.
“Jasmine, this is Ellie. Ellie, Jas.” She walked over and shook my hand a little timidly. She was a pretty girl with straight light brown hair and almond-colored eyes. A few freckles dotted her nose, giving her a fresh-faced look. I wondered if she’d ever been with Mason. He’d made it clear he’d pretty much banged anyone willing his first few years of fame. She could well have been collateral damage. “Jas does makeup.”
“Nice to meet you, Jasmine.”
“Same, but sorry I barged in. I’m not used to Mason having company in his trailer these days…I didn’t even think to knock.”
I could tell she felt bad and then I felt bad that she felt bad. “It’s not your fault. If we were looking for privacy we should have locked the door.”
“Let’s forget it ever happened,” she said.
“Deal.”
“Down to business then. Mason you know the drill. Park it so I can get to work. I have a bunch of dancers to do after this and you know how they get if there isn’t enough time to get everything perfect.”
“Aye, aye, captain.” Mason gave a mock salute and made his way over to the makeup chair.
“Shirt off, buddy,” Jasmine said.
“You have to get makeup on your chest?” I asked a little confused.
“Sure does. If pretty boy here could manage to keep his shirt on his whole set he wouldn’t have to, but it seems to be a particular problem of his.”
Mason and I both laughed at her quip while she got her makeup ready. It seemed there really wasn’t much to putting makeup on a guy. Pretty much just powder for the most part.
The three of us chatted while Jasmine was hard at work on Mason. She was a nice girl who seemed to be very genuine.
“Okay, pretty boy. Stand up so I can do your chest.” Mason did as he was told and she started brush powder over his abs.
“Tough gig, eh?” I joked.
“It’s certai
nly not the toughest job in the world, that’s for sure,” Jasmine replied.
“I hear you’ll be gracing us with your presence for the rest of my tour. Can I expect more of the same torment from you two when you’re together?” Mason asked jokingly.
“That’s right. It was either take your tour or get stuck on the road with the latest pop princess and even I’m not patient or tolerant enough to work for her.”
“You’re going on Mason’s tour?” I asked.
“Sure am.”
I was glad to know that I’d at least have one other girl around when I was with Mason. And a girl I liked at that.
“Okay, you’re done. You two try to keep your hands off each other so I don’t have to come back here and touch him up, okay?”
“Yes, Mom,” Mason said.
“Ellie, it was great to meet you. I’m glad to see Mason finally found himself a normal girl.”
“Thanks, I think.”
“It’s a compliment. Believe me,” Jas said.
“In that case it was nice to meet you, too. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
Jasmine grabbed her case and made her way to the trailer door. “I hope so. I could use some more estrogen on the tour. See you later, Mason.”
“Later, Jas.”
I laughed after her. I imagine it would be difficult being stuck traveling with all these men all the time.
“We should probably head backstage now,” Mason said.
“Let’s do it.”
“Before we do there’s something I wanted to ask you. You mentioned you had some holidays to use up. What do you think of taking a week and joining me on tour?”
“I think there’s no other way I’d rather spend my time off.” Excitement zipped through me.
He leaned in to kiss me but cut it short before it could escalate further. “I was hoping you’d say that. Come on, let’s go.”
I stood just off stage with Mason and Troy, waiting for Mason’s intro so he could take the stage. This was the first view I’d gotten of the festival grounds and I was a little awestruck. There was a sea of people as far as the eye could see. We were in the bottom of a bowl and the parkland spread up a hill that surrounded the stage area. Fans closest to the stage jockeyed for position in front of metal railings. Some held signs, others had girls up on their shoulders and, oh yep, those were breasts. I guess tops were optional. With the heat and the crushing crowds I didn’t much blame them.