With the Band

by Natasha Preston

  I take one last glance at myself and sigh. It's a shame I can't do this in shorts and flip-flops.

  As I walk downstairs, I hear Dad and Kitt making small talk. They laugh, and the sound of my two favourite guys makes my heart swell.

  Kitt's eyes focus on me as I come around the corner. Dad says his name, but Kitt's eyes don't move, and his mouth is open. Dad turns around, but I don't see his reaction to Kitt's ogling because I'm doing the same.

  I'm used to Kitt being in jeans and a T-shirt. It's not often he's in a tux. He's so gorgeous that I want to bash my head against the marble floor. Or maybe jump him.

  His black tux is a slim fit, and the top button of his white shirt is undone. He's never looked so sexy--well, except for when he's wearing just a pair of those slim jeans. Biting my lip, I walk the last few steps in a daze of filthy thoughts.

  Dad clears his throat, and I stand up straight, embarrassed that he caught me and Kitt eye-fucking each other.

  "Be in the kitchen," he mutters before making himself scarce.

  Kitt steps forward until he's right in front of me. I look up, and the way he's staring at me makes my heart ache in the best way.

  "Hi," I whisper. "You look good."

  Kitt continues to stare. His eyes are glowing red-hot. Finally, he gulps and licks his lips. "Texas...shit. You're stunning."

  "Do not get used to it. The dress thing won't be repeated often, and I think I'm going to fall over in these stupid--"

  Kitt effectively ends my rambling by sealing his mouth over mine.

  Usually, when he knows my dad is around, Kitt is extremely reserved when it comes to me, but right now, he's not holding back. And I'm not complaining. I hold on and kiss him back.

  Twenty minutes later, we're in the limo. I have Ted with me and the new guy, Lars. Hank is here also. I get on with him well enough to feel comfortable having him shadow me, so my extra security isn't too bad.

  "Do we really have to do this?" I ask, gripping Kitt's hand.

  "Not if you don't want to," he replies.

  "Hey, you're not supposed to give me an option. You know we can't just blow it off!"

  "Sure you can," Cooper pipes in. "He's Kitt fucking Daniels, and if he wants to skip out on an event, he can. And I'll come with you." His eyes go wide. "Please, let me come with you."

  Coop hates these types of things. Just give him the after-party, and he's happy.

  "No one is skipping this," Dad says.

  "Yeah, Coop," Jimmy adds. "And no more drinking beforehand."

  Cooper scowls. "How else am I supposed to get through this shit film?"

  "You don't know it's bad, idiot. You've not seen it yet," I say.

  "There are no fights or car chases. That's how I know it's shit. At least you two can suck face to pass the time. What do I have?"

  Kitt sticks his middle finger up and tightens his grip on my hand. Cooper, the bastard, did that on purpose. Thankfully, Dad doesn't react, and the incident is quickly forgotten. Plus, our limo has pulled to a stop in front of the red carpet, and it's our turn to get out.

  Cameras are flashing, and actors from the film and celebrity guests are taking photos along the way. I'm terrified. There is absolutely no way I'm going to make it inside without falling on my arse. Kitt had better not let go.

  "Let's do this. I call dibs on Elizabeth!" Milo says, causing Cooper to swear like a sailor. He wanted the star tonight.

  "You can't just call a person, Milo!" I snap.

  "Of course you can. Look up the shotgun rules, babycakes." He flashes me a smile and opens the door.

  The screams make me flinch. We wait for everyone else to get out. Dad, Jimmy, and Will take their time, and I know they're looking for fans, so they can do autographs and pictures. They always make time for fans.

  Milo and Cooper practically bound around in search of the best-looking women to approach. No change there either.

  Kitt gets out next and turns around to take my hand.

  I guess we're going straight in for it then. It's probably best.

  I smile up at him when I'm standing successfully. No tripping so far. Win.

  "Thank you," I whisper.

  He leans in for a kiss. I manage to forget everyone else when his lips touch mine, but I sure as hell can't ignore the reaction. This is definitely what people who don't even personally know us want.

  I'd like to be able to say that you can't be too invested in the love lives of people you don't know, but you absolutely can. I was devastated when Chad Michael Murray and Sophia Bush divorced. I was Team Brocas until the bitter end.

  Kitt breaks the kiss after a second, keeping it classy and not allowing time for either of us to get carried away. Good thing really. We do not need any more of our private life on camera.

  His name is yelled over and over, and hordes of women shout that they love him. Many of them shout that they love us, and I even hear, "Kexas," being screeched, too.

  Lame.

  This is insane. Keep walking. Do not fall and make a twat out of yourself.

  He pulls me close under his arm and occasionally stops us to chat with someone or to pose for pictures. A few groups are holding Filthy Sound handmade signs--one saying, I Heart Kitt 4eva, which plain just makes me cringe.

  He stops. "Hey, ladies."

  They practically orgasm in front of us.

  "Oh my God, we love you!" a girl screams in his face. "Will you sign our banner?"

  "Of course." He lets go of me, takes the girl's Sharpie, and scribbles his signature over the banner that already has Milo's and Cooper's autographs on it. Their phone numbers are probably on the back by now, too.

  "Do you want a picture?" he stupidly asks them.

  Like they're going to say no.

  "Oh my God, yes! We're so excited you and Texas are a thing. We just knew it!"

  "Want her in it, too?"

  The little prick.

  I want to openly glare at him, but that'll make me look like a total bitch, so I smile.

  The girls nod eagerly, and I smile as I turn awkwardly, so I'm in the bloody photo as well. Kitt holds me tight to his side and smiles at the pink leopard-print phone.

  Another thing I don't like.

  Find me a bloody pink leopard. Just one.

  "Thank you," I say politely to the girls once the photo is done.

  "See you around," Kitt says, taking my hand and leading us closer to the door.

  I just want to be inside now. I was fully prepared to have photos for the press and paparazzi, but fans, too? Nope. That was not discussed. I'm not really that comfortable being around crazy fangirls unless I'm one of them. And I haven't been a fangirl of Filthy Sound ever. I know them too well.

  We stop again and pose for proper pictures. Kitt kisses the side of my head, so I figure we don't have to hold back all affection. He isn't. I wrap my arms around that toned waist and smile.

  This isn't so bad when it's just us. I need to quickly get used to the sheer amount of people interested in me and him as a couple.

  Fuck it. I love him, and I'm not giving him up for anything, so I might as well get on board here.

  Embracing my new official status as Kitt Daniels's girlfriend, I tilt my head toward him and pose perfectly for pictures that I'll no doubt see splashed all over social media tomorrow.

  KITT

  SATURDAY, JUNE 13

  LONDON, ENGLAND

  Texas handled the red carpet perfectly. She always does. I really don't give a fuck what anyone thinks about my relationship with her.

  The film finishes with a round of applause from the audience, and Tex turns to me.

  "That was awesome!" she gushes, clapping along with everyone else.

  "Mmhmm."

  It was good. The part I didn't like was where my girlfriend fanned herself when male lead, Aaron Conner, got naked.

  "You liked some scenes better than others, huh?" I ask her.

  My band laughs, suddenly interested in our conversation. They know exa
ctly what I'm talking about because they know Tex is a little pervert.

  She shrugs innocently. "It was a good scene. Very tasteful and classy."

  "Yeah, the dude has a very classy cock," Milo deadpans.

  "You wouldn't know, dipshit. Yours is probably covered in boils," Tex calls back.

  Milo's mouth opens, but his shock is hidden behind amusement. He's as proud of her for that comeback as I am.

  Cooper, laughing and pointing to Milo's cock, throws his head back and says, "Burn! Shit, man, you'd better not have any of that crap. We share a shower."

  "Yeah, that's how STDs are spread," I reply sarcastically.

  Mark clears his throat. "Although I do enjoy where our conversations go, this perhaps isn't the right place for it."

  "Let's go get a drink," Will says, "and I can have a chat with Milo."

  "Fucking hell, I have no diseases!" Milo exclaims, giving Texas a look over his shoulder.

  Now that the movie is over, we'll have drinks and boring small talk where we'll congratulate the actors and director on a job well done. Then, it's the after-party, the real reason people attend things like this.

  "Texas!" Peyton yells from across the room.

  And I've lost my girl. They fly toward each other. We weren't sure if she'd make it and assumed not since we hadn't seen her come in, but she must've been late.

  "Come on, use tongue," Coop says, watching Tex reunite with her friend.

  They're hugging, not kissing like he wants.

  "You're a dick, Coop."

  "Oh, like you'd hate your girl getting down with another chick."

  "I'm not you," I reply. Honestly, the thought of Texas's lips, or anything else, touching anyone else makes me feel violent. I don't share her.

  "I need to get fucked up tonight," I say, nodding toward the bar.

  "All right! Now, you're talking," he replies, slapping me on the shoulder and shoving me forward. "You getting Tex drunk, too? She's a fucking hilarious drunk."

  I smirk. "Oh, yeah." Clumsy drunken sex with her is mind-blowing, and I'm definitely up for doing it as often as possible.

  "Can't believe you've settled down, man."

  "Neither can the old me, but she's worth it. Doesn't feel like a sacrifice with her. It feels right."

  "Dude!" he exclaims, stopping dead and looking around on the floor.

  "What? What's wrong?" I'm looking, too, but I don't know why or what for. His phone maybe? "Coop?"

  "Your balls dropped off, man."

  Oh, for fuck's sake! I stand up straight and punch his arm. "Wanker."

  Cooper laughs, rubbing his arm. "Sorry, bud. Thought you'd swallowed a Jane Austen novel there."

  I'm less annoyed that he's taking the piss and more proud that he knows who Jane Austen is. "It'll be you one day, Cooper."

  "Bollocks," he replies as we reach the bar. "We'll have twenty-four shots of Sambuca, eight beers, and a glass of that pissy pink wine. That's what Peyton drinks, right?"

  "Rose, yeah. You remember her drink?"

  He shoots me a dark look. "Don't go getting any ideas. I'm going to bang her again, but it's purely business."

  "Business? Are you charging now?"

  "Don't be a twat. She makes me come times a million, and I know I do the same for her. Why fight that?"

  He turns back to the guy grabbing an obscene amount of shot glasses for a first round. None of us even like Sambuca.

  "Fucking just got the talk from my uncle!" Milo growls, slouching on the bar beside me. "Where's Tex? She owes me."

  "With Peyton."

  "Pey made it?" He laughs. "Coop's going home with blue balls tonight."

  "Least I still have some," he snaps back, nudging me.

  I don't know how I've suddenly been brought into this.

  "Whatever. Milo's right. Odds of you getting in her pants again are slim. Just look at your behaviour. She doesn't find that attractive, mate."

  Coop stares, like he doesn't understand, and I roll my eyes.

  "He's not right. The sexy blonde princess doesn't have to give it up again tonight. There are plenty of others willing. In fact, there are thousands who require no work at all. I click my fingers, and they lift their skirts."

  "Ah, the easy ones," Milo sighs as he taps his heart with his fist. "God bless them."

  To think, a month ago, I was one of them...

  I never thought anything could get better than having a lot of sex without the responsibility of a relationship. I was so wrong that I want to laugh now, but I know it's something you have to figure out yourself. Milo kind of knows it from Lexi. Cooper? Well, I'll take great joy in watching him go through falling in love.

  We down a couple of shots when Tex and Peyton join us. Coop immediately makes a play for the girl who I have a feeling is going to screw him up in the best way. Milo and Texas are deep into an argument about the validity of The Lord of the Rings. It's an age-old fight where Milo defends his favourite books and films, and Texas--also liking them--questions every point to piss him off.

  She shrugs. "They should've just gone the other way around."

  Milo's mouth is hanging open. "You've said some stupid shit on this topic before, Knight, but that--"

  I tone them out and laugh at Tex trying to keep a straight face. Her lips twitch from the effort.

  A shadow casts over my drink, and I look over at a very pretty woman I'm sure I'm supposed to know.

  She leans her hip against the cool glass and rests her arm on top. "Hi, I'm Danniella."

  Danniella who?

  I nod. "Kitt. Nice to meet you."

  "I saw you in Paris. You're phenomenal."

  "Always good to hear. Thanks."

  She sips her wine and smiles. "What are you doing after?"

  My spine stiffens. She's fucking coming on to me in front of my girlfriend. To my right, I can feel I now have Tex's attention.

  "I'll be going to my girlfriend's."

  Her eyes flick to Texas, and she blushes. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry. You two are definitely a couple then? I thought, since you didn't mention it, you didn't really want her. I mean, why not confirm it if you thought she was worth it?"

  I'm burning. My fists clench.

  Don't hit a woman. You can never hit a woman.

  Tex smiles, but there is nothing friendly in it. "Danniella. Fuck off."

  "Stupid whore," Peyton mutters. "Who is she anyway?"

  "She blogs or something like that. She's been linked to every male celeb who will sleep with her," Tex explains.

  Makes sense. She reeks of desperation. I turn my back, effectively blocking the bitch from our group, and take a breath. My eyes lock with Tex, and she shrugs, like it was nothing. She downs a shot and immediately picks up her discussion with Milo.

  I've never been prouder of her. But there's something in her eyes that I don't like. Doubt. Even if it's passing and she's no longer worried about us, she still thought it.

  I pull her to the side when I get a minute.

  "What?" She laughs nervously.

  "Danniella...when she said I didn't confirm the rumours because I didn't think you were worth it, you believed her."

  "No, I didn't, Kitt. Look, a part of me was angry because you didn't."

  "You told me not to."

  "I know that."

  "So, how can you be angry, Tex?"

  "Because I wanted you to want to tell everyone."

  "I did want to!"

  "I know, but you didn't."

  Oh my God. "I didn't because you said not to. It was your choice."

  "I know that, too."

  My head is about to explode. "So...you're angry because I didn't tell even though you told me not to. Should I have gone ahead and made the announcement?"

  "No, of course not."

  "Fucking hell, Texas. I need another drink."

  She presses her chest against mine, and I almost forget the argument.

  "I'm sorry. It's unreasonable."

  "Oh, is it?" I say
sarcastically.

  She glares. "You did the right thing. It's what I wanted, what we wanted. I wish we didn't have to hide away. But that doesn't matter now because we're together, and we're forever."

  "Yeah, unless you keep on with that unreasonable mindfuck shit, and my head blows off."

  She laughs and shrugs a shoulder. "You love it."

  "I love you. And all your crazy."

  TEXAS

  SATURDAY, JUNE 13

  LONDON, ENGLAND

  Peyton, Kitt, Cooper, and I are sitting at one of the tables, drinking far too much. Since Dad left, I've upped my intake by about a thousand percent. Tomorrow is going to be hell.

  "Stop it, dickhead!" I whisper, shoving Cooper's hand away from Peyton's arse.

  She's deep in conversation with Kitt about the tour, and behind her back, a pervert named Jack Cooper is trying to touch her up.

  He points to me with a cheeky grin and says, "You need to lighten up, sweet cheeks."

  "You're such a twat, Coop," I reply, laughing at how dazed he looks.

  The guy has probably had close to twenty drinks so far tonight. His blue eyes, which are a few shades lighter than Peyton's, are glazed, and when he looks at me, it seems like it takes him a while to register who I am.

  "You love me, Tex, so don't even try to deny it."

  "Doesn't change the fact that you're a twat now, does it?"

  Cooper adorably pouts his lip, and that right there is why he rarely gets into trouble for all the rubbish he causes. He has so much charm that it should be illegal.

  "Are you going to put in a good word for me since you've been nasty tonight?" he asks, nodding his chin toward Peyton.

  She hears and looks over, lifting a blonde eyebrow. "Every person on this planet could put a good word in, and I still wouldn't touch you again. Not even with Tex's."

  I'm very pleased she wouldn't touch him with mine.

  "Unlucky for you, Coop," Kitt says, hitting him around the back of his head.

  Kitt wraps his arm around my waist and tugs me a little closer. We can do this now. I don't have to let go of him as we walk out the door.

  "One day, love," Coop says, blowing Peyton a kiss.

  Usually, I'd side with my bestie, but I'm one hundred percent behind Cooper on this--not because I think they should have sex again, but because I know it's inevitable. The tension and atmosphere between them is like it was when Kitt and I started to grow closer.

  Laying my head on Kitt's shoulder, I ask, "Where'd Milo go?"