Rockstar's Temptation (Decoy #4)

by K. T Fisher

  “Why not?” she asks.

  I spot Tilly eavesdropping. “Because the band has a gig this weekend.”

  Lauren’s face brightens from this news. “Cool! I can’t wait! I haven’t seen them perform yet.”

  Fuck! I shouldn’t have told her! But she would have found out anyway, and I’m surprised she didn’t already know. Everywhere you go, there’s something mentioning or promoting the show. London loves them! We’re all proud of what they have achieved, so whenever they play here, you see it everywhere.

  “There aren’t any tickets left,” I add.

  Lauren’s face shows her disappointment. “But you can get me in. You know the band.”

  Here comes Lauren’s spoiled nature that my mother gifted her with.

  “Yeah, I know them, Lauren, but that doesn’t mean I can sneak you in.”

  “You don’t have to, you can just tell the guards I’m with Max. I can call him and ask.”

  She goes to take her phone out her bag. “No, you can’t do that.”

  She stops and looks up at me. “Why?”

  “Well, it doesn’t seem cool, does it? Only been on one date and now you’re asking him for a free ticket to his gig? He will think you’re just with him for the band.”

  “You’re right,” she thankfully takes her hand back out of her bag. “So you can get me in?”

  “Lauren, I can’t.”

  “Why not?” she shouts like a child.

  “I’m just a friend of theirs and I can’t get you in.” I’m lying, of course. I could easily get her to the show, but I don’t want her there. It may be bitchy of me, but I honestly don’t care.

  Lauren suddenly stands. “I will be there! You’re not the only one with connections. You watch, I will be there as well as you.”

  With a final glare at me, she storms out of my office like the spoiled child she is. Acting like the bitch I am right now, I reach for my mobile and send a text out to everyone. I tell them to not let Lauren have a ticket to the show under any circumstances. I don’t want her there at all.

  Feeling satisfied with myself, I go back to my computer and start looking for a new house for Max. I hate where he is now, and he already knows that, and that’s why he gave me the gift of finding him somewhere new. But I hate it even more now that I saw Lauren there, in nothing but his shirt. Even though we’re not talking at the moment and I don’t know what’s going on between us, I still want to find him some place nice and out out/away from that depressing pad of his.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Max

  Standing in the band’s dressing room, I start to get a little nervous. I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t. No matter how many times we play to thousands of people, I always get these nerves. The day I don’t get these nerves is the day I will think something is wrong with me. Why the fuck would I not get nervous before playing a big show?

  I eat my sandwich that was supplied in here as I see Jax stroll in. He sees me and joins my side.

  “Sandwiches and chocolates for a rock band.” He laughs.

  “I’m hungry and they taste good, man,” I shrug.

  Jax takes a beer and then tension fills the air. “What’s up, man?” I ask him because it’s obvious there’s something to be said.

  “Fuck.” Jax rubs his chin, there’s a thick stubble forming. I know Kendal keeps asking him to shave it, but the beard look suits Jax. “Kendal told me all about you and Maisy, man.”

  “I’m surprised it’s lasted this long.” I say back.

  Jax smiles. “I know, right. Fucking gossiping women.” He leans against the wall and takes a big sip of his beer. “Look, I know you’ve probably already heard all this, but be careful. Yes, you need to make sure you don’t hurt Maisy, she’s a friend of mine after all. But so are you, if you so much as make her cry, those women will be on you like fly on shit. They take care of each other, trust me, I know. At the beginning, I had all of them on my back making sure I didn’t hurt both her and Finley.”

  I can’t help but laugh.

  “Seriously, though, Max, Maisy is like a sister to me so just treat he well. Don’t fuck around, we’re all friends here, and one fuck-up can damage us all.”

  The door opens and Leo enters, causing mine and Jax’s conversation to end. It leaves me a bit shaken up, to tell the truth, and I now know why Maisy has been so careful. Jax is right: if we’re not careful with whatever is happening here, we can damage our whole circle of friends, and that’s the last thing I want to happen.

  Maisy

  As much as I love watching the band play at any chance I can get, I’ve been trying to think of an excuse not to go. Max still hasn’t reached out to me, and I’m too scared to reach out to him! It’s pathetic of me, really, but it is what it is.

  I start to get ready for tonight, having a nice long soak in a hot bath and then blow-drying my hair and making sure it’s soft and straight enough for my liking. As I get ready and think about what to wear, I become more in the mood and feel guilty for not wanting to go. Since meeting the band after Jax came back and discovered Kendal and Finley, I’ve become close to them all. They know I’m not the biggest fan of rock music, but I would never miss a show if I had the chance to see them. Their gigs have sort of become an outing for us and I love all four of them. I feel so proud to watch them on that stage and have so many people screaming for them.

  When I finally decide on the short black-and-white dress, it’s time to go, so I grab my bag and make my way to the concert venue. The show won’t start for another two hours, but we all enjoy hanging out before the guys go onstage.

  I show the guards my pass and make my way into the car park. Once I leave the safety of my car, I’m escorted inside and to the room where the band are currently with the rest of our friends. Kendal is sitting on Jax’s knee in the corner. They look pretty intimate, so I decide not to disturb them. It looks a little weird to see her without the triplets and Finley by her side, but it’s nice, too. They’re fantastic parents, but like every other parent, they need time as a couple as well.. Tanya is also sitting on Leo’s lap, but they’re not as intimate as they talk to Rhys and Sophie. However, Leo does look sweet as he keeps his hands on Tanya’s stomach. I don’t even think Leo realizes he’s doing it. I just know they will be awesome parents just like the rest of them are. I don’t even have to look to see where Max is because I can hear him talking with James and Mark behind me as I make my way to the bar and grab a glass of champagne. I don’t even like the taste of this stuff, I just really need a drink.

  Kendal looks over to me and jumps from Jax’s lap. The day after I had Jessica, Sophie and Tilly over for my SOS meeting, Kendal and Tanya came over after work and they had closed their salon, which is always crazy busy, by the way. I’m glad they’re my friends because I get home visits. It was practically the same as when I told the others, but Kendal was a lot more worried. She is always the one to worry a little more than everyone else. It’s in her caring nature and I guess that’s why we have always clicked so well, because I’m very much the same, apart from where my sister is concerned.

  “Hey, Maisy,” she smiles and picks up a drink for herself. “How’re you holding up?”

  “Fine,” I answer as I hear Max’s laughter.

  “Have you spoken to him yet?” I shake my head. “You need to, honey.” Kendal sounds so sympathetic.

  “I know.” And I really do, but I’m scared. “I just don’t know how to.”

  “Well, think quickly.” She scurries off, leaving me confused.

  That is, until I feel a prickling sensation down my bare back. My dress is bare across my back, until the dip just above my arse and I know Max will love it. I’m proven right when I feel a single finger trail down my back causing me to break out in goose bumps.

  “What are you doing?” I whisper, so nobody can hear apart from Max, but I know without looking around that everyone is looking in our direction. I know that the girls know what’s been happening between us, but w
hat I don’t know is if they have told their men or if Max has told them. What I do know is that if they didn’t know before, they will sure suspect something now. Especially seeing as Max suddenly spins me to face him and then looks me over, growling, and then he takes my hand and drags me out of the room and into the corridor.

  “We need to talk,” he demands, as he shoves me up against the wall and covers my mouth with his.

  I start by trying to fight him off. This isn’t what I think we should be doing! But the feel of his lips and his tongue caressing mine makes me surrender. My arms wrap around his neck and Max growls in return as he presses his body closer to mine.

  Just as Max starts to let his hand wander up my dress, we hear someone cough and I break away from him. To my embarrassment, all of our friends are crowded in the doorway Max just dragged me out of. They’re all staring with stupid grins on their faces like we’re children.

  “I fucking knew it,” Jax laughs.

  “Max and Maisy kissing in a tree,” Leo teases, and I give them the middle finger.

  Immature I know, but they started it.

  “Get lost.” After smirks and giving some whistles and winks our way, they go back into the room.

  “Well, that was interesting.” I try to laugh away the awkwardness.

  “I’m glad they know.” Max plays with a strand of my hair. “We need to talk about last weekend.”

  At this, I start to get a little nervous.

  Max lets go of my hair and brushes his hand along my cheek. “I know you feel it, Mase.” I nod my head. “Then why won’t you relax?”

  “I’m scared,” I whisper.

  Max comes closer and I feel his breath on my face. My breathing speeds up, and as it does, my breasts quickly rise and fall, catching Max’s attention.

  “You need to loosen up, babe, and admit what you want. I know you feel the same as I do, and I’m tired of tiptoeing around it.”

  I swallow hard, trying to say the words I’ve been worrying about for a while now. “What if we ruin everything?”

  Max nods. “There’s a risk, but I want you, Maisy Moo.” He rubs his nose against mine, looking me right in the eye. “There’s danger that if we fuck this up, we damage our friends, too.”

  I nod my head. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

  “But if we said this to them, they would tell us to get the fuck on with it.” At this I laugh because it’s possibly true. “I love those guys so much, but I want to know what we can be together. I want to know if you will take that risk with me.”

  “It’s time. Tell the others, will you Max?” The sound of Decoy’s manager makes me jump.

  He then walks away, leaving me and Max in a weird situation. “I gotta go.” He mutters.

  He then leaves me standing on my own as he disappears into the room. When they all come out, they each give me a smile as they pass, but Max gives me a wink. Kendal walks out, and places her arms around me.

  “Sorry about that.” Kendal teases with a twinkle in her eye.

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  Tanya and Jessica exchange glances as I stare after Max.

  “Come on” Mark wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me along to where we will be sitting for the gig.

  Max

  As we make our way to the stage, I feel happier than I have in a long while, because I finally feel like I’m getting somewhere with Maisy.

  We walk through the backstage areas, and as I walk behind the others, a hand reaches out to grab me.

  I look around and see someone in the shadows. “Hey, Max.”

  Oh fuck! “Lauren, what the fuck are you doing here?”

  She pulls me closer into the shadows with her. “I came to see you.”

  “Look, Lauren, you’re pretty and everything but-“

  “Aw, that’s so sweet!” she interrupts me. “I think you’re hot, too.” She bites her lip, but I push her away.

  “I’m not interested, Lauren. I’m sorry, but you need to go.”

  Her smile fades as she scowls. “It’s her, isn’t it?”

  “Who?”

  “My fucking sister!”

  “Max?” I hear Rhys shout me.

  “Coming!” I reply and glare at Lauren. “You need to get lost now.”

  I leave her alone and get my mind set on the show we’re about to put on. Rhys pats me on the back as I pass him.

  “Getting that last kiss from Maisy.” He laughs.

  I just grin back because what else am I supposed to fucking say?

  “She real?” he asks me, and I nod. “Then that’s good with me.”

  Maisy

  Watching Max grind against his guitar through the whole show tortures me so fucking much that as soon as they end the show, I run from my seat. I haven’t been able to take my eyes away from him, and I have been thinking over what I need to say to him. This may not be the perfect place to finally say it, but I have to tell him. I have to say exactly what I feel and exactly what I think. It’s time.

  I walk back the way I came with everyone else before the show. My feet are moving as I run as fast as I can, holding my pass in the air so I don’t get stopped on my way. I start to hear giggling, and I slow my pace. These damn groupie whores get in everywhere.

  “Max,” I hear the girl laugh, and it makes me stop dead in my tracks.

  I know that fucking voice, she’s talking to Max!

  More laughing, and I start to walk again, this time in the direction of Lauren’s voice. Fury takes over me as I see Lauren all over Max. I stare at them, as she has her legs wrapped around him and kisses him. I touch my own mouth as I feel the burn he gave me only a few hours ago. I fall against the wall to my side. I didn’t realize I made a sound loud enough for them to hear, but Max finally breaks away and looks right at me. My eyes are filled with tears, but I can still see his shocked face.

  “Maisy.” He takes a step towards me and I hold out my hand.

  “Stop!” He does, and instead Lauren walks closer. “You too!”

  She smiles. “What’s the matter, Maisy? I told you I would get in.” That fucking bitch!

  I look back to Max. “I can’t believe you. Don’t talk to me ever again.”

  I turn and run for it, my eyes filled with tears. Somewhere in the back of my head, I hear Max shouting at me, but I ignore him and get as far away as possible. I have to get out of here!

  Chapter Twenty

  Max

  I stupidly stand still and watch Maisy run from me.

  I can’t believe the sadness I heard in her voice, and the hurt written all over her face. I know I should be running after her, but instead I stand stupidly still. Lauren starts to fucking giggle. I don’t know how she got back here, but all I know is that as soon as I walked offstage, I wanted to find Maisy and continue our talk from before the show. That conversation left me feeling amazing as I stepped onstage.

  However, when I separated from the guys and went in search of Maisy, I ran right into Lauren. I knew her game straight away. I can finally see through her fake shit. Right from the start, she was all over me, trying to get as close to me as possible and fucking kissing me. I know I could have just picked her up and moved her out of my way, but everything happened in slow-motion. It was like I didn’t have enough time to do anything. As soon as I heard the gasp from her mouth, I knew Maisy had spotted us, and it’s exactly what Lauren wanted. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lauren had planned all of this.

  “Over-the-top, isn’t she?” Lauren laughs from beside me.

  “Don’t you fucking care about her at all?!” I shout. “She’s your sister!”

  Lauren rolls her eyes. “Of course I do. She’ll be fine. Now kiss me.”

  She reaches out to me, but I move out of her reach. “Fuck off, Lauren.”

  I run in the direction Maisy went, hoping I can catch up with her.

  When I get to the door she ran out of, I see Maisy get into her car.

  “Shit!”

  “Wh
at have you done?” James follows me out. “The last I saw, you two were kissing, and now she’s running away, crying her eyes out.”

  “She caught me and Lauren.” I go to dig my keys out of my pocket and realize I left them in my jacket in the dressing room!

  “What the fuck, man?” James looks pissed, and I don’t blame him. He’s a good friend of hers and, to be honest, if he wasn’t angry at me, I would have been mad at him instead.

  “I know I fucked up!”

  “No.” He shakes his head. “You played right into Lauren’s hands! Maisy warned you about her. The bitch is poison.”

  He walks towards his own car, and I quickly follow. I need to see Maisy right now and sort all this shit out!

  When I get in, James looks over to me. “Do you care about her?”

  “Of course I fucking do!” Why does everyone keep asking me that?

  “At least I know.” James then starts the car and follows Maisy out of the car park surprisingly fast.

  Maisy

  As I drive away from Max, I feel so angry. God, I’m so stupid to think he could change! I was going to pour my heart out to him and finally tell him how I truly felt, and that even though I’m shit scared of ruining the friendship that we have, I want to explore what’s happening between us.

  As I drive through the dark, rainy night, all I can think of is how Max hurt me. I just want to get home and hide in my bed all weekend. I don’t even want to think about work on Monday morning. Right now, all I want is to hide away. My blood boils as I repeat the image of Lauren and Max together in my mind.

  My phone starts to ring in my purse, but because I’m driving, I can’t answer it. However, I know that it’s going to be Max, and I do not want to talk him. I don’t know when I’d be able to face him, but I know that’s not right now!

  When I stop and wait at the traffic light, it continues to ring. I start to think that maybe it could be another one of my friends, because they might be worrying about me, and that makes me feel guilty. I reach down into my purse and fish around for my phone.