Chapter 22
Sitting on the bus, I watch the guys as they laugh together while walking towards the bus with Mickie following close behind.
The second they walk on, Micah releases a loud hoot. “There’s our badass.”
“What you did to Shiloh was epic.” He adds.
“No kidding. Why do you always seem to get into trouble every time we’re not around?” Russell chimes in. “You couldn’t have waited until we were around to witness this golden moment?”
“Sorry…” I laugh.
“I got to watch the whole thing.” Marshal states smugly.
Mickie is last to get on the bus. He stops at the front before releasing a long-winded sigh while looking in my direction.
“So, it seems that you made your breakup public.” He states.
“I did,” I reply simply.
“You can’t be mad at her, Mickie. It could have been worse.” Micah insists.
“Oh, I’m not mad. Chloe’s video is trending right now.” Mickie replies. “But Shiloh isn’t fairing so well. His name is being drug through the dirt, and even more pictures of him with other women are surfacing. He’s trending as a man-whore. Chloe may have just ended his entire career.”
“Damn…” Russell whispers.
Mickie points towards the guys. “This is why I tell you to keep this crap private. Yes, it’s all fun and games, but it’s serious in this business. If the female fans turn on you, then you’re pretty much done.”
“Is there anything that I can do?” I breathe out.
“Not really. This would have happened to him eventually.” Mickie replies.
“In other news, Shiloh is changing his tour dates just like you asked him to. Although he’s having a hard time doing so, no one wants to be paired with his bad publicity.” Mickie then states.
God, I felt terrible.
If I would have done a better job of breaking up with him, this may have been avoidable.
“Would it help him any if he stayed on tour with us?” I question.
Mickie shrugs. “It might, but would you want that?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t want to be the reason he loses everything,” I reply.
“That could come back to haunt us.” Marshal stresses. “Lucky August fans could easily turn on us and blame Chloe for what happens.”
Mickie nods. “What do you want me to do?”
“Let them stay on tour with us,” Marshal answers before looking towards me. “You’re going to have to suck it up and become friends with Shiloh. If people see that you’re getting along even after the breakup, then the fans might go a little easier on all of us as a whole.”
I couldn’t argue with him. The last thing that I wanted to do was be friends with Shiloh, but I would do whatever was necessary for our band.
“Okay…” I huff out.
“Alright, I’ll make the call.” Mickie states before pulling out his phone.
“Can you arrange a public appearance for Shiloh and me?” I ask before continuing. “It would look good if Shiloh publically apologized to me, and I forgave him.”
“Do you want to do that so quickly?” Mickie presses.
“The sooner, the better; I reacted childishly and would like a chance to make things right,” I reply.
Mickie nods and then punches a few numbers into his phone before holding up to his ear.
“You don’t have to do all of this,” Marshal states softly as he sits down across from me.
“No. I don’t, but even though Shiloh was a jerk, he doesn’t deserve to lose everything that he’s worked for.” I reply.
Marshal nods and then focuses his attention on his phone along with Russell and Micah.
Silence fills the bus until Todd gets into the driver’s seat. The engine roars to life before he pulls out onto the road seconds later.
I stare through the window as we drive through the town.
****
“Do you understand what needs to be said, Chloe?” Mickie asks as the bus stops in front of the building where we would be performing tonight. “If you want this to work, then you can’t let your emotions get the better of you.”
“I know what I have to do, Mickie.” I insist.
Right outside the building was Shiloh and his band.
They were waiting for me so Shiloh could apologize.
Taking a deep breath, I smooth my hands over my outfit before moving towards the doors. I wait patiently for Mitch to appear on the other side before I exit the bus with Russell, Marshal, and Micah following close behind.
As I walk towards Shiloh, he bows his head before moving towards me.
Cameras flash rapidly as we break apart from the others to meet in the middle of the barricaded area where fans were gathered for a chance to see us.
Stopping in front of me, Shiloh sighs before looking at me through his shaggy hair covering his eyes. He remains quiet while sticking his hands into his pockets.
After what feels like forever, he finally looks at me. “Chloe…I’m sorry. I don’t deserve this.”
“No. You don’t, but I’m not anything like you.” I reply quietly enough not to be overheard.
He sighs. “You were always too good for me.”
A moment of silence passes before he speaks again. “Do you really want us touring with your band? Does Marshal even want me around?”
“It was his idea,” I answer. “I honestly don’t care what happens. I would rather keep my distance from you, though. We can be friends, but that’s it, okay.”
He nods again. “I could use all the friends that I can get at this point.”
“Shiloh, are you trying to make up with Chloe?” A reporter suddenly shouts from the crowd.
“Don’t take him back, Chloe.” A few fans shout in response.
“Chloe, are you going to forgive Shiloh?” Another reporter questions next.
I glance towards Shiloh before focusing my attention on the reporters. “I reacted childishly earlier when I ended my relationship with Shiloh. I was angry and wanted him to hurt as much as I did, but now that I’ve had time to reflect on what I did, I am ashamed. Shiloh and I will not be making up, and it’s going to be a while before I forgive him, but we would like to keep the friendship that we started intact.”
“We’re going to continue touring together, but our relationship has officially ended,” I add.
“I hope that our fans will understand and not hold this against us. We’re all adults here and want to make the music you all love and enjoy.” I then state.
The crowd cheers.
Again, I wait until they quiet down before speaking again. “Cyclone Lies is going to have a special treat for everyone attending tonight’s show. I hope you guys can all make it.”
With that, I turn towards Shiloh and then hug him quickly while our bands join us.
Lucas grabs me into his arms next before lifting me. I laugh as he spins me around the same way that Micah always did.
Once he places me down on my feet, he grins. “You are an amazing girl.”
“Don’t forget that,” I reply.
His smile grows before Micah suddenly lifts Lucas from behind.
All of us laugh in response until Mickie and Andy urge us to go inside the building.
As soon as we’re far enough from the crowd, everyone separates. Everything we had just done was for the crowd.
At least most of it was. Lucas’s words had been honest.
Not a word is said as Mickie takes us to our dressing rooms, which consisted of one large room with partitions between our areas.
“Is this really all we get?” Micah groans.
“This is it. The only other room is where Lucky August will be getting ready.” Mickie replies while shutting the door behind him.
I sigh and then sit down in the seat with my name on it.
“Would someone like to tell me what special treat that we’re giving to fans tonight?” Mickie then questions.
Everyo
ne turns their attention to me.
“I’m going to sing my song with Marshal,” I answer.
“Are you sure you’re ready for that?” Marshal presses.
I nod. “If I don’t do it now, then I never will.”
“Alright, but just in case you change your mind, we might want to add a backup song that the fans haven’t heard. We need to cover our asses.” Mickie stresses.
“I’ll sing the one that we were going to release as a single on the next album. That shouldn’t cause too many issues.” Marshal replies.
Mickie grunts in response. “I’ll leave it up to you guys.”
“Now, get ready. I’ll be back in an hour with food.” Mickie then states before leaving.
“This sucks,” Micah grumbles.
“I don’t know. I think watching Chloe get ready will be kind of fun.” Russell replies with a cocky smirk.
“If you get to watch me, then I get to watch the three of you get ready, too,” I reply.
Micah hoots before stripping off his shirt.
I burst into laughter as he then takes his shirt and swings it in a circle above his head.
“Jesus, Micah, put your damn shirt back on,” Marshal demands with laughter.
Instead of putting his shirt on, he throws it at Marshal while Russell strips off his shirt next. My laughter doubles as Russell begins flexing his muscles.
Marshal sighs dramatically while looking at me. “Do you see what you do to these idiots?”
“They’re your best friends.” I tease.
“You slept with Russell.” He replies with a hint of amusement.
I turn to watch Russell for a moment. “Yeah, I did.”
Marshal gasps. “You naughty girl…you’re eye humping him now, aren’t you?”
“Shut it…” I snort.
As I continue to watch Russell horse around with Micah, I barely notice Marshal next to me until he tosses his shirt over my head.
I laugh and pull his shirt away before watching him as he joins Russell and Micah.
Russell may have been more muscular than Marshal, but I found myself more attracted to Marshal than anyone else. It was difficult to look away even when Russell catches me watching him.
I had to admit, Russell had always been a good sport about my feelings towards Marshal.
Not once had he gotten jealous, at least he never let me know that he was.
Without warning, Russell rushes towards me with a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. I quickly jump up from my seat before running away from him.
I end up hiding behind Marshal as Russell tries his best to catch me.
Marshal laughs loudly as I leap onto his back abruptly. As I wrap my arms around his neck, my heart skips a beat while his hands grab my thighs to hold me up.
In front of us, Russell’s grin widens before he winks at me.
Damn it; he had planned this all along.
After a few minutes, everyone calms down. Marshal carries me over to my seat before I slide off of his back. My hands glide down his back, which causes him to shiver in response.
Before anyone can say a word, the door opens, and four women walk into the room.
Mabel smiles brightly as she moves in my direction. “Have you picked out which outfit you’re going to wear tonight?”
I shake my head. “Not yet.”
“Well, why don’t I help you, and then we’ll get started on your hair.” She replies.
I nod in agreement and then join her as she moves towards the racks of clothes in the corner of the room.
Our fun was over. It was time for business.
Chapter 23
“Are you guys ready?” Mickie questions as he walks into the room with bags full of food.
Russell, Marshal, and Micah grunt in response before they stand from their seats and then rush towards Mickie to grab their food.
I, on the other hand, stay still as Mabel finishes up the last braid.
Once she’s done, she holds up a mirror so I can look at myself.
“Wow…” I breathe out as I take it all in.
My hair was done like it always was, but this time it was done with red and black ribbons weaved into each braid.
What had me really shocked was the dramatic makeup that Mabel had done. She had gone above and beyond to draw intricate designs on either side of my eyes. The designs had little red roses that matched the ribbons.
“It’s going to look amazing with your outfit.” She insists confidently.
No doubt that it would, but for now, I was keeping my outfit hidden, but only because it was cold in the room. Okay, that was a lie; I was hiding it because I didn’t want the guys to see me wearing it yet.
“Chloe…?” Mickie breathes out.
I stand and then turn to face him while tying the rope around my robe to keep it from revealing too much.
As I move closer to Mickie, he raises his brow. “Are you even dressed yet?”
I nod and then untie the rope before holding it open just enough for him to see. “I’m ready.”
Mickie’s eyes scan me from head to toe before he releases a heavy breath. “Wow…”
“Wait, what is she wearing?” Russell questions.
Before he can see, I close my robe and then tie the rope tightly around my waist.
The outfit wasn’t like the others that I had worn before. The corset was black with red ribbons weaved on the sides. It rested just under my breasts, so I had paired it with a matching red lacy tank top.
My favorite part of the outfit was the skirt. The material was ruffled, and even though it rested on my upper thighs in the front, it cascaded down the back. Under each black ruffle was a tiny sliver of red that pulled the entire outfit together.
The boots that I had chosen put the final touch to it all. They had a three-inch heel and laced up the sides to just below my knees with red ribbons.
“You’ll see it when I’m ready to go on the stage,” I reply while grabbing a bag from Mickie.
I return to my seat and pull out the sandwich that he had gotten me.
The guys watch me as I pull the wrapper off of the sandwich and then take a big bite.
“Can’t you give us a little hint about what you’re wearing?” Micah tries.
I smile sweetly while shaking my head in response.
“Whatever she’s wearing is going to match Marshal since her ribbons are red,” Russell states while motioning towards my hair.
Mickie clears his throat. “I need you guys to eat quickly. We’re going on stage a little earlier than expected to give you time to add in whichever song you decide to do.”
Russell glances between Marshal and me. “Are we adding it into the middle of the set or at the end?”
“The middle…” I answer. “I’m usually more comfortable after a few songs.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Marshal replies.
I was beyond nervous about actually singing in front of our fans. I was even more worried about singing with Marshal, especially since the song felt so intimate.
There had been a few times during practice where I almost lost control and kissed Marshal.
It was going to take every ounce of self-control that I had to keep myself from kissing him onstage in front of the entire world.
The door opens, and a young guy rushes to speak with Mickie.
Moments later, he leaves as quickly as he had come in.
Mickie sighs. “We’re on in ten. You might want to hurry up and eat what you can. Once the show is over, I’ll have more food delivered.”
Without another word, Mickie exits the room.
I take three more large bites of my sandwich before placing it back into the bag. I stand and then double-check my boots before making sure that my makeup hadn’t been smudged.
Once I’m confident that everything is perfect, I move towards the door.
I stop and glance back at the guys. “I’ll see you at the stage.”
They wave me on, so I l
eave.
As I move down the hallway, Mitch falls into line behind me.
We join Mickie next to the stage as Shiloh sings on stage with his band.
After a few minutes, the guys join us.
Mabel comes along and then motions towards my robe. “Are you ready?”
I nod and then untie it before pulling it off.
Not a word is said as Mabel takes the robe from my hands before she checks the ribbons that were crisscrossed around my lower arms.
“Are you sure these aren’t going to get in the way?” Mabel presses.
“They’ll be fine.” I insist confidently.
She nods and then smiles. “You’re all set.”
With that, she rushes off.
I stand still for a few moments before turning towards the guys while raising my brow. “Isn’t someone going to say something?”
Micah absently shakes his head while Russell releases a heavy breath.
Marshal’s eyes darken as he scans me from head to toe. Once his eyes meet mine, he opens his mouth to say something before closing it.
Seconds later, he closes his eyes while cursing softly.
I sigh and then focus on the stage again.
It figured that he wouldn’t approve, and I wasn’t about to listen to all of the reasons why I shouldn’t be wearing this outfit.
Soon Shiloh ends his song and then thanks the crowd before walking towards us.
“You look amazing, Chloe.” He states while stopping next to me briefly.
I smile and then watch as he walks away.
“You’re on,” Mickie announces.
Marshal, Micah, and Russell run out onto the stage while someone hands me my guitar. I quickly slip it over my head before joining the guys.
The crowd absolutely goes crazy when they see me.
I smile and wave at them before plugging my guitar into the amp.
“How’s everyone doing tonight?” Marshal shouts.
The crowd cheers in response.
Marshal glances towards me before speaking again. “Who’s ready for one hell of a show?”
Once again, the fans shout and scream in response.
This time, Marshal glances back at Micah. Seconds later, Micah taps his sticks together before we begin playing.
Rock Me Page 14