Boy Band (18 page)

Please hurry.  Cory just told me that Tara is on her way.  Ugh.  

Oh boy.  I can’t wait to see her again.  

Setting my phone down on the desk, I walk over to Sam and gently shake his shoulder.  

“Sam,” I whisper.  I don’t know why, but I always feel so bad about waking people up.  It feels so disruptive.  But there’s no way I’m going to face Tara without him.  That, and I know he really wants to be there for the release.  

“Hmm?” he murmurs and opens up a sleepy eye.  

“Joni just texted me.  The party’s about to start.”  

“What time is it?” he asks, rubbing his eyes and sitting up.  His voice is low and rough, just as it always is right after he wakes up.  

“Almost nine.”

“Oh wow...  I was out,” he remarks.

“You needed it,” I tell him.  “But you should know that you talk in your sleep and now I know all your secrets.”  

“Oh yeah?” he grins. 

“Yep.  You told me everything.  Right down to where you keep your secret food.”  

“That’s not very nice.  You’re not supposed to exploit a man when he’s sleeping,” he teases me.  

“What better time to exploit?” I ask.

“Touché.” 

Once he’s fully awake and I’ve made at least a tiny attempt to look like I didn’t spend an entire day sitting in front of a computer, we walk together down the hall and to Jesse, Josh, and Oliver’s room.  The new album is already playing through Jesse’s enormous pair of speakers that he brings with him everywhere, a makeshift buffet is spread out on a collapsible table and Josh is running around hugging everybody.  

“Mel, Sam, there you are!” he greets us and plants a huge kiss on my cheek. 

Thirtee
n
, I count silently.  

“Are you guys stoked or what?  Third album, baby!” Josh asks.

If Josh acts this much like a frat guy when he’s sober, I can’t wait to see what kind of effect alcohol will have on him.  Then again, he might not drink.  He has that weird thing with soft drinks.  He might not like the burn of alcohol either.  Of course, Josh really doesn’t need to drink.  He’s constantly drunk on life.  

“Yeah!” Sam exclaims.  Josh’s enthusiasm is contagious, but I have something else on my mind.  

“Can I have some food?” I ask.  

“Jeez Mel, way to make our night of self-congratulatory festivities all about you,” Josh huffs.  “What are we going to do with her, Sam?” 

“Unfortunately, I think she’s beyond help at this point, Josiah.”  

“That’s so sad.  She had so much potential.”  

“You guys are so sweet,” I tell them.  Honestly, though, I love that we can all give each other a hard time.  In a weird way, I think it’s a sign of genuine friendship and affection.  If I can give you a hard time, that must mean I really like you and feel comfortable around you.  The guys are the same way. 

I make my way over to Joni, who is standing with Cory and Oliver next to the buffet table.  Okay, I was really going for the food, but I’m glad that Joni is there, too.  The two of us need to stick together when Tara finally graces us with her ever-delightful presence. 

“Having fun?” I ask, piling a few miniature sandwiches and a handful of baby carrots and ranch dip onto a plate.  

“For now,” she remarks and folds her arms across her chest.  See, this is why I’m glad I have Joni.  I’m typically not a very surly person, but there’s still a lot of stuff that bothers me.  But I know I can always depend on her to adequately express exactly whatever negative emotion I might be feeling so that I don’t have to.  

When you think about it, it works.  

“You said you would be happy this evening,” Cory reminds her in the annoying sing-song voice that he reserves specifically for her.  

“I said I’d try,” she sings back to him as Jesse suddenly appears beside her.

“Wave, everyone!  You’re on Facetime with my mom!” he announces, holding up his phone.  Mrs. Scott smiles back at us from his screen.   

We greet her with a chorus of, “Hi!” “Hello, there!” “Hi, Mama Scott!” 

“Hi, kids!” she replies.  “I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of all of you and how much I love you!”

“Aw, we love you, too!” Cory responds.  

It’s one of The Kind of September’s better kept secrets that tall, sexy, rock star Jesse Scott is the group’s biggest Mama’s Boy.  I’m not kidding.  Seeing him with his mom is one of the cutest things you will ever witness.  He is so protective of her and he is her world, her pride and joy, and she almost loves us just as much.  

I sometimes think it’s weird that so many people know so many intimate details about the guys and their families.  But then, I also think it’s kind of a tragedy that they don’t know more.  

Before I can dwell any further, Cory’s phone chimes.  The grin on his face confirms what the rest of us already know.

Tara’s here.

CHAPTER 16

“
In this world of mirrors 

And crystal clear delusions 

Love is all in what you see

But you hide behind a smokescreen

These colors drowning out

And these shapes all seem to fade

And I’m struggling to see

Beyond your smile, beyond your smokescree
n
...”

Song: “Smokescreen”

Artist: The Kind of September 

From the Album
:
17 Times Over

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t like confrontation, so waiting for Cory to return with his girlfriend who kind of hates my guts has got me a little agitated.  I’m trying not to let it show because as Josh so deliberately pointed out, tonight is supposed to be about celebrating the new album.  I don’t want to ruin it for the guys who have worked so hard for this moment, but also countless hours of their time.  They deserve to enjoy tonight. 

Sam and Joni both know that I’m nervous.  Even though neither has said so, I can tell by the way they’re hovering around me, like they’re protecting me.  Then again, I’m still standing next to the buffet table.  Maybe they’re just hungry.  Sam is in the process of scarfing down what must be his eighth chocolate chip cookie.

Whatever the reason, I’m glad I have them close to me.  It’s kind of like having bodyguards.  Albeit, rather useless ones, but bodyguards nevertheless.  

When Cory finally returns with Tara, I’m unpleasantly surprised to see that she’s brought along a plus-one: her wannabe singing sensation BFF, Courtney Vickers.  

“Hey, guys!” Tara greets us.  She looks so happy to be there that for a moment, I’m hopeful that maybe, just maybe, she’s forgotten that I exist.  I’m even more encouraged when she says, “You all remember Courtney, don’t you?”

“I sure do,” Jesse winks.  

Courtney giggles, but the minute her eyes lock on Sam, it’s like the rest of us don’t exist.  

“Sam!” she exclaims, model-walking over to us.  I’m not kidding.  The way she glides across the room reminds me of a model on the catwalk; her steps pointed and deliberate, her thick auburn hair dancing behind her.  “It’s good to see you again.”

“Yeah, you too,” he replies through a mouthful of cookie.  

“I love the new album.  I think it’s your best yet.”  

“Thanks.  We like it too.”

“You’re so great,” Courtney giggles and taps him on the shoulder.  He glances down at his arm, almost like he’s checking to make sure her touch didn’t leave a mark.  Courtney doesn’t seem to notice.  “Hey, um... I’m sorry, what’s your name again?” she asks me.

“Mel,” I reply.

“Oh right!  You’re the one who’s dating Oliver!” 

“Yeah, except we’re not dating.”

“You’re not?”

“No.”

“You mean you hang out with him all the time, you obviously like each other, and you haven’t hooked up with him yet?”  She sounds perplexed and for some reason, disappointed.  

Sam, meanwhile, sends a curiously amused smirk my way. 

“We don’t like each other.  Not like that.  We’re just friends,” I tell Courtney. 

“Well, it definitely didn’t look that way in the pictures that Tara showed me.  What, are you leading him on?”

Me leading Oliver on.  The thought is so ludicrous on so many levels.  

“No.  We were talking.  Sometimes friends talk.” 

“Well, I think you’d be really cute together,” Courtney insists.    

“Oliver’s British.  He’d be cute with anyone,” Sam comments.  The man makes a valid argument.  

“Well, whatever.  Listen Mel, would you take a picture of me and Sam?” Courtney asks.  “You don’t mind, do you, Sam?” 

“No, not at all.”

I oblige, even though I’m know Courtney will probably use the image for her own interests of fame and self-promotion.  Oh well.  Maybe it will help deter the Chloe Conley rumors.  

In other parts of the room, Joni is sticking close to Josh and Oliver while Jesse third-wheels it again with Tara and Cory.  Tara, strangely enough, keeps looking over at Courtney and fidgeting, almost like she’s annoyed.  Watching Tara’s odd body language, I begin to wonder if maybe she didn’t bring Courtney for Sam this time, but for Jesse.  If that’s the case, then either Courtney didn’t get the memo or she simply doesn’t care, because she still only has eyes for Sam.  In all fairness, I do too, but come on.  A set-up with Jesse Scott is a pretty sweet deal.  I’d have a huge crush on Jesse if he wasn’t Sam’s friend and Joni’s ex.      

I’ve never admitted it to anyone, but I did have a dream once that Jesse and I were making out in the back of the tour bus.  It was totally innocent (sort of), but I still couldn’t look him or Joni in the eye for about a week.      

“Why is she here?”  The loud and rather aggressive voice snaps me out of my admittedly pleasant memories of that dream and back to the hotel room, where I find myself the center of unwanted attention. 

“Baby, calm down.  You know she’s a friend.”  Cory tries to soothe the savage beast, but to no avail.  I seem to recall him telling me something along the lines of Tara really is sorry about everything that happened.  Either she’s forgotten that she’s sorry or Cory is completely full of it.  

Don’t ask me why, but I’m thinking it’s the latter.

“Why would you still her want her hanging around after what she said about me?” Tara demands.

“Wait, is she the one who - ”

“Yes!” Tara answers before Courtney can even finish asking the question.  Am I the one who what?  

“Oh my God. I thought you were nice.” Courtney is suddenly looking at me like she’s just unmasked me, like one of the villains o
n
Scooby Do
o
.  

“Hey, she is nice.  She’s a good person,” Sam argues, stepping up to my defense. 

“Didn’t you hear about what she said to Tara?” Courtney asks.

“Yeah, but I also know that your friend was running around and spreading lies about her personal life.”  

Wow.  In all the years we’ve been friends, I’ve never heard Sam talk like that to anyone.  It’s so brave.  So chivalrous.

So romantic.   

“I didn’t appreciate that either, for the record,” Oliver speaks up.  

“So that’s it.  She mouths off to me like a prepubescent brat and you’re just going to act like it never happened?”  

I’ve got to be honest with you, while I don’t like being yelled at, I’m kind of impressed that she knows the word prepubescent. 

“No, no, we sat her down and had a long discussion about it,” Jesse assures her.  

“Yeah.  Sam gave her a spanking and everything,” Josh remarks with a suggestive and mischievous grin.  

At this moment, I’m thankful I don’t have any food or drink in my mouth, because I would undoubtedly be choking on it. I ca
n
no
t
believe Josh just said that.  In front of the entire group.  In front of Tara. In front o
f
Sa
m
.  Who, incidentally, doesn’t look even the least bit fazed by Josh’s inappropriate insinuation.          

Tara and Courtney, however, are suddenly zeroing in on Sam and me.  I wait for them to throw out a new accusation, but before either can speak, Sam says, “Mel and I are not together.”  

I can’t tell you why, but his words cut through me like a knife.  Even though it’s the truth and that he has no reason to say otherwise, hearing him actually speak those words, for some reason, shatters even the fantasy I have of him possibly loving me back one day.  Maybe it’s not the words themselves, but the way he says it, with absolute assurance.  No one could misinterpret them if they tried.       

“But you like her, don’t you?” Tara says, narrowing her eyes.  

“Not like that.  She’s my friend.  That’s all we’ve ever been, and all we’re going to be.”    

Another blade to the heart.  I hope I don’t look as devastated as I feel, because if I do, then every person in this room is going to know that I’m in love with Sam Morneau.  Even worse, they’re going to pity me because now we all know for certain that he doesn’t love me back.  I want to get out of here, but I know that if I bolt, that will reveal the truth about me even faster than the pitiful look on my face.  

“Besides,” Sam continues.  “There’s someone else.”  

And with that, my heart officially breaks. 

⋯

Sam won’t tell us who she is, but I have a feeling I already know.  Of all the girls he’s been linked to in the past few weeks, there’s only one with whom he’s had any sort of real human contact.  Incidentally, she also happens to be the one the rest of his band mates can’t stand.  Chloe Conley.  If Sam were to ever admit out loud that he had feelings for her, Josh, Jesse, Oliver, and even Cory would surely give him all sorts of hell.  

I knew this would happen eventually, but why did it have to happen tonight?  

Granted, this isn’t the first time Sam has expressed interest in another girl.  After all, he’s had two girlfriends before, and one was even kind of a celebrity, but not a celebrity like Chloe Conley.  She’s on the A-List.  She’s talented, she’s famous, and everyone (with the exception of Cory, apparently) loves her music.  She also happens to be unbelievably beautiful.  Her long, perfect hair is lighter than mine, like the color of milk chocolate mixed with honey and her eyes are an amazing shade of hazel-gray.  I didn’t even know that color existed.   She’s tall and slender and the worst part is I’m pretty sure she’s all natural.  She’s flawless all on her own. She’s exactly the kind of girl Sa
m
shoul
d
be dating.  They’re in the same league. 

I mean, really.  How have I deluded myself this long into thinking I actually had a chance with him?  Yeah, he’s my best friend and yes, we have a lot of history, and in a lot of ways, he’s still the same guy he always was.  But he’s also different.  I guess we all are in some respects, but he and the guys... their whole worlds changed the minute their first album hit the charts.  It only makes sense that they would evolve too.  

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened to us if The Kind of September hadn’t happened.  Would Sam and I be together?  Would we have gone to the same college?  Would we even still be friends?  I think we would.  I like to think that our friendship matters enough to endure.  But who knows?  All I know is that in spite of all the downfalls, I still think The Kind of September was supposed to happen.  I think this experience has made all of us happier, and hopefully a lot of fans happier, than any of us could have ever imagined.  And no matter what happens, I think I’m always going to be thankful for what all this experience has brought us.  

Even if that experience also comes with watching Sam fall in love with another girl.  I can’t wish that none of this had ever happened, not for my sake, and certainly not for their sake.  They have too many wonderful things going for them.  I hope that I do too.  Even if that means I’m never going to have Sam all to myself.  

Though I guess in this world of renown and beauty and shining stars, I never was anyway.

“Are you okay?” Oliver asks me once we get a minute alone.  Cory, Jesse, Tara, and Courtney are all out on the balcony, taking pictures of the scenery and Sam, Josh, and Joni are huddled in a corner on their respective phones and tablets.  They each probably have about three social media sites going at once.  

“Did you know?” I ask him.  

“No.  He’s never said a word.  But that’s like him, you know?  He doesn’t like to talk about his personal life.”  

“I know.”  It is like him.  It’s totally like him.  Even when he was dating his previous girlfriends, he wasn’t keen on sharing any of the details.  For which, I’ve got to be honest, I’m thankful.  No girl wants to listen to the guy they love talk about his romantic exploits with a person who isn’t her.    

“Do you think it’s Chloe?” Oliver asks me.  

“I can’t imagine who else it would be,” I reply.  

“Well, maybe she doesn’t feel the same way.”

It’s nice that he’s trying, but honestly, is there a girl alive wh
o
wouldn’
t
date Sam Morneau?  I kind of doubt it.  Besides, her people already tried to hook her up with one member of the group.  Clearly it’s something she wants or she would have told them not to do it again.   

“Thanks, Oliver,” I say.  And I mean it.  It’s nice having someone who knows how I feel and who, I’m pretty sure, is rooting for me.  At least, I’d like to think so.  I’m definitely rooting for him and Joni.  

As the hours pass, Sam doesn’t mention his mystery girl, but I can tell that he’s feeling awkward having confessed.  I try my best to act like there’s absolutely nothing bothering me or wrenching my heart or crushing my soul, but I don’t know if I’m doing a very good job.  Thankfully, everyone is more focused on the countdown to midnight and the release to notice.