Authors: D. Kelly

Loving Kate (Acceptance #3) (40 page)

More cheers and applause explode as the band kicks off the show. Belle has mellowed somewhat and I know she’s wondering how she’s going to pull this off in just a few days. I’ll definitely have to help her now. Slam just went to print with next week’s issue which should be out in a few days. She’s got a small window to write and perfect this article before next week’s issue goes to print.

Whatever her worries are, she’s over them in a flash and she bounces back up to dance and scream the night away. Of course, I’m not a total downer, so I dance along with her, sharing in her happiness. Even though I’m not a fan of the band I’m a huge fan of Belle and this article is going to launch her career even farther. I’m so proud of her.

Before the band comes back onstage for their encore, Belle and I make our way down to the backstage entrance. We’re not the only ones with this idea, but we
are
the only ones with the passes that grant us access to BAD. Thankfully, there are a few bodyguards posted and able to guide us thorough the crowd of crazy bitches. I seriously thought one was going to fight me just to get my pass. Hardcore fans are crazy—throwing underwear, yelling out they want to have their babies. Don’t they realize these men are just people? I don’t know how they can do this; I don’t think I would ever get used to that. How would you ever know someone wanted you just for you and not for all you can do for them?

We’re ushered down a hallway where we see the band standing, getting ready to go back onstage. From the looks of it, besides the normal crew and staff, we are literally the only people back here with passes. Interesting…

“We have to go past the band to get to the green room where they’ll meet with you later. Please, don’t make me get rough with you two. If you have fan girl shit to get out of your system, do it in the green room. Don’t say anything to them as we pass, don’t freak out and try to grope them. You’re here in a professional capacity and I hope you’ll continue to act that way.”

Belle and I exchange looks and I know she’s thinking exactly what I am: this guy is a dick. But he’s doing his job and I guess it’s got to be a hard one. Belle is a fan but she’s professional first. As for me, no worries; I have no need to fan girl over a band I don’t even like.

As we pass the band, their PA is giving them a two minute countdown. One of the guys looks up at us as we walk by with an interested look on his face. He’s cute, and from the smirk on his face, he knows it. I still feel his eyes on me as we walk by; however, when I cock my head to the side I see it’s not him, but the hot one with the dimples who is staring at my ass. These jeans were so worth the price I paid for them they make my ass look great.

Mr. gruff and serious puts us in the green room and lets us know we can help ourselves to anything and he’ll be right outside the door.

“Amelia! Pinch me! Can you believe this? BAD gave one and only
one
exclusive and it’s
mine
! Oh my God! This is going to skyrocket my career as long as I don’t screw it up.” I can’t help but laugh at her. Her work is amazing and she has no need to worry.

“Belle, you’ve got this. Get your squealing out now, take some deep breaths, and get ready for the story of your life. I’m so proud of you and I’m right here, so I’ll help take notes, too.”

“Thanks, Mel, I knew I could count on you.” After giving me a quick hug, she does indeed get her squealing out of her system while watching the band on the very large TV which is mounted on the wall.

I can’t stop thinking about ‘dimples’ watching me as we passed by. The thought brings heat between my legs. Even if I shouldn’t let it, he’s not relationship material and I’m nowhere in his league. Besides, all these men have a reputation for one night stands and unemotional flings. Those are two things I can’t do. When I’m sleeping with someone, it’s because I’m invested in them emotionally.

After the encore, we hear the thunderous applause from the green room. I could swear the walls are shaking from it. Belle starts tapping her foot and picking at her nails because she’s getting nervous.

“Belle, you need to breathe. They’re just people. You’ve interviewed tons of musicians before and I’ve never seen you this nervous.”

“I know, Amelia,
but
this is
BAD
and they are the holy grail of interviews. I can’t help but be nervous, and besides, they’re super hot.”

I can’t argue with her there, they
are
good looking men.

The voices resonating from the hallway are making their way closer to the room and the door slams open.

“That was fucking awesome! One of the best shows we’ve done this entire tour. The outdoor venues are so much better, don’t you guys think so?” As they talk amongst themselves, I’m drawn in by their excitement.

Watching these men come in on their post-performance high is captivating. Their happiness is almost contagious. Belle and I are taking them in, just watching them in fascination. They’ve got a posse of people with them. The PA I saw earlier is trying to wrangle them up while I assume a stylist is the one carrying a few extra shirts.

The cute one with the dimples takes one of those shirts, pulls his sweaty shirt off over his head, and I watch, mesmerized, by the way his muscles move. His abs are screaming at me to come and lick them, the beads of sweat he’s about to wipe off with the towel are crying out my name. I want to taste his essence on my tongue. But then as fast as the mini porn played out in my head it’s over as the shirt goes on. He catches me looking at him and gives me a sexy smirk again. I’m sure the flush I feel spreading over my face is nothing compared to how it looks.

I open my water bottle to try and cool myself down from the sudden heat enveloping my body. He’s watching my lips as they touch the rim of the bottle and I wish I was wrapping them around him. I drink slowly, knowing he’s watching me and as I glance up, I see him lick his lips. Holy hell, this is foreplay and yet at the same time couldn’t be anything further from that.

After about twenty minutes, they dismiss the posse surrounding them and finally sit down across from us. Their manager is an older man with a gentle smile who finally makes all the introductions.

“I’m Warren, BAD’s manager, and these are the bastards themselves.”

That elicits a laugh from us all and breaks the ice.

“Warren, it’s nice to meet you. Thank you for extending this opportunity to Slam magazine. We’re honored for the exclusive. I’m Belle Dixson and this is my good friend Amelia Greyson but we all call her Mel.”

The cute one snorts out loud and it’s kind of a dick sound.

“Amelia and Belle. Look, guys, we’ve got our own Disney fucking princesses for the night.”

“Shut up, Sawyer.”

“Dick.” It escapes my mouth before I have a chance to even think and Belle looks horrified. Sawyer actually shuts up and a hush falls over the room.

“That was fucking AWESOME! I’ve
never
seen anyone call Sawyer out on his shit and I’ve known him all my life. I’m Nick Weston and I’m very pleased to meet you, Amelia.”

I see Belle exhale then flash me a smile. “Nice to meet you, too, Nick.”

“I’m with Nick; that was great to see. I’m Darren and the guy at the end of the couch with his head in the book is Wyatt.”

Wyatt peeks up from the book in his lap and smiles at us.

“Sorry, I’m behind. I promised my wife I would read this book and I haven’t had much time. I wanted to at least try and squeeze in a chapter before we skype on the bus later.”

“You’re such a pussy, Wyatt. What man is actually reading
The O Factor
?” Sawyer laughs at Wyatt and my stomach plummets fast as Belle starts laughing. That’s
my
book and this is about to get
really
uncomfortable.

“One who loves his wife. Why don’t you just go find a chick to hook up with already so you’ll stop being such an ass.”

“What do you think of the book so far, Wyatt?” Belle asks him and I could kill her!

“On or off the record?”

“Off,” Belle replies.

“It’s interesting. I mean, I’ve never read a girl’s point of view on sex before…it’s crazy. It’s definitely keeping me reading for sure.”

“Well, it
has
been number one on the New York Times Bestseller list for three weeks so it’s got to be good.”

Couch, just swallow me up now, please.
I close my eyes and take a breath.

“What’s wrong, princess Amelia? Are you too prude to talk about a sex book?” Sawyer asks.

Belle laughs so loud and so long tears are starting to pool in her eyes.

“Why do I get the feeling I’m missing something here?” Nick asks.

Belle wipes the corner of her eye and outs me. She’s officially off my Christmas list. “Who wrote that book, Wyatt?” Belle asks sweetly.

Wyatt flips the book over and a huge smile breaks out across his face. I don’t have a photo on the book, but how many Amelia Greyson’s are just out there walking around? My guess is not many.

“I think Sawyer is about to eat his words. This night is getting better and better.” Wyatt grabs a pen off the table and brings his book to me. He’s going for dramatic. Lovely.

“Miss Amelia Greyson, will you please autograph my book for my wife? And before you say no, just keep in mind she’s a
huge
fan and if I tell her I met you and didn’t get your autograph, I won’t be getting any O’s, either. Her name is Beth.”

I can’t even bring myself to look at the rest of these guys. Belle is giggling again and I make a note to kill her when we leave here. But Wyatt asked so nicely; how could I not sign his book? I reach out, taking the pen and book from him, and autograph it quickly. I look up when I hand it back to him and all eyes are on me.

“Never judge a book by its cover, Sawyer,” Nick says to him smugly but his eyes and smile are focused solely on me.

Nick’s beautiful. I know, it’s odd to describe a man that way but he is and so is Sawyer because they look practically identical. Their eyes are green as a forest, they each have strong, jutted jaw lines, and both are about six feet tall. Sawyer has dimples where Nick is lacking them, but Nick has personality where Sawyer is just an ass. Nick has coppery brown hair but Sawyer’s is black. Sawyer has his lip pierced, Nick his eyebrow. Both have tattoos. I wouldn’t kick either out of my bed.

*Coming fall of 2015*

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23481130-just-an-illusion?from_search=true

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