Claiming Addison (10 page)

“Without these two, we wouldn’t be here,” he says and the crowd gets impossibly loud. It’s hardly the truth. I’ve done nothing to get this tour off the ground. That’s been Kyle and probably the one they fired. But I think it’s his way of showing me some affection the best way he knows how.

Once we’re out of sight of the crowd I turn to Kyle, “I don’t feel right taking that kind of credit.”

“Suck it up, buttercup. I think it’s an expression of appreciation for today, tonight and going forward. You’ll keep him in line.”

I snort. “I doubt that.”

“I don’t,” he says very seriously.

“What do you know that I don’t?” I ask him.

“Nothing.”

“I’m calling bullshit, Kyle.”

“Look, I don’t know much, other than the fact that he’s really into you. I’ve known him a long time and I’ve never seen him like this.” He says with confidence, but I can’t help thinking that this isn’t going to be the case in a couple of weeks. I’m a cynic, what can I say?

“I’m not the only one in this equation.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh come on, he kissed me the way he did while you were holding on to me. You made your own advances and he didn’t shove you away. Are you really that dense?” I ask him serious.

“No, I’m not, but it doesn’t mean he wants me. It could just be the idea of him with you, or the fact that he likes to watch.”

I shake my head, “You know what? We could sit here and assume all we want. It’s not going to make this any easier.”

“Good point,” he says just as the band strikes up with ‘Your Eyes’.

“You said this wasn’t in their set.” I look toward the stage at Talon and he’s looking at me with that same look in his eyes he had earlier. He only keeps his eyes on me for a moment then he turns to the crowd and there is a collective increase in volume from the ladies in the crowd.

“It wasn’t, but I told him he should add it and that look is the key to turning all the women in the arena into putty. It worked. But I think he’s really singing it for you.”

“Stop that.” I bump shoulders with him. He doesn’t say anything. “Kyle, are you jealous?”

“Ohmygod. No.”

“Oh my god, you’re so full of shit.”

He shrugs. I roll my eyes and go back to enjoying my song. Then Kyle wraps his arms around me, leaning down to rest his chin on my shoulder and he starts swaying both of us to the music. There is something strangely comforting about his embrace and I sink back into him, letting him sway me to the beat.

The rest of the concert goes off without incident. The crowd was extremely wound up when they came off stage the first time, the crowd went crazy demanding more. Talon looked at me with a big shit eating grin on his face. I nodded and his face lit up as he called the boys back. They returned to the stage for two more songs. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride as I watched the boys play their first encore. It was amazing.

When the guys come off the stage for the final time, they all have the most inspiring grins on their faces. Talon comes straight for me, wrapping his arms around me in a massive hug. “Thanks, Red.”

“For what?”

“Being an amazing good luck charm.”

I laugh. “Anytime.”

“You realize I’m going to have to kiss you every night before we take the stage, right?”

I shake my head. “I’ll be here.”

“Good. Come to the greenroom.” He pulls back from his hug.

“I have guests out front, remember?”

“Oh, that’s right. Bring them by.”

“Alright, we’ll be back in a bit.” Just like that Talon follows the rest of the guys back to the greenroom and the amount of VIPs coming through the door is increasing. I shoo Kyle off to the greenroom with the guys and wait for Sam, Jess, Cami and Tristan.

Thankfully it doesn’t take them long to make it back.

“Oh my god, Addison, that was amazing.” Jess and Sam schmooze as soon as they see me. I smile and hug them.

“You enjoyed the show?”

“Hell yes, we did. I’m buying tickets for the LA show,” Jess says.

“No, I’ll bring you guys in for the LA show.”

“Ohmygod Addie, you’re the best,” Sam squeals.

I can see Cami and Tristan standing back. “You guys want to meet them?”

Cami is bouncing with excitement. “She’s such a fangirl,” I hear Tristan say.

“That’s a little hard to believe,” I tease.

“Well, except when it comes to me.” He grins a secret smile that rivals Talon’s panty melting grin.

Cami bumps her shoulder into Tristan. “I fangirl over you, I just don’t show it, besides, you’re mine so I can fangirl in private all I want.”

Tristan laughs.

“Alright, follow me,” I say and lead them into a room next to the greenroom. Once they’re inside I turn to them. “Get comfortable. I’ll bring them here. I’m sure Tristan would enjoy his privacy; that room is already crawling with fans. Sam and Jess, you wanna stay here or go next door?”

They both turn to Tristan and Cami. “We don’t want to intrude.”

“Nonsense, stay here, then when we’re done, we’re going to leave to avoid the crazies from attacking Tristan,” Cami says.

“Okay, we’ll stay here for now,” Sam says. I nod and leave the room, almost running straight into Tyson who has taken up residence outside the door. I smile at him and he returns it. God, he’s really hot. Then I catch the glimmer of a ring on his left hand and I want to pout. The good ones are always taken.

When I recover from my near collision with Tyson, I notice that there is a line out the door for the greenroom and I bypass them all and walk right in, right past Leroy and Beck. The sight before me is definitely one to see. The guys are sprawled out on the couches with girls groveling at their feet. The overwhelming need to roll my eyes overruns my initial irritation and jealousy over the girls climbing all over Talon. I have no right to be jealous.

“Red?” Talon says over one of the girls, looking straight at me.

“I need you guys.”

“For?”

“Super VIPs,” I say back and he nods.

“Guys?” He gives them a nod toward the door and the guys get the hint. They unwind themselves from their perspective hoard or the night’s conquest, depending on what you want to call them. They all come to stand next to me.

I lean into Beck who bends and brings his ear close to my lips. “We have Tristan Michaels and his wife next door. The boys are going over there to say hello, shoot the shit for a few minutes and then come back.”

“Roger,” he says and sets about parting the masses surrounding the doors. “Ladies. Step back. The guys will be right back.” There is a collective sigh from the ladies but when they realize the guys are walking past them they get excited again.

We manage to make our way through the body parts and women trying to throw themselves at the band members. I want to smack some sense into each one of them. When we come to the door, Beck and Leroy take up their posts on either side, right next to Tyson. They’re quickly joined by Rusty, who’s been following me around like a lost little puppy all night and finally Mills joins them. I open the door; and the guys duck inside. I was going to wait outside, but Talon grabs my hand as he passes, pulling me in behind him.

Jess and Sam are bouncing up and down and I can see immediately that Dex has his eyes all over Sam. I want to cockblock again, but I can’t right now. “Gentlemen, this is Cami and Tristan Michaels,” I point to each of them, respectively. “Tristan and Cami, this is Talon, Dex, Peacock, and Mouse.” Again pointing out each one.

“Excellent show,” Tristan says, putting his hand out for Talon to take.

“Thanks, that means a lot coming from you. We’re glad you guys could make it.” Talon is very polite and professional as he takes Cami’s hand. “And you, thank you for sending Addison to us, she’s been an amazing asset so far.”

Cami looks to me and I shrug. Cami smiles. “We couldn’t think of anyone better. I hope she continues to be. You guys put on one hell of a show. I understand you’re in Phoenix on Sunday?”

“We are. Looking forward to it.”

“Great. We live in Phoenix and Addison tells me you’re leaving on Wednesday?”

“Uh, I think that was the plan. It’s been a crazy day,” Talon says.

“Yes, we’re leaving early Wednesday for Albuquerque.” I interject.

“Great, then let us have dinner Tuesday evening,” Cami says to Talon but looks around to the rest of the guys. “We can send Addison the details.”

Talon looks to me before telling Cami, “You’ll have to check with our manager, but I imagine we will be free for dinner.” Talon smirks at me.

Cami laughs. “It’s a date then.”

I get around to introducing Jess and Sam a few minutes later. The eye fucking between Sam and Dex has me paranoid, but I decide that Sam is a grown woman and she can make her own decisions. Talon and Tristan seem to hit it off and Cami takes up tattoo conversations with Peacock and Mouse.

After about ten minutes, Cami and Tristan say their good-byes and Dex is quick to drag Sam and Jess back into the greenroom. The women in the hallway have grown in numbers since we left the room. As we walk through the throng, I remind Talon that we have a scheduled kick off after party to get to. He in turn promises to get through the hoard quickly and they do. Sam doesn’t leave Dex’s side and Jess seems to have taken to Peacock, and it irritates me. For fuck’s sake. It’s like I’ve brought them their own personal buffet of girls and I hate feeding the animals.

I’m waiting outside with Rusty, Kyle, Mouse and Talon when the town cars show up to take us to the after party. Dex and Peacock come out of the venue with Sam and Jess in tow and I’m surprised. They don’t say anything to me, they’re too busy chatting with their ‘dates’, for lack of a better description.

We pile into the cars and it doesn’t take us more than ten minutes to get to the bar where the party is being held. When we pull up, there is a mountain of reporters and screaming girls standing outside.

My car has myself, Rusty—of course—and Kate, Kyle’s assistant. She isn’t exactly the type of girl you’d picture running around the country with a bunch of rockers. She’s very shy and for lack of a better word-virginal. She’s about five four with blond hair and she’s petrified of the band. I find it kind of funny, but then again, any smart girl would be more than aware of the band’s reputation. Her fear makes me wonder if it’s actually jealousy. She’s jealous that no one is paying attention to her.

In front of us, in another car, are Talon, Mouse and Mills and behind us in yet another car are Peacock, Jess, Dex, and Sam. I’m pretty confident that for Jess, her hanging out with Peacock is tied to Sam’s interest in Dex, not her own interest in Peacock. Or at least her own sexual interest. She’s never, in all the years I’ve known her, slept with a guy on the first date. She’s all about “like me, woo me, love me, fuck me.” So her being with Peacock is okay. He’s the teddy bear of the group and I take comfort in that.

Kyle is in the last car with Leroy and Beck. Poor guy got stuck with the bodyguards, though I think he pushed Kate into my car so she wouldn’t get stuck with the guys. She’s not very talkative and that’s disappointing. Her discomfort gives me a strange thrill, but in all honesty I don’t want her to feel left out or too uncomfortable. However she still doesn’t talk to me.

When we get to the front of the club, I tell the driver to just take us around back. Rusty radios to the other cars letting them know what our plan is. We’re not important and because we’re the second car in the motorcade, the reporters stacked out front will be disappointed when we step out after Talon. As we approach the back door, another car pulls up behind us.

Rusty turns to me, “Leroy and Beck will scoot through the club to meet the guys out front. They’re all waiting to move in and get out until they’re in position.”

“Okay, good. I need to get out front in case there are any issues, but I’d prefer the guys to be pulled into the club.”

Rusty relays my message to the other guards and they confirm they’ll behave. I don’t want too many pictures of Sam and Jess floating around out there, they both have professional careers to think about and seeing them partying with rock stars is just the kind of thing that could get them into trouble with their jobs. Lucky for me, it is my job.