Page 13 of Rebel

“I’m just worried,” she admits. “We can’t afford another mistake. It will cost us our jobs. I don’t want to see you all get hurt, and you know you’re like family to me. Plus, she’s so . . . combative.”

I soften toward her, knowing she means it. She’s always had our best interests at heart and tries to protect us. She has always stood with us, so if she’s worried about Beck, it’s only because she cares.

“Give her a chance.” I squeeze her shoulder. “Trust us, we need this, and so does she. I promise if she hurts the band in any way, I’ll be right there with you, but we have to give her the benefit of the doubt.”

“Of course,” she replies. “You’re right. I’m sorry. With?—”

“I know.” I get it. After everything that happened last time . . .

Well, it’s understandable.

“Come on, cheer up, we have a sold-out tour coming up.” I grin, making her giggle. “It’s time to make history.”

Hooking my arm across her shoulders, I steer her back into the dressing room where a pained-looking Kolton is sitting, clutching his pillow like a lifeline as Beck poses and he checks the outfit.

He turns to me with pleading eyes. “Help,” he whispers.

Sitting heavily, I lean into him. “I’ll suffer with you.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to walk again,” he grumbles, our eyes locked on her perfect ass.

“Walking is overrated,” I whisper.

“Definitely,” he agrees.

NINE

I’m exhausted. After spending all afternoon in fittings, I had another meeting with management before they finally let me go when it was dark. I crawled to my room and collapsed, needing silence to regroup after being on for them all day.

Tomorrow, we shoot promo videos and pictures, so I need to be rested, but after showering and changing, I find myself staring at the ceiling. My mind whirrs, even as my body begs for it to shut off.

Closing my eyes, I try to count backwards. When that doesn’t work, I open them and close them again, trying to hum to myself, but lyrics don’t come. Instead, memories do, and I give up. I reach under my pillow and grab my headphones, putting them on carefully, then I rewind the tape I was listening to last night and hit play.

Settling back, I close my eyes and focus on the sound and nothing else.

It takes me far away from reality.

“Hey,” the voice starts, as soft and familiar as my own heartbeat. “You’ll never guess what happened today?—”

I fall asleep with her voice in my ear like a lullaby, missing her like I’m missing the other half of me.

Sitting between Kolton and Chase, I hunch in on myself. Kolton shifts to give me more room, but Chase just moves closer, opening his legs wider to touch me. Rolling my eyes, I meet Trav’s amused gaze across from me. I have on a loose shirt and shorts, my face makeup free and my hair undone, ready for them to attack me like yesterday.

The boys are in sweats as well. Kolton’s hood is up, his eyes closed since it’s so early. They are used to this, but me, not so much.

“Here.” Trav hands over a travel mug. “You’ll need it, trust me.”

Taking a sip of the overly sweet coffee, I smile in thanks. “So what should I expect today?”

“There will be no paparazzi since we are shooting outside of the city without warning. We’ll be there for hours, and they will bark orders at you.” Trav sighs. “Basically, they will tell you what to do, so don’t worry. By the end, you’ll want to die, but it’s worth it.”

“And if you get bored, we can always shoot some raunchy content.” Chase smirks.

I elbow him, making him grunt, and then open my thighs, taking up my space again and making him squeeze into the doorway. “Man-spread somewhere else, asshole.”

“Jesus, did anyone tell you that you have anger issues? My therapist would say you should talk your feelings out,” Chase grumbles.

“You have a therapist?” I ask in shock.

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