Page 134 of Rebel

“They loved you.” Chase winks as we walk to the green room. It’s already bustling with people. Sanctuary cheers for us when we come in, as well as some of the VIPs here. Today was a long day, so after a few beers with them, we call it quits since we have to travel to the next venue tonight.

When we are back in the bus, my shoulders finally slump in exhaustion, and I can’t wait to crawl between the sheets with my girl in my arms.

We pull up short at the flowers covering nearly every surface of the bus. Whistling, I grab a card, as do the others. “To Dead Ringers, congratulations and good luck. Thank you for everything you do, Trav, Chase, and Kolton. Love, Management.” I frown, glancing at Trav, who shakes his head and holds up the card, showing Beck’s name is missing on his too. We all turn to Beck, who drops a card that doesn’t have her name.

“It was probably a mistake.” One I will make sure they rectify. It’s fucked up not to include her, and I will make sure they know that. Beck just played her heart out, and she’s the one who brought life back to the band, so she should be at the top of the fucking list.

“Yeah, probably.” She smiles, but it seems wilted and unsure. “Let’s head to bed.”

We watch her go, all of us frowning and annoyed, and I know our management is going to rue the day they forgot her name, mistake or not.

SIXTY

We have two days of travel to get to the next arena, but we’ll also be performing there for three nights, so I can’t really complain. I expected to get bored on the bus, but the guys keep me busy, just not busy enough for me to forget the slight from the flowers.

It means whoever bullied my sister is still here. I have no doubt about it. I texted Ben, and he agrees. He’s still working through the list of names, but he has texted me two crew members who he thinks are suspicious. It’s my job when we get to the next venue to find out if they are behind it.

I relax, resting and playing games with the guys while we travel.

We stop every now and again to get some snacks or stretch our legs, and on our latest stop, there is a fair right next to it. After shooting Rachel a text, telling her we are going to play for two hours and ignoring her response, the guys drag me into it. I can’t stop smiling as Trav wins me a giant teddy bear. Not to be outdone, Kolton and Chase do as well, so they are each carrying one for me.

Laughing, I skip over to the food stalls and grab us a mixture of everything, which we eat as we walk. We all have hats tugged down over our faces, but no one seems to notice us or care as the afternoon sun warms our skin. I find myself holding each of their hands at some point. We ride rides and take photos, and it’s like a normal date, as if we could be anyone.

I keep the photo strip in my pocket, unable to stop smiling as we head to the giant Ferris wheel. Kolton balks, but I drag him on, and he sits at my side, holding my hand tightly as we go up, giving us a view of the surrounding countryside and roads.

It stops at the top for us, swinging slightly, and I giggle as I lean out and shout. Chase laughs and joins us, then Trav, but Kolton is pale. I kiss him. “Scream, baby, let it out.”

He swallows and screams, but it’s quiet.

“Again,” I urge him, and this time he screams loudly. Laughing, we all join in. I’m sure they all think we are crazy, but I don’t care.

I’ve never felt so free and happy.

As soon as we get back on the bus, I line up the teddies on the bunk and flop back with my photo strip, smiling happily at it when my phone buzzes.

It’s an unknown email, and I open it, a bad feeling building within me. My mood instantly sours as I open the link.

Who is Beck Danvers—Star or Gold Digger?

I scan the contents, noting there is an “insider” saying that I’m using the guys for fame and that I’m sleeping with them—they have that one right—and much more. I instantly send it on to Ben, and he calls. I open FaceTime as he groans.

“I know a guy at that news outlet. I’ll reach out and see if I can get him to tell me who is responsible,” he snaps, sounding annoyed.

“Thanks, that would be great. They are upping their game, but you’re right. We are drawing closer. It also means they are getting more desperate. I want to know before it’s too late.”

“You’ve got it, Beck. Other than that, are you okay?” he asks.

“Yeah, I’m fine. How about you?”

“Baby, get in here, we’re bored and want to play with you,” Chase calls. I blush, and Ben grins.

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. You better go. Speak to you later, and don’t worry, Beck, we’ll figure this out and get answers for you and your sister.” I nod as I hang up. Heaving myself up, I leave my phone and the hate behind.

They want to break me, but they won’t succeed.

I have everything to lose now, but so do they.

When we reach the next stadium, it’s even bigger than the last one. Luckily, this time, we get hotel rooms, and they are right next door. Since we are here for a few days, I soak in the giant tub, and the glam team makes me up before we head over for night two, which goes just as well as night one. Some audience members even know the lyrics of our new songs, as if they have been watching the recordings from night one and learning them.

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