Page 70 of Rebel

“I don’t care.” Rachel turns away from me. “Go now.” She pushes me, and I see Trav frowning as he stands in front of the backdrop, waiting. When I get closer, he grabs me and places me in the middle.

I smile shakily for all the cameras as he leans in. “Are you okay?”

“Fine,” I mutter.

“What did Rachel want?”

I glance over at Rachel, who is glaring down at her phone. “Nothing I can’t handle,” I tell him and turn back, posing with them as the cameras flash. When we move on, Rachel comes over.

“Okay, let’s do this next?—”

“Let’s do that slow-motion camera. It looks fun,” I comment, and her eyes flare wide.

“We don’t have time?—”

“Sure we do.” I smile. “You said to have fun, right? To show our faces.” I wait, smirking as she glares at me. This is more than her hating change. This is personal. “What do you think?” I ask the guys.

“Hell yes.” Chase nods.

“I’m in.” Kolton shrugs, completely oblivious to Rachel’s burning stare.

I turn back to her and smirk, looking her over as the guys head to the line for the slow-motion camera I’ve seen on Instagram. “Never scold me like a child again,” I warn her. “I’m here to be part of this band, so show me the same respect you show them. I might be new, but I will not tolerate your bitchy attitude. Whatever problem you have with me, swallow it.” I plant a fake smile on my face and turn, spotting Trav waiting for me.

He raises an eyebrow but grins proudly at me before holding out his hand.

I step forward to take it and stumble.

Something is holding me back. I hear an audible rip, and the flashes from the cameras increase. I glance back to see Rachel lift her heel from my long train. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she gushes, looking worried. “I didn’t realize it was there. Oh no, your dress is ruined. What will we do?”

She clearly expects a meltdown, or maybe for me to take it out on her as the guys hurry toward me. Kolton kneels to try and fix my ripped dress. “I’m so sorry, Beck. It was an accident. I’m so sorry.” Tears actually fill Rachel’s eyes.

Oh, she’s good, but I’m better.

“Accidents happen.” I shrug and smile, then I crouch, grab the ripped end, and yank. The tear is loud, and I hear shouts and comments as I stand, the dress now almost a mini dress, before handing her the fabric. “No harm done.”

I wave at the cameras and follow the guys over to the slow-motion camera.

“Are you okay?” Kolton asks.

“I’m fine.” I smile sweetly at him, unwilling to admit she did that on purpose. It’s becoming clear I’m surrounded by people with two faces.

I don’t know who I can trust, so I’ll play them all.

I will make them dance to my song, and when the curtain drops, so will their facades and the truth.

Fallon looks incredible tonight. I’m not into women, but I could definitely be for her. She’s someone I’ve looked up to for years. She’s an incredible artist, and her work is always in my playlists. Her voice is crooning and raw, and she does everything from pop to folk, and she kills it every time. It shouldn’t surprise me that she’s here.

There are so many tables, it’s hard to count, all covered with brilliant white tablecloths and surrounded with six to eight seats. The food is ready to be served after the show, with Champagne and wine flowing over every table. Waiters stand at the side, anxiously waiting to step in. The stage up front is massive, with giant screens to the left and right of it, and the theater we are in is decorated in gaudy reds and golds.

It’s so huge and over the top that I find myself watching Fallon to center myself.

Her chin is tilted up, and her face is serene and calm. She sits tall in the eye of the storm, and I respect that.

Her signature sleek black hair is slicked back into a high ponytail with a small wave at the end. Her beautiful face is slightly tan with minimal, classy makeup. Huge diamonds drip from her ears, and her black dress is killer.

She is quite literally the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, except maybe Reign Harrow, who is nowhere to be seen tonight.

“Why don’t you stare harder?” Chase nudges me with a laugh. He beat out Trav for the seat on my left, while Kolton sits on my right. Rachel is not at our table, but some new singers are. They introduced themselves as Western Road. They seem nice enough if shy, despite Trav trying to bring them out of their shell.

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