Page 88 of More To Us

So I guess Dylan's moved on. He obviously isn't obsessing over Amber if he wrote a song about some other girl. I wonder if he met that girl before or after being with Amber. I'm sure he doesn't remember her. As the lead singer of a popular band, I bet he has a different girl every night. Plus, he's hot, in that prep school type of way. Dark hair and a pretty-boy face with dark brooding eyes. He has that rich-guy look but I don't think he's rich. From what Austin said about him, he sounds like your average college student, struggling to pay bills.

As the guys set up, I get a Coke from the bar, then sit at one of the tables near the middle of the room. I don't want to be by the stage because I know girls will be trying to grab Austin and I really don't want to see that. I'm not sure how I'm going to feel tonight, seeing girls yell Austin's name and flash their breasts at him. He told me that happens sometimes. On the drive here, he tried to prepare me for this, being completely honest about how aggressive these girls can be. But then he assured me that he's mine and he'd never cheat on me.

That's all good to hear, but when the concert finally starts, his words aren't that helpful. Just like last week, girls are lined up by the stage, screaming his name. And the girls who are sitting with me keep talking about him. There wasn't enough seating so I let some girls share my table but now I'm regretting it.

"He's so damn hot," the girl next to me says, referring to Austin. I didn't tell her I'm his girlfriend. I didn't want these girls looking at me like that girl at the coffee shop did. I'd rather remain anonymous and just listen to him play.

"Jessica was with him last May," she says to me. "Said he was amazing."

I tense up, knowing she's referring to their sex life. "How long did they date?"

"I'm not sure." She yells across the table. "Jess! How long were you with Austin?"

She shrugs. "Maybe a week?" She smiles. "Best week of my life."

She nudges me. "I was with his brother, Jake, a year ago. Best sex I ever had. The Wheeler boys know what the hell they're doing."

I wish she'd stop talking. I don't want to hear this.

"I'm gonna get a drink," I say, getting up.

"Want me to save your seat?"

"No, that's okay."

The bar is packed but Austin introduced me to the bartender, so when he sees me, he ignores the people yelling out drink orders and says, "What can I get you?"

"Rum and Coke," I yell back so he can hear.

He nods and goes to get it. Up until now I've only been drinking Coke but I need something stronger than that to get through the night. I knew girls would be going crazy over Austin, but hearing that girl actually talk about being with him was too much.

I remain by the bar for the next half hour. Then the band takes a break and I see Austin making his way through the crowd. He sees I'm not at the table and starts searching for me. I catch his eye and wave at him. Girls try to grab him and talk to him as he walks over.

"What are you doing over here?" he asks when he finally reaches me.

"I was just getting a drink." I hold it up.

"Let's go in the back." He takes my hand and leads me to a room that looks like an office with a desk and file cabinets. There's a couch off to the side where Van and Dylan are sitting.

"Can you give us a minute?" Austin says to them. They get up and leave, then Austin sits me down on the couch. "You okay?"

"Yeah? Why?"

"Because you look mad."

"I'm not mad. I'm just..."

"What? Tell me."

"Uncomfortable. I'm not used to seeing you like this, with all these girls hanging on you."

"It doesn't mean anything. I'm just here to play my music. I'm not doing this to get girls. I do it because I like playing guitar."

"I know, but it still makes me uncomfortable. I feel like you're mine now, so I don't like other girls touching you." I look down. "I don't like sharing you."

"Kira." He wraps his hand around mine. "I AM yours. There's nobody else, and there won't be for as long as we're dating. I told you, I don't cheat."

And I believe him. Even though it'd be easy for him to be with another girl, I don't think he would. I don't think he's that type of person.

---