Page 43 of Stone Rules

I look between them, wondering what the dynamic is there, but not daring to ask. For all I know, she could just be his arm candy for the night.

“So, should I call you Chad or Thad?” I ask him. “And would you mind if I ask why you made the change?”

“Chad is fine, Charlie. And my agent suggested I change my name. Back when I was starting out, there was already an actor by the name of Chad Stoner. My agent thought my name was too similar. I didn’t really want to make the change, but he was pretty adamant. So I used the name Thad. It was actually what a childhood friend of mine called me because she” —he pinches the bridge of his nose— “well, it’s a long story.”

Ethan pats Chad on the shoulder sympathetically as they share a moment between brothers.She?I want to ask, but don’t.

The limo comes to a stop and the door is opened from the outside. We pile out into a back alley that, in darkness, would scare the living shit out of me, but by the remaining few minutes of sunlight, appears to be a private entrance into the concert hall.

“Right this way, Mr. Stone,” says a man with SECURITY written on his back.

We are ushered into a back door and through a maze of hallways and massive storage areas. The security guard hands us each a lanyard. “Make sure you have these on at all times. The band is right through those doors,” the large man says. “Enjoy your evening.”

“The band?” I ask Ethan with wide eyes.

He takes my lanyard from me and puts it over my head, carefully pulling my hair out from under it. He’s so close I can smell him. I inhale his scent and it does things to my body that I’m glad no one else can see in the darkened hallway.

He holds the laminated card up in front of my face so I can just make out the bold white letters. “All access?” I ask, looking up at him. “Does that mean what I think it means?”

He laughs. “Come on, let’s go meet the band.” He pulls me by the hand through double doors into a huge lounge area with couches, chairs, a pool table, even a bar with attendants.

There are a lot of people in here. Dozens at least. Maybe more. It’s not hard to spot the band. Although I’ve never seen them, it’s obvious who they are based on the number of half-naked female bodies draped on and around them. To be fair, the girls do have clothes on, it’s just that most of their skimpy tops seem to be suffering from wardrobe malfunctions at the moment. And from what I can tell, the bigger your boobs, the closer you get to the band.

I look down at my ample, yet clearly lacking chest, thinking I wouldn’t get within ten feet of them even if I wanted to. Which I don’t. I haven’t met any famous musical groups before, but I’m sure they suffer from the same affliction as actors—self-absorption.

“Thad!” yells one of the men sandwiched in tits. “Hey mate, glad you could make it.” He stands up, sending two girls tumbling off his lap without so much as an apology.

I’m a bit stunned by his British accent. Funny how when singing, most foreigners sound American.

He walks over and gives Chad a man-hug. Then he looks at me and Nikki. “And who are these lovely ladies you’ve brought with you?”

“This is Nikki and Charlie,” Chad says. “Girls, this is Adam Stuart.”

Nikki practically topples me over to get to him. Tugging her revealing shirt even lower before she shakes his hand, she says, “Oh, my God, you’re Australian? But you sing American.”

Chad and Adam share an incredulous look over the top of Nikki’s head. “British, not Australian,” Adam says. “And it took years of practice to learn your language.” He winks at me and I roll my eyes.

Ethan leans into me and whispers, “Can I use the blonde joke now?”

I laugh.

Adam steps around Nikki and holds his hand out to me. “Charlie, it’s very nice to meet you.” He rakes his eyes up and down my body despite the fact I’m the most covered-up female in the room with the exception of the servers. “I dig your shirt,” he says reaching out to touch it. “I’d very much like to see it on the floor of my room later.”

Ethan’s hand intercepts Adam’s and he shakes it. “I’m Ethan, Thad’s brother.”

Adam looks between the two, taking in the resemblance. “No shit?” He shakes his hand hard. “Well any brother of Thad’s is a brother of mine.” He takes two steps back and nods his head at me. “Sorry about that, mate.”

He calls the rest of the band over to introduce us. “Feel free to hang out in the wings during the show,” Adam says to the four of us.

Ethan raises his brows and shrugs a shoulder as if asking me if I’m good with that.

“Uh, I don’t know,” I say. “This is my first concert and I think I’d like to experience it like everyone else.” I look around at stunned faces. “I mean, if that’s alright with you guys.”

“For real?” Adam asks. “This is your first concert? As inever?”

I nod, embarrassed that I’ve now drawn so much attention.

“That’s unbelievable,” he says. “But, wow. I’m honored you’ve picked us for your first. I hope we don’t disappoint.”

---