Page 15 of Wild Obsession

Despite his cool tone, I can tell he’s as rattled as the rest of us. He’s hunching over the little table like if he gets closer to the phone this inexplicable news will make more sense. Our first tour went pretty well, but it didn’t go “sold out when we’ve barely started” well. This is definitely a different level, one none of us were apparently ready for.

“It means,” Emmett says, “more dates, more shows, maybe a longer tour.”

“No,” Erin cuts in immediately. “We aren’t doing a longer tour. We agreed to the six weeks. That’s what we’re doing.”

No one argues with her, and not just because she’s our leader. We’re musicians first and foremost. We haven’t lost sight of that, even during our rise, especially not Erin.

“But—”

“No,” Erin says. “I know what’s in the contract. There’s no extension. We need to get back to making this next album.”

“You can make an album on tour, you know. Do you understand the kind of money we’re looking at here?”

“We’ll earn it next time,” Erin says firmly. “The second album is getting done when we get back. We’re not budging on this, Emmett.”

There’s a beat of silence. None of us speak up to contradict Erin. We all agree with her that the music is the important thing here. Besides, I definitely don’t need to bestuck on this tour even longer with Keannen.

Eventually, a sigh fuzzes the connection with Emmett.

“Fine,” he says. “We’ll work in more shows without extending the tour. They’re going to be pissed. Do you understand how lucky you are to have a manager like me? Anyone else would be insisting on doubling this tour while it’s selling out.”

We do understand, actually. Not only has Emmett been cool about stuff like this, he’s also been cool about stuff like Cameron and his boyfriend. Cameron’s sexuality has never once been a concern or consideration, even as the media started scrutinizing all of us more closely. On the flip side, they haven’t forced Cameron to parade his boyfriend around, either. There are definitely some paparazzi pictures of the two of them, but management itself hasn’t interfered in the relationship. We’re lucky to be hitting our musical stride at a time like this when Cameron living authentically is a positive and not a dirty secret to hide from fans.

The second Erin hangs up, she fixes each of us with that look that has always meant “business time.”

“If any of you want the extension, speak up,” she says.

“Absolutely not,” Cameron says immediately. “Six weeks away is enough.”

“You did the right thing,” Kelsey says, patting Erin’s arm. She holds onto her arm a beat longer than strictly necessary, but Erin doesn’t shrug her off. Instead, she smiles.

“Thanks, guys,” Erin says. “I know we’ve got managersand stuff now, but I also know we all want to do this right, no matter what.”

We nod solemnly. We made that pact with each other before signing our first record deal. We swore we’d stick to our guns no matter where this wild ride takes us.

Tonight, it takes us to Austin, where we’ll play our next show. I nearly feel relieved when I get off the bus. We’ll get a short break here, so Cameron will be with Julian and we’ll all get a little time to breathe before being stuck on a bus again. Some day maybe we’ll be jetting to every tour date, but we’re not quite there yet, so for now, we’re stuck living life on the road. I’m not going to complain about a real bed instead of a bunk bed on a tour bus, though, that’s for sure.

Except when I slouch into the lobby with my duffel bag, Keannen is already there, like he got off his own tour bus and stood around waiting for me to arrive. Maybe he did. His band must have gotten the same call from Emmett, and it’s a way bigger deal for Baptism Emperor than for us. Maybe he’s been biding his time so he can gloat.

I grit my teeth. I’m seriously not in the mood for it tonight. The only thing I want is a shower, a meal and a bed. But when I get my room key from the desk and slouch toward the elevator bank, Keannen sidles up beside me wearing a grin that both turns my stomach and sends heat trickling into my belly.

This is going to be a long night.

Chapter Eight

Keannen

I KNOW THIS IS wrong, but a face splitting smile winds across my lips the moment Tim’s eyes go wide as he spots me in that lobby. He slouches up beside me, the elevator bank affording us very little space to avoid each other, though he stands as far away as he can manage.

I’m not so gracious.

I watch him unabashedly, the grin never leaving my mouth. It’s been a long drive down the coast and then east to Austin. Messing with Tim will certainly take the edge off all those boring days spent scrolling through my phone on the bus.

The elevator bings. We both go for it, but Tim hesitates when I stride inside. I set a hand against the door and leer at him.

“Planning to walk?” I say.

“No.” He grumbles the word at his feet.

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