Page 150 of Hate Mates

Echoes of Desire by C.N. Marie

A SAVAGE VALE SHORT STORY

Prologue

Inever thought I was the type of person to be influenced to take a new job position, but then I’d never had to deal with the likes of Amelia Trescoller before. She was a ruthless and fiery soul and madly in love with the lead singer, Garrett Cawlton, of one of the hottest rockstar groups, Savage Vale, to grace the planet at the moment.

Screw what people said about love and careers not working. It never stopped her wanting the best for the group as a whole, and at this current moment, that agenda seemed to include me. With Savage Vale planning a worldwide stadium tour, they needed the best, and apparently, there was no second name on the list, according to the group. My gut swirled with the potential answer of wanting to ask if it had been one particular member who had requested my presence, but then that would mean he’d have had to start caring.

I may be a leading tour manager and someone who could set the scene for any artist to reach the next level in their career, ensuring a growth and following increase like no other, but that didn’t mean other people didn’t exist in my industry. I was known for my outrageous ideas—ones that made the headlinesand led to sold-out tours just through the association of who I was. It was a dream of many to have me working alongside their group, bringing the crowds in swarms to shows. They wanted to see not only the sex appeal of the artist but also the magic and artistry with the tricks and surprises that lit up across the stage as they performed. It was captivating how one song could link to another with just the correct choreography, lighting and stage presence. It could make or break the experience they’d paid for and the associated opinions that fans had of the group. I’d seen bands fumble and fall from a tour gone wrong.

I’d worked with many groups over the years—from solo artists to a choir with over a hundred artists ranging from as young as eleven years old to sixty. I’d been challenged to say the very least. I just had always told myself that I’d follow the career path that was set for me and never question any potential stopping blocks that were placed in my way.

That was until now…

That was until Amelia Trescoller handed me the opportunity of my dream job—with the perfect group that could elevate even my success to the next level. It was the perfect match of skills.

The thing was, working with Savage Vale would mean having to face the guy who’d consumed my heart and left me high and dry many years ago.

The one person that I hated with every part of my soul—Brody Valens.

And that pain doesn’t disappear—ever.

ONE

Simone

Iran my fingers through my long red curls one last time before I did a final check that my make-up and outfit was on point before I left the restroom and made my way to the first venue highlighted on the tour list by Amelia. Today would be the first time I came up close and personal with the whole group and, of course, him again. I daren’t think about whether he’d changed or not—the news articles to me spoke enough volumes to tell me that he hadn’t. He was still the reckless guy from all those years ago, except he managed to hide himself better from the media than some of the other members. I don’t know how Amelia dealt with Garrett hitting the headlines time after time. I gritted my teeth and tried to hide the irritation from showing across my features as I held my head high and walked into the venue, causing all eyes immediately to turn.

I couldn’t help but notice the tech guys busy prepping out front for the show that was not too far away from starting.They were leaving it a bit late to my liking.The first thing that will be added to my list and changed. I accept in the least respect and punctuality to the people who are trying to help them soar even higher. I know with their egos as high as they are, though,they’d probably believe that was an impossible task anyway and only meet me due to contractual reasons forced on by the management team. At least, they see the potential.

“What the fuck is she doing here?” Brody rasped out as his voice echoed across the room straight to me as I approached closer, throwing his hands in the air.Glad he still felt the same anger for me as I did for me!“I ain’t working with her.” He shouted out as the guys immediately turned to Amelia and her unfazed features.

I assume this wasn’t the first tantrum she’d had to deal with from a rockstar as I finally stopped in front of the group.

“Nice to see you again, Amelia,” I uttered to her before turning on my heel and addressing the band. “I’m your new tour manager, Simone and the best in the business. I would say it’s lovely to meet you all—” as I flitted my gaze to the left and turned back to the group, “but that would be a lie. I wouldn’t want us to start on the wrong impression now, would I? Now, are we going to be having any issues going forward?”

“Oh, I see why you like her,” Garrett announced to Amelia with a raspy tone before glancing over at his fellow band member who’d taken a perch on the end of the stage and managed to grab the attention of a stagehand, drawing her closer towards his body. “I take it these two—” Amelia sharply nodded as Garrett let out a chuckle. “You love playing with fire, my love.” He replied as he strutted over toward Brody. “I take it I need to become the peacekeeper for once. My poor heart…”

“You better do something, or you’ll be on the sofa tonight.” Amelia sharply cuts back, making JB and Holden fight the urge to let out a roar of laughter at his expense. “You know what I say goes with this group, and Simone Kinlott stays.”

“Do I get a say in this?” I asked her, raising my eyebrow.

“No.” Everyone instantly stated together.

“We need the best,” JB confirmed, glancing over at Garrett trying to get rid of the woman now wrapping herself around Brody like a monkey. “He’ll just have to deal with it.”

I just have to accept that the two of us will be in the same surroundings whether I like it or not, and I’d have to deal with the way he acts in a professional manner and not the woman who had the instant sparked chemistry with a guy before he became famous.

The next moment I saw the scowling arrogant ass say goodbye to the woman as quickly as he’d grabbed her attention before he strutted his way back towards me with Garrett, his deathly gaze focused straight for me.

“Tonight’s show is a tease for people. A smaller, more private repertoire. I’ll be watching and assessing you all. I want to see what the real Savage Vale are made of and what from the base itinerary I sent you has been implemented in the tour already.” I announced to them, keeping my head held high and not letting him think he could take control of the situation, making me feel small or belittled. If anything, I was in control. I held the power here. “You need to let me see those areas where I can make you shine in the big stadiums. The parts that won’t work without me.”

“You’ll see that we’re good enough without you.” Brody cursed out whilst raising his eyebrow in challenge to me. “We are Savage Vale after all.”

“Enough.” Amelia immediately cuts in. “I won’t have this shit happening. You know that.” She stated as her gaze pinpointed directly on Brody, as Garrett licked his lips the fire burning deeply at Amelia’s reaction. “Deal with it. Right?”

“Fuck, yeah,” Garrett replied in a husky, heated tone. “What she says goes.” He uttered as he prowled towards Amelia and surprised her by throwing her over his shoulder. “I’ll be backin ten—no fifteen minutes and ready for us to get on stage for soundcheck.”

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