Page 2 of Chronicles of a Rockin' Mess

I hear the bag drop, and a moment later Kade appears in the doorway. I look up and study him for a long moment. Kade is a good guy. He’s responsible. He’s definitely the dad of the band, and he also has the nicest girlfriend ever, Savannah. He’s been like a big brother to me since my first day on the job.

“So?” Kade asks.

“So?” I respond.

“Is the royal fucker ready yet?”

I snort. “He’s upstairs, probably manscaping or packing extra condoms, or some shit like that.”

“Typical,” Kade says with a roll of his eyes.

I sigh. “Well, our bags are ready to go. We just need his ass down here, and where are Harry and Savannah?”

“Savannah’s project is due this week, so she’ll join us in Prague, and Harry’s meeting us at the airport.”

I raise my eyebrows.

“Harry’s with Amelia,” he says with a grin. Amelia and Harry have been dancing around a real relationship for months now. We’re all rooting for it to happen because Amelia is awesome.

Kade’s phone buzzes and he looks down. “He’s coming,” Kade says and stands.

I shut down the laptop and place it in my carry-on bag before following Kade into the foyer. Lincoln walks down the stairs, and I swear it’s like a commercial or movie. He moves in slow motion, and everything about him radiates sex. I clench my thighs together. He’s wearing jeans, a white t-shirt with a logo of a resort on it, and a black leather jacket. He screams rock star. His hair is slightly disheveled but in the most perfect way. And I can smell his cologne from twenty feet away. Not because he has on too much, but because I’m sort of obsessed with it.

“Ready?” he asks us.

We nod, and Kade opens the door and beckons the driver up to help pack the car.

Thirty minutes later, we’re on a private jet. Somehow, Kade sweet-talked an exec at the record label. So, we are borrowing his private jet for the next few weeks as we make our way around Europe. It’s a fast part of the tour, twelve cities in twenty-one days.

I grab a chair in the back of the jet. I want to get as much work done as I can while we are in the air. Kade grabs a seat in the front. Harry and Kade’s PA, Ellie, sit up by Kade, and Lincoln sits across from them. Gwen, the band’s publicist, pops on last with Gary, the band’s manager, and sits up by Harry. Clearly, she wants the scoop on Harry and Amelia. I roll my eyes.

As soon as we take off, I’m online, confirming plans, making sure every need of Lincoln’s is met for the next three weeks. Eventually, I pop my head up and notice that everyone is sleeping except Lincoln and me.

His eyes meet mine, and he walks back to join me. He sits down and looks at my computer screen. I can feel the heat from his body. I lean toward him, needing to be closer, and also hoping he doesn’t notice.

“You should take a break.”

I sigh. “There’s lots to get done before we arrive.”

Lincoln places a hand over mine. I look down at it. His skin feels perfect against mine. I breathe in his cologne, taking full advantage of his proximity. “Take a break,” he demands in a gentle voice.

I stop and look up at him. He looks…concerned.

“Fine,” I say and lower the screen on my laptop. He’s still staring at me. I try not to stare back because I’m fairly certain my crush on him will be obvious if I do.

“What’s up?” I ask him.

He runs a hand through his hair, and my eyes follow it. What I’d give to run my hands through his hair.

“I’m sorry,” he says quietly, looking up to make sure no one is listening to us.

I shake my head, confused. “For what?”

“I’ve been a prick lately. It’s not fair to you. You are like the world’s greatest PA. I need to work on that.”

“It’s OK. You’re clearly working through some shit. I just worry about you, Linc,” I admit, giving his hand a squeeze. He squeezes back and my heart nearly stops from the intimate contact. And it’s the truth. I have been worried about him. He’s been all over the place lately, making my job twice as hard. It’s like he’s wrestling with demons or something.

“You know you can talk to me?” I say softly.

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