Page 41 of Ticket to the Stars: Part One

I splashed some water onto my face to cool off. Singing with Priest was… I wanted to say it was awkward, but it was only awkward in that we had an audience. Actually, singing with him was nicer than I’d thought. Granted, I hadn’t heard what we sounded like together as an audience member, but from the inside, I think we did a good job, considering we’d never sang with each other before.

I could see why girls went crazy for lead singers, especially when they looked like Priest. Slap a creepy mask on him, a bit of paint, and dress him in all black? He was every girl’s devil, the one they dreamed about at night, hunting them through the dark woods, giving chase and then taking everything he wanted from you once he caught you. He was definitely good enough to take Pope’s place in center stage.

Once I was cooled off, I dried my face and my hands and left the restroom. I might’ve made a wrong turn here and there, but after a few minutes, I found my way back to the recording room. The door was ajar by an inch or so, and I was seconds from pushing inside when I heard voices that stopped me dead in my tracks.

“Come on.” That was Bishop’s voice. “You were holding onto her damn near the entire time. And the way you were looking at her while you were singing—even Ramona picked up on the vibes between you two.”

“Vibes?” Priest’s voice, along with a throaty chuckle. “Believe me, there are no vibes. None at all.”

“Really? See, I find that hard to believe—” There was that jealous tone again. Maybe it wasn’t in my head. Maybe Bishop really was jealous…

Whatever triumphant feeling that swelled in me as I realized that died the moment Priest said, “I could have any girl I want. What makes you think I wanther? She’s not really my type. Bro, she’s never even been kissed. That’s fucking weird—”

My hand fell away from the door. It shouldn’t hurt me to hear him say any of that, but it did. It did, and I had to fight the stinging in my eyes. I refused to tear up over some mean, spiteful words. It wasn’t like I had a crush on any of them, so I didn’t care what they thought about me or what they said behind my back.

At the same time, I also didn’t want to go back into that room. I’d go down the parking garage and wait by the car, tell them I wasn’t feeling well if they asked.

Yeah, that’s what I’d do.

I turned away from the door and started down the hall, but the moment I did, I saw Deacon coming back, carrying a bag of something he must’ve gotten from a vending machine or lunch room somewhere.

I thought I was passable, but I guess my face must’ve shown just how hurt I was, because the second we locked eyes, Deacon’s feet stopped, and he stared at me like I’d grown a second head, or a third eye.

Swallowing, I broke our staring contest by angling my head down as I hurried around him. Deacon slipped off his headphones and called after me, “You okay?” But I didn’t stop and I didn’t answer him. I kept going.

I needed fresh air. I needed to get away from them. God, this sucked. Right when I think I can do this, that I could be a team with these guys… it’s like we took one step forward and two steps back.

Once I found the elevator, I let out a long, slow breath as I tried to calm myself down.

I shouldn’t be hurt. I shouldn’t give a crap about what those guys say. But Iwashurt, and Ididcare. Maybe wanting us to be friends was a childish, naive hope.

Within five minutes, I was in the parking garage beneath the studio, leaning on Priest’s sleek black car. I texted Ramona and told her I’d overheated in that room and needed some air, so I’d gone outside. She’d tell the guys, so I wouldn’t have to, and when they came out here, we could all move on. Hopefully Deacon wouldn’t tell them I’d been eavesdropping.

Then again, there was no way Deacon could know what I’d heard. Unless the guys told him what they were talking about…

Ugh. I guess I’d have to wait for them to come out and see if they said anything. If they didn’t say anything, then it was all good. They wouldn’t know what I’d overheard, and I wouldn’t start to think we were actually friends.

Ramona texted back within minutes, and she said,That’s fine. We’re done anyway. Good work today. I’ll send over the songs once they’re fixed up to get an idea of what we want to do with them.

I blinked. Well, maybe I spoke for myself, but I couldn’t wait to hear the songs with our voices spliced together.

Please note my use of sarcasm, because that statement had some heavy sarcasm added onto it. After hearing Priest and Bishop talking, the last thing I wanted to listen to was Priest’s and my voices.

Five minutes later, the guys approached. Priest wore his signature smirk, though I tried not to stare at him too hard. Wouldn’t want him to think I was falling head over heels for him with my dusty, ugly, virgin self.

Deacon watched me but didn’t say a word. Bishop, on the other hand, furrowed his brows and asked, “Are you not feeling okay?”

It was as we got into the car that I lied, “I just got a little hot in there and had to come out to cool myself down. I’m good now.” I buckled my seatbelt and met Bishop’s eyes, and then I gave him a smile even though it was fake.

In the front seat, Deacon tossed me a glance, along with a look that said he knew I was lying.

“What a workout,” Priest mused. “I’m feeling like pizza. Anyone else feeling like pizza? We did skip lunch, and you know I get hangry when I skip lunch.”

Hangry. I didn’t know if that was the word I’d use to describe him.

Chapter Eighteen – Bishop

Angel didn’t say a word to us, and she took a whole pizza box into her room, where she ate once we got back to the Redborne. I suspected something was off, but I didn’t know what or why.

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