Page 31 of Knot Their Opening Act

“I have an idea,” says Kai.

Nico and I groan.

“And no one’s going to like it.”

“Well, that sounds like a brilliant start then,” snaps Ash. “Come on, you lot. Please. Just thank her for her involvement, say something to praise her performance, and try to keep the peace. She doesn’t need any more anxiety than a first-time tourer already has, okay? And if you wreck her experience, I will not be signing on the dotted line for your next run of tours. Our contract is up for renewal after this tour, in case you’ve forgotten.”

I think he’s half-kidding. But he has a point. The best you can say about our interactions with her so far—apart from mine earlier today—is that we’ve give her the cold shoulder instead of treating her like an equal we can mentor, while also learn from.

Which, to be fair, is what we should’ve been doing onTen to One.

Kai clears this throat then pops a lozenge in it, and says in an overly-casual manner, “What if we fake a romance?”

We all stare at him.

“If we plant rumors that she and I are sleeping together, it could up the interest,” he says, shrugging. “Fans could come out to see a glimpse of any chemistry.”

“Why,” starts Holden slowly, “on God’s own earth wouldyouapprove of that, given your feelings toward her? And what drugs are you taking that make you think she’d be okay with it?” He laughs as the bus pulls into the venue lot.

“Absolutely not,” says Ash. “Not a chance.”

“Not to say we come out publicly as a couple, but if we just drop some really vague hints without confirmation, it would drive both sets of fans crazy. It might drop some barriers between them. It’s happened before. And it could drum up sales for each other’s merch.”

“Or it could totally backfire,” I say softly, wondering how on earth we would break this to her. From the things she’s said to me today, when she pictures Kai’s face, she pictures a fucking bull’s eye dripping in blood.

And then, it hits me. I am a fucking idiot! How did I not consider it before?

Sweat rolls down the back of my neck and between my shoulder blades. It’s not warm by any means outside, but the heat’s cranked in here and after the morning’s activities, I feel about a million degrees. Because somehow, I’ve forgotten something critical here.

Kai’s not on heat suppressants, and Jez is in heat. He certainly knows this. But him scentingherisn’t a big deal—if he wants to help her through it, too, then of course he should. But I don’t imagine him wanting to.

The problem is, he’ll be able to smell her onme.

I showered but it’s not going to matter. Not with his powerful scenting ability.

I lower my eyes to the floor but Kai’s leaned his back against the door in his row so he can look out at the whole bus, and I feel the drill of his gaze on me. I look outside as the driver brings us right up to a back door at the venue, where security staff are waiting.

Liana hops out and bodies make their way off the bus and toward the venue. Kai and I stay still.

“I knew she was in heat,” Kai says once the others have gone. His green eyes narrow above a scowl. “What I didn’t know was that you’d be the first to break.” He pauses and I hold back a barrage of comments in my head. Before I can decide which one to let free, he adds a bit hesitantly, “Are you still on suppressants?”

“Of course. I’m not you.” My tone’s just cheeky enough for him to know I’m trying to be a playful arse, not a vindictive twat. But also that there’s some truth in there.

We stare at each other, neither moving. This could go so many ways. After all, we all agreed to stay away from Omegas on tour after Nyah. So the main way I can imagine is a soft, menacing growl.Get out of my band, you backstabbing piece of shit.

But I should know Kai still has the ability to surprise me, which has kept me on my psychoanalyzing toes all these years.

His eyes are still narrowed, but a wide smile spreads across his face. “I don’t know whether to congratulate you for the shrewd business move or to be insanely jealous.”

“How about neither? Because she may go into heat around you, and you won’t be able to resist her. Trust me. If she was going to break us, it would happen whether she was in heat or not. She’s a work of art and you know it.”

I hop out of the bus and walk into the venue without another word. I’m not angry at him. I just don’t understand him anymore.

CHAPTER16

Jez

I spendthe late morning showering and pacing my beautiful penthouse suite. Caylee had said this would be the nicest room on the tour and to make the most of it, but it’s not like I’ll have energy to soak in the Jacuzzi for hours afterwards, or use the gym, although I hear they have a climbing wall and Viv and I used to climb a bit together before she became pregnant.

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