Page 80 of Heart of a Rebel

“This is the band I was telling you about. They’re gonna go somewhere. Trust me.”

“They signed yet?” Adrian asks.

Sebastian shakes his head. “They were going to go with Magnum and backed out at the last second. But I’m telling you they’re gonna be big.”

The lead singer opens her mouth, and I’m met with the voice Sebastian is talking about. It’s unreal, cutting straight through the day and taking hold.

“Wow,” I exhale.

“See.” Sebastian winks in my direction. “I don’t know what went down with Magnum, but whoever signs them is going to be lucky. Fuck, if I was a producer, I’d walk the fuck over there with papers right now.”

His face drops, and I feel like a thought just crossed his mind, but he doesn’t say anything more about it as he watches them play.

Sebastian pulls Cassie down to the blanket and wraps himself behind her, swaying to the song.

“Hey.” Adrian tips my chin in his direction with his thumb and forefinger. “I’ve gotta go check in on Merry, you gonna be okay?”

“Go.” I tip up on my toes and give him a quick kiss. “If anyone gets near me, my brother’s ridiculous personality is sure to scare them away.”

“Hey.” Sebastian swats at my leg. “I’m charming as fuck, right babe?” He looks at Cassie who’s just laughing.

“But really, go. I’m fine. There’s security everywhere.”

I try to sound relaxed for his sake, even though I know it doesn’t do any good. There’s no way Adrian will relax this week unless we’re naked in bed together.

“Stay with your brother and Cassie.” Adrian narrows his eyes, and I’m not sure why he thinks I’d try to escape.

As much as I pretend I’m unfazed by everything going on, I’m well aware we’re not any closer to figuring out who’s stalking me. This festival might make me feel free, but I’m not dumb enough to think I’m safe.

“Go.” I pat his chest and move to sit.

Before my butt finds the ground, I’m pulled up into Adrian’s arms and he leans in for a possessive kiss. Frantic lips on mine as he sucks my lower lip between his teeth. His hands dig into my lower back while mine wrap around his neck, and my feet lift off the ground as he pulls me to him.

“Gross,” Sebastian says, interrupting us.

Adrian breaks the kiss and glares at my brother. “Fuck off.”

Sebastian throws his hands up as Adrian sets me down, kissing me quickly once more.

“I’ll find you in a little while.” His eyes skim my sundress before he turns and walks away.

Dropping down onto the blanket beside my brother, I don’t miss that Cassie’s grinning at me.

“What?” I fight my grin.

“I miss the man-hating Eloise who wasn’t making out with my best friend.” Sebastian’s face puckers.

“First of all, I was never man-hating.” I glare at him. “Second of all, you deserve to witness that and more after what I’ve been subjected to.”

My gaze falls to where Sebastian’s hand sits under the hem of Cassie’s shirt and he’s stroking her stomach.

“She has a point, babe.” Cassie smiles up at him.

He sighs. “Fair enough. But still gross.”

I shake my head and laugh. Payback for Sebastian’s antics over the years isn’t actually something I care about, but if this gives me a chance to poke him in the ribs about it, I’ll take it. Honestly, it just feels good to have someone at my side. It’s a companionship the band, fans, and friends were never able to fill. Adrian sees me differently.

He’s never looked at me as a celebrity. Even when he watches from the side of the stage, I don’t think he sees Eloise Kane like everyone else. I could have all the fame in the world or none of it and it wouldn’t make a difference.

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