Page 57 of The Chosen Two

I’m anxious for the show to begin, and my knees are bobbing up and down as fast as a hummingbird’s wings. A synthesizer strikes a cord. A dance beat starts. And I realize I am completely out of my element here. I mean, maybe it’s just because I know the creators of these sounds have abducted my husband and are trying to use him for some nefarious plot, but I do not like this music. Or maybe I’m just old. Who knows. But when I chance a look at George and see his eyes are practically crossed, I cross the age possibility off my list. I shake in my seat with laughter, looking at his disgust.

He asks me something, but I can’t hear him over the noise emanating from the stage. I point to my ears and shrug. He leans right in against my ear and asks, “What do you think is so funny?”

I do my best innocent look and shrug again.

And then a booming voice comes on, somehow louder than the supposed music. “Ladies and gentleman, Callie and The Celestials!”

And with that announcement, the red crushed velvet curtain parts, four young women walk onto the stage, and the entire audience goes absolutely berserk. Well, the entire audience minus two people who are clearly not hip enough for this scene.

The Muses are truly exquisite to see. Their skin shimmers like pearls, and their crystal looking eyes are humongous on their faces. Add in their full pouty lips and perfect hourglass shapes and I have no doubt they are in fact goddesses. They’re even more beautiful in real life than they were in the pictures I saw online while researching them. I’m sure it’s the lighting or their makeup or something, but they seem to be glowing up on stage.

For the next hour and a half, George and I bond over something we both hate on a visceral level. But everywhere else in the room, I see people who are absolutely enthralled. They’re barely blinking, smiles plastered on their faces. It’s so weird.

The band leaves the stage and comes back for an encore, which I think is a truly stupid custom, but, hey, I’m not a musician. After they thank the audience, Callie then says something that makes one of my eyebrows quirk up in interest.

“So, you guys and gals are a really special audience for us. You’re going to be the first of our fans to hear our news! It’s going to be everywhere by the time you get out of here though, but do you want to know now?”

She holds the microphone out to capture the screams of the crowd and then gives the required sassy, “I don’t know, girls. I don’t think they’re that interested,” while pacing the stage dramatically, causing their fans to scream so loudly I’m sure none of them will be able to speak by the time we all get to leave this velvet-lined hell hole.

Callie stops mid-stage and faces her fans. “Okay. Okay. I believe you. You earned this little tidbit. Ready for it? Next week is going to be our last week here in Vegas. It has been an absolutely phenomenal ride here at the Colosseum, but The Celestials and I are onto bigger things! We just signed a contract with a big shot New York City talent manager, and we’re moving up there to be where the action is. Do you want to meet our new managers?” More screams of course. “Boys come on out!”

I reach for and grab George’s hand because I’m so scared of what I’m about to see. Jake and Ryan come out, all smiles and clapping. I mean, sure my husband is wearing a black on black suit I’ve never seen in my life, but if he got the hottest band signed, it’s expected he’d need a fancy new outfit to go with the role… But then The Celestials sing their last song (and I use the wordsingincredibly loosely), and they include Jake and Ryan in their performance. The guys sing along, sometimes in the mics alongside Callie. And they’re dancing! Well!

George’s eyes are wide and unblinking for a moment before he leans in to yell into my ear, “Okay, I see what you see in him now.”

I glare at him and then back to the stage. “What the actual fuck?” George leans in so his ear is right in front of my words. “I just don’t get it. I could barely get him to agree to the couple’s first dance at our wedding!”

And then the show’s over. The song, the concert, not the pain in my head that will last another couple of hours, but at least the cause.

They all take their bows, my husband and his coworker right along with the actual group. Then, as they back away from the apron of the stage to allow the curtain to close, Callie grabs Jake’s hand and intertwines her fingers with his in a much more familiar way than if he was just her manager.

She must take him again…

Yup. My husband is definitely banging a goddess.

Chapter 24

Miranda

Georgerunsbehindmeto keep up. (Guess I’m not so bad in heels after all.) “Are you sure you’re okay?” he hollers.

“Yes. I’m fine. I just don’t want to lose what may be our only chance to find them!” I speed walk toward where the custodian told us the backstage entrance is. We get there and meet a big burly bouncer dude.

The giant glares at us. “And just where do you think you’re going?”

I try to flaunt some feminine charm by batting my eyes and subtly pushing my breasts together before I demurely say, “Well, we’re just huge fans, and I heard the band is back here.”

“Sorry. No backstage passes, no entry.”

I drop the act, yes that quickly; I have no time for bullshit. “Look, the truth is I’m Jake’s wife, and I want to see my husband.”

“I don’t know any Jake.”

“Really? The Celestials’ new talent manager who Callie was practically humping out there on stage?”

“Sorry, if you don’t have proof, you’ll just have to catch up with him later.” Then he looks me up and down and laughs, “If he wants you to, of course. If your man decided to upgrade, that’s not my fault.”

“Sir, I demand to speak with your supervisor. That was completely unprofessional.” George is so adorable when he’s trying to be chivalrous. Unfortunately, he also looks like he’s about six years old, so the bouncer laughs and laughs.

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