Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 86706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
The crowd erupted in laughter.
And I was living my biggest nightmare.
I gave the peace sign and ran off stage.
“What the hell just happened?” someone called as I returned backstage.
Fuck if I know.
***
Later that night, I was safely back in my hotel room with no intention of leaving until morning. Then the tour manager sent me the most bizarre text.
Stephen: I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Tristan needs you to get him bed pads.
Emily: Bed pads?
Stephen: Yeah, like pee pads that go on the bed so people with incontinence don’t leak onto the mattress.
What the?
Emily: Why the heck does he need those?
Stephen: He told me not to ask.
Emily: Are you kidding?
Stephen: Afraid not.
“What the hell?” I said aloud.
Layla stopped pouring her glass of wine. “What?”
“You don’t want to know,” I said as I found my jacket.
That son of a bitch. Was this some kind of a joke? And if I was really mad about it, why did I have a goofy smile plastered on my face right now?
I practically ran out of the hotel and hopped in the rental car, headed to the nearest pharmacy. I blew in and out of there as fast as humanly possible, because who wants to be seen buying bed pads?
When I returned, I used the passcode to enter the elevator that led to Tristan’s penthouse suite.
When the doors opened, he was standing with a shit-eating grin on his face, his arms crossed like he’d been just waiting for me to appear.
“Urine pads, huh?” I threw the large plastic package at his head, prompting him to duck.
“How else was I gonna get you here?”
“You could’ve picked something a little less embarrassing.”
“What would be the fun in that? Plus, I figured I hadn’t quite embarrassed you enough tonight already.”
I stared at him incredulously.
Then his expression softened. “I’m so fucking sorry about earlier, Emily. I never imagined you’d have the damn hiccups when I put that mic in your face.”
“Why would you call me onstage anyway?”
“I’ve been calling members of the crew onstage every night. You know that. To thank them for their hard work. It’s a little tour ritual. Then, I ask a funny question for each person to answer. Tonight was your turn. It wasn’t meant to pick on you or anything.”
I placed my hands on my hips. “You could’ve given me some warning.”
“There’s no fun in that. The best part is seeing the surprise on people’s faces when I do it. I didn’t know you were going to swallow a frog right before I called you out. You can’t blame me for that.”
I had to laugh. “I was so in shock I didn’t process what you asked me. I still have no clue what the question was.”
“You didn’t hear the question, or you pretended not to?”
“I didn’t hear it!”
“I asked you the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you.”
“Ironically, it was that hiccup.”
“Well, there you go. You answered correctly, into the mic.” He laughed. “See? No one’s going to be talking about my shitty voice after that. Thank you for stealing the show.”
“I thought you sounded better tonight,” I said, relieved to be able to say that and mean it.
His face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Really? Don’t bullshit me, Emily. I can handle the truth.”
“I wouldn’t. I don’t have any reason to lie.”
“Well, thank fuck someone around here is honest with me. I didn’t say a freaking word all morning and afternoon, hoping that resting my voice would help. Seems it did.”
“If shutting up helps, you shouldn’t be talking to me right now.”
“Okay, fair point. But talking to you is my reward for a job well done. I can be quiet in my sleep tonight and all day tomorrow.”
I shook my head. “You’re too much.”
God, he looked so freaking hot right now. His dark hair was damp from the shower, falling over his forehead. He wore a sleeveless shirt that really showcased his muscles and tats. I would never tire of looking at all of his ink. My body tingled from being in close proximity to him. Goose bumps peppered my skin.
“I know it’s late. But hang out with me for a while.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?” He flashed me a wicked grin. “The pee pads would be for nothing, then.”
“Next time, please make it anything besides pee pads.”
“You called me out on my fake allergies. Since you know I just order stuff as an excuse to see you, I figured I’d have a little fun with it.” He batted his lashes, which were dangerously long for a man. “Come on. I’ve got good food for us.”
“It’s not appropriate for me to be hanging out with you, given my job here.”
“Says who? I make the rules, if you hadn’t noticed.”
I looked out the window toward the skyline, feeling myself cave. “I don’t know…”
“I just want your company. Nothing more, Emily.” He made an X over his contoured chest. “Cross my heart and hope to die.”