Operation: Superstar (Cupid City Security #6)

Chapter 1

Harper

The heavy bass beat is thumping through my body as sweat streams down my face. I stretch my arms out to my fans, and my last song of the show explodes into a stadium-wide sing-along, tens of thousands of New Yorkers shouting every word of “Don’t You Come Around” back at me.

Blue lights pulse in time with the chorus as I sing at the top of my lungs while dancing the steps.

When the fog machines trigger across the stage, I clutch my hands to my heart, running the length of the stage and straining to see my fans’ faces through the harsh spotlights.

Confetti cannons burst behind me, their silvery bits glittering down in waves from above as I sing the final chorus at the top of my lungs.

This is my favorite part of the whole concert, but tonight my legs are aching. It’s so hot onstage, and this marks four shows in a row without a day off. I’m exhausted.

But we’re almost there.

I’m bringing it home.

When the band strikes the final note, I take a deep bow, blowing a kiss. Then I mouth, I love you, and the entire arena falls into darkness, fireworks crackling overhead as all of MetLife Stadium breaks into a roar that rattles through my chest.

“Harper, go!” our stage manager calls into my earpiece. I hurry off the stage, but I’m out of breath. Someone hands me a bottle of water, and I gulp down half, then pour the rest over my face before Tony and the rest of the security team hustle me down the steps toward my private dressing room.

I’m burning up. The lights were so hot.

Darcy, my personal manager, is right beside me as we take the stairs down. “You did good out there, but you forgot the wave at the end.”

“I did?” I’m still trying to catch my breath.

“Yes. You did the run, but then you spaced on the wave. You went straight into the bow.”

“Oh, shit.” I forgot we’d added that. “You’re right.”

Ever since this new management team took over, it’s been nonstop changes—all sorts of fussy details the higher-ups are constantly playing with to try to “optimize profits” on this tour. It scrambles my brain to keep up with all of it on top of putting on the very best shows I can for my fans.

Plus they doubled the number of stops on my tour this year, which is honestly ridiculous.

I’ve told them it’s too much, but they don’t listen.

With these guys, it’s always push, push, push, and even if it has been good for the brand and therefore everyone on my team, I don’t know if I can keep going like this.

Darcy nods. “We’ll practice again. The lights team needs to know when you’re going into that bow so they can drop the lights on cue and pyro can trigger the fireworks on time.”

I nod. “I’ll get it next time.”

“I know you will.” She turns to head back upstairs, and security leads me around the corner to my dressing area.

My personal assistant, Melody, is waiting inside, but Tony steps in ahead of me anyway.

He insists on making sure the room is secure before allowing me inside—I’ve had a stalker over the last few months.

I shoot Melody big eyes to share my annoyance, but instead of smiling, she furrows her brow like she’s worried.

Tony finally takes his position at the door and waves me in.

“What’s wrong?” I ask her, snagging a towel off the counter so I can dab the sweat from my face. “Did something happen?”

She gives me a small shake of her head. “Everyone’s all right, but I have bad news.” She takes me by the hand to lead me to the couch, where we both sit.

“What is it?”

She’s looking me straight in the eye, still not saying anything, and now I’m really concerned. Normally Melody can’t be trusted to keep anything a secret. She’s too open. Too honest. It’s one of the things I love most about her.

“Just tell me.”

Finally she sighs. “It’s Johnny. There are pictures of him and Claire together.”

Johnny Sayers plays professional hockey for the Milwaukee Blues, and we’ve been dating for the last eight months. Claire is one of his athletic trainers. The two of them have been friends for years.

I squint. “OK. And?”

“No, Harper. I mean together together.”

“What?” My stomach drops out. “Are you sure?”

She nods slowly. “Yes. There are dozens of photos. It’s true.”

There’s a sharp twist in my chest.

Except…

It makes sense.

Johnny and I haven’t been able to spend much time together over the last few months, and whenever we are together it feels more like a production than a date.

My security team is always hovering nearby, and there are photo shoots and PR activities to attend to.

Since I’m a major celebrity, his agent pushes hard for the optics to help boost his career.

I should have known it would never work. None of my relationships ever go anywhere. My crazy life isn’t compatible with romance. I’ve proven it over and over again.

Somehow I thought it would be different this time.

Johnny could relate to the demands of my job.

He had a similar energy and work ethic, but honestly, we were complete opposites in every other way.

He didn’t even like dancing and he never understood my music, and I didn’t know the first thing about hockey.

Still, he was fun to be around, and it was nice to spend the night in a handsome man’s arms, even if it was only a few times.

Actually, over the past few months, I haven’t seen him at all. He reached out once or twice, but I barely had time to breathe let alone meet up for a date. I’m not even sure I got back to him the last time he called, I was so exhausted.

“Maybe it’s my fault. I haven’t had time for him.” I’m shaking my head.

Melody takes both of my hands in hers. “No, hun. This wasn’t your fault. From the pictures, it looks like he’s been dating Claire for a long time. Since before this whole thing with you started.”

What?

But then, why would he date me at all?

“I’m afraid his entire relationship with you may have been for PR purposes.” She winces as she says it, like she knows it’s a blow.

I’m reeling. “What do you mean? The whole thing was fake?” My stomach is in knots. “He was just using me?”

She nods slowly.

How could I have been so clueless?

I shake my head to push the emotion away. “All right. What’s the situation? Is someone threatening to take the photos to the press?”

Her expression is tender, and she squeezes my hands. “No, hun. The photos are already out. They’re all over the internet.”

Oh.

Everything is moving in slow motion. It’s already done. Now every one of my fans is going to know what a fool I was, falling for a trick like that.

Or worse… They’ll think I was in on it. That it was all a pack of lies.

Melody pulls me into a hug, but I can’t bring my arms up. I’m frozen, wondering what I am going to tell the world. That I was so clueless I didn’t even know I was part of a fake publicity romance?

A rushing sound fills my ears, and my eyes sting.

“I can’t do this,” I whisper.

“It’s gonna be OK.” She rubs a hand over my back, but I can’t relax.

“No. Everyone’s gonna think I lied to them.” It feels like the room is spinning around me.

“You didn’t, though. You’re a good, honest person, Harp. This doesn’t change anything about you.”

“I don’t even know who I am anymore.” My voice sounds flat to my own ears.

She shakes her head, but she looks like she’s about to cry herself. “I’m so sorry this happened to you, Harp. It’s not right, what he did.”

“Harper?” Darcy’s at the door.

Melody gives my hand one more squeeze. “I’ll get your gear together.” She steps past Tony.

Darcy steps inside. “You heard about the pictures?” Her expression is all business. “The press is outside, and PR’s putting together a statement for you.”

The PR team for this management group is the worst. Everything they put together sounds canned and artificial, because it is canned and artificial.

I shake my head. “I can’t do this. I need a break. I need time to clear my head.”

“There’s no time. They need you in makeup in ten. Got it?”

“No. I’m not up to this right now.” I shake my head vehemently, and her eyes narrow.

“Yes, you are.”

“No, Darcy. I need some time off.” My voice is wavering. “I’m telling you I can’t go in front of the cameras right now.”

She presses her lips together. “Harper, we need to nip this in the bud. Tonight. Then you’ve got dance rehearsals tomorrow, and the voice coach is flying in to get you ready for Toronto. There’s no time for a break.”

“There’s never any time for a break!” I realize I’m shouting, and I stop, covering my mouth. My whole body is trembling.

“You’re not being reasonable.” Her voice is tense. “Take five and pull yourself together.” She turns and walks out of the room, leaving me alone, and I pull the door closed behind her so Tony can’t gawk at me. I hate the way he’s always staring.

My eyes land on my phone, and I grab for it. I have to see how bad it is.

I search my name, and it’s even worse than I imagined.

“Celebrity Shocker: Harper Slade and Johnny Sayers Romance All Smoke and Mirrors”

“Fake Daters Harper Slade and Johnny Sayers Had Us All Fooled”

“Fans Duped: Harper Slade Lied to Us”

My eyes sting, and I can’t hold back the tears anymore. They roll down my cheeks as I scroll.

Picture after picture of Johnny with Claire.

Kissing her. Johnny with his arm around her, Claire grinning back at him.

The two of them holding hands while waiting in line at an ice cream shop.

Some of the photos are blurry or taken at odd angles, but it’s obvious this has been going on for a long time.

But the photos of Johnny and I are even harder to stomach. The ones with us gazing into each other’s eyes. The ones where I’m resting my head on his shoulder. In every one, I’m smiling like a fool. Every fake moment preserved in high-definition, picture-perfect detail.

Forever.

I can’t stand it anymore.