Chapter 36
THIRTY-SIX
ANDY
Seeing Riot perform live was incredible. It was honestly unlike anything I have ever witnessed. And I'll never experience anything like that again. It was my first concert, after all.
I'd been nervous going into the crowded venue by myself, especially after seeing the long line wrapped around the block, but to my surprise, there was a VIP line. I'd shown them the ticket Declan had emailed me, and next thing I knew, I was bypassing the line and being escorted to a private suite on the balcony with a security guard and five other women.
One of which was a tall redhead that I instantly recognized.
Cece.
We haven't spoken much since the barbeque, even though she texted me. It's primarily because of me. My time was spent focused on Declan, and then we had our fight on Tuesday. Since then, I have not felt like speaking to his best friend's girlfriend. But once she spotted me, she pulled me in for a hug, and we spent the entire show watching our men perform, screaming the lyrics along with the crowd.
After the show ended, Cece linked her arm with mine and had the security guard escort us backstage. She told me all about how she goes to find Cole after every show she attends .
Once we arrive backstage, she turns to face me. "If I don't see you again tonight, have fun. Text me, and we'll plan something when you're in Vegas again," she says, pulling me in for a tight hug. "Declan's dressing room is around that corner." She points ahead of us. "Cole is this way." She nods in the opposite direction, pulling away and walking toward her boyfriend.
After a quick wave, I follow her directions, weaving through the bustling backstage crowd, hoping to find Declan. I wasn't sure what to do after the show ended. He'd mentioned us getting a room and staying the night together, but that was before our fight. I'd considered texting him to see if he wanted to meet me somewhere, but I figured he'd be too busy to see his phone. People would be leaving, and I hadn't wanted to be the awkward girl standing around, so I'm glad Cece took charge and brought me backstage.
Although, now that I'm back here, I feel uneasy.
What if Declan hadn't wanted me to come back here?
What if he doesn't want me to stay the night with him anymore?
No, of course, he does. He wouldn't have texted me this morning to ensure I was coming.
Ugh .
Stop fucking overthinking, Andy. Just go find him.
Walking around the corner, a smile spreads across my face at the sight of Declan but quickly falls as I watch a gorgeous dark-haired woman step out of his dressing room behind him. They turn to face each other, a broad smile on her red lips as she talks animatedly to Declan.
He seems interested in what she says because he never takes his eyes off her and has a genuine smile. I stand frozen in place, molding my back to the wall as I watch them from around the corner.
The woman is dressed in sky-high stilettos, making her legs look even longer than they are. She's wearing fishnet tights and an older Riot T-shirt from their tour several years ago. Her black hair is pin straight and perfectly down her back without a strand out of place, unlike my hair, which I'm sure is now frizzy thanks to the humidity in the venue.
My heart stops beating while watching their familiar interaction. Who the fuck is she, and why is she coming out of his dressing room?
There wasn't enough time for them to have fucked, but I still have many questions. Did he think we broke up and this is my replacement?
Perhaps he's tired of slumming it with the fat girl and is returning to the type of woman he usually dates.
Oh, God. What if I'm the other woman?
What if this is his girlfriend, and I was the one he was using to pass the time while he was forced to be in Loganville.
I'm trying not to let my mind jump to the worst-case scenario, but it's hard when I've never been anyone's first choice, and I'm watching the man I'm falling in love with stand so close to the type of woman he's known to date.
Declan grabs the petite woman, crushing her against him as they hug. When they pull away, she kisses his cheek but keeps an arm around his waist while he wraps his around her shoulders and walks directly toward me.
Oh, fuck.
They haven't seen me yet, but the second they turn the corner, they will, and it's too late to hurry and leave.
Instead, I do something I'm not proud of. I act surprised, as if I've just got here. I quickly run backward, then step forward, just as Declan and the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen turn around the corner.
His reaction to the sight of me takes me by surprise.
Instead of looking guilty, his eyes flash with relief. It was as if he was relieved to know I had come even though he had seen me in the crowd minutes ago. Removing his arm from around the woman, he rushes toward me, hands around my ass as he picks me up, spinning me around .
Just like that, all the anger I've held onto for two days, and the insecurity I just experienced fades away, and I'm left with butterflies fluttering around in my stomach and true happiness on my face.
Declan sets me on my feet, his hands cupping my face as he crushes our lips together. He kisses me so deeply and intensely that it steals the breath from my lungs and turns my knees weak.
He pulls back and rests his forehead against mine. "I've missed you so fucking much." Then, he whispers only to me, "Thank you for coming, Mama." Before I can respond, a voice in the background clears, and I'm reminded we're not alone.
It's like a bucket of cold water is dumped over me. I remember seeing Declan walking arm in arm with the raven-haired beauty behind him.
Sheepishly, Declan pulls away, turning to face the woman. She pops her hip, arms crossed over her chest.
"Such a caveman." She scoffs, rolling her dark eyes. "You could at least introduce us before you attack her." She walks toward me, eyes full of warmth and kindness.
"You must be Andy. Declan was just telling me about his new girlfriend, which he's crazy about." I side-eye the man beside her, taking in his suddenly bashful expression. "I'm Declan's sister, Spencer." She holds her hand out. Despite being shorter than me, she has a very intimidating presence about her.
She's his sister, not a secret girlfriend. Thank fuck.
But wait. He's never mentioned a sister before. In fact, I remember Declan telling me he's an only child.
Wanting to be polite, I reach out and shake Spencer's hand, surprised when she pulls me in for a tight hug. "Take care of him," she whispers in my ear, so low that there's no chance of him overhearing. "Don't give up on him when he fucks up. Please be there for him." She pulls back, the smile never falling from her lips as if she hadn't just whispered in my ear .
"It's great to meet you, Spencer. I'm sorry. I didn't know Declan had a sister."
He opens his mouth to speak, but she cuts him off. "Technically, I'm his ex-sister-in-law. But Declan is one of my best friends, so it doesn't matter that he and my sister are no longer married. We're family," she explains, eyes bouncing from me to Declan. "I'm heading to the hotel now, but I hope we can meet for breakfast tomorrow. I'd love to get to know you better, Andy."
I look to Declan, waiting to see what his answer will be since I'm unsure if he has anything planned for us.
"Sure. Text me in the morning, and we'll have breakfast," Declan confirms, stepping away from my side to give Spencer another hug. "Be safe and call if you need anything. David is outside waiting. We'll see you tomorrow." Spencer gives me another hug, and then she leaves, strutting down the hall in heels that look entirely uncomfortable.
With her out of sight, Declan turns us to face each other, backing me up until my back hits the cement wall. "You came," he says breathlessly, hands gripping my hips firmly as if he expects I'll disappear if he were to let go. "Thank you for being here." He presses his lips against mine, forcing his tongue inside my mouth. He dominates the kiss. His body presses into mine, closing the space between us as he swallows my noises, practically fucking my mouth with his tongue.
"Holy fuck. I can't wait to get you back to the hotel. I've missed you so fucking much, Mama."
I take a much-needed breath. It's hard to breathe when he's around. He's suffocating, but I wouldn't have it any other way. "Me too," I agree, meaning what I say. I did miss him—a lot more than I'd expected.
"I need to finish up a few things here. You can wait in my dressing room, and then we'll go. We really need to talk." He takes my hand and leads me down the hallway toward the room where I'd seen him and Spencer exit .
Opening the door, he leads me inside the plain white dressing room, guiding me toward the black couch on the back wall.
"Relax. I'll be back as soon as I can. Just need to let the guys know I'm leaving and see if Benny needs me," he assures me, leaning down and pressing another kiss to my lips.
Declan walks to the door, looks over his shoulder, and gives me a lazy smile. "I really am happy you're here. I don't know what I'd do if you didn't show up." He turns away and leaves me in the room, his words lingering in the air.
What would he have done if I hadn't shown?