Chapter Ten
When Cameron had suggested they needed to be at the library three hours beforehand to prepare for the evening, Asher had protested. Although he’d never actually attended a book signing before, he couldn’t think of a single reason they needed to arrive that early.
Thanks to Linda Picklesimer, there really wasn’t anything left to do.
Everything from refreshments to the placement of promotional posters had already been handled, and he refused to give in to Cameron’s irrational need to control everything.
In fact, he’d been so steadfast in his rejection of the idea that they were still arguing about it.
Exactly three hours before the event was supposed to begin.
In the backseat of the Escalade while Ryder turned onto the street that led to the Mission Grove Public Library.
“One day,” Asher grumbled as he glared at Cameron, “I’m going to figure out how to tell you no.”
Cameron smirked. “Good luck with that.”
“You are a goddamn menace. ”
As the SUV slowed to pull into the library’s parking lot, Cameron glanced over at him and laughed. “You love it.”
Asher said nothing. Staring through his tinted window, he tried to make sounds happen, but he only succeeded in flapping his lips around like an idiot.
“Jesus, Ash.” Cameron huffed, obviously annoyed. “Relax. It’s just an expression.”
“What?” he croaked, sitting up straighter in his seat, his eyes so wide they stung. “What the hell is this?”
Every available space in the parking lot was filled. Cars were lined up along the street. A few vehicles had been parked in the grass on the east side of the building. Even as he sat gaping, more people joined the queue that started at the front doors and stretched around the building.
Circling the library, Ryder pulled the vehicle into a reserved spot near the service entrance at the back and killed the engine.
“What did you expect?” Cameron asked. “I thought you liked being the center of attention?”
Asher glared. “This is not the same thing, and you know it.” He jabbed his index finger toward the building. “Who are those people?”
“They’re called fans.” He managed to keep a straight face as he said it, but his eyes danced with amusement.
“There are at least a hundred people out there. ”
“You think so?” Cameron glanced over his shoulder, eyeing the end of the line that had swelled into the rear parking lot. “I was thinking closer to two hundred.”
The guy was just full of freaking jokes. “Why are they here?”
Sighing, Cameron reached over the driver’s seat to tap Ryder on the shoulder. “We’re going to need a minute, please.”
“No problem. Take your time.” Sliding smoothly out of the SUV, Ryder took up a position near the back bumper, his hands folded together at his waist.
“They’re here,” Cameron continued once they were alone, “to see you. That’s kind of the point, isn’t it? Besides,” he added, his mouth quirking up on one side, “I thought you liked being the center of attention?”
When Asher had agreed to do a signing, he’d been envisioning something a little more intimate.
Yes, he’d been aware that they would be inviting members of the press, but he still hadn’t expected this madness.
Whether naivety, delusion, or just lack of experience, he hadn’t anticipated so many people would care what he had to say.
Clearly, that wasn’t the case, but it wasn’t just the size of the crowd that worried him.
With all the media attention over the past weeks, he had a bad feeling most of these so-called fans were more interested in his sordid past that they were his books. What exactly did they think was going to happen tonight ?
Had they arrived in hopes that he’d stand up in front of them all and talk about the hell he’d been through as a teenager?
Or maybe they followed Landon Dwyer and his stupid blog, so they’d come to gawk at him, to confirm that the pictures posted all over the internet were indeed of the famous and mysterious Asher Dare.
Yes, he’d flippantly stated that he liked to be the center of attention. He enjoyed having his ego stroked and his vanity flattered. Growing up in a loveless home where he’d been obviously unwanted, he craved that validation and acceptance.
This wasn’t some guy at the club or a few reporters outside an Italian restaurant, though. These people weren’t faceless book critics or abstract screennames. They were real people, tangible, and he wanted to know what the hell they were doing there.
“What exactly are they expecting to happen tonight?” He tried to speak calmly, to keep the accusation from his voice. Judging by Cameron’s pursed lips and raised eyebrow, he hadn’t succeeded.
“They expect you to read an excerpt from your book. They expect you to sign books . They expect you to answer questions pertaining to your books .” He closed his eyes as he breathed in slowly through his nose.
When he opened them, there was a hint of sadness shining back.
“You’ve sold millions of copies of your books, Ash. Who did you think was buying them? ”
“Yes, but—” Floundering, he waved his hand toward the line again. “—why are they all here ?”
“It’s your first public appearance since you began your career. People are eager to meet you.”
“The media—”
“Are mostly local, and they all know that questions about your past are strictly off-limits.”
No longer able to use the shield of indignation, Asher subsided, slightly embarrassed for having reacted so absurdly. He’d panicked and jumped to the worst possible conclusion. He wasn’t proud of it, but he also imagined it wouldn’t be the last time it happened.
“Why are they here so early?”
“They’re excited?” Cameron shrugged. “It’s not so unheard of, right? I mean, people lined up earlier than this for books about a certain boy wizard.”
“I know. I was one of them.” But this was different, and they both knew it.
Cameron’s eyes widened, and his lips parted in a wide grin. “I freaking love that I know that about you.” Reaching across the bench seat, he took Asher’s hand in both of his and squeezed. “Movie marathon tomorrow?”
Cameron had taken the entire week off from work in the lead up to Thanksgiving.
Since that time included family obligations, however, Asher was only supposed to spend the night, then head back to his place in the city the following morning.
Given the opportunity, he’d much rather spend the day cuddled on the sofa and binge-watching movies about magic.
“Fine, but I get to pick the snacks.”
“Not a chance,” Cameron scoffed. “I will pick up Reese’s Pieces, though. Deal?”
He would have agreed, regardless. Throwing in his favorite candy was just a bonus. “Deal.”
~
“Watching her turn the corner, her golden hair fanning out behind her, he felt sure they’d meet again one day.” Asher paused, mainly for dramatic effect, then closed his copy of Injustice and lowered it to the podium.
The room erupted into applause as hundreds of people jumped to their feet. He even heard a few catcalls from the back…and at least one proposal of marriage. Asher beamed. There was still nothing on the planet better than sex and good bourbon, but he might have just found a close third.
“Thank you!” he called, waving to the crowd like he’d just announced his bid for presidency. “Thank you!”
“Yes, wonderful.” Sidling up to the podium, Linda Picklesimer nudged him out of the way and stepped toward the microphone. “Asher Dare, everyone!” she said, indicating him with a wave of her hand.
As the audience burst into a fresh round of cheers, Asher couldn’t even remember why he’d been so afraid in the first place.
He couldn’t believe he’d spent over a decade shying away from public appearances, refusing to attend workshops and conferences.
Being in a room packed with likeminded people who had come just to see him was a goddamn rush like he’d never experienced.
Even the constant clicking of cameras from the group of reporters at the edge of the stage couldn’t spoil his good mood. So far, they’d been pretty quiet, refraining from shouting out questions or accusations. It probably wouldn’t last, but he didn’t care. He was ready for them.
“That was great,” Cameron said as he slid up beside Asher at the edge of the stage. “Nicely done.” He stood so close his hand brushed against Asher’s, but he snatched it away quickly and inched sideways to put distance between them.
Asher frowned.
“What are you doing?”
Instead of answering him, Cameron grinned and nodded at Asher’s chest. “I really like that shirt, by the way. It brings out the gold in your eyes.”
It was the same thing he’d said when he’d convinced him to change into the emerald button-down in the library’s conference room.
Asher had been skeptical, to say the least, worrying that the shirt was too flashy for his first public appearance.
Eventually, he’d given in, and he had to admit Cameron was right.
Everything from the color to the cut of the material looked damn good on him .
“Okay, okay.” A hint of laughter tinted Linda’s voice as it boomed through the speakers.
“Everyone quiet down.” It took a couple more minutes and a good scolding to finally get the crowd back in their seats.
“Good, that’s better. Now, Mr. Dare has kindly agreed to take some questions from the audience.
If you have something to ask, just raise your hand.
” Her tone turned stern, and she actually wagged a finger at them.
“Be respectful, or I’ll toss you out on your ear. Are we clear?”