1. Simone
ONE
Simone
I ran my fingers through my long red curls one last time before I did a final check that my make-up and outfit was on point before I left the restroom and made my way to the first venue highlighted on the tour list by Amelia. Today would be the first time I came up close and personal with the whole group and, of course, him again. I daren’t think about whether he’d changed or not—the news articles to me spoke enough volumes to tell me that he hadn’t. He was still the reckless guy from all those years ago, except he managed to hide himself better from the media than some of the other members. I don’t know how Amelia dealt with Garrett hitting the headlines time after time. I gritted my teeth and tried to hide the irritation from showing across my features as I held my head high and walked into the venue, causing all eyes immediately to turn.
I couldn’t help but notice the tech guys busy prepping out front for the show that was not too far away from starting. They were leaving it a bit late to my liking. The first thing that will be added to my list and changed. I accept in the least respect and punctuality to the people who are trying to help them soar even higher. I know with their egos as high as they are, though, they’d probably believe that was an impossible task anyway and only meet me due to contractual reasons forced on by the management team. At least, they see the potential.
“What the fuck is she doing here?” Brody rasped out as his voice echoed across the room straight to me as I approached closer, throwing his hands in the air. Glad he still felt the same anger for me as I did for me! “I ain’t working with her.” He shouted out as the guys immediately turned to Amelia and her unfazed features.
I assume this wasn’t the first tantrum she’d had to deal with from a rockstar as I finally stopped in front of the group.
“Nice to see you again, Amelia,” I uttered to her before turning on my heel and addressing the band. “I’m your new tour manager, Simone and the best in the business. I would say it’s lovely to meet you all—” as I flitted my gaze to the left and turned back to the group, “but that would be a lie. I wouldn’t want us to start on the wrong impression now, would I? Now, are we going to be having any issues going forward?”
“Oh, I see why you like her,” Garrett announced to Amelia with a raspy tone before glancing over at his fellow band member who’d taken a perch on the end of the stage and managed to grab the attention of a stagehand, drawing her closer towards his body. “I take it these two—” Amelia sharply nodded as Garrett let out a chuckle. “You love playing with fire, my love.” He replied as he strutted over toward Brody. “I take it I need to become the peacekeeper for once. My poor heart…”
“You better do something, or you’ll be on the sofa tonight.” Amelia sharply cuts back, making JB and Holden fight the urge to let out a roar of laughter at his expense. “You know what I say goes with this group, and Simone Kinlott stays.”
“Do I get a say in this?” I asked her, raising my eyebrow.
“No.” Everyone instantly stated together.
“We need the best,” JB confirmed, glancing over at Garrett trying to get rid of the woman now wrapping herself around Brody like a monkey. “He’ll just have to deal with it.”
I just have to accept that the two of us will be in the same surroundings whether I like it or not, and I’d have to deal with the way he acts in a professional manner and not the woman who had the instant sparked chemistry with a guy before he became famous.
The next moment I saw the scowling arrogant ass say goodbye to the woman as quickly as he’d grabbed her attention before he strutted his way back towards me with Garrett, his deathly gaze focused straight for me.
“Tonight’s show is a tease for people. A smaller, more private repertoire. I’ll be watching and assessing you all. I want to see what the real Savage Vale are made of and what from the base itinerary I sent you has been implemented in the tour already.” I announced to them, keeping my head held high and not letting him think he could take control of the situation, making me feel small or belittled. If anything, I was in control. I held the power here. “You need to let me see those areas where I can make you shine in the big stadiums. The parts that won’t work without me.”
“You’ll see that we’re good enough without you.” Brody cursed out whilst raising his eyebrow in challenge to me. “We are Savage Vale after all.”
“Enough.” Amelia immediately cuts in. “I won’t have this shit happening. You know that.” She stated as her gaze pinpointed directly on Brody, as Garrett licked his lips the fire burning deeply at Amelia’s reaction. “Deal with it. Right?”
“Fuck, yeah,” Garrett replied in a husky, heated tone. “What she says goes.” He uttered as he prowled towards Amelia and surprised her by throwing her over his shoulder. “I’ll be back in ten—no fifteen minutes and ready for us to get on stage for soundcheck.”
“Lucky fucker.” Holden shouted as Amelia smacked the back of Garrett’s back, screaming about how he’d promised that he’d remain professional when it was working hours as the rest of us chuckled under our breaths. “Make sure you’re their man.” He confirmed.
The night blurred by as the flashing lights skimmed the crowd as everyone moved to the loud music thumping across the venue. The chemistry between the band and the crowd was palpable, especially that front row as they threw thongs at the guys. I couldn’t help occasionally moving off task as my eyes daze prominently on Brody and the way the women obsess over him as he performs for them. It made my blood boil at the way he used his sex appeal to tease and provoke his image. I turned around for the second and composed myself, ignoring the ache that was in my chest and it got me recalling how he was when I first met him.
The raw attraction we first shared.
The guy who would have done anything for me, and I shuddered at the thought.
The pull is still there with him, and I hate it.
A shiver instantly ran down my spine.
One thing for certain, as I glanced at the rock god on stage strumming his base guitar, was that I really fucking hate that the pull was still there.
Why, though after all this fucking time?