Chapter Two - Kayla
Kayla
Idon”t like this woman who”s showing us around this stadium.
The rumors proved true and Millie—the other half of the Sirens’ pop duo and my best friend—and I will play the halftime show of the charity event of the year: basically a knockoff of the Super Bowl, in front of thousands of people with millions more viewers expected to watch it on TV.
No pressure at all, it’s only the biggest show of our damn career. My heart started pounding so damn loudly the second the stadium came into view on our way here. This is nuts!
But before I flew in, Josh and I went to the restaurant he”d talked about and had an amazing time. Millie already teased me about the resulting headlines when we met up with our manager that afternoon.
Then, the next day, we already flew to Philly. And just like that I”m here, in the stadium we”re going to have the biggest show of our careers in.
No biggie.
And the woman who”s showing us around the stadium where the charity match and rehearsals are happening, Lila, is kind of a bitch.
Not that I”d say that to her face, I don’t want to get that kind of a headline, but I’m pretty sure she has noticed me glaring at her ever since she opted for taking a picture with just me and not Millie.
Because now she”s downright ignoring my best friend and only talking to me as she announces that we’re actually meeting some of the celebrities that will be playing in the match.
This kind of shit happens more often than I like, and I’m growing tired of it. Millie is just as, if not even more, talented than I am. She deserves all the love and recognition. Oh, the way my fingers are itching for confrontation whenever it happens, but Naroa made it very clear that I’m not to have that kind of image. So I have to bite my tongue.
”Wait, what?” Millie hisses to me once we step into the field and Lila is walking a few meters ahead of us. ”We”re meeting the players? Why didn”t Naroa say so?”
I shake my head and roll my eyes, swallowing a chuckle as she complains about not wearing any makeup today.
When I point out that she”s, in fact, wearing BB cream and mascara, which are considered makeup in my book, she starts to calm down a bit. Ever since we’ve made it to our first headliner tour, I can’t remember having seen her without any makeup when we stepped outside. Only at her home. At least she looks cute without makeup; I’m so pale, I look like a ghost.
As we walk up to the group of men, I see her try to fix her hair, though.
I don”t understand what she”s so worried about. She looks great, as always. Her curly blonde hair frames her round face perfectly, while mine hangs down my back, very boringly. I wasn”t going to straighten it today, but I know how much our manager hates it when I don”t.
She”s so fixated on our brand of being exact opposites that she gets hissy fits whenever I don’t play into her opinion of how I should look when I’m in public. It’s tiring.
I could throw fits in return, tell her where to shove her stupid brand. I could tell her to go fuck herself. But I want to keep the peace. For now.
Because at the same time, I can”t deny what this image has done for us. Becoming the Sirens, the worldwide known and loved pop duo, took a lot of work and effort. Our image and marketability certainly made up a big part of our success.
Playing into the opposites, Millie being short and blonde, me being brunette and tall, opened the door for a lot of people to relate to at least one of us.
Now people love us—well, some of them don”t, but everyone knows of us, all the same.
And I love this job. I love meeting my fans—unless they”re bitches like Lila, who make their preference for one of us obvious.
A preference is fine, hell, I get it. It’s not like I cry myself to sleep when Millie’s fans put their attention only on her. What I don”t get is why so many of my fans feel so comfortable treating Millie like shit or air.
Well, we’re almost done with this little tour of the stadium and then I probably won’t even run into her again. I can smile through the rest of it.
At least, I think I do.
We’ve come closer to the players now, close enough that I can hear them laugh and shout at each other and grunt as they catch footballs. My eyes wander over the men, trying to see if I know any of them.
Then I freeze when my eyes land on him.
Fuck. It can’t be. . .
The closer we get, the more sure I become, and my stomach bubbles with anger, my fingers itching with the urge to call Naroa and rip her a new one. She can’t seriously have forgotten to mention that he would be here.
Asher McDaniels.
Only seeing his face is enough to make my blood boil with annoyance. I can”t believe Naroa didn”t tell me he”d be one of the players.
I only realize I”ve stopped walking when Millie gently nudges my arm, trying to follow my gaze.
”Oh, great,” I groan, accompanied by a deep sigh, and fight the urge to turn right back around.
”Isn”t that the guy who said you shouldn”t get into acting? Asher? AKA Asshat?”
Millie’s remark almost manages to distract me from the annoyance making my skin crawl and it even almost manages to make me chuckle. I sigh again and pinch the bridge of my nose.
A few years ago, Naroa asked me if I would be willing to try out acting. Some director for a romcom was looking to cast someone famous for the role of the female main character to gather some public attention for the movie and had his eyes set on me, which was incredibly flattering to hear.
I was so giddy. I love reading romances, and getting this opportunity offered on a silver platter? Unbelievable. Also Asher was confirmed as the male lead already. I hadn’t met him, but, I mean, he’s very easy on the eyes. I wasn’t mad about it.
Naroa gave me the script and I read it within a day. Sleep is overrated anyway. I just wanted to know how it went, and I’d just finished the last romance book on my list. It really was just perfect timing.
The story was the cheesy kind of romantic, and the main character I was supposed to play was kind of a badass.
It sounded amazing. I was really looking forward to giving acting a go and being a part of this story. Naroa even went so far to hire acting coaches for me, when the interview of that asshat came out.
I think it was on the red carpet of some award show, when rumors about me joining the cast were already flying around but nothing was set in stone yet.
When a reporter asked him about the rumors, he answered, “Yeah, I heard those rumors. I don”t know how much truth there is to them, but I would really prefer if the singers left acting to the professionals. There”s nothing worse than having to compensate for a partner”s bad job.”
I didn”t think too much of it. I mean, singers get cast in movies all the time, why would those two sentences change anything?
Well, this particular director decided to change his mind. The media drama surrounding Asher”s statement brought enough attention to his movie without me actually having to play a part in it. He didn”t need me anymore, so our negotiations stopped right then and there.
Which was a dick move from the director’s side, not from Asher”s. But it doesn”t change the fact that Asher”s interview was the snowball that started the avalanche.
Like Josh pointed out back then, when I was raging to him: I”m only projecting my annoyance somewhere easy to put it, namely on Asher.
And Josh is a wise man, so obviously he”s right.
I know it’s the director I need to be mad at, but it doesn’t make me feel any less like sending Asher a glitter bomb right along with him.
”Want me to kick him in the nuts?”
My eyes fly to Millie, who”s watching the guy with fire in her eyes. A grin wants to make its way to my face, but I swallow it down at the last moment.
”Want? Kind of, yes,” I admit. Even if it”s only because I want to see if Millie can even manage to do that.
She”s a small woman and Asher is a pretty big guy. Even from here, I notice him towering over most of the other players.
Then I take a deep breath, hold it for a second, and release it with a deep, exhausted sigh.
”Please don”t, though. It”s fine. I was bummed back then, but it”s okay. I”m not even mad at him, really, I”m just holding a petty grudge.”
As hilarious as it would be to see her karate-kick his balls, I want to do this halftime show too badly to fuck it up.
”Petty grudge one way or the other, just say the word and I”ll do it!”
I shake my head at her, now unable to contain the grin on my face. ”How would you even manage to kick that high?”
I want to imagine it with her taking quite a bit of run-up, jumping, and kicking him with a roundhouse kick.
”Don”t question my methods,” she scolds me lovingly, her lips pursing in a pout as she goes on. ”Even if I had to bring a stepper or wear platform shoes that make me four inches taller, I”d do it.”
I laugh and nudge her shoulder with mine, making her stumble while giggling, as we get closer to the group. There are some people I recognize, but some of them I don”t.
Naroa really should have given us some kind of call sheet so we could learn everyone”s names and faces beforehand. It’s going to seem so rude of us to not know everyone.
”Are those the Walker brothers?” Millie wonders, tilting her head and I scan the group again.
She”s right. I see four dark-haired heads, four guys who hit the genetic lottery jackpot, and, of course, their signature frowns.
”Isn’t the oldest one a CEO or something other executive?” she asks, tipping her chin with her finger contemplatively.
I nod. ”Yeah. Adam is the CEO of Croney.”
So, he’s definitely someone to network with. Croney is one of the many talent agencies in the entertainment business. What makes them stand out among their huge number of competitors is I”ve never heard a bad word about them.
No overworked talent. No managers who quit because of burnout. No rumors about sexism or sexual harassment.
I”m surprised they even let Adam take part in this. After all, the risk of injury is pretty high, especially since his brothers are here as well and they’re known for being a nice but rowdy bunch.
Then again, he”s such a big deal that I wouldn”t be surprised if no one even could tell him what to do or not.
“I did not think someone of his caliber would be here, to be honest,” Millie mumbles.
“Same,” I agree. “Neither did I think the four of them would get together for this.” My eyes jump from one Walker brother to the next and holy fuck, they”re all so hot it’s ridiculous. They’re attractive in completely different ways, but damn. Those really are some good genes. ”But wow, I’m not mad at it.”
We”re almost there when Millie suddenly digs her fingernails into my arm and freezes to the spot, stopping me in my tracks. ”Kayla, who”s that?”
”Huh?” I turn and look at her, confused. Then I realize that she”s looking at one of the players with wide eyes, a bright blush on her cheeks as she stares open-mouthed.
What is going on?
I follow her gaze, and for a second, my stomach drops as I fear her eyes are on Asher.
The sigh of relief I let out when I realize it’s not him she’s looking at. Oh my God, she had me scared for a second.
Thankfully, she’s looking, no, staring at his friend, who stands like a statue, looking at Millie with a similar look in his eyes, the air between them cackling with electricity.
Holy shit, just what am I witnessing here?
”His name is Luca,” I tell her, tilting my head as I subtly lift my phone to take a picture, because either this is going to be a monumental moment, or I can tease her with it somewhere down the line. ”You know him. He played in that one movie you watched on the plane when we went to Paris. The one with all the guns and fights.”
”You”re right,” she says contemplatively, tilting her head and narrowing her eyes. ”He looks really different.” I swear I could hear her mutter a ”much better” under her breath.
”Come on, Mils,” I say and softly nudge her with my elbow.
She shakes her head like she”s waking up from a dream, her curls bouncing with every movement and looks at me with wide, glossy eyes and a red face.
”Alright, let”s go.”
Lila is standing next to an older guy with a mustache that covers half his face. Considering his gear and the clipboard in his hands, I”m assuming that this man is their coach. Poor guy. Having that many men with little to no football experience to train can”t be an easy task.
”Hello, ladies,” he greets us warmly and offers us his hand, which we shake. Damn, he has a strong grip. ”I”m Rich. Lila here just told me that you”re our halftime show entertainment.”
”Yes, we are. It’s good to meet you,” I reply with a chuckle. Millie is unusually quiet next to me, so I”m taking over the talking for both of us now.
I can”t help but notice that the loud chatter and sound of balls being thrown around and caught has subsided. From the corner of my eyes, I can see that the guys have stopped playing and instead eye Millie and me curiously.
”And I assume you”re the guy responsible for the rest of the entertainment of the day?”
He bursts into booming laughter, gathering the attention of all the players. “Well, yes, I’m the coach. Come on, let me introduce you.”
With one quick shout from him, all the men gather around, not even trying to hide their curious and flirty stares. God, this is what hell must be like.
”Alright, gentlemen,” he announces in a booming voice that startles me. ”I don”t think these two need any introduction.”
I roll my eyes. Way to make us sound so rude. Plus, it seems pretty arrogant to make others introduce themselves while assuming that they know our names.
”We”re going to do one anyways,” I interrupt him with a tight smile and take a deep breath, hoping it will calm me down and help me school my face. I have a bad case of resting bitch face that I’m trying to fix. ”Hi, I”m Kayla. This is Millie,” I say and point at my friend, who is half-hiding behind me, looking anywhere but in Asher”s and Luca”s direction.
How cute, she”s shy.
”Hi, guys,” she greets the players softly and gives them a small wave with her fingers.
”And we”re the pop duo ”Sirens,”” I jump in again, feeling her relax in relief. ”It”s good to meet you.” I shoot Asher a glare. ”Well, most of you.” My eyes widen slightly. Oops. I did not mean to say that out loud.
Millie nudges my shoulder, and I can see her hide a grin and trying to stifle laughter.
A curious murmur goes through the teams after I stop speaking and I bite my lip to keep from laughing as well.
Rich, oblivious to it, continues to speak for us and my smile quickly slides off my face. He probably means well, but it”s really fucking annoying when men are under the impression that it”s okay to speak for Millie and me. First impressions are important, though, so I swallow down my complaints and smile instead.
He explains to the guys that we”re the act booked for the halftime show and as such will be having our rehearsals here at the stadium as well. I don”t quite know why exactly we have to be here instead of any other dance studio, but one thing you learn in the business is to not question all the decision your manager makes for you. Because there”s usually a reason, even if they don’t volunteer it.
Sometimes it’s a bad reason, granted. But for now, I’m giving Naroa the benefit of the doubt.
”You might run into each other in the hallways,” Rich points out. ”Just a heads up.”
”I sure hope so!” My head shoots up when one of the men heckles, the hair on my neck standing up and my blood running cold.
He might mean it harmlessly; in fact, I assume he does. But I’m not trying to find out if there’s a hidden, threatening meaning to this statement.
”And that”s our cue to go,” I murmur and take Millie”s hand. Without any words of goodbye, we leave. ”This could have gone so well,” I mutter under my breath as we stomp over the field, Lila nowhere in sight. I hadn”t even realized she left, but I”m most certainly not complaining about it.
”It really could have,” Millie sighs and rolls her shoulders. “But that did not sound right at all.”
I nod. Fuck, just like that, I suddenly feel disgusting, like I need to take a shower and wash this experience off.
But when I look at Millie from the corner of my eyes to check if she’s alright, all I see is that dreamy look on her face again.
We reach the exit, and she stops to turn around and stare at the group. I know who her eyes are on, because even a blind person would have realized what just happened on that field. I’ve just chosen to ignore it until now.
The way her whole face softened when her eyes landed on him, hell, the tension between the two when their eyes met was downright suffocating. It was so electric, if I”d put my hand in front of her eyes, I probably would have gotten an electric shock.
I never believed in love at first sight. I deemed it a fairy tale, too good to be true, a hope for dreamers that keeps them optimistic.
But it”s something entirely different to see it happen firsthand.