Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
kate
“This all-access pass makes me feel like such a badass. I can do whatever I want, and no one can stop me.” Chelsi has a twinkle in her eye as we walk around the empty amphitheater. “Jake is going to regret giving me this much power.”
I chuckle. “I think you’re seriously overestimating what you can do with the lanyard. It’ll get you backstage access, and that’s about it.”
“This power might be old news to you as a seasoned tour wife, but it’s brand new to me. Let me live in delulu land for a bit. Bask in the glory of being able to do whatever the fuck I want. With whoever the fuck I want.”
I stop walking, gently touching her arm. “Chelsi, we talked about this. You can’t have some weekend fling with someone Jake works with.”
“Didn’t plan to. I was thinking more like one night only,” she teases, starting to walk down a row of seats quickly.
I chase after her, shaking my head at how easily she can fall into and out of relationships without having her heart destroyed.
Or at least that’s the impression she gives everyone.
The truth is, Chelsi wants what her parents have—a long-lasting marriage with a true partner.
Exactly what I have with Jake. The challenge is that she only attracts red flags.
The ones your friends warn you about. The guys you read about on a Reddit thread.
And all of them love to pursue her. Mercilessly.
Until they catch her, and then let her go.
“Please tell me you’re not planning to sleep with the first guy who hits on you this weekend.” I brace my hands on my knees, slightly winded from following her as she zigzags through the rows.
She shrugs. “Didn’t come into this weekend with any expectations except to spend time with you, interrogate Jake some more, and get a glimpse of this life you’re leading.”
“What do you mean, interrogate Jake some more? Aren’t we past that point?”
Chelsi laughs hysterically, tossing her head back, like I told the most hilarious joke in the world.
“No. Definitely not. He’s passed the test to be your boyfriend.
Now it’s time to see whether he’s qualified to become your husband, because you know that man is ready to put a ring on it the moment you give him any inclination that you’re ready. ”
I blush, biting my lip, and look at the concrete floor as my heart speeds up.
Her comment doesn’t shock me, quite the opposite—it confirms the signs I’ve seen are real.
Can something be exhilarating and terrifying at the same time?
Because that’s how I feel about marrying Jake.
Thrilled about the possibility and scared shitless about the reality, given everything I’ve experienced over the past few days.
And while I’m completely over Brian, I do worry I might be doomed when it comes to engagements.
Always the fiancée, never the bride. Something like that.
It’s not rational, but my brain likes to throw it around on repeat—constantly tormenting me for fun.
“I don’t think Jake is thinking about marriage yet,” I reply, trying to be convincing even though I’m not sure whether I believe the words coming out of my mouth.
“Keep on telling yourself that, Kate. He’s been ready to lock you down for months.
It wouldn’t surprise me if that man had an engagement ring with him at all times, waiting for any inclination that getting down on one knee won’t send you running for the hills.
” Chelsi places her hands on my shoulders.
“I, for one, couldn’t be happier that you’ve finally found a man who might actually deserve you. ”
My shoulders relax. “Does that mean you’re going to ease up on the interrogation?”
“No fucking way.” Chelsi grins widely. “Gotta make that man squirm a bit.”
I shake my head as we walk toward the tour buses, where the band spends most of the day until it’s time for the show.
Chelsi and I flew in earlier, planning to spend the next two nights on the road with Jake.
We’ve taken the day off work to reset after an extremely stressful week.
Although we’re pretending everything’s fine, the media scrutiny and intense fan interest have escalated to the point where private security might become our new reality if it doesn’t quiet down soon.
The thought of having someone trail me around all day, every day, makes my skin crawl.
Definitely not the life I thought I’d be leading, and I hate that Chelsi is getting dragged into it solely because we’re friends.
Jake’s suggestion to have Chelsi come on tour this weekend was a great idea. It gives both of us a break from the chaos in Chicago and ensures I don’t have to worry about her safety for the next few days. Another reminder of how Jake always seems to know exactly what I need, even before I do.
“Who is your gorgeous friend, Kate?” Jimmy asks, standing from his camp chair, where he’s been watching the massive TV between the buses. He strolls over, practically eye fucking Chelsi as he assesses every inch of her body.
Of course, Jimmy would be attracted to Chelsi.
He’s the biggest walking red flag in the band.
The guy who has a different girl on his arm every night after the show.
Supposedly, he’s crystal clear about his intentions of having a good time for one night only when he meets these women, and it doesn’t seem to deter them.
But I refuse to let Chelsi end up as another notch on Jimmy’s bedpost…
or the tour bus chalkboard. However the hell this man keeps score of the number of women he beds.
I shake my head and give Jimmy the stink eye, attempting to silently tell him to back off. “This is my best friend, Chelsi. She’s my roommate in Chicago.”
“Second-best friend,” Jake calls, getting up from his chair and walking over to me.
His arms wrap tight around my waist, pulling me in close and crashing his mouth against mine.
There might be dozens of people around us, but all I can think about is him.
The feel of his lips on mine. The way his tongue expertly strokes into my mouth.
The soft moans emerging from my body and the heat growing in my core.
“For the love. Get a room, you two!” Chelsi shouts, waving her hand at us and rolling her eyes. “Are they always like this?”
“Yeah,” Jimmy answers, introducing himself to Chelsi.
The TV makes it nearly impossible to hear their conversation, but I can imagine how it’s going based on his body language.
How he held onto her longer than needed after they shook hands.
The way he’s blocking everyone else’s view of her—almost like he’s staking a claim and letting the rest of the band and crew know she’s off-limits.
It wouldn’t surprise me if he peed in a circle around her.
Everything Jimmy is doing puts my best-friend radar on red alert. “Should we do something about Jimmy and Chelsi?” I whisper into Jake’s ear. Chelsi’s a grown-ass woman capable of making her own decisions, but Jimmy is… Well, he’s Jimmy.
Jake glances in their direction and shakes his head in disbelief. “Nah. Chelsi is too smart to fall for his nonsense. You should be more worried about Shane and Zac. The two of them will be tripping over themselves to get her attention. She’s definitely their type.”
What’s not to love about Chelsi? She’s vivacious, smart, witty, gorgeous, and unlike anyone else you’ll ever meet. Unapologetically herself. It will take a very special man to win her heart. And I’m confident that man is not in Jake’s band.
Jake drapes his arm around my shoulder. “Hey, Alex. Have you met Kate’s second-best friend, Chelsi?”
“I heard that, Jake!” Chelsi shouts, stopping her conversation with Jimmy and joining Jake, Alex, and me by the food tables. “Don’t get the wrong idea that dating Kate somehow makes you higher up on the best-friend list. I hold the number-one spot permanently.”
I shake my head, questioning whether the two most important people in my life will ever stop arguing over which one of them is at the top of my best-friend list. Can’t a gal have two best friends?
If push comes to shove, and I had to pick, the answer would be obvious.
Although Chelsi can make a kick-ass charcuterie board and ply me with copious amounts of wine, Jake gives me unlimited orgasms. We all know which one wins in that situation.
“Nice to meet you, Chelsi.” Alex holds out his hand to her with a stern look on his face—the only one he has, I swear.
Unlike Jimmy and every other guy in the vicinity, Alex doesn’t check her out.
Not a single note of interest, making me wonder what type of woman would get his attention, if that’s even possible.
He’s all work and no fun, from what I’ve seen over the past few weekends.
Rarely hangs out with the rest of the band and crew, always focused on what’s next on his list. Exactly the type of person you want as your tour manager.
Within minutes, the rest of the band surrounds Chelsi, introducing themselves and poking fun at each other, trying to get her to laugh. Competing for her attention, just like I thought they would.
“Why don’t we sneak back to the bus for a few minutes while everyone is getting to know Chelsi?” Jake murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear. “I’m sure no one will miss us for the twenty minutes or so that I’m going to need.”
I nod silently, taking Jake’s hand as we inconspicuously head toward his bus.
As soon as Jake opens the door and steps inside, Chelsi calls out, “Have fun! I’ll make sure to knock when I want to come in later.”
I shake my head, heading up the steps and quickly shutting the door when I enter the bus. Locking it, just in case.
“Your boyfriend might become my new best friend,” Chelsi says, lying on the couch on Jake’s bus. “A deep tissue massage was exactly what I needed. The only thing that could make this weekend better would be an evening of hot sex. A man who gives me never-ending orgasms. The dream scenario.”