Chapter 16
Backstage devolved into utter chaos the second the stage lights went dark. The Brightside and the dancers rushed off, instantly disappearing into the sea of roadies diving in to dismantle the equipment. We had an hour before the buses rolled out for San Diego. The crew would keep working after the bands left, but it looked like they had no interest in waiting around either.
I couldn’t match their enthusiasm. I just wanted to sit and soak it in a little longer. Convince myself that yes, a few hours ago, I was standing on that stage singing to thousands of people.
It felt like a dream. One I never wanted to wake up from.
Between the sets, some people went back to the green room but I wasn’t going to miss a second of my first stadium tour hiding backstage while people got drunk. No, I needed to be right in the thick of it and I’d happily spent the rest of the show glued to the side of the stage.
“Move, Liv,” Mason, the head roadie, said, his tone authoritative. He stopped in front of me, eying up the amp I stood in front of. “You’re holding up my guys.”
My gaze cut to two roadies standing nearby frowning at Mason’s back. They were built like linebackers, all broad shoulders and bulging biceps straining against their black t-shirts. Sweat glistened on their brows, their faces set in a scowl at the delay.
I instantly stepped out of the way with an apologetic grimace.
“Why didn’t they ask me?”
“They’re too chicken shit to ask talent to move on the first day of the tour.”
“That’s ridiculous.” I’d hardly call myself scary. These two could bench press two of me.
Mason shrugged and went back to the load out. I didn’t stop him. I needed to find my bassist before he slipped onto The Brightside’s bus and I lost my chance for a celebratory kiss.
My bassist.
The idea of it brought a deranged smile to my lips. The roadies backed away from me but I ignored them. Not my fault they couldn’t recognise a woman in love.
I stood on my tiptoes, trying to scan the area for Lewis. There were plenty of dark haired giants, just not the one I wanted.
Before I could think too much about the fact he hadn’t waited for me, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I fished it out, my breath held with some silly hope.
Yes, I wanted him to need to see me as much as I did him, but this was his tour. He probably had press to deal with and any number of other commitments that I thankfully didn’t have to worry about yet.
Lewis
I’m waiting for you.
I frowned at the text. That was great and all but where?
Then another text loaded, a picture of a napkin with a crudely drawn map.
Despite the absurdity of it, a shiver of anticipation raced down my spine at the thought of seeing him, being alone with him.
Jesus, you’re a goner, girl.
I followed his instructions, weaving through the chaotic maze of crew members, dancers rushing to the dressing rooms, and musicians from the other opening acts riding high on the adrenaline of their performances. The air buzzed with chatter and laughter, a palpable energy that sent electricity dancing across my skin.
“Olivia!” Nia shouted from somewhere in front of me. She pushed through a knot of roadies, her blonde hair plastered to her forehead with sweat. The woman had worked overtime to get the absolute best shots of the night. “You killed it out there! The crowd loved you.”
I grinned, the enticing weight of utter joy burning in my chest. “Thanks.”
“Which bus are you riding to San Diego?” she asked as I passed her. “Dan’s threatening to break out the monopoly board on our bus. You should join.”
“I’ll think about it, yeah? There’s something I need to take care of first.”
Her brow quirked, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. “Something, or someone?”
I shrugged and turned away before she could recognise the pleased smile fighting at the edges of my lips or the heat rushing to my cheeks.
Her laughter trailed after me as I hurried down the hallway, consulting my phone for the next set of directions. Left at the second junction, then right at the water cooler.
What did he have planned? Why all the secrecy? A thousand possibilities swirled through my mind, each more thrilling than the last.
“Olivia!” Another voice called out and I groaned.
Could they not see I had places to be?
I turned to see Tommy, the lead singer of Lover’s Knot, jogging towards me. His bleached blond hair stood up in wild spikes. “You were incredible tonight! You ever want to jam, let me know.”
“Thanks.” I smiled, genuinely touched by his enthusiasm even as I itched to keep moving. How could I be annoyed when the delay was for praise? “And anytime, just say the word.”
He disappeared back into the throng, his voice rising above the din as he called out to someone else.
I shook my head, amused but also kind of relieved. The camaraderie amongst the bands on this tour was like nothing I’d ever experienced. It felt like family, like belonging.
But as much as I loved it, as much as I was grateful for it, it wasn’t what I needed right now.
Right now, I needed him.
Needed to see his face, to feel his arms around me, to hear his voice telling me that I’d done well. That he was proud of me.
I quickened my pace, dodging past a gaggle of giggling dancers and sidestepping a harried-looking tech with an armful of cables. The further I went, the more the bustle slipped away.
I turned the final corner and ended up in a dimly lit corridor lined with nondescript doors. Before I could second-guess myself or check my phone again, a hand shot out from one of the doorways, pulling me into a darkened room.
My breath caught on a startled scream. I bit it back, releasing a pathetic squeak instead.
Jesus, woman. If someone ever decides to kidnap you, you’ll be an easy target.
The door clicked shut behind me and I stumbled into a firm chest. Strong arms encircled my waist while a familiar scent tickled my nose, Lewis’s cologne. It mingled with the faint smell of cleaning supplies.
A janitor’s closet.
He’d pulled me into a janitor’s closet of all places. Were we that couple now?
“Lewis, what?—”
“Shh,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. “I just needed a moment alone with you. You were incredible out there, Liv.” He squeezed me against his chest, hugging me tight and burying his face in my neck. “I knew you would be. I’m so proud of you.”
His words washed over me, soothing the last of my jangling nerves. I melted into his embrace, my hands sliding up his chest to loop around his neck. “Thank you. It means so much to hear you say that.”
“I mean every word.” He pulled back. In the dim light filtering through the cracks around the door, I could just make out the curve of his smile, the heat in his gaze. “Watching you up there, seeing you shine… it was breathtaking.”
To have him believe in me so fiercely, to know that he saw me—really saw me—it was overwhelming in the best possible way.
“I was so nervous,” I whispered, my fingers toying with the soft hair at his nape. “But then I thought about your training…”
He chuckled. “Did you now?” His voice dropped, taking on a gravelly note that dragged deliciously against my skin. He drew me closer, his forehead resting against mine. “Which part in particular?”
I smirked. “You know which part.”
I surged forward, capturing his mouth in a searing kiss before he could push me to dig deeper. He responded instantly, his lips moving against mine with a fervour that stole my breath. It was like every nerve ending in my body had been set alight, every sensation heightened and electric.
His hands roamed my back, slipping beneath the hem of my shirt to skim along the heated skin beneath. I arched into him, a soft moan escaping into the sliver of space between our mouths. He swallowed the sound, his tongue sweeping along my bottom lip before delving deeper, tasting me with a thoroughness that made my toes curl.
“Maybe we shouldn’t have sex right now,” Lewis said, suddenly pulling back, his breathing ragged.
I frowned. “Why not? I thought that was why you chose a janitor’s closet for this illicit meeting.”
“It was, but now that I’m thinking straight, I don’t know.” He grimaced. “Someone could walk in at any moment.”
I grinned mischievously. “That’s part of the fun, isn’t it?” I nipped at his earlobe, soothing the sting with my tongue. “Knowing we could be caught any second, but not being able to keep our hands off each other.”
He shuddered, his eyes fluttering shut as I worked my mouth down his neck.
“We’re two consenting adults. It might be a little embarrassing, but it’s not the end of the world.”
“But your reputation…” he started, concern etched on his face.
I silenced him with a finger to his lips. “My reputation will be just fine. Now, are you going to keep worrying or are you going to kiss me?”
A crash from the hallway made us both freeze up, our breathing harsh in the sudden silence. I strained to hear any signs of someone approaching, my heart pounding against my ribs.
After a moment, Lewis relaxed, his hands resuming their leisurely exploration of my sides. “No one’s coming,” he murmured, his lips finding my collarbone. “And even if they did… I guess it wouldn’t be the worst thing.”
The words, low and rough, sent a bolt of pure desire straight to my core. This man would be the death of me, and what a way to go.
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