Chapter 24
MADDIE
As I enter the rehearsal studio, I spot Prince Michael and Rio deep in conversation on stage.
I had wanted to go over and greet Rio with a kiss. But even from a distance, their body language bristles with tension.
“Hey, Maddie,” says Keith, jumping up from a chair near the soundboard. “Let me help you with that bag.”
“Thanks,” I say, nodding toward the corner. “By that chair is fine.”
As Keith grabs the giant Paws goodie bag from my shoulder, a cascade of colorful dog toys tumbles out from it across the floor.
Snorty wriggles free of my arms and bounds toward the toys like he’s just hit the canine jackpot.
“He’s a cute little fellow,” Keith says. “And you’re not so bad yourself.”
“You had to think about that one, didn’t you?” I tease.
I’m not usually flirty, but something about Keith’s accent makes it easy.
“Well, fair’s fair. When you walked in with that buttoned-up blouse and glasses yesterday, you didn’t look like any girl Rio’s ever dated.”
“And today?”
He looks over my outfit I'm wearing now. Fitted jeans, and a geometric Hanae Mori top that skims my collarbone and bares my shoulders.
“You look sharp. Chic. Definitely sexy. Not like Rio’s usual skanks.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“I meant it as one, luv,” he says, leaning in with a grin and lowering his voice so no one could hear.
“If you weren’t Rio’s ‘bird,’ I’d take you back to my room and shag you until you screamed my name.”
He’s teasing. I can hear it in his tone.
“Do you charm all women like this, or just me?” I quip.
He laughs. “Touché. Steven said you were a good sport.”
“So how’d you get into music?” I ask Keith, to keep the conversation going.
“Started banging on pots before I could walk. Some neighborhood bloke noticed I had rhythm. Bought me a real pair of sticks when I was eight.”
I turn to shoot Rio a smile and a wave. But he doesn't seem to see me.
Odd.
“Earth to Maddie," says Keith, snapping his fingers in my face.
"Sorry," I say. "It seems strange that Rio didn't come over to say hello."
Keith shrugs and laughs. "Don't mind him. He's just in one of his black moods."
"Why? What brought it on?"
Keith shrugs. "Could be anything. He's probably just jittery because of the concert. And the head guy at Midnight Records hearing us play."
"That must be it," I say. But deep down, I sense it's something more.