Chapter 28
CHAPTER 28
W hile the crowd flowed to the exit, Mallory, Sunny, and Jenny took their backstage passes over to security.
As security checked the badges, she felt like a teenager again, floating on the high from the concert. What a gift this band had, to transport an arena full of fans away from the here and now.
Streaming their songs had that magic too, but this was different, next level. A portal to another dimension of sound and warmth, all while standing here in Seoul, on the concrete floor of the stadium.
The guard opened the rope. “You’re clear.”
They made their way to the area behind the stage into a midsized reception room.
The band members were already in there, along with the crowd of people who had the special access passes.
The guys had already showered and changed into jeans and tour t-shirts. They stood with security and small groups of fans around them. While the larger group filled the room in a disordered manner, merging into queues to meet the guys up close.
Sunny grabbed sodas from the drinks table. “The silver lanyards are for fans who paid for the meet-and-greet.”
Jenny held up her pass. “The black ones are close friends and family.”
“The white ones are corporate-related. Red is for staff.” Sunny handed her an icy soda.
Mallory took a drink, enjoying the sweet, fizzy caffeine. The inside scoop was new and fascinating, but she was most interested in speaking with Dylan and hearing his thoughts about tonight.
It was an hour before she got to Dylan’s side. She didn’t know where to start. His ears had to be sick of praise after an hour of fans’ screaming admiration, then another hour of the backstage acclaim. But she couldn’t help it.
She stared up at him. This was a different Dylan than the one she hung out and woke up with. Here, he was a star.
“How did you like the fan meet?” Dylan arched his eyebrow and gave a slight nod. He had a charismatic energy surrounding him that said he knew they’d blown the roof off the stadium.
Mallory made heart fingers. “I left my body and came back twice. I soared above the clouds and dipped into a volcano and danced, unburned. I…”
“Stop.” Jenny lightly slapped her arm. “His ego will explode.”
Dylan shoved Jenny’s hand off of Mallory in a brotherly move.
“Tell me more,” Dylan said to Mallory.
“Oh no.” Sunny jumped in. “Jenny’s right. Resist. Keep them humble.”
Dylan shook his head at Sunny with the same familial energy. “Go tank your own brother’s reviews.”
Jenny clasped her hands under her chin and turned to Mallory. “Can dragons sing? Do they go to concerts? If they do sing, do they singe the crowd with their words?”
“Ooh, yes.” A new chapter flooded into Mallory’s mind and she needed paper, or a laptop, or a quiet corner to speak into her phone. “They definitely singe the crowd.”
“Ooh.” Jenny bounced around in a dragon salute dance move that was too cute.
Mallory clapped. “That’s so going in a book.”
“Now you’re stealing my fan’s attention. Go away.” Dylan made a shooing motion. “Take Sunny and pester the others.”
“Ha.” Jenny laughed. “No, thanks. But I will check on catering. No food arrived pre-show? You must have been sulking.”
“Yep. And Francois can’t figure out the orders in Korean. I’m getting dinner next time.”
Sunny shook her head at the mishap. She and Jenny left, then Mallory and Dylan were alone in the crowd.
Dylan lifted his hand as if to cup her arm, but with a look at the people around them, he dropped it. “I want to hear your thoughts.”
They were sort of alone, but not really. Dylan drew surreptitious looks, blatant stares, and everything in between.
Security eased some of the select crowd into another chamber. “What’s through that door?”
“What do you think is through there?”
“A reward? A portal that opened when you sang?”
“Close. Special autographed merch. A round table dinner, and more props for poses and social media posts.”
Mallory turned toward the door. “Ooh. I want to see that.”
“Stay with me.” Dylan lowered his voice. “I want to hear more of your thoughts.”
“Are you sure?” Mallory pointed to the other room. “You can look too. There’s definitely magic in there. I saw a glow when the fans went through.”
“Neon lights. I appreciate a good neon light, don’t get me wrong, but this is where I want to be right now.”
“Me too.” Mallory grinned up at him. Good to see him having fun, first with his lively stage performance and now afterward, still amped up. She tipped her head up to the fluorescent bulb lighting. “But I prefer fairy lights.”
“What was your favorite song?”
“All of them.”
Dylan grinned. Even after an hour packed with screaming fans, he was in the right business if he was still enjoying the acclaim. What was his favorite song to hear and perform? What did he like most about these events? How many more were scheduled before their official concert tour kicked off? She had a ton of questions for him.
Oliver came to her side. “Mallory, you haven’t met the rest of the band. Kane has a break in his group. Let me escort you.”
But she still had more to ask Dylan. Mallory nodded to Oliver, not making a fuss.
There was a flash in Dylan’s eyes like he wanted to protest, but this was still so public, with fans’ flashing cameras and industry people surrounding them. If he wanted to protest, what could he say?
Mallory moved to follow Oliver. The space she left behind was immediately filled by another woman.
The woman had a glowing face and eyes only for Dylan. She too was accompanied by a staff member. “Dylan of Tempo Rain.” As the staff member finished the introduction, the woman burst into tears. The fan’s words were inarticulate, but her appreciation was clear.
Oliver cleared his throat, and Mallory turned to face him. They were standing in front of the next band member.
“Kane, main vocalist and lyric writer.”
Kane had a broody poet look, all complex thoughts and clever eyes. Whoever fell for him would have to find a way to coax him out of his own head.
Did she have a friend up for that? He was known to be a foodie. Maybe her pretty cousin Violet? Nah. Violet needed to be coaxed out of her own head more often than not. They’d be too locked in their own minds, lovers who didn’t communicate.
“This is Mallory Park. One of Texk’s top authors,” Oliver said.
“Hello.” Kane eyed the other chamber. “How was dinner?”
“She’s private group.” Oliver moved her along. He had the pull to somehow not wait, then they were in front of the only British member of the band.
“Bax. Lead vocalist. This is Mallory Park from Texk’s publishing group. Bax helps lead the conversations.”
“He’s saying I talk too much,” Bax said in an accent straight out of a Regency romance novel. “I’ll not lie. I’ve heard this accusation before. As Dylan’s fair interpreter from Paris, are you going to teach me some French?”
“She is not,” Oliver said, at the same time that Mallory said, “Non,” in friendly French.
Bax’s eyes, an interesting mix of blue and brown, glinted. He was a bundle of mischief wrapped up in a British rock star’s body. It would take a strong extrovert to take him on. Chelsea flashed through her mind, but she shook the thought off. What did her surgeon cousin have in common with a rock star? She was just missing her family.
Oliver didn’t let them linger. They were shortly in front of Sunny’s brother. “Rain. Keyboards, lead dancer, and choreography.”
Rain was the most elegant of the men, with the perfect posture that came from being a lifelong dancer. He had a hint of Sunny about the eyes, but his were harder. He looked at his sister chatting with a staff member. His gaze was protective, friendly, and slightly exasperated. Total sibling struggles.
Who would be a good match for him? She didn’t know, but Sunny would be a lovely in-law, so maybe she could think of someone.
Ha. Dylan’s mom was the matchmaker; these guys would be in the hands of a pro when they finally wanted a relationship. They didn’t need her to set them up.
Rain was still staring over at his sister, a frown of concern on his face. A man had joined Sunny, a hand on his hip, the other gesturing about the room.
Sunny’s cheerful face lost its emotion, and her lips tightened. The man kept talking at her.
Mallory hadn’t seen him before, but from their dynamic, she knew that had to be Sunny’s husband. If Sunny gave her a look, she’d dart over. If not, she’d stay clear. Ugh.
Oliver led her over to the last band member. “Tae. Drums, rap line, and band leader.”
Tae had his eye on the room. Then he lasered in on her. “How’s your evening going?”
Solid rock star charisma on the surface, but power hid behind his polite expression. He looked like he gave orders and followed them. She wouldn’t even try with her girlfriends there. He’d definitely heed the no serious public relationship rule.
“Wonderful, thanks.”
With no greater exchange than that, the room’s flow moved them in front of the bar.
Not a bad way to end the rock star tour. Depending on a fan’s stamina, she could grab some caffeine, or a celebratory cocktail. Mallory scanned the options chalked onto a blackboard behind the bartender.
The bartender nodded at her. “What can I get you?”
Oliver gestured for her to order first.
“I’ll have the raindrop, please.”
“Souvenir glass?” the bartender asked.
Mallory nodded.
The bartender went into motion, pouring a blue liquor into a tear-shaped glass, a cool memento from tonight.
Jenny popped up beside her. “I hear they’re going with a puddle for the new tour concept. I need opinions.”
“Nothing’s decided,” Oliver said.
Mallory took the drink from the bartender. “Thanks.” The weight balanced in her palm, cool and heavy. When she returned home, she’d have to carry this fragile sucker on the plane instead of packing it in her checked luggage.
Oliver ordered a coffee and they moved out of the line.
Jenny remained with them. “Mallory,” Jenny whined. “Didn’t you hear me? They’re considering a puddle for the next tour’s logo. A puddle . How is that an adequate concept? Back me up here.”
Mallory tilted her glass left and right. The liquor swirled with the festive rocking motion. “What about a dancing raindrop?” The drink had a neutral alcohol taste, with a hint of orange. She wouldn’t say the flavors exactly captured the band. “Lightning?”
“Thunder?” Jenny suggested.
“Thunder is a sound,” Oliver said.
Yes. That fit the band better. Despite their perfect visuals, the band’s sound gave them their superpowers. “Create the image with an embedded barcode, so they have to scan the puddle to hear the chords.”
“That’s not bad.” Jenny blinked. “I could mock that up.” She hooked her arm through Mallory’s. “I’m stealing Mallory away.”
Mallory waved goodbye, and she realized Jenny was leading her toward Sunny and her husband. “That’s her husband, right? Should we interrupt them?”
“Oh yeah. Tad’s always such a grump at these things. Let’s separate them, otherwise, they’ll get in a big argument. It happened at the last fan signing. Sunny felt horrible about it later.” Jenny wrinkled her nose. “Like it’s her fault. Why does Tad even come?”
Mallory took a sip of her drink and raised her glass in a toast. “Okay. We will distract at minimum, divide if needed.”
They reached the couple. Jenny went straight in. “Tad, have you met my friend Mallory? I’m sure Sunny has told you about her. Mallory, this is Tad, Sunny’s husband.”
Mallory held out her hand with a friendly smile. “Sunny’s the best.”
Tad shook her hand. “You’re the one keeping my wife tied up at work. First you’re looking for a place, then you aren’t, then you are.” He said the words with a smile, like he was joking, but they had an edge. He reminded her of a forty-something car salesman, handsome, but with an agenda.
Sunny scrunched her face and looked apologetic.
“Sunny’s patient with me. I can’t imagine using another realtor.” Mallory withdrew her hand from his. The faulty catch on her Paris bracelet loosened, and the bracelet slipped off and caught on Tad’s watch.
Tad jerked his hand back, and the bracelet followed as if the dragon were attacking his wrist. He shook his hand hard, making the bracelet loosen. The charm pinged to the polished concrete floor. “Sorry.”
He stepped forward to get it.
“Careful,” Sunny told him.
Tad looked up at her with irritation. “I’m getting it.” His wing-tipped shoe crunched down on the charm.
Mallory heard the crack and felt it. She grimaced.
Sunny and Tad both let out sounds of impatience.
Mallory held up her palms. “It’s okay.” Her fault for not getting the clasp properly fixed. She couldn’t pull up a smile, but she didn’t blame Tad. He’d been trying to pick up the bracelet. She quickly bent and scooped the pieces into her palm and then into the tiny interior pocket of her purse. She added the cord. “I’m sure it can be repaired.” Probably not. Oh well, Paris was best left in Paris.
“A word,” Sunny said, taking Tad’s arm.
“It’s not like it was a diamond.” Tad followed Sunny to the balcony, snagging a cigarette from his pocket and lighting up as they crossed outside.
Jenny twisted her lips. “Not quite what I had in mind. We didn’t effectively divide or distract. What did he break? Was that your Eiffel Tower charm?”
Mallory patted her small concert purse. “Yes, but that wasn’t his fault.”
Jenny gave her a side-eye. “Thank goodness my mom wasn’t the one who set them up. I don’t know how to help Sunny.”
“Be her friend. That’s everything.”
Jenny nodded.
The crowd shifted, and Oliver reached them at the same time as Dylan, though they’d come from different sides of the room.
Oliver spoke first. “Mallory, there are some corporate team members who’d love to meet you. Also, I can give you a tour around the venue, see how we can better control the flow at your next signing.”
Classic Oliver to find work at a party.
“Blech,” Jenny said. “Count me out for that.” She scooted away.
Dylan stepped forward. “I need Mallory for a second.”
Oliver shook his head. “Not a good idea.”
Without answering, Dylan closed his hand over her wrist. The warm weight was solid and intimate.
This was backstage, and the fans had moved on, but it was still public. Mallory gently tugged her hand free but turned toward Dylan. She’d protect his reputation. He’d asked that from her. “Is this about Jenny coming to Austin? Don’t worry, I’ll catch up with you before I take off.”
Mallory stepped toward Oliver, keeping the apology from her eyes. Dylan would understand her evasion. This was the safest route.
Oliver’s smile held a hint of satisfaction because she had chosen him over Dylan. He led her through to the space set up for fans, a smaller room decorated with everything Tempo Rain. Oversized posters of their cover art lined the walls, life-sized props of the guys stood around the room, and fans queued up to take photos.
Music pumped through the speakers, playing hits from the last album.
The buffet table was empty, so she didn’t get to see what they’d served. Had the food been shaped like musical notes? Decorated with images of the band?
“Tempos.” The attendant at the front of the room motioned for everyone to form a line. “We’ll take you through to the stage now.”
The fans talked a little louder, their energy amping up as they moved to the next portion of the evening.
Oliver took Mallory’s elbow. “Let’s go meet some of the executives I mentioned earlier.”
She’d much rather see the stage. She’d never get an opportunity like this again. Mallory wiggled loose and pointed to the fan group. “I want to do the tour.”
Oliver hesitated. “Sure.”
The corridor that led to the stage was all black, from the floors to the walls to the ceiling, lit by canned lighting. Steps at the end led up onto the performance stage. Behind them, the back wall held the neon signs of the band logo and the band members’ names.
The fans squealed and took more photos. Their excited chatter echoed in the large space.
Mallory turned and took a quick selfie.
Before them, the concrete floor extended to the tiers of seats, empty now, but a sense of the earlier energy remained. This was what a rock stage felt like, exciting, intimidating, aweing. When filled with fans, the sensation must be wild. How did Dylan feel when he was up here?
“Tempos.” Francois stood at the base of the steps in front of the stage. “Please come to the front row.” Francois spoke in English, and another staff member repeated the directive in Korean while waving for the fans to leave the stage.
Mallory followed the group down. Did they go from here to the main exit? She’d promised Dylan she’d circle back to him before she left.
Boom!