Risky Rockstar: A Hero Club Novel, стр. 19
Kevin groans. “You know there’s no way I can say no after what I’ve just asked you to do for me, right?”
I smile sheepishly. “I was kind of counting on it.”
Kevin laughs. “Alright, I’ll do it.”
My smile matches his. “Are you sure?” Now that he’s agreed, I really don’t want him doing it out of obligation.
He runs a hand through his hair. “Go big or go home, right?”
I laugh. “Go big or go home.”
♫♫♫
When we leave, Kevin leans in and hugs me. “Thank you for doing this for Claire, Hayley. It means a lot.”
I hug him back. “Of course. I want to help where I can. God knows we struggle with this life, and we’re used to it. If she doesn’t have to experience what we have to go through, I’m definitely in. Plus, like you said, if people think we’re together, I might be able to dodge a creep or two.”
In the Uber on the way home, I lean my head back against the headrest and think about my night with Kevin. He really is a great guy, sweet and kind, and I like how I feel around him. Safe. I reach inside my bag for my phone and text Bridget.
ME: You are never going to believe what happened tonight.
It’s late, so I don’t expect to see the dots dancing on my screen.
BRIDGET: Ooh, this sounds intriguing.
ME: I just had the BEST burger, EVER, with Kevin Peyton.
BRIDGET: Get the hell out. Are you serious? What were you doing out with Kevin Peyton? Also, does he smell good? #notaskingforafriend.
I laugh. This isn’t about Bridget wanting a hall pass—she’s too in love with Simon for that. She is, however, way too obsessed with how celebs smell.
ME: SO good!
BRIDGET: Tell me everything.
ME: Well…he asked me to have a fake relationship with him.
BRIDGET: ?!!!!
ME: I’ll call you tomorrow and tell you everything. Bridge, I’m excited.
BRIDGET: You’re excited for a fake relationship? I must be more exhausted than I thought ’cause you aren’t making sense.
ME: Go to sleep, I’ll tell you everything in the morning. I love you.
BRIDGET: Love you right back.
I slip my phone back in my bag and close my eyes. For the first time in a long while, I feel hopeful. Maybe I’ll get my life back.
Chapter 6
Kade
I clap Keller on the back while he positions the small teddy in the pocket of his shirt. It’s a tradition he’s upheld ever since his nephew, Isaac, handed him the gray bear two years ago. “You ready?”
“I will be in a second.” He reaches for Maddie, his fiancée, and presses his lips to hers in a kiss that should probably be saved for behind closed doors but has me hiding a smile. There’s been a weight lifted off Keller that was drowning him last year, and I know it’s because of Maddie, and I can’t help but be happy for him. Maddie leans in and presses herself against Keller in a way that makes me think she’s forgotten she’s in public. A chuckle pulls from his lips, and he gently taps Maddie on the cheek before taking a step back. She blinks open her eyes, looking more than a little dazed, and Keller whispers something in her ear, causing her to blush scarlet. Jeff mutters something about getting a room, and we all laugh.
I love this part of the show, when we’re all backstage, pumped with adrenaline. It’s like for these few moments, it’s just us, our slightly dysfunctional family that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Don’t get me wrong, being onstage is what I was born to do. It’s a compulsion that drives every waking moment. It wasn’t always that way. After Emily cut me from her life, music became my biggest source of conflict. Being onstage when it was the thing that took her from me was hard. Creating music even more so. I got my love for the stage back, and I’m working on the music side of things. But the moments backstage, with the crowd cheering our name and their energy pulsing through us, charges me up and gives me life. Backstage right now isn’t backstage—we’re under the stage on a rigged platform. Maddie moves off and blows Keller a kiss which Josh pretends to catch and place on his heart. Keller punches him good-naturedly on the arm, and Josh curses, rubbing the spot on his bicep.
I chuckle and Keller offers me knuckles. I place my fist against his and smile at how far we’ve come as a band. I met Jeff and Josh in college. They were roommates, and when it became apparent we all had a love for music, we decided to start a band. It took us six months and three drummers before we found Keller, and everything just meshed, despite being four completely different personalities. We’ve been through a lot together and we’re stronger for it, and not even our douche label can get between us and our vision. Especially now that we get to keep the Teddy Run as is. I bank the negative thoughts threatening to creep in and move to stand behind the conga drums. We’re all positioned behind drums for the introduction except for Jeff, who’s adjusting the strap on his bass guitar.
The platform rises and we start playing. Keller’s prerecorded voice echoes over the sound system loud enough to be heard over the bass pulsing around the stage and licks at the crowd. Stats of how many orphaned children there are in California and how many fans helped last year sound through the speaker system as images of the teddy donations show on the big screen behind us. Kids with grins the size of Texas squeezing their new “best friends” hit home, reminding us all why we’re here. Why we’re doing this. To bring joy to the hearts of those that don’t have much. It makes the extra 15 percent worth it. I’m grateful I