Risky Rockstar: A Hero Club Novel, стр. 49
Keller looks up from where he’s typing on his phone. “Hey, anyone know how to get bubble gum out of hair?” Jeff and Josh pause on their way to the couch and look at him like he’s just asked for state secrets, and Kade shakes his head.
“Peanut butter!” I call out.
“Yeah?”
“Lots of it. My niece used to get it stuck in her hair all the time. She’d get it from a friend at school. Eventually, after cutting numerous chunks out of her hair, my brother discovered a hack on Facebook. Turns out the oil from the peanut butter gets it to slide right out.”
“Thanks. I’ll tell my sister, My nephew got into her stash. She’s almost having a breakdown over this.”
Kade bumps my shoulder lightly. “The girl can’t get out of a car, but she knows how to get bubble gum out of hair. Who knew?”
I shove him gently. “Shut it, wise guy.”
Kade’s chuckle is interrupted by Sam rushing in and giving us the rundown of how things are going to work. “So we are choosing fifty tickets from the one hundred fifty, and they will get to meet you guys in the main bar. After that, you’ll perform the songs selected from your new album as well as one each of your own, and that will be that. All good?”
“Why only fifty people?” This comes from Kade, who’s leaning against the wall, his hands tucked in his distressed jeans and looking all types of fine.
“We don’t have time to get through one hundred fifty people,” Sam says simply.
Kade looks around the room. “Anyone got anywhere to go?”
We all shake our heads.
“Anyone object to taking the time to meet with everyone out here tonight?”
I smile wide. “Absolutely not.”
“No objections from me,” Josh says. “More girls, more potential. Wouldn’t wanna limit the pool.”
“You’re just so fucking generous,” Jeff announces, sarcasm dripping from his voice. “I’m in. The fans will be made aware that they can’t touch me, right. They can grope the crap outta Josh for all I care, but I’m hands-off.”
By the way Jeff’s eyes darken when he makes his statement, it’s clear this isn’t just about him being a rock star prima donna. There’s more to the “no touching” rule than meets the eye.
“I’m with Jeff. Only Maddie gets to touch this.” Keller runs a hand over his body, and it’s evident his joke is to take the heat off Jeff. These guys really do love and stick by each other. “Maddie will be here in a few, and we’ve got no place to go, so I’m good to meet them all.”
Sam nods and looks pleased. Not an expression I’m used to seeing on her face.
The door bursts open and Maddie bounds in, her arm linked with a very uncomfortable-looking Rod. “Look who I found hanging out at the bar. And he hasn’t even met the whole band yet. He didn’t want to intrude, but I told him you guys are awesome.”
I make my way over to Rod. “Thank you for allowing us to use your venue.”
He narrows his eyes at me in mock reproach. “You just wouldn’t take no for an answer, would you?”
I smile innocently at him. “Whatever do you mean?” I can’t resist teasing him for being stubborn about our doing this for him
He smiles and tugs me in for a hug. “Thank you.”
I smile back. “Of course.”
“Knock knock.” Kevin peeks his head in the door. “Can I come in?”
“You made it!” I nearly squeal.
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
Kade introduces Rod to the rest of the band, and I quickly catch up with Kevin. We’ve chatted over Skype too over the last six months, but it’s nice to see him in the flesh again.
“Alright you guys, if you’re going to meet and greet one hundred and fifty fans, you better get to it.”
We make our way to the bar, and Sam lets twenty-five people in at a time. It’s a treat watching Kade with the fans. He never rushes them, always listens to them as though he really cares what they have to say, and takes endless selfies and gives a million hugs. Before I know it, we’ve seen everyone and it’s time to perform. I’m on such a high. Kade holds his hand out to me.
“Shall we?”
My fingers intertwine with Kade’s, and I revel in the electric shock that travels up my arm at his touch.
Chapter 23
Hayley
The sun is just dipping behind the buildings, and I can honestly say I’ve never had more fun in my life than I’ve just had performing this show. The last strains of the music fade out, and Keller finishes the song with a resounding final beat, but I can barely hear it over the screams and yells coming from the audience. I look at Kade. He’s beaming, eyes flashing that brilliant turquoise as he blows kisses to the crowd. He walks over to me, reaching for my hand, and we take a bow.
Josh is the first of us to leave the stage. When his feet touch the ground, he falls to his knees, kissing it as though he never thought he’d walk on anything solid again. I laugh as Jeff steps over him, muttering about it being unsanitary, and Josh flips him off. I can’t believe I was ever nervous about today. Everything has gone off perfectly.
I feel Kade’s thumb brush across my hand, and it’s only then do I realize he’s still holding my hand. “Incredible show.”
I turn to face him, my smile stretched across my face. “It was, wasn’t it?”
I love playing at stadiums and arenas, but this was by far the best show I’ve ever done, and I think that has something to do with performing with LP-45. Their energy is contagious, and we’ve fed off each other while we performed.
“Listen,” Kade asks, “wanna go get some ice cream? There’s a quiet place a few blocks down that