AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Oh. My. Fucking. God.
How?! How did he get even hotter?
I bite off the whimper that rises as I take him in from head to toe. He’s a wet dream of a man, all that muscle stretched across his form. The fabric doesn’t hide one bit of his athleticism. Anyone who sees him tonight will know there’s a history of some type of sport.
It’s never registered until now that I’m thankful he quit. I used to worry that he’d wind up injured or in a fight every game. College soccer is a brutal sport, what with how few make it all the way pro.
I should have known Austen wouldn’t want to participate in the foolishness. He’s not the type.
“Should I change?” he asks when I don’t say anything.
“No!” I take a breath to calm my racing heart. “No, don’t change. You look amazing. I’m just… you look… good. You look good, Austen. I’m going to have so many people jealous that you’re with me tonight.”
He shakes his head as he saunters over to me. And it’s definitely a saunter. He’s so full of swagger, it’s pouring off him in waves.
It’s a new look for him. One that I wouldn’t mind seeing more of now that I know just how goddamn enticing it is.
“I think you’re wrong. People will have no clue who I am, but they know you. You’re Corrin Ray, the lead singer and guitarist for the international wonder that is Loveless. Women throw their panties at you. Men want to be you — and be with you.”
The way he says it makes it seem so much cooler than it is. Being at the top gets lonely. Especially when you’re being told to produce more, more, more. There are only so many hours in the day. Working for the majority of them means I don’t have time for much else.
Or at least I didn’t.
Being here with Tennyson and Austen has shown me that it’s ok to slow down. I’m doing good with taking things day by day.
If only my reality could continue this way, then maybe I’d be a bit less burned out. The job is never over though.
Like tonight, for instance. I’m making an appearance and donating to the cause. Mind you, it’s one near and dear to me. I don't say no to them anytime they ask. It’s the performance part of the night that’s hard. The entire time we’re there, I'll have to be on so people don’t notice the real me beneath the Loveless image.
“It’s not nearly what you think it is. Besides, I don’t want any of them.” I tug him into my arms. “I’ve got the hottest date of the night. I doubt I’ll even see anyone else.”
His cheeks pinked a touch, which only serves to make me grin wider. He pulls me impossibly closer until my face is buried in his chest. I get hints of his cologne as I allow myself the comfort of his touch. I’m not sure he even knows how the simple move calms me.
“We should head down. There’s a car waiting to drive us there.”
“A car? That seems fancy,” Austen says as he grabs our coats from the couch.
I nod as I slip mine on. He holds it up for me, the position so natural, you’d think we’ve done it hundreds of times before.
“There will be a red carpet and everything.” His eyes go wide. “Don’t be upset. Please. I promise all you have to do is smile. I’ll handle all the talking. I made sure to tell the press team I would only agree to one interview near the end. I didn’t want to overwhelm you.”
Austen pulls on his own coat, then tugs my hand to leave. He doesn’t say a word the entire way down to the car. It’s like I’ve somehow left him speechless with the news. Granted, I probably should have mentioned it before now. It’s just — we’ve been having such a great time together. I didn’t want to rock the boat by telling him there’ll be an entire media event to get through first.
Once we’re secure and driving down the highway towards the venue, Austen finally replies. “I’m not upset.”
“Oh-kay,” I drag out. “Then what are you? I feel like you’re mad. I won’t make you go. You could totally stay in the car and order some food while I’m in there. It’s up to you. Whatever you’re most comfortable with.”
“I’m fine going to the event. It’s more that I’m… nervous. I don’t want to mess things up for you. Being seen out together is different than an interview or standing in front of a group of reporters. I’ve never done something like this. I’m not good at talking to others.”
I turn to face him. “You’re going to do fine. All you have to do is smile and follow my lead. If you feel out of place at any time, we can skip the rest of it. We need a signal.”
“A signal?” He repeats.
“Yep. Something that will tell me you’re not in the mood to keep up the charade. Hell, it can be the codeword of the night. When things get to be too much, we can motion to one another about it.”
“I think… I think that will work.”
He still sounds unsure. I’m not happy about it, but I don’t know what else I can do to reassure him. Instead of giving him pointless words, I tug his hand to rest between mine to show support.
