Page 64 of Ravaged For You

I could say the same about Axel.

The bassist of Ravaged smiles at the sight of me. “Yeah,” he says softly and – surprisingly – sincerely. “She looks beautiful.”

“You look… great, Axel.”

The man chuckles confidently, as if he knows exactly what he looks like and needs no encouragement from me. “Thank you, Maddie.”

“I need to speak to you alone, if that’s alright?” Lucas asks me. I look to Axel. His eyes narrow.

“A bit suspicious,” the rockstar mutters.

“It’ll only be for a brief moment.”

Axel shrugs. “Go ahead.”

I follow Lucas into the bedroom where I’ve been sleeping. He makes sure the door is closed before he speaks.

“Maddie…”

“Oh, you know that Axel is probably listening on the other side of the door,” I remark, interrupting the manager.

“Fuck off, Axel,” Lucas says to the door.

There’s a groan, and then we hear Axel’s footsteps stomp away.

There’s a sparkle in Lucas’ eye. “You’re really getting to know him, aren’t you?”

I smile.

“Yep.”

Lucas’ voice then changes. He goes quiet. Serious. “How is everything going between you two?” he asks me.

“Fine.”

“Are you sure? There’s nothing you want to tell me? Now is the last time you can do or say anything before the entire world knows your name, Maddie.”

“It’s going to be that bad, huh?”

“For the next few months, sure. But when this is all over, give it a year and everyone will have forgotten about you.”

“I hope so,” I reply. “This fame thing is not a game I want to play.”

“So, you’re okay with everything? This is your last chance.”

I nod. There are some points you come across in your life when you know it’s a turning point in the road. This is one of them. Yeah, I signed the paperwork and everything, but after tonight…

“Axel has been surprisingly great,” I say. “I think I can do this. I’ve signed up knowing this moment will come sooner or later. I can’t walk away now.”

“Good girl,” Lucas replies.

He turns towards the door, but I reach out and take his arm before he opens up.

“Thank you, Lucas,” I whisper. “For double checking.”

The faintest of smiles crosses his face.

“What are friends for?”