AllFreeNovel
Share Us
An announcer comes on the loudspeaker and repeats Reece Decker’s location. More fans are listening, and a surge of girls rushes in our direction to reach the exit.
“Jesus fuck,” Xander bumps up into my shoulder to avoid being plowed down. I’m doing my best to shield him without appearing like security. Sliding to the left, I take an impact to the hip so no one shoves him. He’s starting to hold onto my shirt like he’s nervous he might get ripped away from me.
I clamp a hand on his shoulder and edge us closer to a Bass vendor table. “We’re big Frostie fans,” I tell the guy behind the table.
He beams. “We have embroidered sweaters.”
“Love to see ‘em,” I say, keeping a hand on Xander’s shoulder. Luna squeezes beside her brother, and Quinn and Frog stand behind her, creating a barrier around the Hales that alleviates Xander’s panic for a second.
“Hey, are you…” the vendor squints at Luna, trying to place her.
“Leeloo,” she says.
He snaps his fingers. “Luna Hale.”
Shit.
Xander goes rigid.
I survey the people who may’ve heard. A girl to my left is slyly snapping a pic of Luna…and Quinn.Alright.
“Uh, maybe,” Luna says absentmindedly. “How much for the sweater?”
“Forty.”
“Hey, Luna Hale?” another girl tries to catch her attention. “Can I have a selfie?”
Luna side-eyes Xander, seeing how he’s faring.
He’s sweating profusely. I hang my arm casually over his shoulders. “You’re alright, man,” I tell him calmly while his sister takes a selfie with a fan.
“I’m so sorry about what happened to you and your mom,” the girl says shyly.
It twists my stomach, but thankfully she’s not drawing too much attention. Luna responds quietly to her, then they hug.
More people are eyeballing Luna.She’s okay.I repeat that over and over.She’s okay.
Quinn has pushed closer to her. I group him in with the rookies, but times like these, I can tell he’s not one. He’s been a bodyguard for over three years.
Under his breath, Xander says, “All the backup security is in Philly with my brother, right?”Because of the baby.
“Yeah, but we don’t need backup,” I say easily. “Don’t think of the worst. That’s my job.”
If just a couple people recognize Xander, it would create hysteria. They’re not gonna be sheepishly asking for selfies like they are with Luna.
They’ll be crying and clawing at his clothes.
Still, I’m more worried about Luna since her threat level is ten times higher. But paparazzi aren’t allowed in the hotel, and they’d be the ones to harass her the most. Not fans.
Luna puts some distance between her and Xander to draw the spotlight away, and he stays at this vendor booth with me. As I pretend to be Xander’s BFF, I check out a lime-green sweater that says FROSTIE in embroidered neon pink. It’s sick.
“Cool shirt,” the vendor tells Xander.
“Oh…thanks.” Xander glances down at the long-sleeved Bass tee. It says:Control. Your. Emotion. Control. Your. Evolution.
“I’ll take this,” I tell the vendor. “Actually, I’ll take two.” Gotta match with my space babe. Not wasting time overthinking this shit, I just do it.
While the vendor rings me up, Xander observes the congested throng of Strider fans at the double doors. “Weird…” he mutters.
