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That keeps me from melting into an actual human puddle of mortification. I’ve never given it much thought, but I do think the press pushes a little too hard into the private lives of celebrities.
My phone buzzes across the table. It’s Shanna. I talked to her on Thanksgiving, but her mom and dads were around, and it was more of a chance for Fitz to say hello to his family.
I snatch it up and aim for the hallway. Once I make it out of the practice room, it’s considerably quieter.
I answer the call and Shanna squeals in my ear.
“Would you like to tell me anything?” she asks, sounding exasperated.
“Oh, crap.” I don’t know what she’s asking about, but I do know my best friend is like a dog with a bone. She’s not going to let it go.
“Is there some other woman on the tour that Warrick freaking Malone may have been shopping for?” she asks.
I’m sure there could be, but I know that’s not what she’s asking, so I fill her in on the debacle at Thanksgiving. “...it’s hard because I always seem to get my hopes up.”
“Okay, I don’t know if you were purposely trying to distract me, but you don’t send rock stars out to buy tampons unless there’s something going on there. I mean, I guess I’d send my brother, but that’s because it’s Fitz.” She snorts a laugh. “I still can’t believe he’s famous. It’s weird.”
“You should see him. He knows just how to play to the crowd. He’s doing an amazing job filling in for Warrick.”
“Right, and how do you feel about his screaming female fans?” Shanna asks conspiratorially.
“It’s…” I briefly consider lying, but it doesn’t feel right. “I know it’s the nature of the industry, but it also kind of makes me want to claw their eyes out.”
“Tinley, are you into my brother?”
“Would it bother you if I was?”
“Stop, you should know better,” she says, laughing. “I think he’s been half in love with you for years.” My heart races. “Okay, but are the two of you together? Where does Warrick fit into all of this?”
“It’s complicated. I’m not even an omega.”
“Please don’t get stuck on that. Some omegas present later than others. It’s coming.” Her tone is gentle, but we’ve had this particular talk a ton of times. “So, are you officially courting?”
“Yeah, they asked. Don’t tell anyone, though,” I say, and I mostly mean her family. She’s really close with her mom, and I’m not sure Fitz is ready for everyone to be all up in our business.
“Not even Mom?” Shanna asks. “I feel like you’re underestimating exactly how excited my entire family is going to be.”
“Remember those pictures I have of you in the green alien costume from last year? The ones with the peel-off face mask?”
“Sorry,” she grumbles. “I’ll keep my mouth shut. I love you.”
“I love you too,” I assure her. “We’ll talk soon.”
“Huh,” a voice says from behind me. I jolt, shoving my phone into the pocket of my sweater. “I thought you were fucking the other bus. A collective gangbang on the road. You got a boyfriend they don’t know about?” It’s Xavier. The cocky smirk he shoots my way rubs me the wrong way. Or maybe it’s his condescending words.
I’ve spent the least amount of time with him and Carter, but I know why my guys want me to stay away from them.
“Girlfriend,” I say, rolling my eyes as I step around him to head back into the guys’ practice. It takes me until I’m seated in my chair to realize how that might have sounded.
I wonder if that rumor will make it back to the guys or maybe the press.
ChapterEighteen
Fitz
The pure insanity of being on the road ramps up over the next week. The press is onto the fact that Tinley exists, and it’s reaching the point where nothing is easy. The bus needs repairs while we’re in Charleston. At least we get to stick around in a hotel for a night or two after the show tonight, but if it takes too long, we’ll have to take a flight to make our next concert.
I roll my eyes at Ramsey. I’ve never seen such a big guy do yoga, let alone in such a confined space. I’m half convinced I’m going to take a foot to the face as he switches into each new position.
