AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I have some things we could try, but they’re not great,” I offer.
“They’re probably amazing, Belle,” Kai says, surprising me.
“I think we need to have a lawyer go through the contract and make sure that anything we perform or produce during the tour is our property and not theirs. I don’t want Sparks owning our new stuff,” Mav adds.
“Ok. I’ll send the emails. Belle, work your magic,” Cal says, hugging me.
No pressure.
Two more shows. Two nights with no flowers or vaguely threatening notes after. Tonight is our last show in Germany. We only have one more show total and then we’re done.
The show is going like all the others. The crowd is singing along to our second to last song. I’m sweaty and can’t wait to shower. Then Cal decides to switch things up without consulting anyone. Honestly, I’m surprised it took him this long.
“Did you guys know that the original version of “Shattered Dreams” had Belle and Kai singing together? What do you think about asking them to do it again?” Cal asks the crowd, who seems not only really into the idea, but is now chanting my name.
I look at Cal, but he’s gesturing for someone backstage and mouthing ‘mic’ at them. I’m going to fucking kill him. I chance a look at Kai to find him alreadylooking at me. His features are hard, but he must read the panic in mine because they soften. He picks up his mic stand and swings his guitar to his back before making his way towards me.
The guy Cal gestured to must be adjusting the volume of my mic. I usually sing background, so it shouldn’t be as loud as Kai or Cal’s. I see the man give Cal a thumbs up before Kai sets his mic up, so he’s facing me. His eyes never leave mine and he nods slightly. He’s asking me if I’m ok. So I return the nod and look to Willa. She looks concerned but smiles once I nod at her too. I’ve only been singing the backup vocals, nothing that would put my voice to the forefront like this will.
This song doesn’t start with drums like most of our songs do. It starts with the slow strum of Kai’s guitar. I sing first about unattainable love and angst. Kai’s voice joins mine soon after, singing about wanting from afar. His voice is raspy and warm. Together, we sing a tale of the love I once held for him, and maybe still do. Part of me always thought he knew this song was about him, but lately I’m not so sure.
Kai’s eyes hold mine the entire time, keeping me with him and in the moment. I sing to him, not the audience. I let the longing I felt while writing the song mix with the pain and confusion of the present. I don’t know if the emotions are as identifiable in my voice as I think they are, but Kai’s are. All I hear from him is suffering.
The moment the last note leaves my fingers, and the song ends, his eyes leave mine. I feel the loss of his attention immediately. I watch as he smiles and waves to his fans before bowing and leaving the stage.
Willa said Kai was hurting, and I believed her. I got glimpses of it in his eyes here and there, but this, that suffering. . .I could feel it as if it was something I could reach out and grab. And I want to. I want to take that from him to see him smile again. Watch him laugh and tease me like he used to.
I follow him offstage and make my way to the dressing rooms, assuming that’s where he’s going. I don’t know what I plan to say or do, but I feel like I need to be with him right now. I stop when something catches my eye. The door to mine and Willa’s dressing room is open.
“Why are you standing there?” I hear Willa, but I don’t move. “Oh fuck. Not again.” Willa moves past me and into the room, picking up the note and reading it. “Fuck!”
“What’s going on?”
I snap out of my stupor when I hear my brother’s voice and go grab the note from Willa.
“What’s going on is we need to clean house of our entire security team.” Willa barks. We told them not to let any flowers be delivered to us from anyone.
I ignore them and read the newest note.
Run, run, little liar
I dare you to
If you spread your legs for him
It’ll be the end of you
“Is this where the party is?”
“Motherfucker!” I scream, crumpling the note and throwing it across the room.
“Nope. Definitelyno party here.”
I turn to see Mav with his hands up, slowly backing out of the room.
“We need that for evidence!” Cal yells, going after the note and smoothing it out to take pictures. “Who did you sleep with?”
“Not that it’s anyone’s business, but I haven’t slept with anyone!” I yell, frustrated at the wrong people, but unable to contain it.
