Page 55 of Lust For

“Well, they don’t kiss or anything, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Brent, come here,” Derek calls.

“Sorry, kiddo, gotta go.”

“It’s gonna be okay.” Emma does her best to reassure me, but I’m not so sure. This is going to be rough.

“Sure, it will.”

“Hey, we’re at a Crave show together. This doesn’t happen often. Let’s hang out. Don’t let that bitch get you down. He has a job to do. Let him do it.”

I nod. “You’re right. You’re right. Sorry, let’s get out of this funk and go have some fun.”

“Hey, girls.” Aiden stops and puts his arm around both of our shoulders. “We have to go take care of some stuff—sound checks and all that. If it’s alright with you, this guy”—he gestures to the large, unfriendly-looking security guard—“is going to take you to your seats. There’s a box that you sit in while we get ready and play.”

“Wait, there’s a box?” Emma squeals.

“Aiden, where are we really going?” I ask him. I know this theatre. I’ve been here a million times for shows. I’ve even seen Crave here before a host of other bands.

“There’s a separate row section they roped off for family. Serena doesn’t have anyone coming here, but she always has it just in case. So, if you don’t mind, please go with him and he’ll take you to your seats.”

“What don’t you want us to see, Ace?” I tease.

He grins, knowing I’m onto him. “Serena and a couple of girls are coming back here. I thought it would be best if you just left before they got here. I don’t need you here while I talk to them.”

“Are you worried about me embarrassing you?” I say with a giggle.

“Yeah, and Derek asked that I send you to your seats. He said you can come back after the show.”

He’s sending me away so that I don’t have to see her with him. “Okay, fine. But I want to come back for the after-party.”

He smirks. “Sure, I’ll make sure you get back here for that.” He turns to the security guard. “Did you hear that? Make sure they come back once the show wraps.”

“Will do, sir,” the security guard replies.

I almost hate that Derek’s getting rid of us, but I’m not going to fight it. I know why he’s doing it, and I don’t want to cause a scene. I do wish I could wish him luck before I leave, but I can see that’s not going to happen. So, I settle for saying it to Aiden.

“Go get ’em, Ace.” I lean over and pull him into a hug. “I love you.”

He smiles and pulls me in for another hug. “Thank you, Aud. I love you too. And I’m glad you’re here. I know the guys are too. It’s just preshow stuff. Easier to do it alone.”

“You don’t have to explain. I get it. Don’t worry, we’ll go.” I turn to leave with the guard.

“Good luck, Ace,” Emma says to him.

“Thanks, sunshine.” He leans over and gives her a half hug before heading back to the guys.

Emma’s smile is huge after Aiden’s hug. I’m sure he doesn’t do it on purpose—tease her and make her think he likes her too. Aiden’s just a friendly guy. He’s friendly with a lot of girls. I always try to avoid him when he’s drunk and attempting to hook up with one of the bus bunnies. It’s not something I’d like to see.

The security guard who leads us to our seats is tall, has a bald head, is covered in tattoos and wearing all-black clothing. He looks like he’d make a good fifth band member of Crave; however, I’m sure his size and stature effective as a security guard. He leads us down long hallways, where I can hear people getting ready to enter the venue as we make our way through the special entrance to the theatre. Just before he opens two metal doors, he turns to Emma and me.

“Have you ever been here before?” he asks.

We both nod. Emma takes a step back, shrinking into herself as she avoids eye contact with the large man in front of us.

“Okay, then you know there’s a pit section. That’s not where I’m taking you. There’s a wide walkway between the pit section and the grandstands. In front of those grandstands is a roped-off seating area we reserve for VIPs. That’s where you’ll be. You will not make your way to the pit area. You will not venture into the grandstands. You will stay seated, and you will not cause an issue.”

“What about when our boys take the stage?” Emma asks him. “Do we have to stay seated then?”