Page 45 of Renegade

The signing was a hell of a lot of fun, with a shit load of fans. The extras we let come in where so excited and I kept smiling at Brooklyn, knowing it was her idea. There were a few questions from fans asking who she was, but I just smiled and signed their merchandise. Brooklyn stood with Poppy off to the side and I loved looking over and seeing her smiling face. It may be why I enjoyed myself so much.

We are now on our way to a restaurant that Brooklyn recommended. She said they have the best chicken parm. Poppy called ahead and made reservations and asked for the private room. I’ve got my arm around Brooklyn and I’m tracing her shoulder with my finger and I can tell it is turning her on, because she keeps squeezing her legs together. We are all just talking about the signing and about how well it all went.

We pull up to the restaurant and I have this dreaded feeling that tonight will be my last with her for a while and it makes me very uneasy. I get out and hold my hand out to help Brooklyn. When we walk in, I wrap my arm around her and keep her close to my side. We wait for the hostess and I look around to take in where she hangs out. It’s nice, a little simple, but that’s my girl. She doesn’t need anything fancy.

When the hostess arrives, her eyes nearly bug out of her head when she sees us standing there. “Holy shit, you’re Renegade,” she squeals and covers her mouth. “I’m so sorry.” She picks up the menus and tells us to follow her.

I can’t help but chuckle and Brooklyn elbows me in the side. I look down at her and she’s smiling. “What?” I ask.

“Nothing, I just love how you don’t act like you’re as big a deal as you are,” she says and shrugs her shoulders.

I want to kiss her right here, right now, but I’m not sure how she’d act. Instead I lean over and kiss her head. For the first time she wraps her arm around my waist and I smile down at her.

“Brooke?” We hear and every one of us freezes.

Brooklyn, slowly turns her head, but I whip mine to the side. “Oh Hank,” she says and I tighten my hold on her.

So this is the dick that never treated Brooklyn the way she deserved. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t grateful, because of his stupidity she’s mine. Sticking my hand out to him I say, “Hey man, I’m Fitz.” He looks at my hand like I’m holding a piece of dog shit, before clasping his hands in front of himself. “Friendly thing aren’t you,” I mumble and Ethen busts out laughing.

“So, this is why you changed? To fit in with these,” he pauses and I’m getting really pissed now, “people.” He shakes his head and I see where her low self-esteem comes from.

“Well, you’re as charming in real life as I’ve heard. I’m Poppy and these people are the band Renegade. We love Brooklyn and she didn’t change for us, we changed for her,” she says and I grin.

“I’m not here to make a scene. I was just stating the obvious,” he says and starts to turn his back.

“And what’s that?” I hiss. Brooklyn, rests her hand on my stomach to try to keep me calm, but I’m fucking boiling mad now.

She looks at me and smiles. “Hank!” Brooklyn yells, getting him to turn back around. “Don’t ever disrespect my friends again.” He rolls his eyes and I take a step to him because I’m going to knock his fucking head off. “I’ve got this,” she whispers to me and looks back to him. “My boyfriend is seriously protective and doesn’t take kindly to your tone and neither do I.” I look down at her and smile. That’s the first time she’s called me her boyfriend and I’m no longer pissed off anymore.

“Hey, you want to slum it that’s your deal,” he says and rushes off when I go at him, but Ethen holds me back.

Poppy gets our attention and snaps at us to get into the private room. We do and once in there, I’m pacing. Slum it, what a fucking dickhead. I could fucking buy him if I wanted to.

“Relax Fitz. Brooklyn told you what an asshole he is,” Poppy says.

I look over to see Brooklyn standing by the table twisting her hands together. Fuck, I’m such an asshole. I go to her and pull her into my arms. “I’m sorry. He just pissed me off.”

She shakes her head against my chest and lets out a sigh. “No, I’m sorry. I tried to get a rise out of him. I shouldn’t have done that.”

Smiling, I pull back a bit so she looks at my face. “I thought it was hot. Plus, you called me your boyfriend,” I say and give her a wink.

She laughs and the night is back to where it was. We all enjoy the food, talk and have a few drinks. Even Brooklyn has a glass of wine, which makes her more comfortable with touching me in front of everyone. We laugh about Hank after a while and beg Brooklyn to tell us where he lives so we can go bother him. She just laughs and refuses to say.

Right before the check comes Ralph asks, “What time are we heading out tomorrow?” I know he is just asking, but it reminds me that Brooklyn might not be with me this time tomorrow.

“We need to be on the road by ten. The label wants us to stop for a few promo pictures on the way, so we are meeting a photographer,” Poppy says cuddling into Nate’s side.

I don’t really pay much attention to the rest of the talk, my head is consumed with what Brooklyn is going to do. I think back to Hank and now I really hope that she stays with me. If that is the kind of ridicule she is going to get around here, she’s better off. Not to mention, I don’t know how I will continue this tour without her. If I’m not with her, I’ll be constantly thinking of her or worrying about her.

“Fitz,” Ethen yells, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“What?” I ask, looking around.

Brooklyn laughs and the rest of them join in. “We’re leaving,” Brooklyn says and that’s when I realize they are all standing. Shit.

Once we get back to the bus, Brooklyn tugs my hand to keep me back from everyone. “I need to talk to you.”

Fuck, here it is. She’s going to tell me her decision and I’m man enough to admit, I’m nervous. I nod my head and wait for everyone to go inside. “What’s up?” I ask, feeling defensive already.