Page 15 of True Stars Collide
He set down his fork and his jaw softened. “Yeah, it’s a lot. But it’s all happening, and we’ll find our rhythm in rehearsal, you’ll be amazing, and tomorrow’s show will blow everyone away.” His tone was gentler than she’d ever heard.
Her shoulders relaxed. “Thank you. I want that more than anything. I don’t want to let you guys down or let the fans down.”
Liam’s phone buzzed and he picked it up off the table. “It’s Ian.” He rose and stalked over to the windows. “Yeah?”
Zoe couldn’t follow the conversation because Liam’s responses were monosyllables. Yes, no, and grunts. And perhaps she was admiring the way his black t-shirt emphasized how his broad shoulders tapered to a narrow waist and spectacular butt. No question the man was hot, hot, hot.
He pivoted to face her and slid the phone into his back pocket. His expression was inscrutable. Liam could probably rake in millions at the poker tables downstairs.
“Anything important?”
He raked his fingers through his golden hair and blew out a breath. “I guess. He and the team are pleased at how yesterday went. We are apparently the top story on all outlets. Lots of speculation about how we met, a lot about you…”
“About me, what?”
“Don’t shoot the messenger okay?” He held up his hands. “But they’re comparing you to Britney Spears several years back when she got married in Vegas and shaved her head and all that.”
She jumped up from the table. “Britney Spears? Are you kidding me? Wasn’t this plan just supposed to make me seem like a wild rocker chick? Not an out of control pop princess? What did they say about you?”
“More speculation about us getting married––was it just a drunken escapade we’ll get annulled by next week. That there’s no way we would actually stay together.”
“Great. That’s just fantastic. My mom is probably losing her mind.”
“You didn’t tell her?”
“No. The only people who know are the band and our management teams. The fewer the better. The paparazzi will hound her and it’s better she not know. I don’t want to put her in the position to have to lie.” Now her breakfast threatened to exit via her throat.
“You said you two are close?”
“Very. Like I mentioned, she sacrificed so much for me to have a singing career.”
“Well, then you should call her. Just tell her it was…tell her it was love at first sight.”
She snorted. “This all happened so fast, I didn’t have time to think all this through. Not sure she’ll buy it. She knows me too well. Is that what you’re going to tell your family?”
A shutter came over his face and he shrugged. “We’re not close.”
Hmm…time to explore that later. “I’m going to have to figure out a way to talk to her without lying.” She sank into a chair and dropped her head in her hands. Yeah, this plan was way more complicated than she’d considered.
“Well, if you’re calling her, make it quick because we’ve got to get over to the studio. And we need to sneak out the private exit to avoid the press. Can you be ready in 15?”
“I’ll text her not to worry, that I’ll call and explain it all tomorrow. And yeah, I’ll be ready.” She rose and returned to her room, her heart racing, her palms sweating. Her mom understood what she’d endured in the Baby Dolls and would be heartbroken for her if she learned she’d married to promote her career.
Why was this career such a juxtaposition between bitter and sweet?
* * *
“And here’s the happy couple now,” Ben clapped, and the rest of the guys joined in, whooping and crowing like die-hard football fans at the Super Bowl.
In addition to the band, a sound engineer, a producer, and Ian crowded into the space.
Liam slammed the door behind them and muttered under his breath. They’d ridden over to the rented studio in relative silence. He’d seemed as lost in his thoughts as she was, and the lack of conversation had been comfortable rather than awkward.
Please, universe, don’t let the next two days be a nightmare.
She held up one hand. “Guys, can we save all the enthusiasm for when we’re in public? Let’s make the rehearsal about kicking ass tomorrow night and leave the rest.”
“We’ve got to play a part in all of this and I, for one, and am going to have fun with ‘Love ’em and Leave ’em Liam’s’ demise.” André winked.