With a curt nod, Ra turned and met up with Arsen.Both men headed to the tour bus, probably to work out an alternative in case things continued to suck a donkey dick.
“Scarlett!”Seth called out to her from across the parking lot.She’d hoped to have a little bit to calm her mind.No matter.She could do this.It might not be eloquent, but she’d manage.
“Hey.I was just coming to look for you.”
He gave her a startled look.“You were?What’s up?”The look on Seth’s face said he was afraid of what she had to say to him.
“Look,” she began, toeing a bit of gravel on the pavement, trying not to look at him too much.“I’m sorry.I’ve handled everything badly from the beginning of this misadventure.”
Seth looked like an animal sensing a trap but unable to tell from which direction it would spring.“You did?”
“Yeah.The bus was… Well, that was unexpected, so I’m not taking responsibility for that.But the plane…” She sighed.“I shouldn’t have implied I was only with you to make a conquest.Anything you said to me was only in retaliation for what I said.What I’m trying to say is, I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry.”
“Yeah.For that.For not putting aside my differences with you to make this concert the best it can be.You were right,” she said, finally meeting his eyes.“I have no idea what it means to be on the road as an actual front member of a band.”She sighed.“I have talent.I know I do.There aren’t many people in the world who are better than me technically.But I’ve got a lot to learn about being a professional.I’d appreciate it if you gave me another chance.”
Seth looked at her like she’d grown two heads.“Are you out of your fucking mind?”
Just like that, her hopes plummeted.He wasn’t going to give her another chance.Before she could blink them back, tears filled her eyes and one spilled down her cheek.She tried to turn to leave, but he caught her shoulders and pulled her to him.
“Look at me, Scarlett.”Seth cupped her face and used his thumbs under her chin to force her head up to his.When she finally met his gaze he smiled at her.“None of that was your fault, baby.I was an ass.You were just trying to protect yourself, and I understand that.”He rolled his eyes.“Now.Now I understand.”
There were a few moments while Scarlett processed what he was saying.Another few moments for her to actually believe him.She looked into his eyes, really seeing him.There was no masking his expression, his feelings plain for her to see.
“You love me,” she whispered, another tear dropping from her lashes.“You do, don’t you?”
With a groan, Seth fastened his mouth to hers, kissing her deeply and a little desperately.His tongue swept over hers like a lick of fire, scorching her with need and a passion so deep she knew she’d never be rid of it.
“I do, Scarlett,” he whispered back.“Lord knows I didn’t want to admit it.But I do.I have for a long time.”
With a glad cry, Scarlett threw her arms around his neck, sobbing in relief and a love in her heart so strong there was no other way for it to be expressed.“I love you, too, Seth.I love you so much!”
They stood there for a long time, holding each other.Scarlett was certain she felt dampness where Seth’s tears fell against her neck.He kissed her skin, burying a hand in her hair and holding her close.
“Well, if you two have worked out your issues,” Arsen drawled, “we need to try this again.If it doesn’t work this time, we’ll do some rearranging.”
Scarlett looked around her at the guys.All of them had smirks on their faces, grinning openly at them.Well, except Titan.He simply rolled his eyes and headed toward the practice area.“‘Bout fucking time,” he muttered.“Best beating I ever gave anyone.”
Seth took her hand, urging her in the same direction as Titan.As she went, her step lighter and happier than she could remember being since she’d left the stage that first time, she spied a reporter she knew.The guy was with a popular member of the press with a good radio/TV station.He waved to Scarlett and Seth as they walked by, and Scarlett suddenly had a killer idea.
* * *
If she hadn’t been their promotions manager, Seth would have balked, but Scarlett had proven herself in that capacity time and time again.Besides, he owed her one.More than one.She might be willing to take what she considered as her share of the blame, but he wasn’t.If she thought letting KROK radio/TV film their rehearsal was a good idea to promote the charity concert tour, he was good with it.His only problem was in them coming in immediately, before the band had a chance to make sure any kinks were worked out.After the last two hours they’d spent trying to just get it workable, he thought he had a right to be a bit apprehensive.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?Maybe we should do it once before you let them film.”He voiced what he could see the others thinking.Funny thing was, no one argued with her.No one would have thought to.Scarlett was a genius when it came to shit like this, and they had never, in the entire time she’d been managing and promoting them, questioned anything she’d told them to do.
She just gave him that sexy, cocky grin of hers.“What’s the matter, Seth?Scared?”
There was no way not to answer that grin with one of his own.“Oh, baby.It’s on.”
Scarlett blew him a kiss before skipping in the direction of the trailer.“Come on, boys!Dress rehearsal!”
Arsen sank down into a nearby chair.“We’re so fucked.”
“You?”Seth glanced at Arsen before turning back to Scarlett’s retreating form.The woman had an ass to make the gods weep.“I’m the one who’s going to have to make out with her on stage while keeping my wits about me enough to still sing.”
Titan slapped the back of his head.“I’d hate for you to have another black eye right before the cameras roll.”
