14
“Tell me what you think of this one?”
The guys were backstage, a few hours before their next show. Several cameras surrounded them, making sure to get their expressions from every angle. I stood out of sight behind them.
Neil was also there, making sure the scene was going the way he wanted. He’d shown up for the shoot early to set things up. I’d given him a small smile when I walked in and he returned it, but he didn’t say anything. I was hurt for a moment, wondering if he was trying to brush me off like the last time, until I realized we were in the middle of a shoot. Half the crew already thought we were totally hot for each other. He probably didn’t want to do anything to start more rumors.
I’d worried what would happen when the band members filed in, and I was right to. Jayce had stopped still, his gaze flickering from me to Neil and back again. It was unnerving. Neil tensed up, but he met Jayce’s gaze straight on. After a few seconds of staring each other down, Jayce’s expression smoothed into his usual easy smirk as he got into character for the shoot. I didn’t think anyone else had noticed the small, awkward moment.
I took a moment to gather myself. We were all professionals here. There was no reason we couldn’t work together.
I took out my tablet and scrolled through an album of photos and videos. I’d gathered together some of the cool, random, and weird things that Feral Silence’s fans had created in their honor.
A few of the guys, like Jayce and Kell, were more active online and had already seen some of the things I showed them, but Morris and Ren were blown away by almost all of it. Morris himself was practically speechless, but Kell always had something to say. Usually something enthusiastic.
“This is awesome! Someone drew a picture of us as cartoon superheroes?”
“Female cartoon superheroes,” Jayce corrected him. “They drew us as girls. We’re in skirts. We have tiaras.”
“Hey, why does Jayce get to be the one in front? Is she the leader? She had blond hair. Clearly I should be the leader. I’m the front man. I’ve got blond hair.”
I stifled a laugh and snuck a peek at Neil. He was holding back a smile, his lips twitching. He looked at me out of the corner of his eye and I knew what he was thinking. I’d said the same thing when I first showed Neil the picture. I should have known that would be Kell’s reaction.
Jayce must have noticed our silent conversation. He shifted in his seat and looked uncomfortable for a moment, looking away from the cameras, eyes unfocused. I grimaced, feeling bad. I was essentially rubbing my relationship with Neil in Jayce’s face, and he would have to deal with that day in and day out for the rest of the tour.
After a few moments, Jayce straightened his back and re-joined the conversation as if nothing had happened.
“The blond one’s a princess,” Morris chimed in.
The rest of the band gave him a look.
“Don’t ask how I know that,” he added.
“If you want, we could message the artist and ask her to draw another picture with you as Sailor Moon,” I suggested.
“Awesome, let’s do it!”
“No.” Morris and Ren were both in agreement: leave well enough alone.
They were lucky I hadn’t shown them the more risqué pictures I’d found. At least this one had them fully clothed, although short-skirted.
I was about to move on when a private message popped up on my phone. I tapped to dismiss it, and then stopped when I read the first few lines.
you better watchyourself you stupid whore.
you try to sink your claws into Jayce and you’ll get what’s coming to you
My shoulders hunchedup around my ears unconsciously, as if trying to protect myself from a blow. This was getting crazy. Was someone really out to get me? There was no way they could know who I really was, though. Right?
“Ailey.”
I jumped as Jayce whispered my name, trying not to look freaked out.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
“I’m fine,” I mouthed. He nodded, still looking concerned, but dropped it for the moment.
I shoved my phone back in my purse, determined to ignore the message. I wasn’t going to let some crazy fangirl ruin my day and interrupt my work.
