“Hey, girls, this is hectic,” I say with a smirk, sitting next to Anna.
“Tell me about it. They’ve done photo shoots before, but nothing like this. Live animals and lesbians, very rock and roll,” Sia says, pointing to the two girls kneeling next to Hux, who are now positioned like they’re about to kiss.
“I’m usually pretty laid back, but if they have girls hanging off Johnny like that, I won’t be happy,” Anna says.
I exhale, wondering what they’ll make Colt do as we watch Hux make love to the camera.
“So, how come you guys were late?” Sia asks.
“We were, um… celebrating. Colt asked me to be his girlfriend.”
Anna and Sia look at me wide-eyed.
“Are you serious?” Anna asks.
“Yep. And I might have told him I was in love with him too,” I say.
Their mouths drop open.
“And he didn’t run?” Sia asks, looking over at Colt and then back to me as some wondrous expression dawns on her face.
“Did he say it back?” Anna asks quickly.
“No, he didn’t run, but he was a little frazzled by it. He didn’t say it back. But that’s okay. I understand the whole Macy thing and how hard it is for him to say.”
“Wow. Just… wow,” Anna exclaims, eyes wide.
“Yeah, I’m with you, Anna. I can’t believe it.” Sia shakes her head. “Normally, when anyone tells Colt they love him, he gets rid of them as fast as possible.”
The moment the words leave her mouth, her expression shifts, and her lips press into a grimace as she realizes what she’s just said. She bites the corner of her lip, looking at me with concern.
Guess that one slipped out before she could stop it.
A wave of panic surges through me, my veins flooded with icy dread.What if Colt does the same to me? What if I’ve completely freaked him out, and I’m the next woman to be tossed aside?
“Stop it. I can see that look in your eyes, Dee,” Anna says, gently grasping my arm. “He’s not going to dump you. If he were, he would’ve done it already.”
“You think?” My voice is quieter than I intend, laced with doubt. Because the truth is, I’m not so sure. This is all new for him, uncharted territory, and maybe, just maybe, I pushed too hard, too soon.
“I do. He’s really into you. Anyone can see that.”
I nod my head and place my hand over Anna’s. “Thanks.”
“Can we have Mr. Slade now, Trina?” a man calls out loudly, gaining my attention.
“Sure thing,” she replies as she styles his hair one last time before he’s taken into the bedroom.
Anna takes my hand, and we walk toward the room. “C’mon, let’s watch,” she says with a girlish grin.
We make our way just outside the bedroom door, so we’re not in anyone’s way. Colt’s wearing distressed jeans, and they’ve coated his chest with oil to make him glisten. He looks mouth-wateringly delicious. There are a ton of people in the room, all fussing about, making everything lookjust right.
The photographer takes his position near the end of the bed, and Colt walks over and lies down. Then, a woman hands him a guitar. Lying on his back with his guitar covering his groin, the photographer starts taking images. There are so many clicks and flashes that I can’t help but smile. This whole persona they've given him makes Colt look like the rock god he’s so well known for.
“Great work, Mr. Slade. Time to spice it up a bit. Can we have the girls in here, please?” the photographer calls out loudly.
The two girls who were hanging off Hux walk into the bedroom and await their instructions.
My heart starts to race, and panic sets in.
