Why can’t they just be the same person?
It’s a stupid thought, but it plagued me half the night as I sat on the back of the couch and watched Reed and Foster game. Every time I glanced over at her standing in the corner watching over us, I wondered. Flashes of the way my stalker handled me in the club, in front of my mirror, blindfolded… Gemma’s face fills me when I think of it now.
I know my stalker isn’t her. My stalker has texted me while Gemma and I were together, so it can’t be her.
Still…
A small part of me wishes it were true.
Mads kicks Reed’s shin, prompting him to flinch. Reed narrows his brows, but sits up nonetheless when he spots our team coming into the room.
“Okay, gang. We are officially one band from set time,” Stella says, prompting us to collectively clap and celebrate. “Everything looks ready. All I ask, Reed, is that you don’t crowd surf tonight.”
“Boooo,” Zeb says, and we laugh.
“Why not?” Reed asks.
Stella glances Gemma’s way, and Gemma tucks her arms across her chest.
“Security has been breaking up more fights than usual today,” she says. “They don’t know if it’s just a group of bad apples or something else to worry about. They’ve asked for bands to stay within the barriers, and they sought me out specifically because they know how you like to get in the crowd.”
Reed’s brows narrow. “Are we really abiding by this? We’ve had venues tell us that before, and we told them to fuck off.”
“Oh, believe me, I want to tell them to fuck off,” she agrees. “I don’t like places telling you you can’t be yourselves, and your fans know you usually jump in there.”
“So… what do you want us to do?” Zeb asks.
“I want all of you to be smart,” she replies, gaze moving between us. “Watch each other’s backs. If you see something, communicate. Watch your pit circles. Don’t be afraid of pausing to tell people to get their shit together and not run over someone. I’ll be running around everywhere. Liam is at the front of the stage. Kade will be in the wings. I brought in a few extra guards who are also in the walk so that it isn’t just venue security. It’s people I trust. Reed, I want you to signal when you want to get in the crowd—”
“I usually do that duringPieces,” Reed says. “Right before our break.”
“Then let’s keep it that way,” she replies. “If, for any reason, I think it’s a bad idea, I’ll let you know. Watch Liam during that song. He’ll give you a yes or no.”
Reed nods. “Okay.”
“You guys have anything for us?” Kade asks.
We all look at each other and shake our heads.
“Can’t think of anything,” Mads says.
“Nothing for me,” I agree.
“Okay. That’s all I have,” Gemma says. “You guys are going to fucking kill it.”
Gemma claps her hands together, and as Kade and Liam sit down at the vanity counter to chat with Zeb, Andi steps over my legs to take a seat between Mads and I.
“I need my cuddles,” she says, settling between us.
I chuckle, take my headphones from around my neck, and then reach for the energy drink she brought. “You were making me a little lonely when you sat over there,” I say. “I thought I did something wrong.”
Andi laughs. “I didn’t want to interrupt the groove you two had going on. Especially when I know I’m getting kicked out in about five minutes.”
“Hey, Bonnie.”
Gemma’s voice makes my heart do a little jump, and I find myself drowning when I look at her. My cheeks warm as she nods toward the door and gestures for me to join her. Andi nudges me, and I flip her off discreetly as I stand, then stuff my hands into my hoodie.
Gemma holds the door open for me to exit, and I follow behind her where she leads me a few feet away.
