“—is Gemma?” Zeb finally asks. “I thought she’d be back to meet you at the trailer.”
“Ah… Waiting. Somewhere,” I say, peering toward a dark area.
“Oh shit,” Zeb says as he steps back from me, apparently catching onto what I mean. “It’s like that tonight?”
I smirk at him. “It’s like that.”
“Damn, okay. I knew you seemed on edge. Didn’t realize you two were playing a game. You should have told me to fuck off earlier. Is she disguised?”
I have to remember that I never told him she’s actually my stalker.
“Yeah,” I say. “Definitely.”
“So, what does your stalker think about all of this? Where is she?” he asks.
Right here.
Hiding somewhere.
“I ran her off finally,” I say. “Well, Gemma did.”
“Damn,” he says, brows lifted. “That’s impressive. Remind me to thank her.” He playfully swats the end of my hair. “Have fun, Bed.”
“You’re just going to leave me?” I ask as he walks off.
“Sounds like you’re well watched,” he replies with a shrug.
I stare at him as he leaves me, going in the direction of his trailer. And as the quiet crickets’ songs envelope the quiet night, I sink my head back onto my neck and sigh.
True fear isn’t present in my bones. It’s anticipation… as if I’ve consented to go into a haunted house, and I’m waiting on someone to jump out and scare me.
Movement catches the corner of my eye as I open them. It’s minute, and just the little notion that it’s her makes my heart beat a little faster. My thighs squeeze, hair on the back of my neck standing.
I wonder how long she’s going to let me walk around before cornering me…
Time to find out.
I pivot on my heel and begin a random walk, not bothering to watch where I’m going, to remember my footsteps back to the trailer. I trust her to be there. I trust her to watch me no matter what. Regardless of how ticked off my arbitrary stroll makes her, I’m not worried.
I want to be in trouble for this.
I want to drive her wild, to make her question how she ever fell in love with me.
After seeing her reaction to this dress this morning, testing her limits is going to be my new fixation.
The cool night air presses against my skin. My hands are still vibrating from the concert, body on the verge of collapse and running purely on adrenaline.
Every time my chin hits my shoulder, my stomach drops another fraction. I can see her shadow moving in and out of the darkness. My stride picks up as I turn corner after corner, weaving through the quiet trailers, waving to a few friends lingering outside, though I don’t dare stop.
I know she’s hiding. I know they won’t see her.
I intend to keep it that way.
And when we reach the edge by the stage, I look over my shoulder one more time before disappearing into the backstage area.
I loop around the space where some of our equipment is being stored, heart thudding in my ears. I can’t keep the giddy smile off my face. I’m not watching where I’m going. I’m barely able to keep myself from sprinting.
Moonlight reflects off her studded bodysuit.
