I turn to her and raise an eyebrow with a smirk as she shrugs. The boom gate opens, and I chuckle as I drive on through, shaking my head. “Damn celebrities,” I murmur, and she slaps my arm with a smirk.
After a quick drive across the lot and up to the studio, we jump out and head toward the smaller studio. Ria and I walk hand in hand and notice everyone’s already here. They all stop and turn to look at us, all of them raising their eyebrows.
“What? Is it so hard to believe?” I ask.
Matt smiles widely.
Tillie and Lunar both have their mouths open while the other two guys are just standing there smirking.
Oliver steps out of a room off to the side with Ria’s crew, and they look toward us, opening their eyes wide.
“Zaria, have you lost your mind?” her manager chides.
My insecurities instantly settle into my stomach like a ten-tonne weight as she tightens her hand in mine.
“No, Marcus, not at all. Nate’s not like Kade. Don’t worry, I’ve hadthattalk with him. I trust Nate.”
“Geez, girl, you’ve been down this road already. I was there to pick you up last time, remember? I’ll be here again, but, Zaria, be warned, rockers never change their spots,” Marcus warns before walking off.
Fuck! I’m in the damn room,I think as Ria looks at me sympathetically. “Asshole,” I murmur.
Exhaling deeply, I wrap my arm around her shoulders, bringing her to my side, and lean down, kissing her hair.
“Well, that was intense,” Ryan murmurs.
Tillie rolls her eyes, slapping his now-toned stomach.
“Shut up! Nate and Zaria, do I need to do anything about this?” Tillie asks.
“No, we’re keepingthisquiet until the video is launched. I’m sure you will appreciate that. Now, please, I’m parched. Water… sparkling… squeeze of lemon… three cubes of ice, anddon’tforget the straw.”
Turning quickly to face Ria, she winces slightly as Tillie looks at me. I frown at Ria as a gesture of apology to Tillie as she walks off to get Ria’s stupid drink.
“So, ah… are you all prepared for what we have to do today?” Danger asks, breaking through some of the tension.
“Of course. I’m a professional actor. Have you acted before, Danger? Areyouprepared?”
“I’ve done other music videos, but never anything quite like this.”
“Great! Just what I need. Amateurs!” She throws her hands in the air and storms off toward her dressing room, leaving me completely startled and a tad saddened by her outbursts.
Lunar looks at me while I stand here, my mouth open slightly, and my head shakes. I didn’t think for one second she would have on her Zaria persona in front of everyone. I honestly thought she’d be Ria in front of my friends.
“So… she’s still a sweetheart, I see,” Lunar jabs.
“She’s misunderstood.”
“Really? ’Cause to me, she’s a stuck-up cow, and I haveno ideawhat you could possibly even see in her.”
Smirking, I chuckle. “Why? Jealous?”
She rolls her eyes with a half-laugh while Danger glares at me. “You wish, lover boy. But really, what thehelldo you see in her?”
“The Zaria you all see, that’s not the Zaria I know. Trust me, don’t judge a book by its cover. Things are the way they are for a reason. She’s not who you think she is. Somehow, I’ll get her to loosen up around you guys, I promise.”
“I don’t think that woman has anicebone in her body,” Danger mutters.
“Looks are deceiving, Danger. She’s the kindest, sweetest person I know. Trust me, Zaria isn’tthatperson on the inside. It’s all a front, and there’s a reason for her actions.”
