Oliver grins at us all.
A guy wearing headphones and carrying a clipboard stands at the end of the hall, waving to Oliver.
He nods and looks at us. “Showtime,” Oliver states.
We head down the hall that leads out to a giant opening onto the studio set. There’s a stage and cameras all around a room set up like a hotel suite. It’s a closed set, so regular people cannot get onto the lot and stage without permission. I don’t know how Oliver was able to persuade them to let us watch, and it’s too early to tell if I’m grateful for it.
My stomach flips as I see the king-size bed set out with pristine white sheets. I think of this morning when Ria and I rolled around on her sheets, and now she’ll be doing it with Danger.
How fucking fantastic!
Not long later, Ria and Danger walk in.
Danger’s shirtless, showing off all his black and gray tattoos, wearing only jeans, as Ria walks in wearing a silk robe. My heart races, and all I want to do is run to her, but we’re all ushered into a waiting slash viewing area where Tillie and Ryan are alreadysitting. The view of the fake hotel room is clear, and I’ll be able to see everything. I’m not sure if that makes me happy or incredibly nervous.
Danger and Ria are ushered into the hotel suite and over to a fake window. People are talking to them, but we can’t hear anything that’s being said from our positions while everyone fusses and pussyfoots about. Lunar walks over and stands next to me as we both watch our partners chatting.
“You think they’re nervous?” Lunar asks.
I smirk. “Danger, for sure. Ria… not so much. She’s done this sort of thing a hundred times before.”
“You going to be okay watching this?”
“Got no choice, right? It’s for the good of the band.”
Lunar nods and smiles. “You’re a good man, Nate.” I purse my lips and smile. “I know you worry about me. Thank you for that. And I love that you care so much. It can’t have been easy, but I’m glad you’ve found someone. Even if I’mnotsure she’s right for you. As long as she makes you happy—”
“She does. I mean, it’s new,reallyfucking new, but she gets me and has from the second we met. She’s never once put me down for my flaws and makes me feel like, even though I may not be the smartest guy in the world, she’ll help me in any way I need. Without question. Without hesitation. She’s so different alone and away from everything. I wish she’d be that person with you guys.”
Lunar wraps her arm around my waist, leaning her head on my shoulder. “Hey, if she treatsyouright, that’s all that matters.”
I look up just in time to see Ria sliding her silk robe off, and I tense up, seeing her in just a black lace bra and panties.
Lunar tightens her arm around my waist and chuckles. “Wow, Nate! Even I have a lady boner.”
“Not helping, Lunar.”
Although I do chuckle, and she smirks, looking up at me.
“Hey, if you’re gonna be her man, this is what she does for a living. I’ve seen her movies. Hell, I’ve seen her on screen, naked. If you’re gonna be with her, you’re gonna have to be okay with this.”
“Shit! Yeah, I know. Guess the first time seeing this is gonna be the hardest.”
“Yeah, I haven’t seen Danger with another woman either. So this shit’s about to get real for me.”
“We can sulk together,” I say.
“Yeah,” Lunar replies, much quieter now.
Ria backs up against the window, and Danger heads over toward the fake door. Everyone gets into position, and the director calls out, “Action.”The lights dim, then brighten on the stage, making it look like daylight streams in through the window behind Ria as our song starts playing over the studio speakers. Ria looks beautiful, her hair flowing elegantly over her shoulders, and the light shining through the fake window behind her. She stands sultrily and looks toward the door. Danger walks in—no, he struts in—as the words to the song start, but he seems stiff, nervous even. Usually, he’s fine in our other music videos, but then again, they’re normally just us, no hot women staring at you half-naked. He mimes the song as he awkwardly struts over toward Ria. She looks perfect, like she’s besotted with him and completely in love.
You can surely tell who the actress is…
ButI hate it.
I wish she looked at me like that.
An ache in my chest forms as Danger continues toward her, and with each step, my heart thumps a little faster as he stalks his prey.
