"I will," she promises.
ChapterNine
IRELAND
"Holy moly," I mutter, gaping at all the people milling outside the hotel.It's a madhouse.Why are there so many of them?Where did they all come from?"Has it been like this the whole tour?"
"On and off," Shelby sighs as the doorman helps us scurry inside."As soon as they figure out where the guys are staying, they descend en masse.Sometimes, the guys can convince them to leave.Sometimes, they can't."
"Wow."I knew things were wild, but I guess I never knew how wild they could be.This is…wow.I can't imagine spending years of my life living like this.And they were just kids when they started, only teenagers.Most of them hadn't even finished high school yet.It had to be so overwhelming.
It's overwhelming now, and they're a lot older.It makes me sad for the kids they were back then…the ones with no privacy and no one looking out for what was best for them.They were dollar signs to the label and everyone around them.That's what people saw when they looked at them.They didn't see Crue or Mason or Asher or Jameson or Jax.They saw money and five ways to make more of it.
I'm glad they got out.Really freaking glad.
"How are things going with you and Crue?"Shelby asks once we're on the elevator.
"Good."I fidget with my hands."Really freaking good."
"Yeah?"
I nod, avoiding her gaze."He told me that he's in love with me."
"Of course he is, Ireland.And you obviously feel the same way."
"I do," I whisper."I'm so in love with him it's a little terrifying."I lick my lips."He wants to get married again after the tour."
"That's great, Ireland!"She bounces forward, flinging her arms around me in a tight hug.
"You'll be my maid of honor, right?"I ask, clinging to her."I won't do it without you.I feel horrible that you weren't there the first time."
"Um, duh!Of course I'll be right up there beside you," she says, laughing."There's no way you're getting married a second time without me."
I smile, relieved.
She pulls back, taking a step away."So you're really giving it a shot, huh?"
"Yes."I swallow hard."I'm still freaking out about everyone finding out.Part of me still thinks he's going to change his mind when the whole world finds out.I think that part may always worry, you know?I stopped believing in fairytales a long time ago.This feels like a fairytale."
"Well, maybe it's time for you to start believing again."Shelby grins at me."Because this is happening, Ireland.You married your crush, and he's crazy about you."
She's right.It is time for me to start believing again.
"Maybe it's time for you to start believing, too, Shelby," I say as the elevator slides to a stop on the top floor.
"Yeah," she whispers."Maybe."
* * *
"Come here," Crue growls, dragging me into the bathroom and slamming the door behind us as soon as we make it backstage.He boosts me up into his arms, pinning me against the wall.
My laugh ends in a moan as his lips come down on mine, a frantic edge to his kiss.He was on fire on stage again tonight, his eyes on me the entire time.I wore the shortest dress in my closet, paired with the highest heels I own, trying to drive him crazy.
I think it worked.
"I need you on my tongue," he growls, dropping to his knees."Right fucking now."
He balances me on his shoulders, yanking my panties to the side.I hold on for dear life as he buries his face in my pussy without another word, growling as he eats me.I try to be quiet.Really, I do.But he's eating me like I'm his last meal, and I can't help but moan and whimper and plead.
