By the time she's finished, I'm grinning ear to ear."Is that an actual entry, or did you make it up on the fly?"
"I'll never tell," she says, her cheeks pink."What happens in the diary stays in the diary.Those are the rules."
"The rules are bullshit.I want to see this diary."
"Well, take it up with womankind.I didn't make the rules.I was just grandmothered into them on account of being born with a vagina."She shrugs."I'm not violating the sisterhood to sate your morbid curiosity."
"You better ask your next question," I growl."Because the more you talk, the more I want to kiss the words from your lips, Éire."
She squeaks, slapping a hand over her mouth.As if that'll stop me.When it comes to her, I don't think there's much that'll stand in my way.I want this girl more than I've ever wanted anything, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
I'm going to end up married by the end of this tour.If I don't, I'll be mad as hell about it.
Mason is probably laughing his ass off right now.
* * *
"Crue."
I stop halfway to the stage when Shelby calls my name, her eyes laser-focused on me.I'm not surprised she's back here waiting for me.I honestly expected to find her waiting after rehearsal earlier.
I reverse course, heading in her direction so she can speak her piece.Ireland's her baby sister.She won't be satisfied until she gets to say it.But if she thinks whatever she has to say is going to stop me from claiming her sister, she's wrong.
My decision was made five minutes after I met Ireland.Spending half the afternoon with her only cemented it.If anyone on this earth was made for me, it's that bright, fiery little redhead.She's sweet as pie and sassy as hell in the same damn breath.She may also be one of the smartest people I've met in a long time.It's a little frightening how much information she remembers, not just about me and the band or music but about anything she's ever read.
One way or another, I'm going to make her fall in love with me.Shelby doesn't get a say in that.Ireland is a grown woman, capable of making her own choices.I don't want to piss Shelby off, but I'll fight for her sister.
"Hey," I say, drawing to a stop in front of her."What's up?"
"You spent the day with Ireland."
"I did."
"Thank you for doing the interview for her," she says, tightening her ponytail."She really appreciates it."
"It was no trouble.I'll have the rest of the guys set something up with her, too."She and I already talked about it.We've all got shit we'd like to set straight.Beckett might not like us doing it on her blog, but it'll work in his favor.The little tidbits we dole out will only drum up more interest in his tell-all.
Shelby nods gratefully and then bites her bottom lip, her eyes filling with worry."You're not just leading her on, are you?Because if this is just something to do to pass the time, then you need to look elsewhere, Crue.My sister isn't a toy.She has a huge heart, and I don't want to see it broken."
"Of course she isn't a toy.She's fucking incredible."
"I'll kick your butt if you hurt her.I'm serious.Hell will not compare."
"Hurting her is the last thing I want to do," I promise, holding my hand up in the Scouts' salute.What?I wore the fucking uniform as a boy."Give me a little bit of credit here.I know the type of shit the press used to say about us, but you've been with us long enough now to know that we aren't those guys anymore.Hell, most of us never were in the first place.I'm not a heartbreaker.I never was."
She eyes me for a long moment, trying to determine whether I'm telling the truth.I think she wants to believe me, but this is her baby sister we're talking about here.And Ireland is about as innocent as they come.Of course Shelby's protective.But I'm not the enemy here.She and I are on the same team when it comes to Ireland.
"Look," I say, dropping my hand to my side as the stage manager motions for me to hurry it the fuck up."I think your sister is phenomenal, and I get why you're worried.But I'm not the enemy here.She's safe with me.I'll move heaven and earth to ensure she stays that way."
"Fair enough," she says, expelling a breath."But you better take care of her, Crue.If you don't, I know where you sleep at night."She gives me a smile that makes my blood run cold."And I'm the one with spare keys to all the rooms."
"Jesus Christ," I mutter."Has anyone ever told you that you're mildly terrifying?"
She beams at me, patting me on the chest."Thanks!"
It wasn't a compliment, but I'm not going to tell her that.I'm not fucking crazy.She's the best tour manager we've ever had, Jameson will kick my ass, and I plan to marry her sister.I'm not fucking with that magic.
"Break a leg out there," she says.
