We stop at another rest stop and almost immediately; the guys are surrounded. I dip past the woman screaming and the group of young guys already filming the band as they try to go for a piss. Myown bladder’s screaming at me and I’m in desperate need of something made entirely of sugar.
When I’ve peed and have grabbed a handful of bags of snacks to help me through the next few hours until we break for the night, I head for the doors to wait for the guys.
Peering around, I can see they haven’t gotten far. Micah is signing autographs with his cuff around his wrist and a placid smile in place. Iri is patiently answering fan questions, and Dorian is nowhere to be seen. He’s been in a mood since we set off, and I’m half tempted to make him a cuff of his own—one that makes him less of a grumpy butt to be around.
I’m about to skirt around the gathered crowd and make a dent in my fizzy laces when I catch an earful that makes me begrudge having ears.
“You must be so strong. I bet you could lift me up with one hand.” This is followed by a breathy giggle.
“Nah. One finger. I bet you know some ama-azing tricks.”
Yeesh. I’m smirking as I scan the crowd to see which of the guys the women are directing their attention to. Iri’s remarkably good at fending off advances without upsetting anyone, and Micah’s a sweetheart with everyone. He’ll stand for picture after picture and sign anything you put in front of him.
“Feel that? Pure muscle, holy shit.”
My feet stop before my brain catches up to what’s happening.
It’s not Micah or Iri, or even Dorian.
It’s Cal. And he looks supremely uncomfortable with the attention.
He stands awkwardly with his hands in his pockets as they grab his arm and try to take what must be the world’s worst selfies while pinching at his muscles.
Sure, the guy is ripped. Not just that, he’s big as hell, built like a tank with a layer of cushioning over the muscle, and women seemto lose their minds over that combination. Or maybe that’s because of the contrast between his size and his gentle demeanor. There’s no cockiness or artifice to him.
Unfortunately, the women currently pressing their tits up against his arms don’t seem to read his discomfort. One of them even aims a kiss at his chest—which is as much of him as they can reach—leaving smears of lipstick on his t-shirt.
He looks like he wants to climb out of his own skin and it makes something twist in my gut.
That’s when I snap.
We’re having a fucking restroom break. They shouldn’t be bombarded like this.
Without considering what I’m doing, I stride over and shoulder barge the people closest to Cal out of the way. I then grab onto Cal’s massive hand and tug him bodily away.
He comes with me easily, which is a good thing. There’s no way I could move him without his full cooperation. The guy is massive and he must have a good hundred and fifty pounds over me.
He grunts and doesn’t say a word as I drag him away. Not for the first time, I wonder why they don’t seem to travel with security, or staff at least. Surely they should have people to vet their fans and stop them from getting too close.
I don’t stop until we’re outside in the semi-fresh air, facing the mostly empty highway.
How the hell they got swarmed in a place like this, I have no idea.
“Is it like this wherever you go?” I ask quietly.
He grunts and jerks a nod, still looking tense as hell.
“It must be exhausting,” I mutter.
“It’s gotten worse over the years as we grew more popular. Usually Dorian and Iri take most of the attention and Micah and I can dip out pretty quickly, but I always feel guilty they have to pick upmy slack.” He shrugs and I feel this sense of protectiveness growing inside me.
It’s ridiculous, really. He’s a grown ass adult, and he’s also a rock star who must be used to the attention. Yet I want nothing more than to fend off the fans and give him a hug.
I’m not a hugger, but somehow I find my arms wrapping around his thick waist.
He stiffens for a second. And shit, I realize I’m just as bad as everyone else, touching him without his consent.
Then he lets out a long breath, tugging me against him and filling my senses with the gentle scent of soap.
