I swipe through the images. The first few are of Alana, which tightens something in my chest. But then come shots of Casey, more of Casey, then Kristy. I breathe a little easier. He’s taken pictures of all of us. I just happened to walk up during Alana’s turn in the slideshow.
“Wow, Luke. These are fantastic,” I say with genuine warmth.
He smiles. “Thanks.”
“He’s really good, right?” Alana beams. “I told him he should take photos at every concert. We could do a whole tour gallery on the site. What do you think?”
“That’s not a bad idea. Would you be willing, Luke?”
“Yeah, I could do that.”
“Cool, we’ll add it to the very long list of things you already do for us,” I tease.
He smirks. “Hmm… yeah. You lot certainly know how to keep me busy.”
“Effa. Just the girl I wanted to see.” A deep, sensual voice carries over from behind, and I turn to find Jett stalking toward me. His trademark swagger is fully intact.
I smile and lean in for a quick hug. His tall frame folds around me, and I’m instantly wrapped in a wave of heavy cologne and stale tobacco. It’s overwhelming, and not in a good way.
As I pull back, I glance up to see that familiar mischievous smile on his face while he slings an arm over my shoulders and glances down at Alana and Luke.
Suddenly, my eyes widen as a rush of guilt hits me. “Oh shit, I haven’t even had a chance to ask him yet, Jett. I’m sorry.”
Jett shrugs casually, but Luke’s brow lifts, and he leans in slightly. “Ask me what, Effa?”
I take a steadying breath and turn to face Luke. “I think it’d be cool to extendSwift Division’sset by fifteen minutes. Take them to a forty-five-minute slot instead of the usual half-hour. I know it’ll make the show run longer overall, but honestly, fans are paying good money to be here. Giving them a little more is good vibes, you know?”
Jett gives me a small squeeze, and Luke nods once. “Okay,” he replies simply.
“Okay?” I echo, blinking.
“Yes, Effa. They can have the extra time. I’m not a tyrant,” Luke replies with a grin. “The fans will love it. Plus, I’m in a good mood today. So yes. But Jett, remember, in Denver, you’re not on at all, right?”
“Yes, sir. We know that one’s a specialty show. But we’ll be ready to go for Montana with the extended set,” Jett confirms.
“Good.” Luke nods. “Great idea, Effa.”
“Oh, no, it wasn—”
“Yeah, it was a brilliant idea on her behalf,” Jett cuts in smoothly, tightening his arm around me again. “She really is an amazing gal, our Effa.”
Luke and Alana smile wide as Jett starts leading me away, still half-draped over my shoulders.
Once we’re out of earshot, I glance up at him and frown, pulling slightly out of his grip. “Why did you say that?”
“What?”
“That it was my idea.”
He shrugs. “Let them think it was?”
My brows knit. “Are you trying to sugar me up again?”
“No,” he says quickly. “Shit, I don’t want you thinking that. I just didn’t want it to seem like I went running to you to ask Luke for a favor. I figured if it looked like your idea, you’d getthe praise, and I wouldn’t look like a loser. So yeah, I did it for me, not to butter you up. I’m sorry if that makes me more of an arsehole than just straight-up flattering you would’ve.” He pauses, then adds, “I like you, Effa. I want to be your friend. I don’t want to bullshit you or play games. So yeah, full honesty, I used the moment for my own gain, but I didn’t mean it maliciously.”
I take that in, weighing his words.
“I figured if they thought it was your idea, you’d get the credit, and I wouldn’t look like the pathetic guy who couldn’t go to Luke himself.”
