“Just in case, my ass,” Nash mutters under his breath.
Thankfully, Valerie is too busy rifling around for something else to hear him. I only have a few minutes to skim through and memorize the statement as we crawl through the sea of paparazzi. As expected, it’s a load of bullshit.
A group of burly alphas wearing identical, all-black outfits open the gates for us to pass. I assume they’re SVU security, most of them looking to be in their twenties. Nash mentioned that students studying criminal justice tend to work security shifts for extra credit and have a great reputation.
Valerie finally locates her bold red lipstick with a triumphant huff and quickly reapplies as we come to a stop. “Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” I turn to Tae. “You good staying here?”
“Heck yeah. I’m living the dream.” He reclines then tears open a bag of potato chips. “I’ll be right here when you’re done signing autographs.”
I roll my eyes, though I’m not annoyed. His down-to-earth nature is precisely what drew me to him in the first place. He finds the whole “fame” thing hilarious. I can only hope he continues to see the bright side of it as time goes on. There’s a lot more to being a rockstar than flashy brand deals and concerts. The truth is far less glamorous.
Nash grimaces, gripping the door handle like we’re about to head into battle. “Let’s get this over with.”
He heads out first, looming over everyone at 6′7′′. After exchanging a few brisk words with the team, Nash’s handed an ear-piece before he beckons for me to follow.
I peer over at Tae who throws a potato chip into the air then catches it in his mouth. “Break a leg, Jag!”
Fuzzy dots swim across my vision as soon as I’m outside while questions are barked at me from all directions. So much for only coming onto campus for a quick orientation and a meeting with the dean before my classes start tomorrow. I don’t know why I expected it to be any different.
“Are you excited, Jagger?”
“Tell us why you picked SVU, Jagger!”
“Where are Brad and Drew? Are they coming to SVU too?”
I tune out the shouting, waiting until the audience settles before addressing the crowd to relay Valerie’s pre-approved statement. “I thought now was the perfect time to deepen my understanding of musical theory.” How did Valerie think that phrase would sound natural? “And though they don’t plan to enroll themselves, Brad and Drew are supportive of my decision. I’m sure they’ll even come to visit.”
Nash coughs to disguise a laugh. They’ll be as welcome in our house as a hole in the head.
“Are you working on another album?” A reporter shoves a microphone in my face. “What about the rumors thatPack Fireis breaking up?”
Nash steps in front of me, creating a mountainous human shield. “Back up with that microphone, or I’ll stick it up your?—”
“Nash!” Valerie gasps in horror, talons flying to her face. “You can’t?—”
“I’m security, not PR,” he snarls. Okay, I guess he’s not exactly a professional yet.
While Valerie and Nash fall into a stormy silence, I continue talking, pushing aside the simmering tension bubbling around me. “Pack Fireis very much still together. We’re taking a brief hiatus, but we’ll be back with new material soon.”
“How do you feel about how your last album performed?” Someone snickers. “Some are calling it the biggest flop in recent history.”
“That’s all the questions Jagger has time for.” Valerie steps forward to field more questions as Nash steers me back toward the car.
They’re not wrong.Pack Fire’s last album was a total failure. If I actually gave a shit, I might’ve been embarrassed by some of the critics’ reviews, but my heart wasn’t in it. I churned out the trash that the record label wanted me to, but I was barely involved in any of the writing or producing. In fact, the only songon the album that I wrote was deemed “the most depressing song of the year,” which even die-hard fans criticized.
“Excuse me!” a woman’s voice cuts above the noise. A pretty blonde approaches, clutching a notebook and a pen, her sharp features and blue eyes trained on me like daggers. “Do you have a moment to make a comment forThe Valley Voice?”
“We don’t have time—” Nash begins.
“It’ll only take a minute.” She flips over a page. “What do you think about your label’s stance on omega pay rights? Did you know they’re the worst offender in the entire music industry?”
My jaw drops. Usually, people ask about my favorite food and relationship status, nothing like this. I look around for Valerie, who is too busy speaking to another reporter. Fucking fantastic. She’s not there the one time I actually want her to be.
“Uh…” I have no scripted reply ready. “No comment.”
“Do you plan to bring a culture of hedonism onto campus?” She practically spits out her words. “Do you expect you’re going to attract the attention of many omegas?” I glance over her shoulder at the car, itching to make an escape. “How do you plan on managing that? Or do you intend on leaving a string of broken hearts in your wake?”
