FAYE
Of course.
ME
I think we should go.
SABS
SAYYY WHAT?! Have you been drinking at Club Knotty again? Are you 100% sure?
ME
Yes. I need to do this for myself.
FAYE
We’ll all be there by your side
KADY
I’ll pack the pepper spray.
I take a deep breath. I guess this is really happening.
SEVENTEEN
Jagger
“Why do we have to do this?” Nash scowls at me. “I thought you wanted to blend in like a normal student.”
“I do.” I drum the pads of my fingers against my knee. “But this concert was part of Dean Rivers’s conditions for letting me enroll mid-semester, remember?”
He grumbles something unintelligible under his breath. He’s only pissy because I tore him away from whatever project he’s been working on in the workshop. I’ve hardly seen him since his encounter with Delilah, but I thought it better not to ask why. Tae told me that when something is on his mind, he tends to retreat into a quiet cave while he hashes out his thoughts.
Speaking of Tae, he’ll be at the show, but he won’t be joining us backstage. He hopes he’ll get to spend more time with Delilah if she decides to show up and go to the VIP area, which is where her seats are. As usual, my thoughts wander to my captivating omega, hoping that she’ll be here.
“Holy fuck.” Nash looks past our driver, who has slowed to a crawl. A massive crowd has gathered, all wearingPack FireT-shirts with a flame through the letter P, forming a barrier that blocks the entrance to campus.
I check my phone to see a text from Valerie, wishing me good luck with the show. She wasn’t particularly happy about me performing solo and would usually be here, but she’s having some complications after her recent nose job. As shitty as it may sound, I’m glad she’s stuck in bed. I already have enough weight on my shoulders as is.
“Is this…?” Nash gapes. “Normal?”
“Yep.” I barely blink at the blinding flashes, leaning back. “Welcome to fame.”
I forgot that he’s never toured with me before. As soon as we approach, there’s a collective scream from the crowd as they surround the car. Although he’s starting to get used to the attention that follows me, he hasn’t seen the Fireflies on full throttle.
The tinted windows offer us some privacy, but faces still press against the windows, hammering against them with fists and smearing the glass with kisses. The high-pitched, excitable shrieks are enough to give me an instant headache.
It’s funny to think about how many people dream of the life I have. It’s what I was made for. What my parents pushed me to do. Ever since I could walk, I was paraded around like a show piece. A product. I felt like I belonged to other people more than to myself, and there were certainly perks to it, but no one tells you how lonely it can be… Or how confusing.
I don’t catch what Nash is saying as he calls SVU security to encircle our car to help disperse the crowd and clear a path. Thankfully, beyond the barriers, the road is pretty clear as we continue the rest of the way to Club Knotty, where another crowd of groupies wait.
Nash gets out first. His giant frame provides a shield for me as I follow, putting my sunglasses on and pulling my baseball cap down.
“Jagger!” they scream. “We love you, Jagger!”
I smile and raise my hand in a wave.Give them what they want.It’s the motto that’s been drummed into me.
