“Ready?” Grayson asks us both.
I nod, and he opens the door, the flashing lights practically blinding me, but I do my best to paste on a smile and turn into Rae Sparks. This is who I am, and this is what I do. Once I get through this, we can go back to the hotel, and I can spend the rest of the night with these two men who have managed to make me fall completely for them both.
Paparazzi are yelling out my name as soon as I step foot outside the car. Demanding me to look at them, asking who I’m with, who I’m wearing, what I’m working on, and a million other questions that I can’t even keep track of because they’re all yelling things at me at the same time. I feel Asher behind me and keep my eyes on Grayson in front of me as we’re led to the areawhere I’m expected to pose for pictures. Arguably the worst part about coming to events.
There’s nothing like being yelled at to look at various people and pose like I’m a doll just to be admired. But I smile and pretend like I’m not wanting to jump out of my skin. Grayson and Asher stand back letting me do this myself, which I appreciate because I’ve already been yelled at about who I came with, but I’m avoiding any and all responses.
I look to my right and see Noah, smiling at my new friend, and waving him over to stand with me. He smiles widely, it makes him look so boyish, but I know that look can get him anything he wants.
My brother, Nash, is like that, but I know he doesn’t use it to his full potential like I’m sure Noah does.
“Damn look at you.” Noah wraps his arm around my back and poses with me for the cameras.
I can’t help but look over at Grayson and Asher to gauge their reaction. Asher’s jaw is clenched and he looks like he’s about to storm over here while Grayson looks like he’s trying to remain calm, but his hands are itching to grab for me.
“I could say the same for you. It’s nice of you to wear a shirt for once,” I tease Noah.
“Please, we both know I look better without one, but apparently I needed to look more presentable.”
I bark out a laugh, shaking my head.
We’re bombarded by questions if we are together, but I think it is pretty obvious from our body language, at least to me, that we’re purely friends. Or maybe because I can feel the eyes of two other men on me and know that they’re the only ones I want to be with. They’re also the ones that I’m sure are going to make sure I know who I’mreallywith later.
Noah looks over to where my eyes are fixed and makes a humming noise.
“Damn, are those two our inspiration?”
I look back at him with my lips rolled together in a small smile.
“I completely get it. No explanation needed, but now when we record, I’m also going to be thinking about them,” he taunts.
I shake my head. “Think about them all you want, but they’re mine.”
“Don’t worry, with the way they’re looking at you, I don’t think they want anyone else.”
Again, I look over at them, and know we need to move on to go inside, but first I wave them over. Grayson steps closer immediately but Asher hesitates; I have to gesture for him again.
“Noah, this is Grayson,” I introduce first and then continue when Asher finally joins us. “And Asher.”
“Nice to meet you both.” Noah’s tone is friendly even though I can feel the tension coming off the two men.
We all pose for a couple more pictures together before being guided inside the theater where the award show is going to take place. Noah is seated somewhere else, and he’s escorted over to his table while we’re brought to ours.
Asher continues to be quiet, and I catch the tension in his jaw. I squeeze his bicep to get him to look at me. As soon as his eyes are on me, they soften.
“Are you okay?” I ask quietly.
“Yeah,” he grunts. “Just a lot of people.”
I nod. “I know, it’s a lot. But it’ll be over soon, then you get me all to yourself.”
He smirks, leaning closer. “Does that mean you’re sending Grayson home early?”
I giggle. “No, you get me mostly to yourself.”
“You’re lucky l—” he cuts himself off and I tense as he clears his throat. “You’re lucky I like sharing you.”
“Seems like we do still have secrets in our family.” My mom’s voice appears and I look up to see her and my dad taking their seats at the table with us.
