Page 48 of Ravaged For You

“I’ve got to go, Mom. Bye.”

I hang up before she can get another word in.

As I continue to zoom down LA’s roads – my motorbike’ brutal acceleration hard on my body - I think about Maddie. We’re not already a few hours into our fake relationship and it’s already becoming complicated, more so than I thought it ever would. She’s already fucking talking to my mom. This is why I’ve sworn off proper relationships since I became a member of Ravaged. This is what happens.

Things get complicated.

And when things get complicated, I just want to drown them in my vices. Man, I wish I could call up any of the girls I have on speed dial and get my cock sucked right now, but I actually want to abide by the terms of my conditions with Maddie. No groupies.

She would never find out in a million years if I indulged my cock, and yet I still don’t make a move for my phone.

I tap the edge of the handlebars repeatedly.

How does that girl have a hold over me? Already?

I normally make it a habit to break any rule presented to me, but Maddie is somehow making me loyal. For once.

Yeah, loyal to a fake-ass relationship. What a joke I’ve turned into.

I lean into a fast corner.

“What the fuck have you got yourself into, Axel.”

23

MADDIE

I pull up in my car outside Axel’s hotel. It’s a very expensive kind of place. I’m betting that the usual clientele here are sports stars and movie actors, not some office drone like me, but this is where I’m going to be staying now, so I better get used to it. I’ve driven past this place a few times, always imagining what it would be like to stay here. Never thinking I ever would.

Well, now I’ll know for real.

But I do have to occupy the same suite as a volatile playboy; that’s one slight issue to consider.

Axel was right, there are a hell of a lot of paparazzi waiting outside the hotel for him. A whole gaggle of them all gathered by the front doors. And they’re not being secretive about it either, with their laptops and cameras out ready to catch the rockstar or his bandmates. Axel’s also true in comparing them to vultures. I see their beady little eyes always searching for Axel or another celebrity. I pity my fake boyfriend for having to deal with this. This side of fame isn’t what he signed up for when he first started music. I guess having the world’s press in your face every day would screw up anyone’s perspective on reality; it’s remarkable that Axel and the other members of Ravaged aren’t even more crazy.

I park my car across the street and head towards the front doors of the hotel. I notice a few of the paparazzi photographers turn in my direction, mildly interested, but they quickly look away when they realize I’m a nobody. I’m not the kind of girl that Axel would normally be seen with, so I’m nothing to them.

They’ll soon find out everything…

But, as I’m about the enter the hotel lobby, I am approached by one of the waiting photographers. He’s short and balding. What remains of his hair is greased back. He smells like he’s not showered in a few days. I freeze as he talks to me.

“Are you staying here?” he asks me in a gruff voice, nodding towards the hotel.

I’m getting seriously bad vibes from this guy.

“I am.”

“Have you seen Axel Stoll, by any chance?”

“Who?” I ask.

“Ravaged. You know. The band?”

“Oh.”

“They’re staying here.”

“No, I haven’t seen him. I’m not really a fan of his band,” I say, pleased with my little deception.