She brings her attention back to my face. “Are you in some kind of twelve-step program?”
“Ha fucking ha. I’m not a sex addict. I was working through some issues. Everyone knew what was what. I didn’t hurt anyone.”
Her face dims, and she hums thoughtfully. “You’ve been pretty brutal to Viola.”
I huff out a sigh and cross my arms. Because this on top of Aaron’s protective dad routine is not what I needed tonight. What I need is helpful Kendra who can’t wait to screw her horny rock star boyfriend’s brains out to help me get us all out of here ahead of schedule. “Viola and I have come to an understanding.”
A Cheshire smile stretches her lips. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”
I drop my arms, my eyes narrowing. “What do you think you know?”
She throws back her head and laughs. Goddammit. This chick’s busting my balls. “Oh, Mason,” she giggles. “You’ve been mooning over her for weeks. I mean, what was that whole thing when she first started? It was like in elementary school when a boy wants a girl’s attention so he pulls her hair. I’m glad you finally worked past that level of attention seeking, because that never works out well.”
Still smiling, she props her chin on her hand and bats her eyelashes at me. “Has she finally warmed up to you? Is tonight the night you woo her into your bed? Is that why you want me to get Marcus to stop early?”
I shift, uncomfortable, because while I don’t care if Kendra knows all the dirty details she’s asking for, I’m not sure Viola wants me splashing that information all over the world.
Kendra’s smile fades, and her mouth drops open as she points an accusing finger at me. “You already wooed her into your bed, didn’t you? How long has this been going on? Does everyone know but me?”
“Jesus Christ, Kendra. Number one, I didn’t say anything. Number two, I don’t know who knows or thinks they know anything. Number three …” I toss my hands in the air in frustration. “Are you gonna help me or not?”
That sly smile stretches across her face again, and she taps a finger over her closed lips. “I dunno,” she drawls. “It’s kinda fun seeing you so worked up like this.”
“Whatever,” I grumble, grabbing a water bottle off the table to verify my excuse to leave. Annoyed, I crack the lid, suck half of the water down, and turn to head back to the fan room. Clearly Kendra’s not going to help. Apparently this is some kind of payback for not being nice to Viola. Even though I could make the argument that she’d be helping Viola too, I’m not going to beg. I’ll just grit my teeth and suffer through the rest of the night until I can whisk Viola back to my room. Tonight, though, I need to let her sleep more. We have time. There’s no reason to keep her up all night again.
Kendra’s cool fingers slide over my bicep, stopping me before I can leave. “I’m sorry, Mason. I’m just giving you a hard time. How can I help?”
Chapter Thirty
Viola
When Mason slips back into the room where I’m organizing fans into lines and shepherding them around to the guys to get selfies and signed merch, I let out a tiny sigh of relief.
It’s not like any of the guys to leave like that. And when he said he needed water, I’d been a little bit confused, because I’d made sure the room was stocked with plenty of water bottles before allowing the fans in. That’s one of the biggest parts of my job, after all—making sure the guys have everything they need. After a show they’re all dying of thirst and starving, so I stock the room with plenty of water and easy to munch snacks like trail mix and protein bites. He should’ve had plenty of water near his spot. Maybe he’d swallowed wrong and needed a break? Before I could move closer to find out what was really wrong, he was gone.
As he settles back into his previous spot, he shoots me a heated look before resuming his press smile and engaging with the fans eagerly waiting for their turn with him.
Seconds later, Kendra appears in the doorway, bringing another slight frown to my face.
Kendra usually hangs out in Marcus’s dressing room after a show. Ava and Sam and the kids never stick around for an entire concert because the littles need to get to bed long before the show is over, and keeping tired, grumpy kids entertained backstage is more of a chore than anyone needs.
I weave my way through the people, intercepting Kendra as she slips around the edge of the room, clearly heading for Marcus. “Hey, Kendra.” I keep my voice light and friendly. “Everything alright? Do you need anything?”
She gives me a smile like she knows something and thinks I’m in on the secret too. “Nothing much. Just wanted to check on Marcus, see how much longer things are going to be.”
Glancing down at the tablet that is practically surgically attached to my hands while I’m working, I check the time, my brows still pulled together. “Well, we haven’t been at this for very long. You know it usually takes at least two hours for everyone to work through the room.”
Kendra gives me that knowing smile again, and hums in agreement. Leaning in close, she pitches her voice low, just for my ears. “True. But you know that with the”—she clears her throat meaningfully—“right motivation, Marcus will move things along and get everyone out early.” She cocks her head, studying me. “Besides, Marcus said you were practically dead on your feet this morning. Wouldn’t an
