Deflating, I let out a sigh. “I know what he’s like too, Blaire. I’ll be fine, I promise.”
Maybe. Maybe not. But I’m not a dumb kid. I know what I’m getting myself into with him. And I know that it’s not going to end with till death do us part. And maybe it will hurt when it all ends eventually. But I’ve already promised myself that I’m going to take what this experience gives me—this job, this relationship, these friendships—and make the most of it.
The next morning my alarm goes off way too early, like normal. Mason’s arm pulls tight around me, snuggling me into his body, lax and warm with sleep. “S’too early,” he slurs next to my ear.
I allow myself the luxury of staying wrapped up in his arms for a few more seconds before turning over and giving him a quick kiss. “I know. But work. I’ll see you later.”
He lets out a sleepy grumble like he does every morning I have to get up early, and I can’t help smiling as he snuggles with his pillow, the blanket pulled halfway down his body. He looks almost innocent as he sleeps, his usual brooding, smoldering, hungry stares erased into slack softness here in the gray light of early morning.
But I don’t have time for the study in contrasts that is Mason right now. I have to take a shower and get moving. Mason’s wake up call isn’t for a few more hours.
With Beckett on the tour with us, this morning is even busier than normal. I make a quick pit stop in my room to get my bag and restock for the day with snacks and water for myself and everyone else.
I ride to the arena with Marcus and Danny. There are a few interviews lined up today with Beckett and them about their cowriting process, plus they’re going to be going over their combined set lists before the sound check this afternoon.
After the guys are all ensconced in a dressing room with the reporter, Kelsey and I head out together to get coffee for everyone. “Oh my god,” she groans. “I can’t believe I let you guys talk me into going out last night when I knew I’d have to be up early this morning.”
I give her serious side eye and lay a hand over my chest. “I assure you, I was roped into it just as much as you were.”
She gives me a cheeky grin. “It was all Blaire’s idea, I think. Or maybe that Kendra chick’s. I don’t think the mommies were too thrilled about the late night and lots of booze either.”
Shaking my head, I chuckle. “I think I’d have to disagree with you on that one. Neither of them have much of a chance to go out. I think Kendra expected me to fill Blaire’s spot as the other childless woman on the tour, but I’ve never been one to party like my cousin.”
Kelsey gives me a quick once-over as we fill the coffee cups from the machine in the greenroom. “And from the sounds of it, you’ve been pretty busy lately with your new man.”
Once again, I’m blushing, but I try to pretend I’m not. “Yes. That too. And before that, he kept me busy running errands and babysitting his afterparties. Didn’t leave a lot of time for my own social life.”
Gathering mugs, she lets out another groan. “I hear you on that one. I don’t have to babysit Beckett so much anymore since he and Blaire are together, but I stay plenty busy. I don’t know how you handle four divas. One is almost too much for me to handle, though since Blaire came on board, she’s made my life a lot easier. She’s too much of a control freak to let anything go wrong, so everything runs as smooth as silk with her around. Before she came along, I spent a lot of my time putting out fires and trying to help Beckett do the tour manager’s job too.”
“Sounds rough.”
Another groan. “You have no idea.”
We slip into the interview room, pass around the coffee cups as unobtrusively as possible before slipping back out. Kelsey heads back to the greenroom, fills another cup of coffee for herself and collapses on one of the couches. After I get my own coffee, she pats the seat next to her. “Sit. Take a load off. Give me all the dirty details of your hookup so I can live vicariously through you.”
I snort out a laugh, but sit down. “I’d think you’d have as much opportunity as me.”
Sipping her coffee, she waves a hand. “With who? Beckett’s happily taken, not that I’d ever shit where I eat like that anyway.” Her eyes grow wide. “No offense. I mean … uh … shit.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I tell her with a reassuring half smile. She makes a good point. But if and when things end with Mason, if it’s awkward to stay, well, my parents would be overjoyed about me quitting and coming back home. With the never-ending emails full of job opportunities my mom thinks are perfect for me, I’d be able to find work somewhere. And it’s not like this is my dream career. I don’t say any of that, though. It’s none of her business, anyway.
“I mean, it can obviously work out for some people. Look at Beckett and Blaire. I’ve never seen two people more disgustingly in love,” she goes on, still clearly feeling the need to backpedal.
Reaching out a hand, I pat her arm. “Seriously, Kelsey. You don’t need to reassure me about long-term prospects. I know what’s what, okay?”
She stares at me for a long time, her brown eyes still wide, but she
