Jace got the subject matter back on track. “I just got an email from Andrew about the proposed strategy. I’ll reserve judgment until we find out what they’re thinking at the meeting, but we need to be prepared to take over ourselves.”
As usual, Jace was twenty steps ahead of me. Not for the first time since I became famous, I was feeling annoyed at all the bullshit. I was also annoyed on Zoey’s behalf at what she was walking into. Longing for the perfectly happy bubble of our daily routine at my house, I sat on the arm of Zoey’s seat and reached over to brush the hair out of her face. Her sleepy eyes opened. Her radiant smile lit up her face, and she leaned into my hand.
“Hi! So, did I tell you I’m on a private jet with my rock star boyfriend?”
“You like it?” I kissed her temple and then her lips.
“Off the chain.”
“Z, it’s time to go over about the plan for the weekend.” I gathered her into my arms for a minute to breathe her orangey body wash and flowery shampoo. “I don’t want to talk about any of this without your input.”
“Good,” Zoey said cheerfully as we walked arm in arm to the table and sat down across from our drummer. “I really appreciate you helping me out Jace. What do I need to know?”
“Zoey, you haven’t personally been through the media ringer yet, and rather than waiting for the media and fans to find out you are Z and take matters into their own hands, Andrew and Sienna from our marketing team want to meet with us when we land,” Jace explained.
“I’m mentally preparing.” Zoey’s entire demeanor deflated.
“Nothing we do will prevent the trolls from fucking with you.” Jace held her gaze. “It’s a lot to handle at first when people start to know who you are.”
“Babe, I want to try and get on top of this, but a lot of what we do will be up to you.” I grabbed her hand. “I want the world to know about you, but only on your terms.”
“No, I get it. I’m going to be recognized now.” Zoey gestured at herself. “What is the angle?”
After Jace thoroughly explained what he thought she should do with her social media and his own opinion on our PR plan, Zoey looked a little shell-shocked. Jace did his best to prepare her for the reality that her face would be known worldwide at some point in the next twenty-four hours because of her notoriety. We all had years to get used to it but being recognized constantly by people you didn’t know could be a real mind-fuck until you adjusted.
I wondered if putting Zoey through all of this was worth it.
Would she think I was worth it?
“So, I guess I need to change and put on some makeup if my photo is going to be everywhere, otherwise all the trolls are going to convince you that I’m too fat and ugly to be your girlfriend.” Zoey rolled her eyes at me.
“Babe, you’re the most beautiful woman in the world. And the sweetest. I wish I could protect you from the assholes who feel the need to hide behind a computer and trash people.” I put my arms around her and kissed her to a chorus of “woo hoos” from the peanut gallery.
“We’ll protect you, Zoey,” Zane called.
“Thanks, Zane!” Zoey blew a kiss at him.
“Well, are you ready for our bubble to burst?” I exaggerated a pout, pushing my lip out at her. “I promise, I won’t let anything hurt you, Z.”
Zoey smiled up at me and reached up to stroke the stubble on my face. “I trust you.”
Zoey walked past all the guys on her way to the bathroom, grabbing her carry-on and thunking Connor on his head with her palm as she passed him. The big ginger snarled at her good-naturedly, but she just turned and kissed him on the forehead as she sashayed by. God, I loved her sass, she was really getting her mojo back.
“Wipe that cheesy fucking grin off your face, Rainier.” Jace socked me in the arm, his green eyes piercing. “Can you just attempt to play it cool for once? My God, you wear your heart on your sleeve.”
“How can I help it? I love her.” I pulled my hair back into a knot and sat in Zoey’s seat to check the flight path, noting we were touching down in half an hour. “I’m finally getting my happily ever after.”
Ten minutes later, Zoey emerged from the bathroom looking like an absolute Instagram-worthy goddess wearing a simple black tube dress, a fuzzy gray sweater with a faux-fur collar, black, knee-high boots, half a dozen silver chains, her hair tousled like she’d just been properly fucked, smoky black eyeliner and bright red lips. Simple, but stunning. All the guys stared at her open-mouthed.
“What?” She twirled around. “I have access to my own social media expert; don’t you boys underestimate me.”
“Fucking right.” Connor laughed at Jace when he blushed.
“Get over here right now, butterfly, before I have to protect you from all of these asshats.” I reached out for her hand, which she grabbed and promptly sat on my lap.
“Fucking hell!” Connor guffawed as the rest of the guys made various gagging and choking noises, which I ignored. My thoughts were occupied with nuzzling and kissing my girl until the plane touched down, sure that she would outsmart us all.
Chapter 25
ZOEY
The plane ride was the beginning of my official induction into the full-blown LTZ rock star machine, something I’d dreaded since Ty and I had been back together. Riding in a private jet was so crazy, from the special airport to the gorgeous, opulent interior. I had never experienced anything so decadent. All the guys seemed to take it in stride, so I was just trying to act cool and fit in.
I hadn’t realized how much planning went into their travel
