Page 18 of Follow the Rhythm (Fairview City Omegaverse #2)

I looked around as we exited the bus. No matter how luxurious the interior was, there was no denying that it would be close quarters.

I would just need to keep as much distance as possible from Kieran and Ellis for my own sanity.

Kieran because I didn’t trust myself not to perfume if he said anything about respecting women, and Ellis because even if he was an insufferable dick, there was still a part of me that wanted his attention.

But I was sure Grace would be an effective shield.

I escaped back to the booth to avoid seeing them or Charlie before the show and ate dinner with Eddie, the lighting director, and Josh, the video director instead.

They were both friendly Betas with wives and children, and vouched for by Charlie, so I didn’t have to worry about either of them being feral assholes.

“Here we go,” Eddie said as the showtime approached. There was no opening act, and the crowd was bristling with impatience around us. He dimmed the house lights, and the audience cheered in anticipation.

Ellis’s voice rose in the darkness, high and haunting, for the intro to “Idle Animal,” and tingles raced from my scalp down to my arms. A spotlight flared to life, the hard light throwing his cheekbones into sharp relief.

He looked ethereal, untouchable. But then the guitar riff kicked in, the rest of the stage lights came up, and he was growling into the microphone - visceral and immediate.

The crowd roared along with him. When Ellis was onstage, I could forget our history. He was electric, and I was in the palm of his hand as much as the rest of the audience.

After a few songs, the crew rolled out the tree prop, and Josh cued up the video of my illustrations on the huge screen as “Poison Petal” played.

I couldn’t help it; I cried. It was impossible to hear the songs from Into the Garden without thinking of my first few weeks in the Omega Center, when I didn’t want to be anywhere.

I’d drawn the first of my wild women in those days, listening to the album, and wishing I could disappear into the music.

I wiped my tears away and watched Grace instead.

She was beaming from ear to ear, and my heart contracted with the happy-sadness that I felt when I looked at Austin.

It was the feeling of loving someone even though you were sure you’d lose them, like I’d lost everyone else.

She had become a true friend. I didn’t deserve her or her sibling, but I’d hold on to them as long as I could.

I focused on Kieran. His hair was pulled into a bun at the crown of his head, but a few tendrils had escaped at the nape of his neck.

His forearms and biceps flexed as he played, his brow furrowed in concentration on the complicated riffs.

As I watched him, he looked out to the booth and, even though I knew it was impossible, I felt like he was looking right at me.

After the encores, I made my way backstage with Eddie and Josh to find Grace. She was alone in the greenroom.

“You were amazing,” I said as soon as I saw her. “You should be proud.”

Her hair was wet from a shower, and it dripped onto my shirt when she hugged me tightly. “Oh my god, you’re gonna make me cry.”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” I said sternly, but I squeezed her back.

“Do you want to shower before we get on the bus? Ellis and Kieran are doing a VIP meet and greet somewhere, and I’m sure they’ll want to before we leave.”

“No, I’m good.” I didn’t want to wash off the little bit of descenter I had left on my skin. I hadn’t had a chance to reapply all day.

I watched her pack up her stuff, talking through the show, until Johnny, the Velvet Howl manager, came in. It’d been so long since I’d seen him it took me a moment to place him.

“Ah, Gracie. Great show, my girl,” he said, coming over to shake her hand. “Sorry, you’re not invited to the meet and greets, but you know…” He shrugged with faux sympathy.

“Thanks, Johnny, I’m well aware I’m temporary.”

“Hello, who’s this, then?” he asked, noticing me. “A groupie?”

“I’m the production manager,” I said icily. I had no idea what my title actually was.

“That’s right, Ursula’s little helper.” He gave me a nasty smile. “You are a cute wee thing, aren’t you?”

Where had they found this guy? I couldn’t believe Kieran worked with someone so slimy. Before I could respond, Kieran himself appeared.

His scent preceded him into the room, like sun-warmed strawberries with a hint of muddled mint. His white t-shirt was damp with sweat and stuck a bit to his skin, showing off the abs I knew were lurking under there. My mouth literally watered.

“You’re done already?” Johnny asked, surprised.

“I’m done,” Kieran said with finality, his eyes dark. “Ellis is enjoying the attention, though.”

Johnny scurried back out of the room. The space seemed to contract as Kieran walked towards us. Our eyes met, and I forgot to breathe.

“Great job tonight,” he said to Grace, finally tearing his gaze from mine.

“Thank you.” Grace hugged him, then cringed away. “Oh god, you’re disgusting. Go take a shower.”

Kieran looked back at me. Silence stretched between us. My heart bucked in my chest. I clamped down on the urge to wrap myself around him.

“Let me just…” Grace said, looking between us with an evil smile, and backing out of the room.

“Did you enjoy the show?” he asked, his voice rumbling.

“Yeah. Yes. It was… good.”

His eyes roved down my body. I wasn’t wearing anything crazy, just a plaid skirt and black t-shirt, but under his gaze I felt naked. “It was very distracting, knowing you were out there.”

“Were you worried another Alpha was going to attack me on sight?” I asked with bravado I didn’t feel.

“No. I know how much the music means to you… I was a bit nervous. I wanted to put on a good show for you.” His cheeks darkened with a slight blush above his beard, but he didn’t look away.

Pleasure rushed through me, touched that he’d remembered. Damn him for completely disarming me.

“It was great,” I said through my embarrassment. “Seeing my illustrations onstage was surreal.”

Kieran had stepped closer without my noticing. His scent surrounded me, and I breathed deeply.

“I’m glad you liked it,” he whispered in my ear, then abruptly stepped away even as tingles danced down the back of my neck.

“Uhhh,” I said.

His lips quirked, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “I’d better take that shower.”

I stood stupidly and watched him walk through the door in the corner. What would he do if I followed him?

Ellis’s arrival saved me from following through on that insane idea.

He was keyed up with the same wild energy I remembered him having after every performance back in high school.

He was bouncing from foot to foot and beamed when he saw me.

His scent was vivid, and my stomach leaped as he stepped closer.

“Jess, darling! Fabulous gig, don’t you think? Your illustrations were perfect, by the way. I’m so glad your talent is finally being properly recognized.” His accent had gotten thicker over his years in England, but it had always been more prominent when he was excited. “Did you enjoy the show?”

I smiled, reluctantly charmed. It was hard not to love him, just a little, after that performance. “It was awesome. The crowd loved you, as usual.”

Ellis grinned. “They do like me, don’t they? But what did you think?”

I shook my head, still smiling. Apparently, some things never changed.

We’d had this conversation after every performance or show at St. Hildegaard’s.

He always insisted on very specific and detailed praise.

“I thought your voice sounded especially strong on ‘Poison Petal’, even better than the studio version. And your dancing skills have definitely improved over the last decade.”

He laughed, delighted. “Oh no, I’d forgotten you’ve seen the horrible truth! The label made me get lessons, you know, after they signed us.”

“I can definitely believe that,” I said, laughing too. “Do you remember homecoming my junior year, when the nuns made everyone dance three feet apart after that girl got pregnant?”

Ellis gasped. “Yes! And Sister Georgie carried around that crucifix to measure between us and make sure everyone was far enough apart that no penises could slip in anywhere on the dancefloor.”

“And the most memorable part of that homecoming for me is still how bad your dancing was,” I said, laughing at the mental picture of his more exuberant moves.

I remembered vividly how he looked in his thrifted white tux, the one we’d bought on a weekend excursion with Aunt Natalie.

I still had the picture of us somewhere, him looking ironically cool and me looking timid in a long black dress better suited for a funeral.

He’d pretended he wanted to go to the dance, even though he hated “organized fun”, because he knew I’d enjoy myself.

Ellis doubled over in silent laughter, the same way he always had. He held onto my shoulder for support as I laughed too.

Bea burst into the room. When she saw us together, she scowled, and it didn’t do her beautiful face any favors. “What are you doing here?”

I swallowed my initial defensive reaction and chose to ignore her completely because I knew that would annoy her more than anything.

Ellis straightened up, still smiling. “You should be quite proud of the stage design, too.”

“Thanks, but it was mostly Ursula,” I said gruffly. I tried to remind myself I didn’t want or need his approval, but it was hard to stay stern when all I could picture was him trying to dance in our high school cafeteria.

“I’m so sorry to interrupt, but why are you back here? This area is reserved for performers,” Bea said nastily.

“You’re here.” I raised my eyebrows at her.

“I’m Ellis’s partner and brand manager,” she replied cooly.

“And I’m the tour production manager,” I said. If she wanted a pissing match, I’d win.

Bea looked at Ellis. “She’s coming on the tour?”