Page 12

Apparently, "selling our fake relationship" meant more of Felix and me together.

More hand-holding.

More stolen glances.

More just being near each other—which honestly I enjoyed more than I should.

And more documenting that time together.

Some pictures were one hundred percent candid—like the selfies we took on the tour bus, usually group pics with the guys. Others were posed—like the photos we were taking today.

Luckily (or unluckily), there hadn't been any more kisses . A fter the cheek kiss/hand kiss in Chicago, I’d adhered to my self-imposed rule of no kissing on the mouth.

But Felix made it really difficult.

When he looked at me with those soulful eyes and leaned close, it was hard to remember my own name let alone why I should stay away.

"Ooh, that’s good," Shamar , the photographer, said. "You look very demure, Aurora, peering up at him from beneath your lashes like that. And Felix, you are rocking this. I totally believe that you want to devour her whole."

Felix’s eyes widened, and I looked away on a laugh.

"Oh I love it!" Shamar said. "Yes, authenticity!"

Felix murmured, "Devour? Who even says that?"

"Shamar, apparently," I said back . " He makes you sound like a wolf."

"Or a psycho."

I bit back a laugh and heard Shamar's camera aperture go off again.

"And you’re laughing," Felix said.

"No, I’m not."

"You like the idea of making me crazy, huh?"

"You’re ridiculous."

Shamar called out, "Yes, loving the improv."

Felix’s hand cupped my cheek, and all thoughts of laughter vanished. I swallowed thickly as he drew closer.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

He lifted a brow. "You sound nervous."

Because I was.

"Don’t worry. I’m just giving them what they want."

They? Who's they? I wondered. Was it me? Because my vision was filled with him, and my whole body was definitely reacting to his touch.

"Shamar ," I said once my brain had a chance to catch up. "That’s who you meant."

"Of course," Felix said, pressing his mouth against my neck directly over my pulse point. "Who else would want me to act like a wolf?"

As he nipped my skin lightly, I gasped.

"Good," Shamar mumbled. "Now, how about a kiss."

I backed away with a nervous laugh, feeling Felix staring at me in confusion.

"I think we should take a break," I said.

"Alright," he said.

"I just need a second."

"No problem."

"That's fine," Izzy put in, "I wanted to get more solo shots of HERS anyway."

A collective groan came from the sofa where the guys were sitting, but Izzy didn't let that phase her.

" Hey, none of that. This is the price of fame, gentlemen. " She clucked her tongue then turned to the photographer. "Shamar, did you get everything you needed from Aurora and Felix?"

He nodded while checking his camera display . " Ferora was fire."

"Good. Then Ryker, you're up first."

"Yes, yes," Shamar said, ignoring how Ryker dragged his feet and grumbled the whole way over. "The big, bad drummer . Now, if we can get a few photos of you not scowling , that would be good."

Ryker's frown only got deeper.

"Or…not."

Izzy released a long-suffering sigh, muttering something about moody musicians, and I chose that moment to disappear.

I tried to walk away quickly, tripped on nothing but powered right on through. That's the beauty of living a mostly awkward life, I thought. You're never surprised when embarrassing things happen. You expect it. You roll with it—and if you 're like me, you overthink it hours later in private.

I kept going until I was out in the hall.

The temperature felt so much cooler here. Even though I knew it was the same air as in Shamar's studio, I was finally able to take a deep breath. Looking back through the open doorway, I noticed Felix standing off to the side with his hands on his hips, staring at the floor with a frown.

I hoped he wasn't mad at me.

Not that I thought he was that kind of person. Quick to anger, I mean.

Honestly, he looked more confused than anything as he ran a hand along the back of his neck. I couldn't blame him. When Shamar mentioned a kiss, I suddenly realized how hot I felt . Like ice cream melting in the sun hot. Something caused me to become instantly overheated.

No, not something , my mind whispered. Someone .

But I ignored the unhelpful commentary.

Yes, I knew my hot flash was probably Felix-induced. That didn't make it better. In fact, it made it worse—and much more important that I got out of there.

I watched as Felix laughed at something Izzy said. Did his face have to get even more attractive when he smiled?

"So unfair," I muttered.

"He's gorgeous," London said, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. "Don't you think?"

"Wh o's gorgeous? And wh en did you get here?"

"Ryker, obviously—though I see why you might've thought I meant the other Cordova."

The fact that she called Felix "the other" anything gave me pause. To me, he was it, second to no one—which I guessed was her point.

"And I came in time to see you get flustered about kissing Fe."

I crossed my arms. "I wasn't flustered."

"A little bit," she said.

Okay, she had a point . But… "Was it obvious?"

London shrugged. "I noticed. But that's because I'm observant, and I like to focus on other people's problems more than my own."

"Problems?" I said.

"Forget it."

"Well, you're taking a break from college, traveling the country, touring with your brother's indie rock band. Doesn't sound so bad."

She hummed in response.

Nudging her with my elbow, I added, "You can talk to me if you need to."

"I know."

"We've been on the road together for weeks, so we're almost friends now."

London gave me a half-smile. "Just almost?"

"I didn't want to assume," I said.

"We're friends, Aurora."

I smiled. I'd thought so, but it was nice to have confirmation.

Santino joined us in the hall at the tail end of her words. " Does that make us friends too?"

His eyes were on me, and I blinked, surprised by the question.

"Maybe?" I said.

"Definitely," he said back, picking up a green apple off the table of snacks and biting into it.

"Why'd you ask if you already knew the answer?"

He swallowed then grinned. "Wanted to see what you'd say."

"And," London added, "because Santino needs everyone to like him."

"That's not true."

A pause.

"But you both do, right? I mean, how could you not? "

London and I glanced at each other , and I couldn't hold back a laugh. Santino's smile didn't waver, but I could tell he was waiting for an answer. Not wanting to leave him hanging, I nodded.

"Of course," I said.

"Good." He literally ate the apple in two more bites and chucked the core into the trash. "Then we're going to a party tonight."

My shoulders went tense while London crossed her arms.

"Party?" I echoed faintly.

Santino nodded. "It's going to be a time, Ror."

His words didn't bring any comfort.

"Is it mandatory?" I asked.

He laughed, but I was serious.

"I thought Taylor forbid parties after what happened last time," London said, giving him a significant look.

Santino's cheeks went red, and my brows raised, intrigued despite myself. He never seemed embarrassed about anything. At the last tour stop, someone literally pulled his pants down, giving the crowd a second's view of his boxer briefs, and what did Santino do? He laughed, struck a pose , pulled his pants up, and got right back into the song we were playing. So yeah, I couldn't imagine what would make him blush like that.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Ah, it was nothing," he said. "Just a little misunderstanding."

London rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right."

"No charges were filed."

Seeing my curious look, London explained, "On the last tour, this one decided to go full-on rockstar and invited a bunch of questionable characters to his room."

"They seemed nice," Santino mumbled.

" They were all scantily clad women and shifty-looking men who claimed to be part of the official HERS fan club."

"Hey, the other guys believed it too."

"Anyway, they partied until the wee hours of the morning, trashed the room, a guitar ended up through the ceiling, and now, the guys are banned from staying in that chain of hotels."

By the end, my jaw was slack . Santino caught my eye and shook his head.

"She made it sound worse than it was," he said.

" Hotels," London repeated. " Not just one. A whole chain."

"You sound like Taylor."

"Well."

" Well ," he repeated, "that's in the past. I've been a good boy since then, and she changed her mind . Also, today's special."

London sighed. "What's the occasion?"

"Essie's hitting the big 5-0."

"Oh, that is big."

He nodded then threw me a smile . "So, you have to come because we're friends."

"I kind of had plans," I hedged.

They looked at me in surprise . "What plans?" London asked. "You didn't say anything to me."

"Or me," Santino said, pretending to pout.

This was one of the only nights we'd be in a hotel. The truth was I'd wanted to spend the night reading. But I wasn't sure either of them would understand my need to curl up under a blanket and lose myself in the pages. It made me wish Lottie was here. A book lover to the core, she'd know exactly how I felt.

Santino was called into the room for more pics, but before he left, he saluted us and said, "See you tonight."

Once he was gone, London shook her head. "He's always been like that."

"So sure of himself?" I said.

"Yeah."

"Wish I was like that."

"Don't we all." She shrugged. "So, are you going to go?"

"Are you?" I asked.

"Probably. I do love a good party." She bounced her brows. "Could be a good date night for you and your boyfriend."

It took me a moment to realize who she meant.

"Oh yeah, him."

I blushed as she laughed. "Man, you're funny sometimes."

"I wouldn't even know what to wear on a date," I mumbled.

"You're serious?" She tilted her head. " Well, that's what you have me for—or Mercury for that matter. I know she'd love to dress you."

London looked at me with expectation.

"So?"

"I might make an appearance," I said.

London nodded, but I knew myself.

Parties were not my thing, and as much as I liked Essie, I'd intentionally left myself some wiggle room. The only date I had was with my book. And I couldn't wait.

#

The knock on my door was a surprise.

I checked my phone and frowned. According to the group text, the party was supposed to have started 30 minutes ago at a little place down the road . Everyone should already be there. I hadn't ordered room service, didn't know anyone else in the city. Actually, it was my first time in West Virginia, so yeah. Maybe someone got the wrong room.

I waited, listening.

When another knock sounded, I sighed, closed my book, and walked to the door. The face I saw in the peephole made me draw back. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door—and Felix was standing there, hands in his pockets.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey," I said back. "I thought you went out."

"I did . Came back when I realized you weren't there."

Oh.

Felix looked away and ran a hand through his hair. This gave me a second to fully take him in. He looked like a dream dressed in a black blazer, black tee underneath, and black jeans. On his feet were these midnight black boots that looked like he could stomp out anything bad that dared to cross his path. When I looked back up, his hair had fallen imperfectly back into place, disheveled yet gorgeous, and his warm brown eyes were on mine.

"So?"

I straightened my spine. "I had things to do here," I said.

Felix nodded to the book in my hand. "That any good?"

"Oh yeah, I love it. The romance was funny and sexy and all the things, and the ending was perfection."

"You finished then."

"I did," I said hesitantly, "but only a minute ago. I also had to call my parents."

"And? How are they? Was it a good talk?"

"Yes," I admitted grudgingly. We had a long , wonderful talk, catching up on life and everything going on back home, and I'd even had a mini-text session with my cousins after—which involved a lot of gushing over the guy standing in front of me. "They're doing well."

" Glad to hear it. In that case, let's go to the party together."

I gestured to my pajamas. "But I don't have anything to wear."

Felix lifted a brow and placed a black bag in my hand. "Mercury gave me this for you. I guess London said something to her. "

"She did?"

He nodded.

"That was nice of her," I murmured.

"It was," Felix agreed.

"But…I won't know anyone there."

"You'll know me," he said. "And London. Hayden, Elliot, Ryker, Santino, Taylor, Izzy, Essie , the crew."

I stared at him as he stared back at me.

"Need anything else?"

"No, I'm good."

"I'll wait here while you change."

He sent me a smooth smile.

"Unless, you want me to come in."

"No, that's okay," I said quickly and started shutting the door.

"Twenty minutes, princess," he said . "If you're not out here by then, I'm coming in."

Funny thing. Instead of fear or pressure, I felt excited by his words.

There was clearly something wrong with me.

Hopefully, no one at the party would notice.