I don’t know what it is, but I intend to find out.
First thing in the morning, I call Sasha. She has a family with two young children, so she doesn’t travel with us, though she comes to random shows.
“Hey, Angus. What’s up?”
“What is she doing here?” I ask.
“Who? Ryleigh?”
“Yes, Ryleigh.” I don’t know why I’m pissed but I am.
“I thought we already talked about this.Rock Harder Magazinecalled and asked if we’d like some coverage on tour and I said yes. It’s amazing that they want to cover you guys in this capacity. Is there a problem?”
Is there?
I honestly don’t know what it is about Ryleigh that annoys me.
I was both annoyed and turned on last night.
Those taut nipples peeking through the fabric of her top had me sporting a semi.
The way she looked at me with her icy green eyes.
The way that gorgeous red hair of hers moves when she turns her head…fuck me.
Why am I so crazy when it comes to redheads?
“I wish I’d known ahead of time,” I say tightly. “You know I like my privacy.”
“Absolutely, but we’re trying to put Crimson Edge on the map—and a feature inRock Harder Magazinecould help with that. They’ve been outsellingRolling Stonein the last year, so we want their readers to know more about us. Don’t we?”
“Yeah.” I huff out a breath.
I’m genuinely confused as to the reaction I’m having to Ryleigh.
“What did she do?”
“Nothing specific. There’s something about her. I can’t put my finger on it.”
“You think she’s after more than the basic story we talked about.”
“Absolutely. She’s hungry. And she has something to prove.”
“What is there to find? None of you have criminal records, Sam and Kirsten are so sweet and wholesome it’s almost gross, and you’re not making enough money to get into trouble yet. Does anyone have a drug problem I’m not aware of?”
“No.”
“Look, she’s only going to be with you a few weeks. Can you behave for that long?”
Can I?
Sure.
Do I want to?
Not even a little.
“Yeah. Of course.” I pull in a breath. “Sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I guess I’m feeling a little overprotective of the band and what we’re trying to do here. And I’m telling you, there’s more to this than meets the eye.”