Page 2 of Deeper

Losing luscious-lipped, big emerald-green-eyed, gorgeous blonde Jolie had been the biggest fumble of his career according to some gossip blogs. That really got an eye roll out of Tori. “He’s more than who he’s screwing,” she’d sworn.

According to Victoria, hestillfollowed Jolie on all social media platforms. Tori wasn’t a fan, but I was sure that had more to do with jealousy than anything.

“I just hope he shows up,” I said as I checked the time on my phone: 10:33 p.m. He was over an hour late. Meaning, we had to wait even longer to be let in.

Victoria groaned. “Bianka.”

Most people called meBia; whenever Tori brought out my full name that meant I had really irked her nerves.

I rolled my eyes. “Leaving it alone. Happy to be here.”

At least Zander sounded good live from what I’d seen of his So What concert days and early solo performances on YouTube.

“You just don’t know how ready I am for Zander to show the world what he’s made of,” Victoria turned and said to me. “I swear, in the original So What days, everyone only ever cared about Teddy, and don’t get me started on those annoying-ass ‘Veddy’ shippers.”

While I hadn’t paid that much attention to So What, I did notice that Teddy Sykes was always the most adored member of the group followed by Vernon Smith, and the rest of the boys: Oliver Davies, Jac Taylor, and formerly Zander.

“Zander’salwayshad the best vocals,” Victoria went on. “Ugh, and that vein that bulges when he hits those high notes? I have fantasies about it. I’ve even masturbated to it.”

I blinked a couple of times, unable to believe she’d disclosed that information. We weren’t exactly shy about letting each other in on our relationships with our boyfriends or our sexual conquests, but to know she diddled herself to Zander—well, I guessed it wasn’t surprising. She probably named her battery-operated boyfriend after the guy.

“I feel like there are some things I shouldn’t know about you, Tor.”

My best friend wasn’t at all ashamed. She’d more than likely go straight home after this and give herself some release after finally seeing Zander in person. Her love for Zander was so fierce, so intense, you’d have to pry her cold, dead hands off of him to get her to stop. And even then, it would be impossible, her fingernails went right to the bone she was so entranced by and attached to him.

To have an infatuation like that, a love like that, was something I’d never experienced, with a partner, or a musician, or an actor. In some ways, while I pitied her coveting, I envied it all the same.

I couldn’t even blame her for fantasizing about Zander; after the last asshole I’d dated, it had been months since I’d experienced an orgasm.Truth be told, I was a little more than frustrated because of it. You could masturbate all you wanted, but nothing beat a good fuck.

I gathered my phone and checked Zander’s Twitter page for the tenth time, finding he still hadn’t sent any tweets since that afternoon.

The show started at nine, didn’t he know that?

Even though the show had been announced a couple of months ago, it was still hard to believe this was happening when The CelebriTea posted about Zander finally being ready to perform a few days ago.

I went back and reread over the online gossip blog’s post, checking for signs of a hoax.

______

May 25

ZANDER KHALIL READY TO TAKE THE STAGE

Say it ain’t so?! Could we be getting an extra five weeks of summer? Known shut-in Zander Khalil has been spotted out and about in LA this week prepping for a comeback. The heartthrob has finally decided to grace the stage on his first solo four-city mini tour, possibly hinting at a much bigger tenure in the future.

“He’s so ecstatic!” his rep claims.

The twenty-five-year-old sultry alternative R&B singer, best known from English pop group So What, went solo after four years with the multi-platinum selling boy band.

When his debut single “The Sound” shot to number one on all the charts across the globe, many believed Khalil was set to take the world by storm as a one-man show. But after releasing his debut albumExposed, and a slew of late-night talk show appearances and award show performances, Khalil went back into hiding.

Only, he wasn’t done there. One year after the release ofExposed, Zander was back for more with his sophomore effortDamage Control, filled with even more steamy bedroom ballads and hits than his debut.

______

I stopped, unable to read any further. Looking around me at the bustling crowd anticipating the show, I only half saw the appeal surrounding Zander. In my eyes, he was just a pretty boy with a pretty face. There was nothing else beyond that. There was nothing…deepabout him. He just didn’t give.

I tucked my phone away and hung back, waiting impatiently.