Page 27 of Faking Ties

I get out first and then turn around to help Stella. The red-carpet entrance is a war zone of flashing bulbs and screaming fans. It’s overwhelming and it takes me longer than I care to admit to find my bearings. But the fans aren't chanting my name like I’m used to. No, they're losing their minds over a baby-faced Jax who’s a quarter of the way down wearing a smile that could sell ice to penguins.

The red carpet is filled with perfume and fake smiles as Stella steps out behind me. The crowd immediately begins to chant her name. She looks absolutely radiant and glowing in her golden outfit. A smile flirts on her lips, one that could launch a thousand ships. The nervousness from moments ago is apparently gone.

A woman guides us down the carpet and waves us toward another woman holding a microphone out. When we step up to her, she immediately asks Stella what designer she’s wearing. As Stella answers, I’m overwhelmed by the talent surrounding me. Multiple A-listers are here, people I’ve never expected to rub elbows with. People I’ve only read about and seen onTV. And I’m just a glorified jock. Someone who belongs more with the bodyguards than everyone else here.

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt insecure at an event. But I already know Stella’s out of my league, that she wouldn’t look twice at me if it weren’t for our contract. This event just highlights how different we are, but I have a job to do and can’t lose focus now.

When we walk to the next interviewer, Stella gives me a look that clearly asks if I’m okay, and I force a smile. She frowns, but a microphone is shoved into her face yet again, and it makes me want to punch the interviewer with how aggressive they’re being.

“What was your inspiration behind the soundtrack?” they ask.

Stella blinks at them, frozen, and says, “Umm… Well… You see…”

She squeezes my hand twice.

“I don’t mind you telling them.” I pull her into my side with a hand on her hip. She clearly needs help, but I don’t understand why. Does she not like giving interviews? Or is she nervous about the question being related to Jax’s movie? Either way, I refuse to blow my first outing with her on my arm. I need to do a good job, to prove my worth.

The interviewer perks up with interest at my comment, and I lean closer to the microphone and say, “It was me.”

“Yeah.” Stella glances at me and laughs. “I was inspired by Hunter’shorriblepiano playing.”

“Now that was supposed to stay between us.” I smirk, playing up the lie. “But seriously. Stella poured her heart into those songs. She’s massively talented and Jax is lucky to have her on the soundtrack.”

I guide us away and Stella whispers, “Thanks for the save.”

“Of course.”

The rest of the interviews pass in a similar way, with us bantering and not answering any of the questions we’re asked seriously. It’s almost fun, and I forget about not fitting in with this crowd with Stella by my side. We continue the pattern until we come face-to-face with the paparazzi.

“Do you regret your failed relationship with Jax, or do you thrive on drama?” one paparazzo shouts.

“Are those pregnancy rumors true,” another adds on. “Or did you just eat too much for lunch?”

Stella stiffens and her smile slips. Who do these assholes think they are talking to her like that? I move in front of her, blocking her from their harsh words with my body. She doesn’t deserve this, and I refuse to stand by and do nothing. A protective instinct flares inside me, and I motion for Brian to step toward the paparazzi.

“Is that how you really talk to women?” I glare at the two assholes in the front row before looking at the other paparazzi. “You want to make money off photosof her, but you can’t even treat her with respect? Get those two out of here if you want another photo of us.”

The other photographers all glance at each other in shock and I say, “You have three seconds before we walk away. Oh, and we’ll also avoid all future red carpets and take and release our own photos. One, two, thr?—”

Multiple hands grab the two guys, pulling them away and placing them in the back.

“What’s going on over here?” Jax strides toward us, as if he owns the place. “Doll?”

He’s a good five feet away when Stella grabs my face and kisses me senseless. I’m shocked for a millisecond, not comprehending why she’s kissing me, before instinct takes over and I pull her into my body and deepen it. Her lips part and I sneak my tongue inside.

I swallow her gasp and dip her. The sound of the paparazzi and screaming fans dulls, and all I can focus on is her tongue and lips against my own. Her body under my palms.

I’ve dreamt about kissing her since we first met, but all my dreams didn’t do it justice. She kisses like she’s singing a new song into my very soul, rewriting the melody of my existence with a single, mind-blowing kiss. I never thought it’d be possible for something so simple to change my life. But this moment, right here, is enough to tilt my world on its axis.

After an endless moment, where time ceases to exist, she pulls back, and I right her. I stare at her lipsin a daze, my brain not able to catch up to reality, still lost in her.

“There you are.” Jax grabs Stella and pulls her into a hug. I take a step toward them, irritated that he has his hands on her, and catch his words.

“You’re still with him?” Jax asks her. “I thought you’d be sick of that jock by now.”

Stella laughs and quietly tells him, “He’s far more entertaining than you ever were.”

Jax’s jaw drops, and Stella grabs my hand before tugging me away and into the venue. The second we’re away from the press, her hands shake as she crosses her arms across her abdomen. She looks like she’s seconds away from throwing up.

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