Page 9 of Clandestine

“Goodbye, Mildred! I hope to see you again this weekend!” I run my hand down her back one last time before waving bye to her owner as well, still lightly fangirling as I jog back to join my group.

When I meet them at the front desk, Colby is arguing with the poor attendant.

“What do you mean, you’re overbooked? I paid for four rooms,” he scolds.

“Well, your deposit will be refunded to you for three of the rooms. We do have cots available to add to the one room if needed, but the hotel is sold out for the week.” The woman types nervously on her computer, avoiding eye contact with Colby at all costs.

“My band isn’t sleeping on cots. We’re part of the reason this hotel is even sold out to begin with.”

“Colby, it’ll be fine. I don’t mind bunking with everyone. It’ll be like old times, and I’m sure Syd is fine too, right?” I look over to Syd for confirmation and Jackson nods in agreement as well.

“I’m good with it.” She nods, and a mischievous smirk comes over her face while she eyes Colby, no doubt knowing that our spoiled little rockstar is about to fume with not getting his way.

“See? All good here.” I gesture between Jackson and Sydnee to Colby nervously. “Can we get four copies of the room key, please?”

“Of course.” The attendant smiles anxiously at me and turns to go make the keys.

Colby levels me with a death stare, and hell if I’m not slightly into it.

“What?” I shrug.

“Do not butt into things.” The roll of his eyes is hard.

“You were being a dick to a girl who’s probably going to deal with, like, thirty more dickheads tonight alone. It wasn’t fair. She doesn’t run the system.”

Colby groans and grabs the keys from the girl before handing us each one of our own.

“Do not, under any circumstances, leave this anywhere. Do not lose it, Hale.”

I grab the key card while trying to ignore him treating me like a baby, but he keeps hold of it, waiting for me to acknowledge his words. The two of us tugging against the key card brings our bodies closer than either of us intended.

“Yeah, got it.” I’m desperate to roll my eyes, but it’s so fucking hard to look away from him. He’s so close now.

He releases the key card, and I quickly turn away from him and the smoldering eye contact that I want to melt myself into.

I ignore his idiotic comments, acting like I can’t be trusted, and follow the trio to the elevator so we can finally drop our bags and get to work. How can someone so hot be so fucking annoying?

Getting into the venue is easy work. The badge I’m wearing looks just like the band’s and lets me go anywhere that the band is allowed to be. My excitement at this knows no bounds. Okay, so maybe I’m feeling a bit like a groupie. I had no idea that by the time I got here, I would be this geeked. A venue staff member shows me to my booth, and even through my million questions, I’m assured that my makeup and products will be safe overnight.

Sue me for being worried, but there are thousands of dollars’ worth of makeup, skin care, and hair care here. It’s a serious investment.

Taking my time, I set out my products, from foundations to brushes, glitters, powders, and all of the likes. I pull out my hair crimper and my straightener, as well as bobby pins, elastics, and hair accessories. I know Syd is a simple gal, but I wanted to have a few fun items in case she decided to dress it up at any point. By the time I’m done preparing my station, there’s no one around me. Peeking from behind the corner of the small booth, I spot Syd with a girl I don’t recognize. Syd has her pushed against the wall, holding her there with one hand on her hip.

Something in my chest catches. I’m not sure if it’s jealousy, but it’s definitely not something I want to be feeling. Why the hell would I care if a band member gets their rocks off while we’re here?

Ugh.I pull out my phone and tap the screen, opening the period tracking app. Sure enough, I’m in my ovulation phase. This explains so much, and the guilt of being a green-eyed horny mess dissolves.

I grab my things and leave the booth to go find the guys, but mistakenly glance back in Sydnee’s direction. She’s looking right at me, and the look she gives me is indecipherable. The only thing I know for sure is that I recognize the heat deep within her gaze. I feel a spark where I really shouldn’t. I swear the wind blowing the wrong way could make me horny at this point.

I make it back to the hotel room just fine on my own, swiping my key haphazardly as I walk in, still feeling confused, but dropping my empty bags and deciding on a shower anyway.

When I open the door, I find a half-naked Colby wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, leaning over the sink and shaving his facial hair. Each stroke of the razor brings him closer to a chiseled jaw and the playful boyish look that he’s known for.

He doesn’t startle at my intrusion, just eyes me in the mirror, and I can’t help but stare at him.

His tall body is rippled with muscles, and tattoos cover nearly every inch of his chest. As inappropriate as it may be, I linger far too long, watching the veins and muscles flex with annoyance.

“Can I help you, little sister?” I mean… Maybe he could…

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