Page 65 of Tainted Love
“Elena tells me the band has been working hard for many years now. We all need our break, and I’m chuffed if I can play just a small hand in that.”
I open my mouth to reply but I’m interrupted by a timid “Excuse me?”
Bea’s guarded expression has my brow furrowing as I turn to face two beautiful women who look to be around the same age as Bea.
“Oh my gosh,” the girl stammers out nervously. “It really is you. You’re the lead singer from Forever Summer. Elias Vasilios.”
I rub the back of my neck, forcing a smile. “That’s me.”
“Itoldyou it was him,” her friend says, smugly. She flashes her straight, bright white teeth at me, and flicks her blonde hair over her shoulder. “I’m Nicole, this is Beth, we’re huge fans. We saw you play at St Kilda Fest a couple of years ago and we’ve been following you ever since.”
“I love your song ‘Never Going to be Enough’,” Beth gushes. “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe we’re actually standing here talking to you.”
“Can we get a photo?”
I throw a panicked glance at Bea and her granddad. It’s one thing to get noticed at gigs, but a whole other thing tohave random strangers come up to me at an event like this. If it were Kill, he’d just load his panty-dropping grin, throw an arm around each of them, and be done with it. But Ash and I have never felt as comfortable when confronted by random strangers.
“Elias?” The girls are still waiting for a response. The confident one has her mobile phone in her hand.
“Uh—”
“I’ll take it,” Bea says, stepping forward to take the phone.
Nicole gives her a wary smile before she moves into my space and wraps her arm around my waist. The other girl hovers nervously on the other side of me. Bea lifts the phone and snaps away, adjusting the phone this way and that as she finds the perfect angle.
When she holds out the phone, Nicole ignores Bea, instead placing her hand on my chest and rubbing up against me like a cat in heat. “It was so awesome to meet you. You’re even better looking up close and personal.”
“Likewise,” I say, feeling flustered. I try to peel her off me and put some space between us, but I’ve clearly said the wrong thing because her face lights up and she clutches on to me tighter. “Maybe we could get a drink?”
Bea clears her throat, shoving the girl’s phone at her. “If you’ll excuse us, we were having a private conversation.”
The stage five clinger glares at Bea, but thankfully her friend pulls her away with an embarrassed, “It was nice to meet you. Have a good night.”
Jonathon chuckles. “Well, it seems like the band has caught the eye of some fans. If you young ones will excuse me, I have some clients I need to schmooze.” He kisses Bea on the cheek and shakes my hand. “Enjoy your night, sweetheart.”
“Thanks Granddad,” Bea says softly.
We watch as he disappears into the crowd and I slip myhand into hers, squeezing lightly as I lean in and murmur against her ear, “Thank you.”
She pulls her hand away, not looking at me as she says, “Excuse me, I just need to go to the bathroom.” She rushes away before I can stop her and I’m left standing in the middle of a crowded room alone.
Chapter 36
Bea
I push my way through the crowd until I reach the ladies bathroom. Jealousy courses through my veins like poison. I was ready to scratch the bitch’s eyes out for putting her hands all over Elias. It’s getting harder and harder to hide the way I feel around him.
There are a few women standing in front of the vanity fixing their make-up and making small talk. I nod in greeting before shutting myself in the furthest stall. Taking a seat on the lid, I pull my phone out of my purse with shaking hands and text Maya.
Bea: SOS
It’s mid-morning in Italy so I don’t have to wait long for her reply.
Maya: What’s up baby girl?
Bea: I think I’m falling for Elias …
Maya: Yasssss! Sexy stepbrother for the win ;) Damn, girl. I’m so proud of you!
