Page 115 of Tempting the Player
“Pizza is here,” Ted says and motions toward a guy standing at the entrance with a stack of pizza boxes. One of the security guards takes the pizza, actually opens the boxes to check like he thinks someone is going to poison us, and then sets them on the closest table.
We crowd around a table and eat together in amicable silence. A nervous excitement hangs over us. Mac barely eats, Ted drums one hand while shoveling pizza in with the other, Eric stands and eats, and Lennon is the only one that seems at ease.
When we’re done eating, we all stay sitting around the table. I’m just about to start warming up my voice when one of the security guards calls for me, holding an embarrassingly large gift basket.
“Fan mail?” Eric asks with a snort.
“Nobody even knows I’m here,” I say as I stand.
“Paris.” Eric’s voice doesn’t hold any jealousy at the idea that the Panhel president sent only me a gift basket, but I catch a flash of unease on Mackenzie’s face. Paris is paying the band, but I wouldn’t let her or them give me a cut for the small amount of time I’m going to be on stage tonight. I guess this was her way of saying thanks.
The guard waits for me to approach him.
“Anything good?” I ask, trying to lighten the weird feeling in my chest.
“Chocolates, peanuts, candy, and some water,” he recites as he looks over the large basket. When he places it in my outstretched arms, I can barely see over it.
“Thanks,” I mutter and take it back to the table. The guys and Mac are up, everyone starting to get ready to go on. I look through the basket, finding exactly what he claimed. I take one of the waters and then pluck the note from the front.
Simple cardstock with only my name scribbled across it. I tuck it back into the basket and then unscrew the cap of the water. My phone pings in my pocket.
Hendrick
Hey, girlfriend. Got time for a quickie?
39
HENDRICK
“Hi!”Jane throws her arms around me. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
She clings to me like a lifeline. She’s nervous. She’s been nervous for days, but right now she’s as anxious as I’ve ever seen her.
“I got you tea.” I hold the cup out to my side so it doesn’t spill as she continues to squeeze me tightly.
“Thank you.” She breathes deeply. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“It’s just tea.” I chuckle lightly.
“I meant for being here.” She tips her head back to meet my gaze. “Always knowing when I need you.”
“You don’t need to thank me. Tonight, I am just any other guy here to watch my super sexy and talented girlfriend kick ass.”
“Okay, but can you do me a favor and watch from the crowd?”
The plan was for me to hang off to the side of the stage. The closer the better, basically.
“Please?” she adds. “I have a surprise for you.”
“I don’t like surprises.”
She laughs. “I could have guessed that about you. But I think you’ll like this one. Please? Just while I’m on stage. After, you can come straight back here and hover some more.”
“You like it when I hover.” I glide my knuckles over her jaw and then cup the back of her neck. I lean down to kiss her. I need to get back out there and check a few more things, but the urge to get lost in her is strong. These past weeks have gone by in the blink of an eye with her getting ready for tonight.
When we break apart, she looks a little calmer.
“Did you book your flight yet?”
