Page 45 of The Temptation of Truth
“Hi,” Brynn says, and thankfully she stays seated too. “I’ve seen you on a billboard for a perfume.”
Kat laughs. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
Ugh. And her voice is smooth and sweet, like syrup. I frown before I can stop myself. I do hate her, and I never hate anyone.
“Are you Mabel’s girlfriend?”
Brynn’s forward question has Kat glancing nervously at Mabel, so I turn my attention to her as well. Mabel gives Brynn a small smile, and when she answers, her eyes collide with mine.
“Yes, Kat is my girlfriend.”
Her words aren’t surprising, but I still have to fight off a wince. Despite Mabel being the one to answer, Brynn’s attention stays on Kat.
“How long are you staying? We’re going to see koalas in Sydney. Will you be coming for that?”
Kat and Mabel answer at the same time.
“For the week.”
“Just for today.”
My eyes widen as Mabel whips her attention to Kat, forehead creased and jaw tight.
“Just today?”
Kat frowns. “I was going to tell you.”
“An hour ago, you were staying for the week.”
Kat looks quickly between me and Brynn before turning back to Mabel. “Let’s take breakfast back to your room.”
Mabel blinks, and I watch as her body seems to deflate with defeat.
“Fine.” She looks back to me and Brynn. “See you later.”
As they turn to leave, the door to the suite swings wide once more. My uncle walks through and the male members of Caveat Lover follow.
Uncle Wade told me they’d be on this tour, too. They’ve taken over the music scene in recent years, but I’ve been a littleout of touch with pop culture, so I researched them. In this moment, I’m almost sorry I did. Nothing makes you feel small and unremarkable quite like being in the presence of global superstars.
The hotel suite seems to grow smaller as I watch them file in one by one. Rocky Hallstrom, the lead guitarist, is first, followed closely by Becket Walker, the bassist, Ezra Hawke, the drummer, and Crue, the mysterious rhythm guitarist without a surname. Well, I’m sure hehasa surname. I just couldn’t find it.
And then, when the door closes behind them, realization makes my skin itch. I’m officially in a room with half of The Hometown Heartless and almost all of Caveat Lover.
Brynn groans, then grumbles under her breath, “Caveat boys.”
As if summoned, Ezra Hawke turns toward us. From what I’ve read, the media has dubbed him Caveat Lover’s prankster and playboy. His eyes lock on Brynn, and a big, good-natured smile curves his lips. He saunters over toward the couch, looking just like a big brother prepping to cause trouble. Grief swells in my chest, but so does joy, and I can’t help but want to smile with him.
“Boss,” he croons. “What’s the word?”
“Ezra.” Brynn lets out a loud, exasperated sigh. “Vexatious. Adjective. Causing or tending to cause annoyance, frustration, or worry.”
Ezra laughs. “I know where you’re going with this one, kid. Nice try but?—”
“I got it.” Crue steps up, dropping his arm over Ezra’s shoulder and winking at Brynn. “The little girl found the immature drummer to be extremelyvexatious.”
Brynn rolls her eyes. “B plus, Crue.”
Crue’s jaw drops, and Ezra barks out a laugh.
