Page 91 of Dream (Fighting Fate)

d, I let him escort me into the elevator, trying to hide my smile as we moved. Since the moment I’d stepped into the shower with him, he’d been nothing but attentive and affectionate. It may have been silly for me to think, but it reinforced my decision to try this crazy thing with him.

As the elevator descended, Josh gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “Ready?” he asked.

I drew in a breath and pressed my lips into a smile. This was the first time we were going to be seen together since the covert snaps had been taken at the game premiere. Josh had warned me that things could get a little crazy. “Let’s do it.”

As the doors slid open, Cain and Corey stepped out before us, leading the way to where the chaos was waiting outside. Lance and Daniel followed closely behind us.

Josh’s hand tightened around mine the second the screams started. We only had a short distance to cover, but it felt like forever when you had dozens of screaming people trying to get to you—or Josh, as the case may have been. I was just another thing for them to get through to reach their real target.

With my sunglasses in place and my head bent low, I tried to remember Sam’s rules about keeping a pleasant expression on my face, while I stayed as close to Josh as I could. Questions were yelled at us from all angles. It was similar to what I’d been getting back in LA, but a hundred times worse. It was actually terrifying.

As Corey opened the back door, Josh pulled me around him so I could climb in first, and I couldn’t get inside fast enough. I honestly didn’t know how Josh did this on a regular basis.

When we were all securely in place, I finally released the breath I’d been holding and tried to calm myself down. My pulse was racing.

Josh’s concerned gaze met my slightly overwhelmed one. “How’re you doing?”

I took another breath to determine. My hands were shaking. “Uh . . . can I get back to you on that one?”

The other guys laughed, but Josh was nothing but worry. “You’ll get used to it,” he said, taking my hand and holding it tight. “I promise.”

I stared into his eyes for a while, trying to let him know I’d try, without actually saying the words in front of all the guys. “I think I’d equate that with the time rebels infiltrated the village in Gulu and started demanding supplies,” I said, thinking out loud.

Josh’s eyes widened. “Holy shit. It can’t have been that bad.”

“That was pretty scary, Josh. I nearly peed my pants.”

Corey burst out laughing from the front seat, while Josh gave him a withering look.

“I’ll deal,” I said, knowing I would. “But in a weird way, that was kind of easier than the times I was followed around in LA.”

Josh frowned, worry creeping into his gaze again. “Why? What did they do?”

I shrugged. “It’s not that they did anything. It’s just, when they followed me to work or home, I knew they were following me. When they’re like that back there, they’re following you, and I’m just tagging along like the nobody I am.”

Josh inhaled slowly, his eyes narrowing. “You’re not a nobody, trust me. That back there, was a fight to get the first picture of us together. You were very much a somebody.”

I grinned at his analogy. “Well, it’s done now. Does that mean we can go and relax and enjoy ourselves now?”

He let out a soft laugh, drawing me into him and kissing my forehead. “I wish. I’m sorry I have to work today, but it shouldn’t take too long. It’s only a small scene.”

It was like the fourth time he’d apologized, so I thought that deserved a little teasing. Mock sighing, I shifted my gaze to Cain. “I don’t know. What do you think, Cain? I mean, I made all this effort to come see him, and he hasn’t even bothered to take some time off so we can see each other. I think that’s pretty crap boyfriend material, don’t you?”

The guys laughed, while Josh gave me a dry smirk. “Ha-ha, very funny. You know I feel guilty enough as it is, don’t you?”

I shoved him playfully. “That’s why it’s so funny. I’m not delicate, Josh. I can manage an hour without you.”

“That’s why he’s so cut,” Corey said, laughing over his shoulder at Josh’s sulking face.

Josh rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t stop the smile that crept to his lips as well. “Yeah, you’re all a bunch of comedians.”

“I am looking forward to seeing how it all works, though,” I said in all seriousness. “I want to know all your movie magic secrets.”

“I can’t guarantee any magic, but behind-the-scenes fuck-ups are usually on offer.”

I was going to tease him about how I doubted that, but the car slowed to a stop at some sort of security checkpoint, making all the guys go quiet. As the guard ushered us through, Lance drove around a corner, pulling up next to a flashy black trailer.

I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the way the guys worked as a team. They seemed to have everything streamlined in a weird sort of way. Like they were all in sync with each other, and each of them had a specific role of when to move and where they needed to move to. And at every step of the way, they had Josh shielded. I loved that.

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