Page 5 of Meant To Be - Irresistible Bachelors

“I don’t need one,” I repeat, hoping he hears me loud and clear this time.

“Leo, what are you going to wear on stage?” he asks.

“A T-shirt, jeans, and a leather jacket, like always,” I say, exhaling smoke.

“That’s too simple.” Rocky shakes his head.

“Well, simple is my thing.”

“Most musicians have a gimmick that they’re known for, like colorful hair or flashy outfits,” he continues.

“I just want to make music, Rocky. I don’t want to be a gimmick. Besides, this is how my fans know and love me. They want the old Leo Colt, not a reinvented one,” I argue.

“That is how your old fans remember you, but don’t you want to draw in new fans? A younger crowd? That’s why I’m putting you on tour with Nikki; her fans can become your fans, too. You’re the greatest rock star who’s ever lived, and it’s time you reclaim your title as the reigning rock god,” he says.

He’s right. There’s nothing wrong with having more fans, but I’m not so sure teenage girls are going to fall in love with my music the way their moms did. Most of them have probably never even heard of me before. My greatest hits are played on classic rock radio stations, not the hip and trendy ones that all the kids listen to these days.

I would have preferred to do a comeback tour on my own, but Rocky insisted I join Nikki Minx’s tour. I’ve never met her before; I just hope she isn’t one of those uptight divas who thinks the world revolves around her. I’d hate to be stuck on a two-month tour with a self-centered party girl who cares more about taking selfies than she cares about making music. She seems pretty dedicated to her craft, though. After all, you don’t reach her level of success by slacking, but I don’t know what to expect.

“No stylist,” I reiterate. He sighs heavily. He knows me well enough by now to know that he isn’t going to win this battle.

“Fine. Wear the damn T-shirt and jeans, but you better have a number-one hit written before you get on that private jet in three days. I want it written and ready to be recorded,” he warns.

“Will do,” I promise as I watch him leave the studio. The door closes behind him, and I’m left all alone again.

I pick up the pen and stare at the paper, wishing the words would pour out of me. My hand hovers over the paper, but the ink refuses to bleed onto it. Frustrated and unable to think, I toss the pen. If only I had a muse, someone who could inspire me, someone I could write about. I lean back in my chair and place my hands on my head. The tour begins in three days, and I’m far from ready.

Somehow, I’ve got to pull it together. I can’t let my fans down, and Nikki needs me to be at my best. It was nice of her to agree to let me come on tour with her, and I’d hate to make her regret that decision. Ruining a Nikki Minx tour would be career suicide for me, so I have to bring my A-game. I have to rock the audience and make them fall in love with every guitar string I strum.

There’s enough room on stage for the both of us. She might even be able to give me a few tips on performing since I haven’t done it in about a decade. It would be nice to get to know the gorgeous mega popstar who has graced just about every major magazine cover known to man. She looks sweet and innocent, but I guess I’ll find out for sure when we meet in person.

3

Nikki

No matter how many times I fly, I still get nervous. Unfortunately, being on tour means I have to catch a lot of flights, and this is just the first of many. I take deep breaths as I feel the plane dropping in the air. Everyone else on the private jet seems calm, but I’m a nervous wreck. I hate flying altogether, but landing is the worst part to me. I glance over at Kenny, who’s sitting next to me sound asleep, snoring with his mouth wide open. I close my eyes and try to think about anything other than the fact that the plane is literally falling in the air. I imagine the packed audience I’ll be performing in front of in a few hours; I can hear all their voices harmonizing as they sing along to every word of my songs.

The thought of my adoring fans brings a smile to my face, and before I know it, the jet is on the ground again. My body relaxes, and I can finally breathe normally again. I gather my things as we all prepare to exit the jet. I nudge Kenny, waking him from his slumber. He slowly sits up as he realizes we’ve made it to Cincinnati.

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