Reckless (29 page)

The smile instantly fell off of Nick’s face. “Never say never. You’re awfully new in this business.”

His tone implied that Kellan and his band were also replaceable. I disagreed. Their single with Sienna was skyrocketing up the charts, and I was positive their album would do the same when it
was released in a couple of weeks.

Kellan looked down at me, then back up at Nick. “No, I’m never filming anything like that again. I’m done. I made a promise, and I’m keeping it. I’ll help you
promote the album in any way I can, because I owe that to my band mates, but my wife comes first, and you need to accept that.”

Kellan stared Nick down, and I felt a crackle of tension in the air. Nick didn’t like being told no, but Kellan was done towing the company line. Maybe seeing Kellan’s determination,
Nick sniffed, then asked, “
Any
way you can?”

Kellan nodded. “Within reason . . . of course. I won’t let you play with my personal life anymore. I prefer to be private, but I’m not staying quiet. If someone asks me about
my relationships, I’m going to give them an honest answer.” He leaned in, his voice dropping. “And I reread my contract. I know what my job entails, and I know what I have to do
and
don’t
have to do for you.”

Nick smirked, like he knew something Kellan didn’t know. After another moment, he shrugged and smiled like nothing was wrong. “Well, it’s good to know where you
stand.”

Nick left with Sienna soon afterwards; both of them seemed a little pissy as they hastened off the lot. I felt great. Even when Taskmaster Tory returned and shuffled us off to the airport so the
D-Bags could finish promoting their upcoming album, I was pleased. Kellan had put his foot down, he wasn’t staying quiet anymore. I asked him to not mention me specifically, because I did
not
want that level of attention, but he told everyone who asked that Sienna was no more than a colleague he worked with and he was “in a relationship.” Tory really
didn’t like that he was answering a question that Nick had given him specific instructions not to answer, but Kellan didn’t care what she thought, or what Nick thought, and only smiled
at her when she berated him after every single interview.

While the frantic pace of shuffling from one city to the next was chaotic and exhausting, no longer having the strain of filming a provocative music video hovering over our heads was refreshing.
It was like a weight had been lifted, and Kellan and I both felt lighter. And since Sienna was starting her own cross-country tour, we probably wouldn’t even see her for a very long time.
Eventually the rumors would die off, and I wouldn’t have to hear about how great a couple she and Kellan were. I was looking forward to that day.

At the end of the promo tour, the band had a bit of a break before their tour with Justin and Avoiding Redemption started, so we all flew home to Seattle. The last several weeks had been
draining, and we all needed to rest and recharge. Being in my own bed had never felt so good; I slept for twelve hours straight the first night back, and Kellan slept even longer.

As Nick predicted, their single with Sienna skyrocketed to number one right before the D-Bags’ album dropped—the album debuted at number nineteen. Even though Kellan had talked a big
game with Nick, he was a little shocked by the album’s success. I wasn’t. I knew he’d be big once the world knew about him.

We all decided to go out to celebrate the band’s success, and when we were in Seattle, there was only one place to go to celebrate—the place that had started it all: Pete’s
Bar.

Kellan and I held hands as we stared up at the bar sign glowing in the windows. It was almost hard to believe that it was just a little over two years ago that I’d first lain eyes on
Kellan here. He’d seemed like such a player, and I suppose he was back then, but there was a surprising amount of depth to this ex-player.

As I was reminiscing, Kellan bumped my shoulder. “Did I ever tell you that I noticed you the second you walked into Pete’s with Denny?”

I looked up at him, surprised. “Really? While you were playing? With all of those people in the bar?”

Walking backwards, Kellan pulled me toward the double doors to the large, rectangular building. “Yep. It was like an electric current zipped around the room when you stepped through the
doors. Like I knew I’d never be the same from that moment forward.”

He gave me a crooked grin. I rolled my eyes. “That did
not
happen. You noticed Denny. I seriously doubt you noticed me.”

Kellan stopped walking, and I stepped into his chest. Being here, in the parking lot of Pete’s with him, felt just as much like home to me as our cozy little love nest up the road. He
said, “I could barely pull my eyes away from you. Just glancing at you made my head feel lighter, made my stomach . . . tingle. Watching you was life-changing.”

I couldn’t help but be moved by his words. Then I remembered his very suggestive performance. I gave him a sly grin. “And yet, you still managed to mentally undress
every
female in your audience.”

Kellan laughed as he resumed walking. “Yeah, okay, I’ll give you that one.” He cocked a brow at me. “I did notice you, though. How could I not?”

As I mulled over his question, Griffin stormed in front of us. With as much dramatic flair as he could muster, he burst through the front doors. As I was usually on the inside of the room when
Griffin made his grand appearance, it was a little strange for me to walk in
after
the egomaniac. Kellan let out an amused laugh as he grabbed the swinging door and held it open for me. I
kissed him on the cheek as I walked through.

The bar erupted into a chaotic melee of cheers, shouts, and whistles. The volume made me cringe. Rachel too, as she walked in with Matt. Within seconds, the boys were surrounded by a cluster of
new fans and old regulars. Kate and Jenny gave Rachel and me a warm greeting while the boys were swarmed. Standing away from the guys, by the bar with the girls, I marveled at how familiar and
different Pete’s was. This used to be a quiet place of solace for Kellan, but his newfound fame had followed him here, disturbing that peace some. Amid the noise circulating around the front
doors, I heard whispers of Sienna’s name while people gave me strange, confused glances. Guess she had followed us here too.

I caught up with Rachel, Kate, and Jenny until the hullaballoo around the boys started to dissipate. Then Jenny went over to wrap her arms around Evan. The gentle giant scooped the tiny woman up
into a huge hug, holding her thighs as she wrapped her legs around his waist. I heard Evan call her his “Jujube,” and smiled at whatever their private joke was.

Rachel quietly walked away with Matt as soon as he could politely escape the limelight. Griffin was pulled over to a table of fresh-faced college girls, and eventually only Kellan was left in
the swirl of eager and curious patrons.

Turning to Rita, I decided to order the boys some beers while I waited for Kellan. Not surprisingly, Rita already had several bottles of their preferred beer on the counter. Nodding over at
Kellan, the bleach-blonde asked, “So what’s really going on with Kellan and Sienna? Because by the looks of that video, that wasn’t their first roll in the hay . . . or their
last.”

Surprise washed through me at her question, not because she’d asked it, but because I hadn’t realized the video had been released. That must be why Sienna’s name was being
spoken in hushed tones around me. Looking over at Kellan frowning as he scratched his head, I shrugged. “Don’t believe everything you see.” I returned my eyes to the appraising
bartender. “He’s barely seen or spoken to Sienna.”

Rita smirked. “Honey, when he was in his prime, he barely saw or spoke to
any
of them.”

I lifted my hand to show her my ring. “We’re still together.”

Rita whistled as she grabbed my hand. “Damn!” She glanced over at Kellan. “Boy does have good taste.” As I watched the middle-aged woman lick her collagen-injected lips,
I didn’t think that was entirely true. There had been points in Kellan’s life when his taste was quite questionable.

Once Kellan broke free from the inquisition, he made his way back to the band’s traditional table. Sam had cleared it upon our arrival, and the displaced customers didn’t seem too
angry since bona fide rock stars were in their midst. Denny and Abby were at a nearby table having dinner. Kellan yanked their chairs over, making them sit with us, while Abby laughed at the
move.

Now seated on my right, Denny and I clinked glasses and toasted each other. We took a moment to catch up on our time apart while the boys at the table bragged about the success of their album.
Flicking a quick glance at Kellan, Denny leaned over to me and asked, “You guys still okay?” His tone was laced with concern.

Knowing he’d probably seen the video too, I contained a sigh. “You mean because of the music video, don’t you? Yeah, I’m fine.”

“You’ve seen it?” he asked, his voice hesitant.

“Not the final version . . . but I watched the boys film it.” The memory of seeing Kellan grinding with Sienna threatened to overtake the present, but I pushed it back. We had a lot
to celebrate, and I wanted to enjoy it. I wanted to stay in the moment.

“Oh.” Denny seemed genuinely shocked. I could understand his reaction. I could only imagine how hot the final video was, and combined with the sordid gossip about Kellan and Sienna
running like wildfire across the countryside . . . Well, my being okay with the situation, and even being a watchful participant in the filming of it, must seem a world away from the timid,
jealous, and selfish girl I’d been a few years ago.

“I’m sure it looks more intense than it actually was. It was pretty . . . tepid during filming.”
Well, at least for the first few takes, it was.

“Oh,” Denny said again. “It’s just . . . very convincing.”

Setting down my drink, I looked over at Kellan on my left. “We’re great,” I reiterated to Denny. He nodded, but I could tell by the look in his eye as he glanced at Kellan that
he’d ask me again if I was all right. He probably would every time he saw me.

Anna showed up when she was finished with work. Wobbling over to our table, she plopped herself on Griffin’s lap. He’d pulled himself away from the coeds’ table once I had
started doling out beers. Griffin choosing beer over women had surprised me some, but with the smile on his face as Anna nibbled on his ear, I began to wonder if maybe women didn’t hold the
allure for him that they once did; he sure seemed content with my sister wriggling around his privates.

As it was a Friday night, Poetic Bliss showed up not too much later and took to the stage. Rain made a huge deal about Kellan being in the audience. While he laughed, she rushed to his table and
dragged him to the stage. The awaiting crowd starting screaming with excitement. Holding his hands up, Kellan playfully batted the spunky rocker chick away from him. She dodged his mock blows,
holding her hands into little fists; the pleated skirt she wore was so short that I could see the edge of her underwear when she crouched down. Even though I hated that the pair had a history, I
had to laugh at the cute display they were putting on.

After another minute of playful pretend fighting, Kellan finally caved and grabbed her microphone. Twisting to the crowd, he muttered, “Hey.” His one word caused an ear-splitting
shriek to rip around the bar. It made my ears ring. Kellan laughed. Holding a hand up, he told the crowd, “It is so fucking good to be back here at Pete’s!”

More shrieking. My sister held her fingers up to her mouth and whistled. It had always made me a little jealous that she could do that; I couldn’t whistle with my fingers to save my life.
Kellan looked out over the bar, his deep blue eyes sparkling. “You guys mind if the D-Bags take over for a song or two?”

There was no doubt by the crowd’s reaction that they didn’t mind in the slightest. Kellan looked back at the other members of the girl band. They were all nodding, clapping or
whistling, willing to share their spotlight. Kellan smiled, then indicated for his band to join him.

Griffin wasted no time hopping up out of his seat. He nearly toppled my sister to the ground in his excitement, but Denny caught her and helped her into a chair. She grudgingly thanked him while
Matt smacked the back of Griffin’s head. The table next to us chuckled at the familiar sight of the cousins fighting.

Once all the boys hopped on stage, the girls handed them their instruments. Griffin frowned as Tuesday handed him her bright pink bass guitar. Blessing handed Matt her teal guitar, while Evan
tucked himself behind Meadow’s drums; the band’s logo on the drum had a giant purple flower in the background. The girls shifted to the sides of the stage to give the boys room, while
the crowd sniggered over the guys playing such feminine instruments. Rachel got such a bad case of the giggles that she started hiccupping.

Shaking his head, Kellan’s amused expression made my heart beat harder. Kellan on stage. Nothing on earth could compare. The crowd agreed with me. Their eruption of noise when Evan started
the intro vibrated the windows and created rings of distortion in Anna’s glass of water. Running a hand through his hair, Kellan began to sing a popular D-Bags song. Every one of the old fans
in the crowd started singing along, while the new fans continued shrieking.

Pulling the microphone from its stand, Kellan began his “strut.” It was a seductive back and forth saunter across the front edge of the stage that let every woman watching know that
he was aware of them. He locked eyes with every single one of them, giving them half smiles and cocky grins between the words he was singing. At various points along his path, he would stop, put
his foot up on a speaker, and lean over to extend his hand to a few fans. They always reached back for him, squealing as their fingertips brushed his.

It used to send tiny bolts of jealousy through me, but seeing his amusement and their joy, all I felt was happiness watching him. He had a beautiful, almost symbiotic relationship with his fans;
they fed off his energy, he fed off theirs. As the song neared its climax, Kellan stopped in the center of the front of the stage. Face full of playful expectation, he sang the crowd a question,
“Is this all you want?” They passionately shouted back their answer.