Anyone But You

by Jerica MacMillan

  The next morning my alarm goes off way too early, like normal. Mason’s arm pulls tight around me, snuggling me into his body, lax and warm with sleep. “S’too early,” he slurs next to my ear.

  I allow myself the luxury of staying wrapped up in his arms for a few more seconds before turning over and giving him a quick kiss. “I know. But work. I’ll see you later.”

  He lets out a sleepy grumble like he does every morning I have to get up early, and I can’t help smiling as he snuggles with his pillow, the blanket pulled halfway down his body. He looks almost innocent as he sleeps, his usual brooding, smoldering, hungry stares erased into slack softness here in the gray light of early morning.

  But I don’t have time for the study in contrasts that is Mason right now. I have to take a shower and get moving. Mason’s wake up call isn’t for a few more hours.

  With Beckett on the tour with us, this morning is even busier than normal. I make a quick pit stop in my room to get my bag and restock for the day with snacks and water for myself and everyone else.

  I ride to the arena with Marcus and Danny. There are a few interviews lined up today with Beckett and them about their cowriting process, plus they’re going to be going over their combined set lists before the sound check this afternoon.

  After the guys are all ensconced in a dressing room with the reporter, Kelsey and I head out together to get coffee for everyone. “Oh my god,” she groans. “I can’t believe I let you guys talk me into going out last night when I knew I’d have to be up early this morning.”

  I give her serious side eye and lay a hand over my chest. “I assure you, I was roped into it just as much as you were.”

  She gives me a cheeky grin. “It was all Blaire’s idea, I think. Or maybe that Kendra chick’s. I don’t think the mommies were too thrilled about the late night and lots of booze either.”

  Shaking my head, I chuckle. “I think I’d have to disagree with you on that one. Neither of them have much of a chance to go out. I think Kendra expected me to fill Blaire’s spot as the other childless woman on the tour, but I’ve never been one to party like my cousin.”

  Kelsey gives me a quick once-over as we fill the coffee cups from the machine in the greenroom. “And from the sounds of it, you’ve been pretty busy lately with your new man.”

  Once again, I’m blushing, but I try to pretend I’m not. “Yes. That too. And before that, he kept me busy running errands and babysitting his afterparties. Didn’t leave a lot of time for my own social life.”

  Gathering mugs, she lets out another groan. “I hear you on that one. I don’t have to babysit Beckett so much anymore since he and Blaire are together, but I stay plenty busy. I don’t know how you handle four divas. One is almost too much for me to handle, though since Blaire came on board, she’s made my life a lot easier. She’s too much of a control freak to let anything go wrong, so everything runs as smooth as silk with her around. Before she came along, I spent a lot of my time putting out fires and trying to help Beckett do the tour manager’s job too.”

  “Sounds rough.”

  Another groan. “You have no idea.”

  We slip into the interview room, pass around the coffee cups as unobtrusively as possible before slipping back out. Kelsey heads back to the greenroom, fills another cup of coffee for herself and collapses on one of the couches. After I get my own coffee, she pats the seat next to her. “Sit. Take a load off. Give me all the dirty details of your hookup so I can live vicariously through you.”

  I snort out a laugh, but sit down. “I’d think you’d have as much opportunity as me.”

  Sipping her coffee, she waves a hand. “With who? Beckett’s happily taken, not that I’d ever shit where I eat like that anyway.” Her eyes grow wide. “No offense. I mean … uh … shit.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” I tell her with a reassuring half smile. She makes a good point. But if and when things end with Mason, if it’s awkward to stay, well, my parents would be overjoyed about me quitting and coming back home. With the never-ending emails full of job opportunities my mom thinks are perfect for me, I’d be able to find work somewhere. And it’s not like this is my dream career. I don’t say any of that, though. It’s none of her business, anyway.

  “I mean, it can obviously work out for some people. Look at Beckett and Blaire. I’ve never seen two people more disgustingly in love,” she goes on, still clearly feeling the need to backpedal.

  Reaching out a hand, I pat her arm. “Seriously, Kelsey. You don’t need to reassure me about long-term prospects. I know what’s what, okay?”

  She stares at me for a long time, her brown eyes still wide, but she finally relaxes with a nod. “Good. Okay. Right. Anyway. Basically, my choices are the other crew members—most of whom have wives or girlfriends or both somewhere around the country, and I’m definitely not down with cheating or being someone’s side piece—or random hookups on the road. Which, when I work basically twenty-four-seven, means I don’t go out and I don’t hook up. Hence my vicarious living comment. I can’t ask Blaire, because Beckett’s too much like an uncle or much older brother and ewww, I don’t wanna know what he’s like in the sack. But Mason’s hot with two Ts and … well … I’ve heard stories. I just wanna know if they’re true.”

  And there’s that expectant look again that has me blushing. “Probably are,” I mutter, ducking my head for another sip of coffee.

  She blinks at me, clearly waiting for more, but when I offer nothing, her mouth drops open. “That’s it? That’s all you’re gonna give me? You’re the worst gossip.”

  “I know.” I shrug. I don’t generally share details of my sex life, especially not with people I barely know.

  “Come on,” she whines. “You gotta give me something.”

  I take my time thinking over what to tell her. It’s difficult, because I’ve honestly had a hard time quantifying what’s been happening with Mason in my own head.

  She wiggles in the seat next to me. “Oh, man, you’ve got this dreamy, lust-hazed look on your face. This is gonna be good. I can feel it.”

  I burst out laughing, and she pokes out her lip in a pout. Waving my hand in front of my face, I finally throw her a bone. “I don’t know what kinds of details you want, but I’m definitely having the best sex of my life, hands down. And while I definitely agree with the don’t shit where you eat rule on principle, I’m not at all sorry I made an exception.”

  Making a dismissive noise, she shoves my shoulder. “You’re as bad as Blaire with your dopey happy cuteness. Ugh. You guys are the worst.”

  “Awww,” I mockingly commiserate. “Don’t be mad. We all know you’re just jealous.”

  She glances at me with surprise stamped on her face, then joins me in hysterics. “It’s true,” she howls. “It’s so true. Maybe I should find some other act to attach myself to and get into that guy’s pants. It seems to be working well for you and Blaire. Maybe it could work for me too.”

  “Don’t even joke about that.” Blaire walks into the greenroom, a stern look on her face aimed at Kelsey. “If you’re missing dick, we can find you dick. No need to change jobs for that.”

  “Says you,” Kelsey shoots back.

  Blaire waves a hand dismissively. “I’ll hook you up. The Cataclysm tour has some options that might interest you.”

  They launch into a conversation of potential hook up choices for Kelsey while our tours are intertwined, and I tune them out, checking the time on my phone. Standing, I finish my coffee and set the mug on a table, slipping away to make the wake up calls for Mason and Aaron.

  The one for Aaron is probably unnecessary, since he’s usually up with his daughter long before he absolutely has to be awake.

  And the one with Mason is likely to turn a little R rated, if the past week’s wake up calls are anything to go by. Mason likes to detail what he’d do to me if I were still in bed with him, and I always end up flushed and turned on, looking forward to the first opportunity for him to make good on his
filthy promises. And while Blaire and Kelsey might be fascinated by this turn of events, that’s something I prefer to keep private.

  The guys are all buoyant, running off the high of collaboration and the expectation of a sold-out crowd and a solid performance when they come into the greenroom for dinner after the sound check. Mason strides into the room, his face lit up with laughter and happiness, and he comes straight for me, sweeps me up in his arms and kisses me in front of everyone.

  Blaire’s wolf-whistle and Danny’s grumble to get a room eventually penetrate Mason’s single-minded focus, and he sets me on my feet with one more brief kiss and a happy grin before turning to the buffet. Trying to fight back the blush I know is staining my cheeks, I get in line with him to load my plate with food. It’s been a long day, and lunch was a protein bar a few hours ago, so I’m starving.

  After the girls’ night conversation last night and then Kelsey’s desire to dish this morning, I’m extra conscious of Mason’s proximity as we settle on a couch next to each other. Glancing around, I notice knowing looks from all the women, and even Aaron seems to be contemplating us and all the places where we touch—Mason’s thigh pressed against mine. The casual way he brushes a strand of hair out of my face while my hands are full. How he leans over for a quick kiss between bites.

  Blaire’s expression changes from knowing to curious. The concern from yesterday seems to have been replaced by something else. Like she didn’t expect Mason to behave this way with me.

  Which has me ducking my head, focusing on my plate to hide the confusion I know is drawing my brows together.

  “Hey,” Mason says, his voice pitched for my ears only. “You okay? Is … this okay?”

  Now my confusion is directed at him. “Huh?”

  His eyes dart around the room, where the others are sitting and eating their food, the low hum of conversation occasionally punctuated by laughter. “You held my hand in the band meeting yesterday, and I thought ….” He breaks off, clearing his throat. “If I was out of line kissing you like that in front of everyone, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

  Oh. I quickly wipe my fingers on a napkin and lay a hand on his arm. “No, no. You didn’t embarrass me.” I mean, kinda he did, but I’m not upset by it anyway. “I was just surprised, that’s all.”

  He studies my face, a furrow of concern wrinkling his forehead in the most adorable way. “Are you sure? You’re not upset?”

  “No. I mean yes.” Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose between my fingers and take a breath before looking at him again. He’s staring at me like I’m a fascinating creature, a lopsided smile on his face. “Yes, I’m sure. No, I’m not upset.” And to prove it, I close the few inches between us and kiss him. Here in the greenroom in front of everyone.

  His hand immediately goes behind my neck, and he holds my head in place as he takes over the kiss, tasting me like we have all the time in the world. Like we don’t have an audience. Like he doesn’t have fans waiting to meet him in less than an hour and a long concert to perform right after that followed by more fan meetings immediately after.

  Like I’m the only thing that matters.

  And despite the warnings from Blaire, the inadvertent advice from Kelsey, and my own desire to keep myself safe, being the only thing that matters to Mason is a heady experience.

  And I’m not sure anything else will ever measure up.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Mason

  The show goes better than any of us could’ve expected. The crowd was on its feet almost the entire time. I feel better than ever, riding the high of an awesome show plus not quite as tired as normal since we shared the stage with Beckett.

  We file into the greenroom, voices loud as we relive the best moments already. “That was epic,” Marcus declares, turning to encompass all of us and Beckett. He holds out a hand to Beckett. “Thanks for working with us, man. I still can’t believe it’s happening, but this has got to be one of the best parts of this business.”

  Shaking Marcus’s hand, Beckett laughs. “Hey, I’m glad you guys said yes. Things were getting pretty grim for me for a while there. This collaboration is giving me life.”

  “You guys are amazing together,” says Blaire as she crosses the room and slides into Beckett’s side, fitting perfectly against him.

  Beckett turns a smile on her, his face lit up with happiness as he tips her chin up and kisses her.

  Then Viola’s there, passing water bottles to each of us, saving me for last. And I find myself imitating Beckett—putting an arm around Viola to pull her close then tipping her face up to give her a kiss.

  She kisses me back without hesitation, and the freedom to be able to touch her, kiss her, claim her in front of everyone is the only thing that could make this night any better.

  When she ends the kiss and pulls back, she grins up at me. “Blaire’s right. You guys were awesome tonight. Congrats on a great show.”

  “Thank you,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. And I kiss her again. Because I can.

  She keeps it even shorter this time, though, ducking out of my grasp with a grin. “You guys have a whole bunch of fans waiting for you already. Grab whatever you need quickly, because the longer you wait to get started, the later it’ll be before you get back to the hotel.”

  A chuckle ripples through us, and I flash Viola a heated look. I definitely don’t want to take longer than necessary to get back to the hotel.

  Performing is an adrenaline rush. And one of the side effects is horniness. Now that I have a stable way to relieve that, I’m happy to indulge as often as possible.

  Given that everyone else is in a long-term relationship, I’d hazard a guess that I’m not alone in that feeling.

  While we’re all gearing up for a few more hours of fan interaction, Blaire sidles up to my side. “So you and Viola, huh?”

  Tearing open a package of trail mix, I glance at her out of the corner of my eye and shrug. “Yup.” If she wants to go digging, she’ll have to do better than that.

  “Why her?” she asks after a long moment.

  Straightening my shoulders, I meet her blue eyes. Surprisingly, they’re filled with concern rather than judgment or consternation. I have to blink a few times to reformulate the angry, defensive reaction that immediately jumped to my tongue.

  “I like her,” I say simply, breaking eye contact with Blaire to seek Viola out. She’s flitting around the room, making sure everyone has everything they need, stocking up her bag with refills for while we’re doing the meet and greets so she doesn’t have to leave the room. Always ready, always on hand to help us out as much as possible. She doesn’t have Blaire’s control-freak tendencies or her need to bust everyone’s balls, but she’s just as competent and on top of everyone’s shit. She’s sweet. Kind to everyone. Her laughter rings out over the sounds of conversation as she and Kelsey talk.

  “I see,” says Blaire, something like grudging understanding clear in her tone. “It’s like that.”

  Wiping the dopey grin off my face, I return my attention to her and clear my throat. “Yeah. It’s like that.”

  She pats my arm. “Good for you.” Then she steps closer and lowers her voice so that we can’t be overheard. “Just so long as you realize that if you hurt my cousin, I’ll be on the first flight to wherever you are to rip your balls off and turn them into earrings.”

  And she’s gone before I can even formulate a response. Shaking my head, I just smile to myself. I know everyone’s worried I’m going to do something to hurt Viola, but right now all I care about is getting through the next few hours so that I can make Viola feel amazing.

  As much as I love interacting with fans—and I do because there’s something about meeting someone who’s just so excited to get to talk to you for two minutes that’s its own kind of high—I’m relieved when Viola and Kelsey escort the last few people out the door and declare us finished for the night.

  “Holy shit,” says Kelsey. “That
’s more meet and greets than I’ve had to do in …“ She turns wide eyes to Beckett and Blaire, who are standing wrapped around each other. They both shrug. Sighing, Kelsey lifts her hands and lets them drop. “Well, I don’t know if we’ve ever done that many. Y’all are crazy. Is it going to be like this the whole time we’re touring together?”

  “Yup,” Blaire answers before anyone else can. “Welcome to a Cataclysm tour. Where the fans are crazy, and the band is crazier.”

  With a chuckle, we all start heading for the door. “I’m wiped,” Danny says. “Maybe we could reconsider doing things more like Beckett if this is crazy for him.” He throws a glance at Marcus, who shrugs.

  “The fans might revolt if we suddenly restrict the number of VIP experiences we sell.”

  Wrapping my arm around Viola on our way out the door, I offer a suggestion. “We could just slowly bump it down so it’s not a sudden drop. Hell, even if we cut back by five tickets, that would save … what?” I look at Viola, who does the calculation out loud.

  “Well, we usher people through after three minutes with each of you, so each person gets a total of twelve minutes of individual attention altogether. Plus they get to hang out in the room for a while after … Since we overlap everyone, cutting back five tickets would only save like fifteen minutes. I think.” She shakes her head in dismay. “I don’t know if that’s actually right, and I’m too tired to figure it out. Don’t make me do math right now.” The last sentence comes out as a whiny plea that provokes another round of chuckles.

  “I’ll think about it,” Marcus promises. We walk the rest of the way to the cars in relative silence, all of us barely hanging on to the adrenaline high that’s carried us through the last few hours.

  I let out a sigh of relief once we’re back in my hotel room, and I wrap my arms around Viola as soon as she dumps her bag on the floor and just hold her.