“Oh, Jez! You’re so bad!” We hear a high-pitched voice dipped in syrup float toward us and I see Hailey grit her teeth. I turn and see the voice’s owner move down the line and reach over and pat Sebastian on the arm. He just grins at her and hands her the autographed CD liner notes.
“Ugh, how do you stand it?” I ask Cadence.
“Stand what?” she replies, eyes still fixed on her fiance.
Hailey stares straight ahead but squeals, mimicking the fans, “Oh! Sebbywebbypebbyboo! You are like soooo my soulmate!”
I have to laugh at the spot-on impression. I guess she’s been around it enough to have it down pat.
Cadence just grins and says, “Hailey, stop hitting on my fiance, you know we’ve talked about that!”
“Bitch!” Hailey splutters and reaches over and pinches Cadence on the arm.
“Wha?” I ask, sure there’s a story in there somewhere.
“Long story-I used to think Hailey was after my man, but I chased her off,” Cadence explains.
“Not to mention he doesn’t have what I like!” Hailey cryptically adds.
“What’s that?” I ask.
“A pussy,” Hailey answers.
I choke on my breath. “Wha?”
“Never mind that. Back to me being the best girlfriend ever,” Cadence cuts in.
I try to swallow my surprise at Hailey’s revelation and return to questioning Cadence. “Yeah, how are you not over there just glaring at every woman flirting with him right now?”
The three of us focus our attention on the guys again. Just at that moment Sebastian winks at Cadence and wiggles four fingers at her.
She giggles and wiggles four fingers back at him before he grins and then goes back to signing his autograph.
“I dunno, because of stuff like that, I guess,” she says, her cheeks a soft pink glow from the attention from Sebastian.
“What was that?” I ask, not sure if I want to know the answer.
“That was a reminder of last night and what’s coming tonight,” Cadence says, wiggling the four fingers at the two of us.
Hailey looks at me and shrugs, before her face makes it clear it’s dawned on her.
“Four..? Oh. Ew! You guys are sex addicts,” Hailey exclaims, but her eyes widen almost in admiration.
“Yes,” Cadence sighs, “that helps, too. But seriously, the flirting, it’s just a part of his job. I thought it was going to be hard, but since we’ve gotten together, I’ve never felt I needed to question the trust I have in him staying monogamous at all.”
“Even after everything they’ve done?” I say, referencing the very well-documented lifestyles of the guys in the band.
“You mean be young and famous and gorgeous and enjoy it? If they’re single, who cares? I just know that Sebastian can’t wait but come home to me at night. And he makes sure I know it.”
I envy her. I envy her confidence, I envy her utter trust. I would envy her happiness but I like her and think she deserves it. I’m going to miss her. I wish we’d had more time to get to know one another.
“Hmm, it’s time to break up the flirt fest, I think, give the guys a rest,” Hailey tells us before she squeezes herself through the crowd to the signing table.
“Everyone? Can I have your attention please? We’re going to have a half-hour break so the guys can grab a bite to eat. You guys can grab a number and come back at 1 p. m. That’ll save you from lining up. See you all again soon, and thank you, it’s been a great day so far!”
There’s a loud collective groan as the crowd watches the guys stand up and give them all a wave. Hailey walks over to them, handing out fresh bottles of cold water, instructing them on the day’s schedule. I watch as Brad asks her a question and she points over to me. He jumps over the table and I realize he’s heading my way. He’s been so busy this morning I haven’t spoken to him other than a quick good morning on the ride over, and so far, it’s been better that way. I’ll eventually have to tell him I’m leaving, but not before I get to spend these last few hours with him. And then I’ll tell him. But that time isn’t now.
“Um, I’m just going to run off and grab everyone some sandwiches. The guys must be starved,” I tell Cadence.
“Someone else can do that! That’s what their assistants are for, babe.”
“Nah, I don’t mind. I feel like a quick walk anyway,” I insist.
She smiles and squeezes my arm.
Grabbing my purse, I almost race out of the music store just as I hear Brad calling my name.
I pretend not to hear and take off on a slow trot toward the food court. I can still hear him calling me. I can’t start running; that’d be too obvious. I can only hope that he gives up. Something sour is leeching into my mouth at the thought that I’m going to have to say goodbye to him, and I’m afraid that I won’t be able to hold it in if he catches up with me now.
The sound of footsteps grows louder and then his hand is on my arm.
“Hey!” He pulls me to a stop, breathing heavy. “Butter, you didn’t hear me?”
I take a beat before I face him, trying not to look like I wasn’t running away from him. “Oh, no. Did you call me?”
“Yeah, you were practically sprinting away,” he pants, his arms on his hips as he draws long deep breaths.
“Oh, sorry, I just wanted to get to the sandwich shop and back before your break was over.”
He knows better than to believe me. There’s a question mark growing in his pupils as he holds my gaze. His chest heaves, slowing as his eyes pierce mine.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?” he asks.