“Hmm, anything, huh? I’ll think about that. Now, go! Cooper looks like he’s about to rip your head off.”
Just as Tex finishes her sentence, Coop shouts, “Come the fuck on, Kitt!”
She raises her eyebrow. “See? Go.”
Before I think about what I’m doing, I lean down and kiss her forehead. It felt right. Clearly, she thinks so, too, because she smiles and bites her lip. I back away and take a deep breath. It wasn’t a smart move, but it’s done now.
She’s here, and she’ll be watching. You’ve got this.
I’m not usually nervous, but we have to do this right. The fans deserve the best, and Enigma doesn’t have to do things, like support our little band. They’re far too big for that. We can never let them down.
We stand at the edge while our instruments are changed over. People are everywhere, fussing around and making sure everything is ready.
Jodie arrived a while ago and is back to firing encouragement at us.
I look back at Tex as I swing my guitar over my head, and she gives me a shy smile. She is my calm in all this crazy.
You are so fucking screwed.
Mark joins her, and I look away.
“Are you ready?” Jodie asks.
Milo bounces up and down. “Oh, yeah!”
“Let’s get out there,” I say, itching to start playing.
The lights on stage go out, and everyone screams.
I take a moment before I follow Milo and Coop out. This is so overwhelming in the best way. Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I walk out, and the lights flick on. I raise my hand in acknowledgment of the audience, and the noise reaches a deafening point.
Damn, I want to do this every night.
The atmosphere is electric.
Every time, I get this huge rush that I can’t get enough of. But this, tonight, is something else.
“Good fucking evening, Paris!” Cooper shouts down his mic.
There’s another wave of screams. People are shouting to us, but together, it’s just noise.
“If you want us to start, I’m gonna need to see some titties! Right, boys?” He turns to us.
I laugh. Here we go…
“He’s right, ladies,” Milo says.
Chuckling, I shake my head and scan the audience. There are a few hotties I wouldn’t mind having a peek at. It takes less than a second for dozens of women in the front few rows to lift their tops.
This is Coop’s favourite part of each show, I’m sure.
“You ladies look fucking beautiful tonight,” I say, earning massive screams. “So…are you ready?”
The noise kicks up.
“He said, are you fucking ready?” Cooper bellows.
I close my eyes and grip the mic.
TEXAS
FRIDAY, MAY 8
PARIS, FRANCE
“They’re awesome, right?” I say, tugging on Dad’s arm.
Laughing, he nods his head. “There was never any doubt, pumpkin. I wouldn’t have taken a chance on just anyone.”
“Kitt looked nervous before they went on. None of them want to let you and your rubbish band down. Or everyone out there.”
Dad cuts me a look. “As ever, Texas, your support is heartwarming.”
I giggle and hug his arm. I feel like I’m drunk, and it takes me a second to realise that it’s because I’m so bloody proud and excited for the guys. For Kitt. “Do you still get nervous?”
He thinks for a minute before slowly shaking his head. “No. I think I’ve been doing it too long to get nervous. Being on the stage is second nature to me now, as natural as breathing.”
“Well, you’ve definitely been doing it for too long,” I quip.
“You do know my career is the reason you’re living this life. A life you love?”
“Totes, Daddy. I’m not saying you’re not awesome, but you’re definitely past it. Hey, I’m still happy to be seen with you.”
“Thank you for not being too embarrassed by me.”
“She is, man. We just pay her,” Will says, winking at me.
Ha, I love it when they join in.
“Right. I don’t think you could afford to bribe her,” Dad replies.
“Ah! He’s got you there, Will,” Jimmy adds.
There is a lot of money talk where I’m concerned, and I don’t know why. I’m not expensive to keep! At least, I don’t think so anyway.
“I’m not embarrassing,” Dad argues.
Will smirks and dips his chin in my direction. “Not to us, but to a teenager…”
They start a full-blown argument about which one of them is the least embarrassing to a teenager—the answer is none—and I tune it out in favour of watching Kitt, Cooper, and Milo perform. Without thinking, I let go of Dad and step closer.
Kitt’s voice calls me, beckoning me forward.
He is beautiful up there onstage. The way he moves his body is so sexual that I feel myself getting hot. I’m sure I’m not the only one. The women I see out in the crowd are all bidding for his attention, trying to get him to notice them. He sings to everyone, individually, all at once.
Kitt owns the stage. The way he handles the guitar at the same time as singing his heart out is magnificent to watch. I can’t tear my eyes away. He demands the attention of every person. Including me. Always me.