Equally talented, Sienna nailed her part when it came up. The two singers were standing side-by-side, each lightly keeping time to the music with their bodies, but when the song switched into a battle of wills, the pair turned to sing directly at each other. Maybe it was the moment, maybe it was the song, maybe it was the look on Kellan’s face as he sneered at Sienna, but I had goose bumps by the end.
I felt like clapping when it was over, but the DJs immediately started in on the praises, so I didn’t. I wanted the whole world to hear how amazing the D-Bags were. And it looked like the world was hearing it. A computer screen in front of the male DJ showed a never-ending stream of text messages from listeners. The feedback was unbelievable. “Wow! I can’t believe that was live! Who are these guys, because I need to buy their album! Sienna was great, but Kellan . . . good God! If he looks half as good as he sounds, I might die right on the spot! D-Bag fan for life!”
The accolades went on and on and on. Everyone was blown away. My chest was bursting apart, I was so damn proud of him!
The guys packed up, then said their goodbyes. Kellan was all smiles as we left the studio. Scooping me up, he twirled me in the air as members of our assemblage passed by. Sienna eyed us with a strange expression, but didn’t say anything. He set me down by the elevators just as a car dinged open. Ducking us inside, Kellan hit the “close door” button before anyone else could enter. He waved at Sienna and Tory through the crack, then twisted to me.
A little boy grin on his face, he asked, “How was it?”
I shook my head, wondering if he was aware that my answer to that question was always going to be the same. Tossing my arms around his neck as the falling elevator made my stomach shift, I told him, “Amazing! Perfect! Wonderful! I could go on and on.”
Pressing me against the back wall, Kellan murmured, “Maybe later,” as he leaned in to kiss me. He stopped right before our lips met. I think I whimpered. Pulling back, he seemed concerned. “Sienna kissed me . . . I feel like I should bleach my lips before I kiss you.”
Smirking at him, I pulled his mouth to mine. “I think I’ll live.”
As our mouths moved together, I silently wished that we were on the top floor of a very tall building. As Kellan’s tongue brushed against mine, his hips pushing me against the wall as his fingers slipped under my shirt to caress the indentation of my lower back, I knew that no building on earth could have possibly been tall enough.
When the car stopped, Kellan released me. Face contrite, he whispered, “I’m sorry.”
Feeling a little drunk from our short, heated moment, I responded with a laugh. “You don’t ever have to be sorry for that.”
Pulling me past the small swarm of people trying to enter the elevator, Kellan shook his head. “No, for earlier, in the interview . . . when I didn’t say anything about you.” Stopping us, he twisted to look at me. “I really wanted to.”
Cupping his cheeks, I firmly told him, “Don’t do that. Don’t turn this moment into something you feel guilty about. I told you that I understand, and I meant it. You have to do what you have to do right now.” Grinning wide, I added, “And did you hear the reaction? The listeners loved you for you in there. Once your album is released, you can do and say whatever you want, and it won’t matter . . . because they’ll love you . . . not you and Sienna.”
My eyes watered as I stared at him. “You just gave an acoustic performance at one of the biggest radio stations in the city. Your single is going to be all over the airwaves soon. I am so incredibly proud of you right now.”
Kellan’s smile was glorious. “Will you marry me?” he whispered.
I laughed at his oft repeated question. Before I could give him my answer, the other elevator car arrived and Tory marched over with the rest of the guys. Wedging her way between us, she informed Kellan that he had more interviews to give and a plane to catch, so there was no time to dawdle. She did give him a few minutes to greet the fans outside, though.
Kellan was in his element as he chatted and signed autographs. Watching him talk to his fans, it was easy to see Kellan’s genuine affection and appreciation for them. He laughed as they screamed and giggled, agreeing to sign anything they threw his way, and posed for pictures with as many of them as he had time for. There were parts of this business that Kellan didn’t care for, but meeting his fans wasn’t one of them.
Just as Tory snapped her fingers and told him it was time to wrap it up, a limo pulled up to the curb. For a minute, I thought it was there for us, but then Sienna emerged from the building. The gathered fans erupted as she waved and signed a few CD covers on the way to her car. When she passed by Kellan, she gave him a long, lingering kiss on the cheek. “See you later,” she husked, just loud enough for everyone around to hear.