“You were great out there,” she honestly told him. “Truly amazing. You were meant to do this.”
“Thanks.” He pulled his hat off his head and then ran a hand back through it before plopping it back down. “It’s easy to do with you watching me.”
“You’re silly. It’s easy to do because you’re incredibly talented.” She ran her hands up his chest and pulled him in for a kiss. “And very sexy.”
“Oh, I like where this is heading.”
He grabbed her real tight and started slow dancing with her right there in the middle of the backstage area, as if no one else was around.
“What are you doing?” she asked with a giggle.
“Dancing with my girlfriend.”
“Right now?”
He twirled her around in place and then dipped her without warning. She giggled again, but he looked completely serious and in his element. His lips touched hers, and she melted into him.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Chloe said from behind them. Someone had blown out her hair and retouched her makeup. She looked fabulous.
Damon immediately righted Trihn and then turned back around. “What’s up?”
“I just have some autographs to sign and then a meeting with my manager.” Chloe glanced over at Trihn. “You don’t mind if I steal him for a minute, do you?”
“No,” Trihn croaked. She cleared her throat and shook her head. “No, of course not.” She turned to Damon. “Go. I’ll wait here.”
Damon kissed her again. “I’ll see you in a minute.”
She watched him walk away with Chloe and sighed. She didn’t know how to handle this. She knew the lifestyle well enough from having modeled back in high school, but being an international musical superstar was a totally different story. She needed to talk to someone who had been through this.
Trihn pulled her phone out and texted Bryna. When Bryna had dated Gates Hartman, he’d been an up-and-coming movie star. Now, for his age range, he was the it male actor in Hollywood. Bryna had been raised in Hollywood. She would know how to deal with this.
And my boyfriend is now a music god.
It went that well?
Yeah. He’s signing autographs and speaking with management right now with Chloe. It’s great.
You sound so enthused. #rollseyes
I am happy for him.
Yeah, but you’re not happy about it.
I’m worried. You dated a movie star. You must know what it’s like. Obviously, Damon’s not at that level right now, but what if that happens, Bri?
Fame is different. If anyone knows that, it’s me. But nothing bad has happened yet, so don’t wish it into existence. The more you freak out over it, the more you’re going to put that out into the world. Damon likes you. He’s been chasing you since you two met. He wouldn’t do anything stupid to jeopardize that.
Yeah. You’re right.
Damn straight I’m right. And just remember, you’re a rock star already, and he knows it. Plus, I’d send E and Pace and the rest of the football team to beat his ass if he stepped out of line.
Trihn laughed and shook her head. Of course she would.
Thanks, B.
What felt like hours later, Damon and Chloe finally came back to where Trihn had been standing restlessly. They both looked completely energized from the events that had unfolded. Trihn crossed and uncrossed her arms as they approached, laughing like old friends.
Trihn forced a smile onto her face. “Hey! How did it go?”
“Great!” Chloe said. “So, so amazing!”
Damon nodded. “Pretty awesome. I’ve been on the Internet with Chloe for a day, and people already know who I am.”
“As they should,” Trihn told him.
“I’m so glad that both of you could be here tonight,” Chloe said. “This was so much fun for me. It was even better than a regular show.”
“Anytime,” Damon said. “Where are you headed to next?”
“Phoenix, I think. Then, Dallas and Austin, and then we’re ending this leg of the tour in New Orleans. And I’m finishing up the new record. Once it releases, I’ll have so much more music for the summer tour.”
“Busy,” Trihn said.
“Yeah, well, that’s the music industry—produce, promote, and tour.” Chloe shrugged. “After this next tour though, I want to do another movie. The studio’s not going to like hearing that, but I miss acting.”
“Sounds like a rough life,” Trihn joked.
“Harder than it looks.”
“But with crowds like that, totally worth it,” Damon said.
Chloe nodded. “Completely. Well, I’ll let you two head out. You have my number, right?”
“Yeah, I got it,” Damon said.
“Cool. I’ll be in touch if I hear anything.”
“Sounds good.”
Chloe hugged them both before strolling off to her dressing room.
“In touch about what?” Trihn asked as they walked through the back exit to Damon’s car.
“I spoke with her manager and some other music people who were there for the show. Nothing is set in stone, but they want some samples of my music.”
“Really?” she gasped. “Are they going to sign you?”