Reckless (Thoughtless, #3)(129)
Sienna gave him a knowing smirk. “Those little insects can be quite intrusive, can’t they? Well, don’t worry too much about hitting him. I’ll have my people take care it. Toss them enough money, and nine times out of ten the paparazzi won’t seek legal damages.”
While I squeezed the water out of my hair, Kellan narrowed his eyes. “You tip him off?”
Sienna pouted as her dark eyes searched his face. “I had no idea where you went. How could I possibly give someone your location, if I didn’t know it?”
Kellan’s eyes narrowed as he studied her. “I never know if you’re telling me the truth, or if you’re feeding me bullshit.” I hid my smile. I never knew that either. And, just for that reason alone, I knew Sienna would never have him. Even if something happened to me tomorrow, and the pathway to his heart was clear, Kellan would never date someone that he couldn’t trust.
Ready to leave, Kellan tossed our towels on the couch and pulled me toward the door. Seemingly irritated, Sienna reiterated, “I had nothing to do with this. I’m not some mastermind out to sabotage your relationship. I just roll with whatever life gives me, and I suggest that the both of you learn to do the same.”
Kellan looked back at her, fire in his eyes. “If I find out you had anything to do with this, we’re done. I will pack up my shit and walk away from this tour, and I don’t give a f*ck what Nick does to me. Let him sue me for breach of contract. I won’t be played anymore.”
Later that night, I stayed in the dressing room when Kellan took to the stage, choosing to listen to him through the speakers but not watch him. I had too much on my mind. The photo was going to be out in a few hours, by the morning at the latest. The buzz when the sun rose in the sky would be so loud, it would probably wake me up. My stomach clenched. God, I hated being the center of attention—this was worse than every first day of school, new job, interview, birthday party, and graduation jitter I’d ever had. Walking down the aisle suddenly seemed like a piece of cake.
The loss of my anonymity affected me physically. It was as if I’d been wrapped in a windproof, fleece-lined, down-filled, zero-temperature blanket, sheltered from the cold, protected, and safe—and then I’d had that blanket ripped from my skin. I felt bare, exposed, raw, chilled to the bone. Kellan was a private person too. Was this how he felt, talking about his life to complete strangers? Maybe, but he had the love and admiration of his fans to keep him warm. I wasn’t going to get a rosy reception from them. I was a roadblock to Kellan, and from all I’d seen, the fans either wanted him with Sienna, or they wanted him for themselves. There was no third option.
I couldn’t control how the fans reacted to me, but I knew that how I reacted to this was my choice. I could keep hiding away, never setting foot outside the bus, and hope that the drama died down soon. Or I could take a stand and proudly walk beside my husband. This kind of exposure was the last thing I’d ever wanted, but I didn’t feel like hiding anymore. Kellan and I had worked too hard to get together, to stay together. I didn’t want to go back to square one. I didn’t want to feel ashamed over what we had. I loved what we had. I felt like screaming to the entire world that Kellan was mine, and he always had been.
Jenny and Rachel were watching the boys perform, since they were flying back to Seattle early tomorrow morning. Anna was keeping me company . . . sort of. Crashed out in a comfortable chair, her mouth was open and she was slightly snoring as she took a power nap. I guess her afternoon with Griffin had worn her out. Knowing that either way Kellan and I handled this shit-storm heading our way, tomorrow was going to be different than today, I nudged my sister awake.
She startled and looked around, murmuring, “I’m up, Mom.” Blinking, she glanced up at me. “Kiera? What the hell time is it?” By the look on her face, you’d think it was three in the morning.
“It’s still early, the guys are still onstage.”
She laid her head back and closed her eyes. “Then why the hell did you wake me up?” She gave me a crooked smile. “Johnny Depp was massaging my feet.”
I smiled at my sister, then remembered what I wanted to do. “Tomorrow is going to . . . well, suck. So I wanted to do something tonight, while I’m still relatively unknown.” Anna cracked her eye open, and I added, “I need to do something. Will you come with me?”
Without hesitation, my sister started standing, or trying to anyway. Folding around Maximus was no easy task. I helped her to her feet, and the only question she asked me was, “Where we going?”
When I told her what I wanted to do, she put her hand on my forehead. “Who are you, and what have you done with my sister?”
I batted her hand away. “I’m someone who is done hiding. I want the world to see.”
Anna smiled at me, pride clear on her face. “Then let’s do this.”
Anna and I slipped out the back, unnoticed, and twenty minutes later, a cab was dropping us off at a tattoo parlor in a questionable part of town. The cab driver had assured us that they were the best in Philly, and were open late most nights. Considering that they were situated across the street from what looked to be a biker bar, I thought their late hours was probably a smart business move.
A bell in the door chimed as we opened it. Anna’s eyes lit up as she took in the photos of skin art around the room. As we both examined a photograph of a woman with a cascade of stars trailing up her side and bursting across her chest, Anna told me, “I can’t believe you’re doing this.” Slinging her arm over my shoulder, she added, “My baby sister is growing up.”