Reckless (Thoughtless, #3)(91)

Kellan found me after his set was over, and I practically leapt into his arms I was so proud of him. He was giddy as he swung me around in a circle. Just like after their other shows, the audience was shouting for the D-Bags, shouting for Kellan. Setting me down, Kellan peeked out over the crowd.

Evan and Matt were awestruck. Griffin looked like he’d expected nothing less. Smacking Kellan’s shoulder, he told him, “We gotta give ’em an encore.”

Kellan looked back at the bassist and shook his head. “We don’t have time to play another song. It’s Sienna’s show, and she’s big on structure.”

Griffin pursed his lips then grabbed Kellan’s arm. “What the f*ck do I care about Sienna?” Shoving Kellan forward, he smirked, “It’s our time to shine, baby.”

Matt and Evan pushed him forward too. Matt said, “Just pop your head out and wave.” As Kellan shrugged, Matt looked back at me and laughed. “Plug your ears, Kiera.”

Grinning at the group as they dashed back onto the stage, I did as Matt suggested. Good thing too. My eardrums may have burst if I hadn’t. A panicked staff member frantically waving his arms at the boys finally got them to come down from their spotlight. They were all laughing as they joined me again. I couldn’t help but be caught up in their excitement.

Kellan wrapped his arms around my waist as the hollering from the crowd died down. “We have to stay close by to join Sienna for the final song, but the guys and I were thinking about running across the street to the bar. Wanna come?”

A part of me wanted to stay where I was so I could work on the new novel that had sprung to life during Kellan’s performance, but Kellan’s grin was contagious, and there was no way I could say no. Besides, there would be countless live performances in my future to draw inspiration from. As I nodded, Kellan pointed at the notepad I was hugging to my chest. “Were you writing?” My emphatic nod continued and he asked, “While I was singing?”

“You’re very inspiring to watch,” I stated.

His face was incredulous as he ran a hand through his slightly damp hair. “I . . . inspire you?”

Stars in my eyes, I sighed, “Daily.”

Kellan looked at me like I’d just grown another head. “And you say I’m absurd.” I laughed until he pried the notebook away from me. I tried to snatch it back, but he handed it to the man in a headset who’d retrieved him from the dressing room. “This is priceless, literary genius, and you need to guard it with your life.”

The man’s eyes went wide as he held it close. “Yes, sir.” I almost thought he was going to salute us.

Satisfied, Kellan told him, “Make sure it ends up inside my guitar case, please.”

“Yes, sir,” the man said again before he took off.

“Did he just call me sir . . . twice?” Kellan laughed as he slung his arm around my waist.

I lightly smacked his stomach. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

He looked down at me with a grin. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

The group of us headed toward the exit after that. Matt and Griffin were leading the way, sneaking around corners like we were robbing the place. “Are we allowed to leave the arena while the show is going on?” I asked Kellan.

He laughed as he looked around. “We have no idea . . . hence Spy vs. Spy up there.”

Avoiding every person that we could, we crept our way to a set of doors marked with an Exit sign. We stealthily made our way down a hallway that Matt said let out by the busses. We weren’t going to the busses, but no one around needed to know that. When we got outside, a guard was stationed outside of the door, keeping an eye on things. The guys nodded at him, walking past like they owned the place. Either the guard recognized them as rock stars, or saw my go-anywhere pass. Either way, he didn’t question any of us as we left the arena. I suppose he was more concerned with people trying to get into the backstage area than people leaving it.

When we got onto the regular street, that one security guard was the only person who knew we were gone. That sort of freedom gave us all a buzz; there was a lot of giggling and playful ribbing. I loved being included in it. Griffin scoured the street, trying to figure out where we were in relation to the nearest bar while Kellan nudged Matt’s arm. “You know what time we should be back, right?” Matt nodded as he tapped the watch on his wrist. I hoped he did. It would not be good if the boys were late.

Suddenly, Griffin pointed to his right and shouted, “Bar, ho!”

He immediately started sprinting toward his alcoholic haven. Matt and Evan took off after him, both of them laughing. Kellan looked over at me. “Last one to the bar has to sit by Griffin.” I darted away before he even finished his sentence.

I had a serious ache in my side when I stepped on the rubber welcome mat, but my foot came down a half-second before Kellan’s, so I considered that a victory. Hands on my knees, I struggled to catch my breath as I peered up at him. It had been a while since I’d sprinted. “Beat ’cha,” I panted.

Kellan was breathing heavier too as he pulled the door open. “I let you win. I liked the view.” He winked at me as I ducked inside.

I expected every sound in the bar to stop when the D-Bags walked in, but nobody here seemed to know who they were. I loved that they still had some anonymity. Kellan was the only one who caused a stir, but I didn’t know if that was recognition, or if it was just his looks that were causing a ripple of whispers to float around the small circular tables.