Behind the Mask: A Rockstar Romance(18)

“Oh please,” Tegan says angrily.

I stand there, bouncing from foot to foot. I don’t want there to be any conflict between them. Plus, it’s just temporary.

“Who are you?” Nate asks, his voice sending shivers through my body. I look at him and he is leaning forward in his seat, looking at me.

Really looking at me.

I point to the sheet of paper in his hand, indicating for him to read on, which he does, as well as the others.

“If we pick you, you want to keep the mask on during the whole time you’re with the band?” Sam says first.

I nod. I watch as they whisper amongst one another. I can hear Tegan. I know she doesn’t want me taking her spot.

They stop talking and all lean back in their seats. “You got yourself a deal,” Troy says, smiling seductively. I know that smile will fall off his face once he knows it’s me. “Now can you show us who you are?”

I am about to take off the mask when I hear Naomi shout wait. I look at her wide-eyed.

“Who the hell are you?” Tegan stands, shouting at her.

“Really? You don’t recognize me? Jesus.” She stands at my side. “Before she shows you who she is, has she got the part no matter what. Is she in the band?”

“What are you doing?” I whisper-shout at her.

“Making sure you don’t get screwed over,” she says back to me.

I look at Nate, who is studying me before he nods in agreement.

“No matter what, she is in the band until Tegan is fit to play once again,” Nate says.

I place my hands on the mask, ready to take it off when it’s Troy this time telling me to wait.

“Seriously.” Tegan hits his arm.

“What if my dream girl is a beast under the mask? I just want to hold the fantasy just a little bit longer.”

I roll my eyes when he blows a kiss at me.

“Okay, you can take it off now.” He sits back.

I take off the mask and look at each of them and of course, it would be Tegan to say something first.

“Fuck no. I don’t think so.” Tegan stands, walking to the stage. “What the fuck do you think you are doing?” she yells at me.

“I just wanted to be given a chance, hence the mask,” I say sheepishly.

“You are not playing in this band. This is my band, not yours.” She scowls at me.

“I am not trying to take your band. I just want to play.” I plead to her and she is shaking her head at me.

“It is not your band anyway. It’s Nate’s and he gave us his word, so it’s tough shit, dragon lady.” Naomi stands to my side, linking her arm through mine.

“Once again who the fuck are you? This is none of your business,” Tegan shouts at her.

“I have been best friends with your little sister for the last three years. I am a fucking roadie to your bloody band. You see me every day.” Naomi shakes her hands in the air in frustration.

“I don’t care. Blair, you are not playing.”

Tears start to prickle behind my eyes. I feel like my dreams are being crushed. I just wanted a chance. I wanted to show the world what I can do, even if it was just for a little while.

“But—” A tear falls down my cheek.

She interrupts me. “No buts, you are not playing in this band.” She points her finger at me.

“Yes, she is.”

We all turn to Nate, who is walking up the steps to the stage with Sam and Troy right behind him.

“I told her no matter what she can play. Besides, you heard the rest of the auditions play. She outshines them by a mile. We need her.”

“No, we don’t. There has to be someone else. My sister can’t play,” she says to him.

“Give me a good reason why she can’t.” He folds his arms.

Her mouth opens then closes, then opens again. “She won’t be able to handle this lifestyle. It won’t be safe for her.”

“She has been with this band since the very beginning. She goes on tours, deals with our drunk asses. She puts up with all of us. She knows what she is getting into.” Sam looks at me, walking toward me, pulling me to his side. I smile up at him.

Nate then walks toward me. I feel like I’m frozen on the spot. “That’s why you want to wear the mask, so when all this is over, no one will know who you are and you get your life back.”

I try and form words but nothing comes out, so I just nod. I need to stop nodding.

“She’s in the band,” he says in a final tone.

“I can’t believe this shit,” Tegan huffs.

“You’re in the band,” Naomi shrieks. I beam at her.

I’m in the band.

“For now. Don’t get too comfy, sis, this is my band. You are still my PA,” Tegan says.

“I just want to play.”

She continues glaring at me before walking away. I finally release the breath that I was holding in, my body relaxing.

Naomi shrieks again, jumping up and down. “You are in the band, the fucking band. All that hard work is finally paying off.”

I start jumping up and down with her. I feel like I’m dreaming.

“It’s only for a few weeks. Then it will be back to normal,” I tell her.

“A few weeks is enough to enjoy being in the limelight. Enjoy it while you can.” She is right. Who can say they are going to be the lead guitarist of Blacken Hart? No one may know it’s me that is doing it, but who cares.