I barely survived it the first time.
The booming roar of the crowd pulsates my eardrums as the song comes to an end.
Just as Phoenix predicted, people are obsessed with it and even though it’s not on the scheduled album, it’s quickly becoming their new hit.
He beat Vic at his own game and took control of the chessboard.
I’m proud of him.
“Holy shit,” Skylar yells beside me. “This is insanity.”
I can’t help but smile. “I know.”
The fact Skylar’s watching the show when she’s attended almost every concert for four plus years is a testament to how epic this is.
Then again, her being out here might have more to do with Gwyneth Barclay sitting in the greenroom.
She was pleasant enough, I suppose, but there’s something about her that rubs me the wrong way. And it has nothing to do with her having Memphis’s baby, even though it’s tearing my friend’s heart apart.
It’s the way she treats her assistant. How she’s always on her phone taking selfies and videos. The satisfied glint in her eye whenever she looks at Memphis…like she’s trapped him in her web and he’s official Barclay property.
Then again, it’s really none of my business. I’m not the one who has to spend the rest of my life with her. Heck, I won’t even see her again after tonight.
The next song cues up and the crowd goes wild. My heart skips several beats, unable to tear my gaze away.
Phoenix always puts on one hell of a show, but tonight there’s an energy emitting from him that I can’t explain.
It’s even more passionate and emotional than usual. Poignant.
“I don’t think she likes me,” someone who sounds a whole lot like Quinn says behind me.
“Who?” Skylar asks.
“Gwen. This afternoon she told me we could take some pictures together, but when I went into the greenroom and asked, she acted like she couldn’t be bothered.”
Skylar and I trade sad looks.
“She’s probably tired or having a bad day,” Skylar offers.
Defending the woman who’s having the baby of the guy she loves can’t be easy, but I know Skylar doesn’t want Quinn to feel like she has to choose between her and her idol.
Quinn frowns. “I guess.”
As if on cue, Gwyneth saunters by. I’m assuming she’s going to keep walking, but she sidles up beside me, peering out onto the stage.
“How hot does my future husband look?” she coos while taking a picture of him with her phone. “We’re gonna have such gorgeous babies.”
I feel Skylar tense on the other side of me. Reaching down, I grip her hand and bite my tongue so as not to point out that Memphis hasn’t even proposed yet and she should focus on her current baby before planning any additional ones.
“Yeah,” I say instead. “Everyone’s on fire tonight.”
She crinkles her nose. “It’s pretty surprising, given Phoenix’s issues.”
Now I’m the one who’s tense. “What issues?”
Tossing her bleached-blonde hair over her shoulder, she laughs. “Please, honey. Everyone knows he’s a crackhead.”
It’s not okay to hit a pregnant woman.
“Quite frankly, I’m surprised he’s not dead yet.” A smirk twists her shiny pink lips and she shrugs. “Not to be a bitch, but the band will be much better off once he finally ODs.” Her eyes swivel to her baby daddy. “Memphis can be the lead singer then.”
Oh hell no.
My vision turns red and I face her head-on.
I’m about to unleash a string of insults and threats that will make her cower, but Quinn taps her on the shoulder. “Excuse me, Gwen?”
Gwen spins around. “Ye—”
A wave of orange liquid sails through the air before drenching Gwen’s shirt…
And mine.
“You better keep my brother’s name out of your mouth, cunt,” Quinn sneers before she stalks off, nearly plowing into a flabbergasted Chandler in the process.
Safe to say Quinn’s obsession with Gwyneth is officially over.
Thank the Lord.
Gwen’s jaw drops. “That little bitch.”
“Watch it,” Skylar growls at the same time I sneer, “You deserved it.”
Scowling, she swivels her head. “Excuse me?”
I take a step closer and I know my expression is murderous because it’s exactly how I feel right now. “The next time you talk shit about Phoenix or wish for him to overdose, it won’t be juice all over your face and shirt. It will be your blood.”
Outraged, Gwen starts flapping her hands and squawking for her assistant.
The poor girl quickly comes to the rescue and gives her a roll of paper towels.
“I need a new shirt, not paper towels, you idiot,” she squeaks.
Shooting her a dirty look, Skylar grips my hand and we make a beeline for the greenroom.
We’re supposed to go out to dinner after the concert, but we’ll have to make a quick pit stop at the hotel before that now.
“Is Memphis aware his baby will be half demon?” I mutter as I walk over to the snack table and grab a wad of napkins.
“According to Storm, he’s well aware.” Skylar rummages around her giant purse. “Evidently, he’s claiming it’s pregnancy hormones.”
That tells me two things.
One—Memphis is in denial. And two—Skylar and Memphis are no longer on speaking terms.
Quinn—who’s sulking on the couch—grimaces. “I can’t believe I was her biggest fan.”
I’d give her a hug, but my shirt is covered in sticky orange juice. “I’m sorry.”
Skylar hands me a pair of jeans and a top. “Here. Put these on.”
I’m about to remind her that her clothes won’t fit me but then I notice the tags. Not only are they new. They’re my size.
Talk about convenient. Convenient and peculiar.
“How come you have a brand-new outfit for me in your bag?”
Skylar and Quinn exchange a look. “I went shopping today.”
“Shopping for me?”
Skylar smiles. “Not specifically, but I saw this and figured you’d love it. I was going to mail them, but here you are.”
“It’s fate,” Quinn supplies.
“Exactly.”
Given Skylar loves to shop, it makes sense.
I’m about to walk into the bathroom, but Skylar grips the bottom of my shirt and carefully raises it over my head. “Let me help you change. It will speed up the process.”
Okay, now she’s definitely acting strange.
However, I can’t focus on that because I’m too busy batting her hands away so I can have some autonomy. “I got it.”
I quickly tug on my new jeans, and I’ve got to hand it to her because they fit perfectly. The top isn’t necessarily something I’d pick out for myself, but the turquoise V-neck with a scoop back is really cute.
This outfit is way better than the one I was wearing, so I’m not mad about it. “Thank you.”
I wince when Skylar digs her thumb into my upper spine. “What are you doing?”
“Stay still. I’m trying to get this mark off you.”
“What mark?”