Truth

“Not so fast, Teach. That’s not how the game works. My question first, then yours.”

I rolled my eyes, feeling a bit more comfortable than a few moments ago. We were actually having a conversation that didn’t involve me wanting to smack him, and without him storming off like I was an annoying fly that wouldn’t stop bothering him. It was a nice change of pace, even if I knew it was fleeting.

“Fine.” I sighed, pulling my legs up to my chest. “There are a few reasons, but the one you want is probably the most personal, so I’m going to give it to you.” I closed my eyes for a brief second before answering. “I need the money.”

Please don’t ask why. Please don’t ask why. Please don’t ask why.

I didn’t give him much time to respond. “Now, tell me about the crazies. How can you tell the difference?”

I slowly turned my head to Reid and almost flew off the bed. Reid King was wearing a smile. An actual smile. It wasn’t a toothy grin or anything, because let’s not get crazy, but his lip was angled up a bit, his cheek pushing upward. It was a nice half-smile, too—like a smile that made you feel as high as you were after you got your first kiss as a teenager. It was almost like a rush.

The half-smile was short-lived as Reid began to speak. “One time I had a super fan show up at my house.”

My brows raised. “What? How did she know where you lived? That’s not public knowledge, is it? Plus, don’t you have several houses?”

“I do. This was the one in my home state.”

“In Louisiana?” I internally rolled my eyes. Great way to make yourself sound like a crazy.

Reid gave me a wary look but didn’t bother prying. “Yeah, so… she came to my house in high heels and her makeup all done. Her hair was curled like she was going to the prom or something, and she was wearing a dress that didn’t leave much to the imagination.”

I laughed. “So what did you do?”

“I just asked what she was doing at my house, and she acted like she didn’t know who I was. She asked to come inside while she waited for a tow truck. She said her car broke down and she walked over two miles to get to my house. I knew she was lying right then, because there were several other homes that lined the road before mine. She had to have really known where I lived, because my house is completely hidden.”

“Did you let her come inside?” I asked, sitting up a little taller and crossing my legs to face him.

He shook his head. “Hell no.” Then he snickered. “I told her I was calling for a tow truck and I’d be right back.” A teeny, tiny grin formed on his lips. “I actually called one of my old high school friends who was now a police officer, and he came by and picked her up and took her to her car, which—surprise, surprise—wasn’t broken down.”

“That’s hilarious and a bit pathetic.” I laughed. “It amazes me that people will go that far to meet a celebrity. The stories that Jane tells me are insane sometimes.”

“Who’s Jane?” Reid asked, adjusting himself on the bed to rest his back along the propped-up pillows.

“Oh, my best friend. She actually writes for Teen Entertainment.”

He nodded his head, ready to say something, but then our attention turned to the door.

“The guys must be back,” I said, hearing a lot of loud noises, like someone was running into the sides of the tour bus.

He nodded again, staring at the door.

“Okay, it’s your turn,” I said. “Unless you wanted the Jane question to count.”

“That was harmless. Doesn’t count.” Then he asked, “Why don’t you drink with the guys after the show? This is the second one now, and both times, you’ve come back to the bus.”

“I could ask you the same.”

“Ah,” he breathed out. “But it’s my question.”

I smashed my lips together. “Okay, well, for one, I’m not here to party with them. I’m here to help you get back on track, to help you write. And two, I don’t drink much.”

“Why?”

“Why don’t I drink much?”

“Yeah.” Reid’s voice was becoming raspy, tired sounding, which made sense as he just sang his heart out for hours and refused to sleep.

“Is that one of your questions?”