today. Since there are at least two pictures of me and Finn floating around, we plan to address my relationship with him. It’s apparent someone is trying to use our relationship to paint me in a negative light and all this is happening right as Sayge’s popularity is soaring.
I asked Mari, Brent and Kyle to send me their notes so I could skip my last class today and get ready for the interview. Janie has the house clean when I get home and Amber is setting up the dining room table with drinks and snack platters.
I dress casually but wear my spiked black boots to add some sex appeal to my outfit. Declan comes into the bathroom as I finish clasping my bracelet.
“You look beautiful.” He moves my hair off my shoulder and kisses my neckline.
“So do you.” I look at him in the mirror behind me. He looks fantastic in his black jeans and the leather coat his dad gave him for Christmas.
His hands settle on my waist and he pulls me against him. His erection pokes me through his jeans and I grind into him. He sucks on my earlobe and my head falls back against his shoulder.
“As much as I want to continue this, we need to get back out to the living room. The reporter just drove up.” He whispers in my ear.
He moves his arm and the sleeve pulls up. I grab his hand and turn it over. There’s a small bandage on his wrist that is exactly what I had when I got my tattoo. He grins at me and pulls the bandage back revealing the Sagittarius symbol.
“I liked the idea so I copied you.” He throws the bandage away.
“When did you do it?”
“This morning. I wanted to do it right after Christmas, but we didn’t leave the house very much.”
I roll my eyes and lead him back to our guests.
*****
The reporter for SCENE surprises me. She’s an older woman that dresses very hippy-chic with glasses. Her name is Brenda. She introduces her photographer as Bob and we go around the room with our own introductions.
Brenda places a recorder on the table and starts off with fact checking. She talks through their schedules and tour last summer making sure she has the timelines correct. She questions Jay about his relationship with Sayge and how his help pushed them into the spotlight. So far none of her questions are really unique so I start to relax.
Once satisfied with the background information, she goes around the room asking pointed questions. Each guy tells her about their youth and musical training. They talk about their first shows around town in small bars and playing for free. Brenda is very good at getting them to open up. Nate tells about his special needs sister and how close they are. Blake confirms he is in a serious relationship but does not give Charlie’s name. Cooper talks about his parents support and how much they have helped him grow as a musician despite their conservative views.
Bob has taken a few pictures but asks if we can take a break so he can get some shots of the band outside before dark. I hang back with Amber and Mike. They seem pleased with the direction of the interview so far. Mike gives me a concerned look because we both know the next set of questions is going to be pointed to Declan.
They come back and Brenda turns her recorder back on. Instead of talking to Declan, she addresses me first. “Raven, it must be quite an honor to have gotten the job with Sayge. I must admit, you’re very pretty, but a bit of an unknown. How long have you been modeling?”
I almost choke on the water I swallowed. “What? I’m not a model.”
“Isn’t that why you are here? Weren’t you the model in the video for Surviving? You’ve created a lot of buzz in the last few days.”
“Yes, I was in the video but I’m not a model. I’m engaged to Declan.”
“What!?” It’s her turn to look shocked. Her eyes fall on my ring.
There are chuckles around the room.
“We’ve been engaged since last Christmas. I did the video as a surprise.”
“This certainly changes things. Why did you hide your engagement? You have to know the rumors going around right now.”
I look at Declan hoping he’ll help me out. The muscle in his jaw is ticking and I can tell he’s pissed.
“Brenda, I’ve been with Raven for close to two years. I have never hid my engagement. At one time it was suggested but it’s not my style. I won’t go into details, but it almost destroyed our relationship. She isn’t just a model in some video, she’s a part of this group. She may not sing or play an instrument, but she’s still a part of Sayge. She works on the business side with Jay, Mike, and Amber. I’ve never denied her, but I try to keep her safe. We had an incident last year where Raven was put into a violent situation, and we’ll do anything to protect her.”
“What do you mean?” Brenda asks taking notes furiously.
“Not allowed to discuss it because it hasn’t been resolved. But I thought it was appropriate for you to meet her and know our relationship since you asked for an interview with the band.”
“What about all the pictures circulating on the internet. Yesterday she was in another man’s arms. How do you explain that?”