Rise by Cassandra Robbins

 

 

 

 

GIA

Present – Twenty-five years old

London, England

As Rhys takes the stage, the crowd goes into a frenzy and my arms get goose bumps. He’s awe-inspiring. When he lifts his arms, the crowd comes alive—like a fire that’s found dry brush, it ignites into an inferno.

They all rise and chant, “Rock God, Rock God,” their shouts echoing around the venue.

“Hello, motherfucking London,” he yells, and I jump at the response. It’s wild and strangely intimate. No wonder his cock gets hard. Merely watching him makes me wet.

I reach for the camera in my bag, wanting to let it describe what I feel as I see him. But for the first time, I lower it and simply watch. People stand smashed together, singing and crying because Rhys has smiled and said hello.

“They worship him.” Sebastian stands next to me. He lowers the large camera from his shoulder.

“Jesus, you scared me. And fuck you for filming me.” I turn back to watch Rhys perform, the crowd a sea of lighters and phones.

“Do you?”

“What?” I yell, looking at him. Something is wrong, and suddenly I don’t want him near me. For the first time ever, I’m terrified at what Sebastian is about to tell me.

“Do you worship this prick?”

“What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”

He grabs my arm and pulls me to the far corner. “Gia. What the fuck are you doing? You, out of everybody, can’t possibly think he’s the one for you.”

“Don’t you dare. I told you I didn’t want to do this. You fucking begged me, basically bribed me with our friendship. So back off, Sebastian. This doesn’t concern you.” My head is throbbing. Sebastian wouldn’t act like this if something wasn’t wrong and he believed I needed his help.

“He’s a ticking time bomb. He attacked me because he thought you left. The man is obsessed and yes…” He holds up a hand, his handsome face fierce. “Yes, I admit I have a past with you, and you know how I feel about you, us… But Gia, this?” He looks around. “This is the kind of future you want? Always looking over your shoulder, or pretending not to see when he comes out of the bathroom with another woman? Because he will, Gia. He’s a fucking rock star.”

I shake my head and try to move past him. He grabs my arm. “Just wait.” He takes a breath. “I’m having a hard time believing that the confident, vibrant woman who is my best friend would lose herself to him. You heard about Nuke, right?”

I look up at him. “Well, I can tell he’s on something.” The crowd goes wild as we stare at each other. Sebastian, my best friend besides Julianna, hates Rhys, and I can’t deal.

“Another woman has come forward saying he’s the father. But that she fucked the entire band.” I back away. He’s lying. Not again.

“Is there a chance it’s his?” I scream, causing a couple of roadies to look over at me despite the noise of the crowd.

“She says no. That she went from one to another and then stayed with Nuke exclusively for months. But Gia, who cares? If it’s not this one, it will be another and another. He’s a star. Fuck.” He runs his hand through his hair. “I can’t even blame him. If I had this much pussy in my face twenty-four seven, I’d fuck behind your back too.” He holds up a hand at Hunter who walks over, looking concerned.

“Everything okay over here? I’d like to get the band and crowd, Sebastian.”

I can’t speak because I’m numb.

“Gia, are you okay? What’s happening? You didn’t tell her, did you?” Hunter looks at Sebastian who stares at me.

“Of course, I did. She’s what matters, Hunter,” he grits out.

“Perfect.” He shakes his head. “I disagree. She was hired to do a job and so were you. Do it.” He turns toward Rafe who stands still, arms crossed. His knowing eyes watch my nightmare come to life.

“Why are you doing this, Sebastian?” My voice cracks and my heart starts to shatter. It burns so much I want to double over, because this is a pain I thought I could avoid.

I thought I had kept myself distanced enough so this couldn’t happen.

I lied.

“Because I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t at least ask you what the fuck you’re thinking. Because you would do the same for me.”

“I love him.”

He looks like I just stabbed him. “I know. And if he is truly what you want, then I will walk away and give you nothing but my love. But he will fail you.” He grabs his camera and walks out on the stage to do his job.

I swallow—I might throw up if I don’t. The people who seemed so far away tilt and swerve in front of me as I wipe my eyes.

“Goddamn you, Rhys.” I walk up to Hunter and hand him my camera.

“I quit.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me! What the fuck, Gia? So the guy fucks around. Who cares—it’s not personal,” Hunter yells at my back. This isn’t even about the other women. That hasn’t even sunk in because I’ve been locked in his room for days with his cock distracting me. This is about the fact that deep down, I was waiting for this to happen.

Sebastian is right. All of what he said is right. But God, it hurts.

I take one last look, knowing I need to go.

Now.

If I stay, he’ll seduce me with words that will eventually ring hollow, and then where will I be?

“You running, Gia? I’d think about this.” Rafe stops me as I start to walk away.

“Why are you talking to me, Rafe? You should be happy I’m done.” I wipe under my eyes, refusing to cry in front of him, in front of any of them.

“I thought maybe you might want to take a moment and talk to Granger.” His eyes seem genuinely compassionate.

I switch my bag to the other shoulder, smile, and look up at the top of the arena, then shake my head as I scream, “He’s the Rock God, Rafe. The crazy, fucked-up thing is all I ever wanted to be was his.” I don’t wait for him to respond. I’ve said too much already. Pulling out my phone, I bang out the doors and lift my face to the dark sky. What the fuck am I doing?

“Can I help you, Gia?” I turn to face Ace, his kind eyes sad. “Rafe said you might need a ride. Please, let me help.” And for some reason, that kindness does me in. My legs give out and I fall to my knees as I acknowledge the pain: I really am leaving him.

Ace’s strong, dark hand reaches for me, and I take it. He opens the door of the black SUV for me and I slide in.

“Where to?”

I reach into my bag for my cigarettes and remember Rhys took them. “Do you have a cigarette?” I sniff, not caring that I’ve completely humiliated myself in front of this man. He opens the glove compartment and hands me a pack of Marlboro Reds. My hands shake as I open it.

“Here, let me, Gia.” He rips open the plastic wrapper and hands it back to me, and my eyes get blurry again.

“Thank you.” I shake my head, trying to stop crying, as I fish around for my lighter. “Can you take me to the airport, please?”

“You sure?” I can’t look at him. I’ll start to doubt myself, or feel worse, because somehow, I’ve started to grow fond of him. Christ, even Rafe looked sad.

“Yes.” Grabbing the lighter, I finally lean my head back and watch the rain on the windows, wondering if that’s an omen. It seems like Rhys and I are always in the rain.

I can’t go back to Los Angeles. It’s a week until Axel’s wedding. He might try to kill Rhys.

I sit up and text.

ME: I’M COMING TO YOU

Three dots appear.

JULIANNA: THANK GOD

I toss my phone back into my bag, light my cigarette, and let the lights of the passing cars lull me into knowing that this is right.