Flushing, New York
SKY
There’s been no time for Brody and me to finish our conversation. My schedule is too chaotic to deal with personal issues, since I’ve decided to keep the tour going. The police are involved now, whether we want them to be or not since the incident was recorded on video and uploaded to video sites all over the world. My fans are conflicted over it all with fear for the light being a real threat or a part of the show that still scares them.
During dance rehearsal, I miss simple steps in the routines I know by heart, and my choreographer eyes me with concern. I’m always one to try to out-dance the professional dancers, but this time I don’t have the drive to do it. It’s a miracle if what I am doing even classifies as dancing.
“Are you sure you want to keep touring, Sky?” Karen asks me. “It seems like a risk to keep going. You’re even having a harder time with the routines than you ever did before. It could be time to take a break.”
In all the years that she used to help me with my dance numbers and corralled the backup dancers, never once had she asked me a personal question about my life. I must really look like I need rest. Karen is a hard worker and doesn’t take slackers in her dances.
“I’m not letting my fans down, Karen. I’m not stopping because of them.”
She smirks. “I figured you’d say that. Your mother may not be your manager anymore, but you’re both strong-minded women.”
I arch my brow. “Why do I sense you mean stubborn instead?”
“Because you, my dear, are intuitive and savvy. Now, let’s work on that lift. It needs to work.”
That woman is honest to a fault. I can’t help but push myself to do the steps right. My fans paid for a show, and I don’t want to disappoint them.
Malik is extra cautious now, and that’s taking its toll on him. Although I should be grateful for his overprotective nature, the guy hasn’t rested since the light almost squashed Alyssa and me.
Alyssa is the only one who’s staying mostly positive. She thinks it’s better than a thriller movie and just needs popcorn and theater candy. I am grateful for her sense of humor, because it does keep me from throwing a pity party.
We’re halfway through the tour, but with the threats at every turn, it feels longer. Alyssa has taken over Brody’s duets with me, and we still both quickly glance up above us on instinct, although it’s unlikely whoever loosened that light would pull the same stunt twice.
After Brody and Malik’s insistence, we hire extra bodyguards and security detail. Malik is still the main one who looks out for me, but he has the men he trusts most take over when he has to see to managing things.
It’s my free day, and usually Brody and I try to do something together, but all I want to do is to stay in bed. It’s been two days since I saw part of that video from Brody’s past, and the more I try to forget it, the more curiosity gets the better of me, and I want a direct view into Brody’s darkness. I can’t push him. I won’t. He needs to volunteer to share it, or it won’t be the same.
Each day feels like we’re getting farther apart. Although we’ve had opportunities to talk, I think neither of us wants to do it yet for fear we may not like the outcome.
“Get dressed,” Brody says, coming into our room with the first smile I’ve seen in days.
“No,” I cry. “I’m off.” I cover my head with a pillow.
“Exactly, beautiful. That’s why we’re going out. We’re in New York, and I’ll be damned if I let drama keep us from experiencing it together.”
“I’m not in the mood for touristy stuff. Besides, I promised I’d see Alyssa later. I don’t want her to be alone.”
“Good because I already thought of that. She’s coming with us, and she won’t be alone. I invited someone else, too.”
I remove the pillow and look at him.
“Don’t worry. Malik has checked this one out. He may not like him yet, but he’s for us getting out of here, so we don’t go stir crazy. Get a quick shower or we’ll lose time.”
It takes me getting a text from Alyssa to actually do it.
Get up or I’ll throttle you, woman. I need to get out of this hotel NOW!
I sigh and go to wash up. The shower feels good on my skin. It would help if I knew where I was going. It’s chilly out since it is fall but not freezing yet. I hope jeans and a sweater are good choices for whatever he has up his sleeve.
Malik rides with Alyssa, Brody, and me like always. Only thing different is the car tailing us to help if needed.
We drive for a good thirty minutes before arriving at the place I assume is our end destination. I get out, see the sign, and I can’t help but smile.
“A zoo?” I ask.
“What’s wrong with the zoo?” Brody asks. “I have it on good authority that you both like animals.”
“Hey, guys,” someone waves from the entrance at us. I recognize him as the drummer from The Savages.
“Here’s another animal now,” Brody jokes.
I don’t miss the joy that fills Alyssa’s face. If she’s happy to see him, then I won’t interfere, but that girl owes me a talk about this new infatuation, too.
“I told you she wouldn’t be lonely,” Brody tells me.
“Didn’t you fight with all of them?” I ask.
“Just Stephen. He’s Kim’s brother, so we’ve been at each other’s throats for a while.”
“That’s right. I forgot about that,” I say. I remember reading that in his bio online. I can’t imagine the tension that must still exist between him and Brody.
“Dylan is cool. We were friends long before The Savages, and I’ve known him longer than everyone else. He can be a little forward sometimes, but he’s a good guy.”
“Better be,” Malik says, “or he’ll be missing a limb that I’ll throw to one of the lions inside.”
I can’t stop laughing at Malik’s threat. I know he’s somewhat serious, so I shouldn’t find it funny, but it’s as if my body needs release. I continue to chuckle as Malik pats Dylan down.
“Having fun so far?” Brody asks, hopeful.
“Yeah,” I say. “I think I am.” I can’t help but look around and realize we’re the only ones in the parking lot. “Where is everyone?”
Brody grins down at me, and I realize I miss those smiles of his.
“I paid for part of the day, so it’s just the four of us, five if you include Malik and six if you group the other security detail into one. The whole place is ours for the next four hours.”
“So you rented us a zoo?” I ask with a mischievous smile of my own.
His laugh fills my ears. “I guess I did. Do you like it?”
“Hmm.” I absolutely love it, but I let him wonder a little. “I’ll love it more if you give me a piggyback ride inside.”
Hearing him laugh only makes me join him. He leans over. “Hop on, my beautiful Sky.”
I obey and jump up on his back. My arms wrap around his neck as he holds my legs around his waist. Just as I thought. Alyssa gets jealous and convinces the poor drummer to do the same for her. The smile on his face says he doesn’t mind one bit. I stick my tongue out at her for copying me.
I know it’s silly, and we probably look like crazy kids, but that’s what makes it so special. I told Brody of how I missed out on so many things children take for granted because I started working in the industry at such a young age. I know this is one of his ways of making it up for me. Alyssa missed hers, too, so we both enjoy it all.
Thankfully, Malik doesn’t toss any limbs to the animals, and Dylan is starting to grow on me a bit. As long as he’s good to my best friend, I’ll keep Malik at bay.
I know there’s a lot of shit to deal with, but for now, I just want to enjoy having fun with the people I love. Everything else can wait for one more day.