Hawk and Dove (Rock Star Romance Novel) by Amanada Lawless Page B

utterly bewildered, and see
a big, silly grin spread all across his face. He pulls me tightly against him
and plants a kiss on the top of my head.
    “You’re absolutely right Pearl,” he says into his
microphone, “You can absolutely tell the difference. It’s a pretty new thing
for us. In fact, this interview is really the first time I’ve been able to know
Ellie’s heart about us. So, if we’re a little giddy, you all know why.”
    The audience lets out a collective “aww,” grabbing at each
other gleefully. I look out over the crowd, utterly tongue tied. What is Mitch
doing? What the hell did Teddy write in that article?
    My eyes lock with two vibrant greens orbs, staring up at me
from the back of the audience. Trent Parker’s mouth has straightened into a
firm, unreadable line. He doesn’t look pleased, and that makes two of us.
     

 
    Chapter Four

     
    I cross my arms firmly over my chest as Ellie and her lanky
beau take their places onstage. A scorching, acidic anger starts to rise inside
of me as I watch that nerdy try-hard asshole beam at her. It’s completely,
utterly irrational that I'm mad at some snot nosed kid for having the audacity
to like the same charming, adorable, intelligent girl who’s happened to catch
my eye...but I’ve never been an extremely rational person.
    As Mitch settles onto a stool, cradling a stupid little ukulele,
all I can do is fantasize about storming the stage and smashing it over his
head.
    “Why did you want to see these two play?” Kelly asks,
sounding bored.
    “They’re our next door neighbors,” I tell her, digging my
fingers into the skin of my arms. “I thought it would be nice to come out and
support them. They’re pretty new at this, apparently.”
    “Seems like they’ve got a nice little following,” Kelly
remarks, looking around at the boisterous crowd clamoring for a better look at
the stage.
    “Yeah,” I mutter through my teeth.
    “What’s the matter with you?” Kelly asks, narrowing her eyes
at me, “You were the one who wanted to schlep down here for amateur hour. I’d
rather be enjoying a vodka rocks in the bus, if I may be frank.”
    “You always are,” I say, “That’s why I keep you around.”
    “Not because I’m singlehandedly managing your entire
career?” Kelly asks, threading her arm casually through mine.
    “That too,” I allow, keeping my eyes trained on the stage.
Trained on Ellie, if I’m being honest.
    She’s been nervous all day, but there’s a new element to her
anxiety, now. I watch her take her place before the standing mic, smoothing
down the front of her old-school dress. She tucks her hair behind her ear with
a quick, aggravated motion. As she lifts her eyes, I can see it clearly—she’s pissed .
    A little bubble of hope rises through my unaccountable
anger. Maybe Ellie isn’t too thrilled with Mitch’s little romantic spitball. I
have to give her credit, she’s keeping her annoyance hidden pretty well. Just
not well enough for an old pro like me. I’ve been crafting this persona of mine
long enough to see through just about anyone else’s guise. Ellie’s playing the
cool, collected songstress, but I can practically see her cracking open right
in front of my eyes.
    The weirdest thing is, I now feel responsible somehow. Not
that I had anything to do with what’s bothering her, but I feel like I should
be here to comfort her. I don’t even mind feeling like I should stay and offer
what support I can. I want to be here.
    Ellie’s eyes flit upwards and catch mine for half a moment,
and I see that our fleeting connection steadies her at little. I try to smile
at her encouragingly. If I can do anything at all to help her through this
performance, I’m glad to. I remember well enough what it was like to get up in
front of a crowd for the first time, after all. I guess I’m just feeling a
little sentimental. Or something.
    Ellie looks over her shoulder at Mitch and nods her head, ever
so subtly. He takes