when he looks like this. “You don’t think you’re the first fan girl to be picked up and brought on tour do you?”
My eyes widen as his look changes to victorious. I just have no idea what he thinks he has just won. “Oh you do. That’s….cute.”
I’m shocked. I want to walk away from him, or tell him off for being such a complete prick, but before I can say anything, two hands are on his shirt and pushing him away from me.
I gasp when I realize it’s Zack who has him by the shirt and is speaking to him. He’s practically growling at him. They’ve moved a few feet away and I look around for help because the last thing I want is Zack pissed, or for Ethan to get upset because the man seems completely unhinged. I’m surprised no one else has noticed anything, but if they do, they’re acting like they don’t. Maybe this is more common than I think.
I watch their conversation in hushed angry tones not able to make anything out but from the look on Zack’s face and the tension in his shoulders, he’s incredibly pissed off.
I take a few steps towards them. When I get close, Zack notices me from the corner of his eyes and he stops arguing with Ethan for just a second before Zack turns back to him and pushes him away one last time.
“Stay. Away. From. Her.” Each word is spit out like it tastes vile coming from his mouth.
Ethan takes a step a back, not seeming upset about this at all. He actually looks amused when he brushes his shirt a little bit, straightening it out. He gives one last look to Zack, then to me, before turning back to Zack.
“No worries, man. Have fun with her.” He walks away before either of us can say anything else.
It’s only after Ethan walks away when I begin focusing on what he actually told me. I am just one of many girls he’s treated this way and I feel like such a fool. How naïve could I be? This guy has had women flocking him for years. Is this how he attracts them, by acting like the nice guy next door and interested in them as a person before trying to seduce them into his bed? I wonder how long he would have waited to get me into his before kicking me off the bus. The thoughts are flying through my head so rapidly I don’t notice Zack until his hand is on my arm.
“Are you okay?” His expression shows concern. But is this just an act? Is he just pissed that Ethan sold him out and now I can leave before his plan comes to fruition?
I’m so confused. Worse than the confusion, I feel completely disappointed in myself for falling for it; and in him, for acting like he cared about me when I was spilling my guts about Mark and Andrew.
My words come out just above a whisper. “No. I’m just….I’m gonna go.”
I turn around and begin pushing my way through the crowd before he can stop me. I have to get out of here, at least until I can clear my head and think a little bit. Zack has always looked so sincere and kind. I can’t believe it was all an act, but there was a sick joy on Ethan’s face when he mentioned the girls. He was thrilled to dish out the details of why I am here. I’m out the door and walking, practically running, down the hallway when I hear Zack shout my name.
***
Zack
I shout Nicole’s name again and stop chasing her when she freezes in the hallway. I glance back briefly at the doorway before slowly turning to face her. What in the hell am I even doing chasing her?
I can’t exactly place why this woman feels so important to me and maybe Ethan’s right. Maybe this is all an act from another fan who’s just trying to get a few minutes of fame, or maybe get me to buy her some expensive shit.
I watch as she breathes heavily, a pissed off look in her eyes and I know whatever Ethan thinks is totally wrong. I haven’t been able to get this girl out of my head ever since the sound check the other night. She can go from looking scared to full of life in the span of mere seconds. She’s beautiful and sexy and she doesn’t even realize it, which