a special thanks to my sister Kaylee. Thank you so much for always keeping us in line, and for being there whenever we need you," Noah announced.
"We love you Kaylee!" Jayden and Colton yelled together.
Ashton took the mic then. "Thanks for being my sparring partner, as well as my teddy bear." He looked out to the crowd and spotted Kaylee.
That did it. The tears started, the kind of good tears that she would never try to hide. She blew a kiss at all of them. The music came on to usher them off stage, but before they moved, they saw their biggest fan give them a standing ovation. Kaylee stood, with tears pouring from her eyes, clapping like there was no tomorrow. Her heart swelled, knowing how deserving the band was. She had been there through all the shows - the crappy ones and the great ones - all the long hours on the road, the interviews and the press and the occasional problems. She had seen it all, and she knew that ninety percent of stardom is serious work. That hard work had finally paid off, and she couldn't be happier for them.
Kaylee sat back down and watched the rest of the show. During commercial breaks, people would stop by to pat her on the shoulder and congratulate her and "her boys." She knew those boys were backstage in front of a bevy of cameras.
The guys made it back to their seats just as the show was ending. Ashton immediately took her hand as she sat down. They were all so euphoric that it was as though their bodies were filled with electricity; nobody wanted to sit. There was a lot of fidgeting until the show was over. After the cameras stopped rolling, they were finally able to get out of their seats and head to the front lobby.
Once there, Kaylee hugged all the guys again, telling them all how proud she was of them.
She went and talked to Colton and Jayden's dates as the three of them faded into the background. The women watched as different singers and actors came over and congratulated the band, giving them their moment of glory. Of course, Brittany stood right by Noah, making sure she was both seen and heard by everyone who stopped by.
Neither of the other two girls seemed to like Brittany much. They got along well with Kaylee though. They kept themselves entertained as the guys basked in the joy of the night. Ashton kept motioning for Kaylee to stand next to him, but each time, she smiled and shook her head.
The guys were able to meet some of their idols, the bands that they patterned their music after. It gave them an unbelievable high, something that no drug could ever match.
Ashton had enough of Kaylee holding up the wall, and went over to her. In one swift movement, he wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up and spun her around. Kaylee tossed her head back and laughed, feeling so carefree and happy.
An hour later they were back in the limo, heading to the post-party that their record company was throwing for the newly-minted winners. Ashton had his hand back in Kaylee's as they talked about all the famous people they had met that night.
At the party, the champagne was endless as the eight of them celebrated the success of the band. No one's glass was ever empty, and they were all plastered at the end of the night. It seemed a fitting, carefree way to end a night that had gone impossibly well - both professionally and personally.
Chapter 10
The next day, Kaylee woke to a relentless pounding in her head. She rolled over in bed, moving very carefully, hoping that if she moved her head to a different spot on the pillow, it wouldn't hurt so much.
She lay there for a long moment with her head hurting too much to think. But slowly awareness arrived, and with it came memories. Her mind started to picture everything that happened the night before, Ashton kissing her, touching her, making her feel like no man ever had before.
Kaylee groaned aloud. "No..."
She wasn't going to think of any of those things. Nothing really happened, and she didn't want anything to happen. Did she? Kaylee didn't like Ashton, there was no way. No way! He tormented her constantly, picking at her last nerve until she nearly blew up.
But why had they kissed so much the night before, and had so