Landon once. He gave me a weird look every time I’d sneak a chicken leg, but I just gave him the middle finger and kept eating.”
“Sounds messy. How did that work out for you?”
“It was really fucking messy and I smelled like grease the rest of the night, but I was satisfied and full. It was the best chicken of my life, so no regrets.”
“Do you miss being on stage?”
“What? Right now?”
“Yeah. Since we’ve been here.”
“No,” I say truthfully. “I love it, but everyone needs a break to just be themselves once in a while; to be normal. I miss my old life more than I thought I would at times. This is what I love to do; hang with my friends and chill away from all the fame and people recognizing me everywhere I go.”
“Oh, there are definitely a few people who recognize you here. Like the girl at the table behind us for one. She keeps looking your way every few seconds,” she points out with a smile. “She keeps holding her phone this way as if she’s trying to not so discreetly take a picture of you. I’ve counted at least five different times so far.”
“Does she look like she’s about to freak out?”
She laughs. “Oh yeah. Totally on the verge of a freak out.”
I set my beer down and stand. When I look the direction the girl is sitting, her eyes widen, and her mouth falls open in shock.
“Then I should go say hi. What do you think?”
“From the looks of it, she’ll probably faint if you do, so you might want to be prepared to catch her if she falls.”
“Good advice.”
As soon as the girl realizes I’m walking her way, she sets her drink down and takes a few deep breaths as if to calm herself. “Wow,” she says when I take a seat at her table. “I can’t believe this is happening right now. Would it be rude to ask for an autograph? I’ve wanted one forever and it’d totally make my night.”
“Hell no. Ask away.”
“Oh, my God. I’m freaking out inside right now. You have no idea.” She places her hand on her chest. “My heart is about to beat out of my chest. You have no idea how crazy this is. I’m so embarrassed that I’m acting like a fangirl, but I can’t help it.”
“It’s okay. No need to be embarrassed.” I laugh and grab her phone from her because her hand is shaking so hard the screen keeps blurring. “I’ve got it.”
“I can take it for you.” Natalie holds her hand out for me to give her the phone. I can’t help but notice how happy she looks for the girl as she snaps a few pictures of us. “I took a few so you have options.”
“Oh, my God. Thank you so much.” The girl gives me a hug, before walking over and giving Natalie one too. “You’re so pretty. I saw a picture of you two the other day and I couldn’t stop thinking how you’re exactly the kind of girl I’d imagine Madden with. You look so good together.”
“We’re not—”
“She makes me look good,” I say, while scribbling my name on a napkin, my attention focused on Natalie watching me.
“You’re both amazing! Thank you. Thank you.” She grabs the napkin and then drops some cash on the table, but I hand it back to her and grab her bill.
“It’s on me to show my appreciation for your support.”
“Oh, wow! I’ve always seen you getting in fights at concerts and wondered if you’d be a dick in person. I’m so glad to find out you’re not. You’re the complete opposite. I’m not disappointed at all. Just another reason RISK is my favorite band, so thanks for being a good guy and not ruining my love for the band.”
After the girl walks away, I smile at Natalie and we head back to our spot at the bar where our food is now waiting for us. “That was nice of you to offer to take pictures for her. Looked like you were having fun.”
“I was. It made me happy to see you with a fan; just like the other night at the gas station. You’re good with them.”
“I have to be. They’re good to me. If it weren’t for them, I’d be nothing. RISK would be nothing.”
She shakes her head and grabs a wing. “You could never be nothing, Madden. Don’t ever think that.”