The Rock Star’s Fake Fiancee - Kenzie Reed Page 0,111

diner owner, gives me two thumbs up. Gramma Mae lifts her cane again and waves it like someone waving a lighter at a concert.

The crowd starts chanting. “Say yes! Say yes!”

And Callie wipes her eyes with her hand, and sniffles, and nods at me. “Yes, Sebastian,” she says huskily. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

The crowd erupts in cheers that start at the front and make their way to the back, a wave of happiness and good spirits.

“Oh, thank God.” I feel as if a thousand-ton weight just lifted off me. “That could have gone either way. Just so you know, I wouldn’t have given up if you’d said no, though. I would have set aside my career as a musician to become your full-time stalker.” I take her hand and slide the lily of the valley ring onto her finger. “How does it fit?”

“Badly,” she laughs, “but I love it.” She leans in and kisses me. She tastes sweet and warm, and I gently cup her chin in my hand.

I help her climb off the stage, and we’re instantly surrounded by her friends and family and my band members, and the shouting swallows us up, and people are tapping on my shoulder and trying to talk to us, but I only have eyes for Callie.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Callie

I’m going to marry Sebastian. I’m going to be Mrs Monroe. Me. Callie Monroe. The words run through my head in a low, stunned chant of happiness and disbelief.

“Congratulations. You won,” a bitter voice says from behind me.

I turn, and scowl when I see Terra Jones. She’s been out on bail for a couple of days.

I’m standing in the shade behind one of the food booths, and I’m exhilarated but drained. Every single person in Swampy Bottom County has congratulated us and demanded to know what the heck that fake fiancée business was all about, and Sebastian and I have given our exclusive interview to Uncle Tyrell for the Bitter End Bulletin. I asked Sebastian how Chris was going to handle it, but he just shrugged it off.

I’ve only just now escaped the horde so I can be alone with my thoughts for a few minutes. I don’t know how Terra found me in this crowd, but she seems to have an unerring ability to be where she’s not wanted.

She’s looking much better now. She’s gotten a haircut with a fringe of bangs to hide the hair that was pulled out, and a thick coat of makeup hides the fading bruises around her eye and brings her pretty features into sharp relief.

Her court date for the burglary charges is coming up in a month. I’m surprised she’s still in town, considering how badly things have gone for her here, but she can’t seem to get over her Heat Lightning obsession.

“Not in the mood right now, thanks.” I smile pleasantly. “It’s a lovely day. Go enjoy yourself. The fried candy bars are to die for.” And I’ll still see you in court next month, you psycho.

I glance down at my watch. The band is going to be on the main stage soon. I have a backstage pass, and I need to start making my way there, because it’s going to be a challenge just getting through the crowds.

“How did a fugly nobody like you land a guy like him? You must give head like a Hoover vacuum cleaner,” she scoffs.

I shake my head. I was so intimidated when I first saw her, with all her sneering bravado and her spackled-on beauty. Now I see there’s nothing behind it. She’s a hollow vessel filled with envy and spite.

“Why don’t you go back to Nashville, Terra? There’s nothing for you here.”

“Oh yes there is. There’s one last thing. Revenge.” She leans in, her eyes glowing with a crazy light. “I want to watch.”

A faint whisper of unease skitters through me. “Want to watch what?” I ask, even though of course she’ll never give me a straight answer.

She just stands there and smirks, twirling a lock of hair around her finger. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“Stay sweet now,” I reply with a polite smile, leaving her standing there and staring at me in puzzlement. I know she’s trying to remember where she’s heard that before.

I walk off, diving back into the crowd.

Her words and her intense, focused expression follow me.

She’s just messing with your head, I tell myself.

To be on the safe side, I text a message to Sheriff Buckley, telling him what she just said to me. He responds