Belonging to the Band

Chapter 4

Chapter Four

When I found out he was cheating that had been the moment where I started to break. Confronting him with it and the way that he had lashed out at me… That was the moment that I knew I couldn’t stay with him, that I wasn’t safe. Real love didn’t hurt the way that he loved me, didn’t slap you across the face and leave you stumbling to fall back against the wall.

Heather had helped me get away from him. She had flown out to me and helped me pack a bag. Tossed my phone out the window of the car on a dark highway when he sent his fifteenth text message going from threatening me to begging me to come home. She was stronger than me and had helped me start to pick up the pieces of my broken life.

Now, I had a small apartment but it was mine. I had a cellphone sitting in my cup holder that he wasn’t able to text. I was rebuilding myself piece by piece and I wasn’t going to let Scotty take that from me.

***

I pulled my car up in front of the warehouse, frowning as I looked at the GPS again. The parking lot was fenced off but this couldn’t be the right place.

Heather said this was for a big client but this was an industrial warehouse, not an office building like I had expected it to be. I looked at the building not wanting to turn off the engine in case my car decided not to start again.

Glancing at my phone, I double checked the address. It was the right place. I turned the keys in the ignition and pulled them out. Hooking them onto my belt loop and grabbing my cell phone, I tucked it into my back pocket as I climbed out of my car. Closing the door behind me, I moved to the truck. Popping it open, I stacked the boxes of cookies on top of the cooler and hefted everything into my arms. I sent up a silent prayer that I wouldn’t drop anything.

Carrying the cooler and boxes over to the warehouse door, I stopped in front of it. I was getting ready to sit everything down to open the door when suddenly it burst open.

“The set is closed. Get lost.” A man said and I shifted the cooler down slightly so I could look at him. He was dressed in a white shirt that stretched over his muscular chest and tight black jeans with combat boots.

“I’m from-” I started to say but he cut me off.

“I don’t care where you’re from lady,” he snapped, looking down at the clipboard in his hand before his eyes flicked back to me. A scowl marred his angry looking features, his messy gray hair stuck up like he had been running his fingers through it.

“Look, I have a delivery. This is the address I was given.”

“You’ve got five seconds before I call security-” He started to snap but a woman called out to him, her voice stopping him in his tracks.

“Lucas, chill. It should be the cookies and fruit that King and Lover asked for.” The woman said, coming to stand beside the man. She looked at me, her green eyes studying me for a moment before she gave me a kind smile. Her blonde hair hung in beach waves that fell just past her shoulders. Her makeup was simply done besides the shock of dark red lipstick that made her full lips look even bigger.

She was the kind of woman that exuded an aura of command as she spoke to Lucas who was still eyeballing me like he wanted to kick me out and lock the door.

“Look, she’s got a cooler in her hands. Here, let me help you.” She said, stepping forward and grabbing the white boxes on top of the cooler.

“You don’t have to-”

“Nonsense. I’m Anna. I’ll show you where we’re setting up the table for the snacks.” She interrupted, turning away from me and heading over to a set of metal stairs that would lead us to the next floor.

I glanced back at Lucas and he shook his head, stepping to the side to let me in. I quickly moved to follow after Anna, the door closing behind me as she led the way up the stairs.

The warehouse was like a maze of towering equipment and busy crew members setting things up. It was nosy and buzzing with excitement. I wanted to ask her what was going on and who the deliveries were for but I kept quiet, following after Anna and trying to keep pace with her. Her heels clicked across the concrete floor and she turned to look at me over her shoulder.

“The guys are filming a music video today and everyone is a little on edge after the latest scandal.”

“The guys?” I asked.

“Midnight Embers. King, Demon, and Lover are in makeup right now but they should be done soon. Both King and Lover have a massive sweet tooth.”

Midnight Ember. Heather liked the band. Their music had been playing at her shop. She was going to be pissed when she realized she missed the chance to meet them. I’d have to see if I could maybe get their autographs for her if I saw them.