I pick at my fingernail, giving occasional glances at the stage. A tall shirtless man with a wild shoulder-length main emerges from backstage. The muscles of his massive arms flex as he gathers his dark brown hair into a bun, revealing the shaved sides of his head. His perfectly symmetrical features are fierce, high cheekbones and a squared jaw. He picks up a guitar, strums a cord, and his dark tan skin glistens in the sun like a rock 'n' roll god.

"Who's gonna bring the beats? Seb's gonna bring the beats." Another man walks onto the stage, holding two drumsticks in his umber hands, tapping them together above his closely shaved head. A bright toothy smile that narrows his dark eyes pulls at his full lips. He sits behind the drum set and taps the base pedal twice.

"I see we're not practicing humility today, Seb," says a woman who appears to be about my age.

"Come on, Ridley. When you got it, you got it," the drummer replies.

She sticks her tongue out at him and grabs an electric guitar from a stand. Her vibrant crimson hair slides to the side revealing gaged ears and colorful tattoos that cover her neck and arms. My jaw slackens when she runs her fingers quickly over the neck of the guitar while she plucks the strings. She is amazing.

The three musicians fall into a simple tempo, the sound of their instruments melting together into the makings of a song.

"Sorry I'm late but look at this!" A slender man with dark purple hair holds his arm in the air. A realistic rendering of a bass guitar is inked into the fawn skin of his forearm. "I've permanently engraved the only girl I'll ever need on my body." He lifts a bass guitar and gives it a lingering kiss before winking an angular eye at Ridley.

She shakes her head. "You're such a pervert, Eagin."

"You wouldn't have me any other way."

"Let's put an end to this before it begins, shall we." Everyone turns and I slide behind my brother.

Kade steps onto the stage with an acoustic guitar hanging from a shoulder strap. He finger-combs a rogue strand of his ebony hair from his forehead, looking out into the field. He pulls a microphone to his mouth. "Nicky and Pete, how are you guys doing?"

They leave me standing alone and walk up to the catwalk where Kade meets them and shakes their hands. My brother points back at me, and Kade smiles.

"Hello A.J.," he says into the microphone.

Keeping my head down, I wave and laughter breaks out.

"Don't be shy, A.J. You're going to have to have fun, or we'll send you home."

I nod and cover my face with my hand. I pray Kade doesn't recognize me, even if he seems to be the guy who I met during our first encounter.

A simple drumbeat pounds through the speakers before the guitars and bass join in. It's a song I've heard many times, the rock anthem that put The Remnants on the charts. It sounds just as good if not better live. Kade's powerful voice is phenomenal; his vocal range is unlike any other artist that is topping the charts right now. My body betrays me, rocking to the beat as my mind sings along. As tempted as I am to give in, I plant my feet and divert my eyes.

Between versus Kade says, "Oscar, do you see what's going on here?"

"Looks like trouble is coming for her," answers the shirtless guitar player.

I spare a look at the stage; Ridley is strutting down the catwalk with her guitar. She slings it behind her, jumps from the platform, and runs towards me like an enthusiastic child. Stopping just short of me, she lifts her instrument and breaks into a powerful solo.

"Give into our charms," she yells over the music and laughs.

It's contagious, and I break a smile. That's all it takes for her to grab my hand and pull me towards the stage. For a moment, I consider digging my heels in, but I don't want to draw any more attention to myself. Ridley helps me onto the catwalk and starts dancing around me.

Nicky and Pete chuckle while encouraging me to dance by exaggerating their own dance moves. I'm going to make them pay for this.

Someone grips my upper arm and spins me. I meet Eagin's grin as he moves his hips playing the base. I laugh but refuse to dance. He reaches around me like he is going to put his hand on my shoulder. "You got to let your hair down," he says, grabbing the clip from the back of my head and sending my hair cascading around me.

In a whirlwind of motions, another hand turns me around. My palm lands on a chest and my gaze travels upward. Golden honey eyes peer into mine, and my heart rapidly beats from his close proximity. It's the same indescribable feeling I had the first time I met him.

Kade takes a step back, and pure disdain replaces his carefree, sweet demeanor. He jerks his stare from mine and walks away. My heart sinks; I knew this was bound to happen.

When the song ends, I scramble to climb down from the stage, but before I push myself to the ground, a hand reaches in front of me and I stop.

"I'm Oscar."

I glance up into a set of brown eyes that remind me of my bother's. They are full of compassion, charisma, and kindness. I take a deep breath and shake his hand. "It's nice to meet you."

The other members of the band gather around and introduce themselves. They apologize for giving me a hard time, and I brush them off knowing they didn't mean any harm.

"Where did Kade run off to?" Eagin asks.

Seb searched the stage and shrugs. "I guess he's calling it. That was a quick soundcheck."

"Come on, it's burning up out here. Let's get you guys some drinks," Oscar says helping me to my feet.

Our voices and steps echo throughout the hallway backstage. I fall behind the group, lost in my thoughts. That went worse than I imagined. I don't know if I can last this tour with Kade if he can't get over whatever his issue is with me.

"She has to go, Mike! Tell Nicky she can't stay."

Our group stops in its tracks, and I bump into the back of Oscar.

Kade is at the end of the hallway pacing back and forth as his fingers grip his hair.

"I don't understand. We can't just send her home if she has done nothing wrong," says a burly man with a bald head.

"Trust me, she's trouble, and we don't need her here."

I push my way to the front of the group.

Kade stops when his gaze lands on me. "Ariella," he says my name like it's a profanity.

I bite my bottom lip and nod in response. There are a thousand things I yearn to say, but they're all overshadowed by one thought—I need to get away. "Don't worry, I'll go." I push back through the group behind me and hold my tears at bay until no one can see them streaming down my face.

God, I hate him.

"What the fuck, Kade!" Ridley's raspy voice echoes.

"A.J. wait!" Footsteps race after me. "Kade doesn't mean it."

I scoff and pick up my stride.

"I understand how it looks, but Kade doesn't get mad like that without a good reason," Oscar continues.

"Well, I guess there's a first time for everything."

I swing open the door leading to the secured area where the crew parked their vans. Unsure of where I am or where I can go, I throw my hands in the air. I'm trapped.

Oscar grabs my arm and pulls me behind a truck. He cringes and says, "Sorry. There are fans everywhere, and I don't want them seeing me with a girl who they're not familiar with."

"Well, isn't that the story of my life," I huff, taking a seat on the curb.

He sits down next to me. "You and Kade know each other?"

I shake my head and roll my eyes. "No, not really. He has a problem with my boyfriend which he feels the need to direct at me. Four months of this is going to be pure hell." I place my crossed arms on my knees and drop my head on top of them.

Oscar pats my back. "Kade will come around."

I place my right hand out in front of me and cross my fingers. "Here's hoping."

He laughs. "So, who is this boyfriend that—"

The backdoor swings open, and my brother sticks his head out. "A.J., come back inside and let's put this drama to rest."

I walk through the door Nicky holds open for me as he tells Oscar thanks. Nicky clenches his jaw and furrows his eyebrows while leading me into a dressing room. Two leather couches face each other in the center of the room. Mike and Kade sit on one and across from them is Pete. My brother sits and motions me over. With a sigh, I plop down between him and Pete.

"A.J., this is Mike. He is the tour manager for The Remnants," Pete says.

I silently wave at the big man Kade was talking to in the hallway.

Pete clears his throat and shifts in his seat. "He's agreed to let you stay but wants to establish some ground rules. It's rare that the group has someone their age on the road with them who's not a family member or friend. We just want to make sure everything stays professional."

I squeeze my eyes shut and bite my top lip. The last thing I want is for them to send me home after a few days on the job. I won't be able to handle my dad's disappointment. Not to mention, he might think I did it on purpose. I just need to make this right no matter what the cost and get on with my job.

"Okay, what are the rules?" I ask Mike, avoiding Kade's gaze even though it's burning holes through me.

Mike sits forward resting elbows on his knees and clasping his massive hands between his legs. His dark eyes roam over me in the most intimidating way, but I keep my cool.

"One—you may not be alone in a hotel room with any of the members of the band. Someone else must be with you."

That's easy. Asher would freak out if he found out I was in a room alone with another guy.

"Two—we'll have a confidentiality agreement here tomorrow morning. You must sign it."

Not a big deal. Asher's management made me sign one of those; it's part of the territory.

"Finally, you can't get involved with anyone in the band. If I find out you are messing around with them in any way, I'll send you home and look into removing your father's company from the tour."

I spring up from my seat. What the hell kind of bullshit is this? Why would anyone think I have intentions beyond working at the job my dad forced me to do this summer?

I look Kade in the eyes. "That won't be a problem. I have a boyfriend."

Kade rolls his eyes and snickers.

I turn back to Mike. "All your terms are understood. I'll find you tomorrow morning to sign the papers. Are we done here?"

He nods at me.

"Good." I storm out of the room before my anger gets the best of me, and I say something that will send SPI packing.