Free The Loneliest Tour by Karolyn James Page B

hands tapping on the seat in front of
him. A fantasy ran through Masie ’ s
mind of her dancing only for Jett. Just her and him together. Moving, enjoying
each other ’ s company,
things getting hot and wild.
    It was so good to think of
something like that, she completely forgot about the song. The music and noise
faded out of her mind. It was just her body moving, her mind thinking about
Jett. Going from side to side, working the stage like she was the rockstar. A
sense of empowerment running through her body.
    The final part of the song came and
the four dancers got together. As they were told to do, they danced in a circle
together. Their heads, hands, and legs moving to the beat of the song. If
anything, this was the best Crutch Fail song just because it had a decent beat.
For all Masie knew, this would be their one big hit. She could see people
jamming in their cars to it. But that ’ s
all Crutch Fail would be. A one hit band and then fade out. Not like Willow
Son. Willow Son was a force.
    The song ended and Willow Son
applauded.
    Masie looked to Jett and he stuck
his fingers into his mouth and whistled.
    “ Thank
you, ” Colin said. “ Should we have a double band
session? ”
    “ No, ” Jett bellowed.
    His voice carried through the
building.
    “ That ’ s it for me, ” Carson said. He took his bass
off. “ I need a drink. I ’ m done for the day. ”
    The band jumped off the stage,
leaving their gear behind.
    “ Holy
shit, ” Gabby said as she
moved by Masie. “ Willow Son
is here watching us. It ’ s
so hot, isn ’ t it? ”
    “ They
are hot, ” Josie said. “ I mean, just insanely hot. ”
    Willow Son slowly stood and were
walking around the back of the building. They were talking to their manager,
Harry.
    “ What
do you think, Masie? ” Ana
asked.
    “ Yeah,
they ’ re something, ” Masie said. “ Hey, are we practicing privately
at all or what? ”
    “ No, ” Josie said. “ We know the moves. It ’ s done. It ’ s not like we ’ re ballerinas or something. This
is a rock tour. They ’ re
paying us to be on stage and look sexy. And I ’ m
sure they figure we ’ ll
eventually crack and sleep with them. ”
    “ You
will, ” Ana said with a
laugh.
    “ Me? ” Josie asked. “ Never. ”
    “ Masie
will, ” Gabby said.
    “ Not
a chance, ” Masie said.
    “ Like
hell, ” Gabby said. “ Colin handpicked you. You better
play by the rules. ”
    “ What
rules? ” Masie asked.
    “ Come
on, you know the rules. Everyone has to sleep with someone to get ahead. ”
    Masie kept her mouth shut. She
walked away, grabbing her bag.
    She hated when people like Gabby
said things like that.
    Once off the stage, Masie went to
the side door. All she wanted now was a hot shower and then something to eat.
The day had been mostly productive. It was better than having a terrible day.
    Outside, Masie rushed to her car.
Before she could open it, someone was calling her name. She looked back and saw
Jett racing toward her, waving his arms.
    No, Jett, please. Just not right
now.
    He got to her car. “ What are you doing, sweetheart? ”
    “ I ’ m leaving. ”
    “ Why?
Something wrong? ”
    “ Just
tired. Long day so far. I guess we ’ re
all ready for the tour. Which is good. ”
    “ Hey,
wait a second. I came all the way here to see you. ”
    “ And
you ’ re seeing me now, Jett. ”
    Jett stepped back. “ Whoa. What ’ s wrong? ”
    “ Nothing, ” Masie said. “ I ’ m
just …” She looked at the
practice stage building. She shook her head.
    “ Hey,
what is it? ” Jett asked. He
touched her arm. “ Did
something happen in there? ”
    “ No, ” Masie said. “ I ’ m
grumpy. That ’ s all. Maybe a
little mad at myself for leaving last night. I should have stayed. Hung out
with you and the band. Mingled. ” Masie looked into Jett ’ s
eyes. “ Maybe it would have
helped me. Right? Sleep with someone to get ahead. ”
    “ Who
said anything about sleeping together? ” Jett