Heart of Stone (Rock Star Fairy Tales #1)

Chapter 55

C h apte r 55

Meeting t he Manager

Afternoon, Saturday, M arch 14 th at The Willis Center at Beau Lake in Ta flah, Genc

M argot sat in the green room with Stone Dragons and Cayla. Their manager wore what she called her working clothes—a leather jacket and tight jeans. No one would mistake the middle aged blonde for anything but what she was—a serious badass who didn’t take any crap and expected the best performance from her band. They had run through the set list for the night, and Cayla was reminding everyone to be on their best behavior at the gala tomorrow.

“This is bigtime,” she said, giving each of the guys a look in turn, every inch the mother prepping her boys for an important event. “Niklaus, I expect all of your charm and none of your she nanigans.”

Nik nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Charm loaded. No shen anigans.”

“And your suits?” she prompted.

“All pressed and on the RV,” Margot told her. “They can shower on both RVs and get ready on the P arty Bus.”

Cayla nodded. “What ab out you?”

“Me?” Margo t echoed.

“Yeah, you have a dress somewhere in that tiny home of yours?”

“It’s a bus, Cayla,” Margot reminded her yet again. “And yes, I have a dress. It’s blue,” she added lamely. She didn’t explain that Tobin had acquired the dress for her after a heated discussion where he insisted she could not wear silver or white; they were Lord Rebinus’s colors. Nor could she wear red or black, Ash’s colors, and those of the house of Lord Stonewall, without upsetting the other fae and making them think she was already Claimed and this was a sham. She had asked if blue was anyone’s special color, and he told her that blue, dark blue, was appropriate, the color of Lord Tennere.

When she asked if Lord Tennere would attend the gala, Tobin said, “All the Lords will be there.”

Margot took a deep breath, trying to decide how she felt about meeting her father. Deciding that topic was better explored another time, she turned her attention back to Cayla and he r speech.

“There will be big players at the show tonight,” she told them all. “And even bigger ones at the gala. Play this right, and you can tour to your heart’s content.” She frowned. “You know we can afford to fly and get hotels, right?” Glancing at Margot, she added, “Even you can live out of a few suitcases for a fe w months.”

Ash gave his band mates a look, and they all grinned. “We like driving, Cayla,” Timothy said for the group. “If we can keep touring, let’s do it this way.” Margot wondered if they would ever tour Belsune—and if she would go back there with them if they did.

Cayla shook her head. “Whatever.” Expression softening, she reached out her arms. “You crazy kids,” she said. “Give me a hug!”

Margot laughed, stepping close to join the group hug. As the arms came out to tug her close, she smelled the familiar scent of Ash on her right, his body pressed against hers, and the warm comfort of Cayla on her left. Sometimes it was hard being the only woman on tour who wasn’t a groupie. Though her days of touring were over, Cayla understood that isolation and would no doubt pull her aside at some point during the show for a full rundown of the tour events. While the manager would never replace Penelope or even Maddie, Cayla did have maternal moments Margot ap preciated.

“Tonight is going to be wonderful,” Cayla said, releasing them. “Now go out there and make everyone dream about dragons!”

Timothy nodded at her, “Ma’am,” and grabbed his drumsticks from the couch where he had left them. Nik blew Cayla a kiss and followed after the drummer. Ash lingered a moment, nodding at Cayla but giving Margot a longer look and a tentative smile. Margot smiled back, hating how much she enjoyed this new Ash who went out of his way to acknowledge her, to speak to her, to be the friend she recalled from the days before the band took over their lives. Since that morning on the roof of her bus, she hadn’t seen Ash in the company of a single groupie. Part of her wanted to think he was just more careful about hiding his entertaining from her, but Nik and Timothy insisted that Ash had been celibate f or weeks.

Ash was trying to be good enough for her. His words, o f course.

“Have a good show,” Margot said lamely, watching the lead singer as he strode from the room, already embodying his rock star persona.

Ash had barely passed through the door before Cayla slammed it shut, spinning to put her back against it. “Dear gods, woman,” Cayla said, eyes wide, “whatever did you do that boy?”

“Nothing!” Margot insisted, but Cayla’s skeptical gaze made her backpedal. “Well, we kind of…”

“Kind of what?” Cayla exclaimed. “I need to get your version of this because your cousin does not know how to tell a story.”

Margot held a hand up to her chest. “What has Nik told you?”

Cayla shook her head. “First he said that you and Ash finally got together.” At Margot’s reluctant nod of agreement, Cayla squealed, then calmed herself. “But he fucked it up with some groupie.” This time, Cayla’s face was somber at Margot’s nod. “Now he says you have some new beau, but Ash is trying to get you back. That’s the part I don’t un derstand.”

“Nik is right,” Margot confirmed. “I am seeing someone. Not Ash.”

“This is the one who texted me when you got sick?” At Margot’s nod, Cayla continued, “I like him. Efficient and goal-oriented. He’d make a good manager.”

Margot smiled. “He’s pretty amazing.”

Cayla abandoned the door and moved to the couch, patting the seat beside her. “Tell me everything, Margot. I imagine you’ve been dying for a woman’s perspective.” She sighed. “You know, I worry about you with th ese boys.”

“I’m fine,” Margot assured her. “It’s just the guys. I k now them.”

“Some better than others, hmm?” Cayla laughed, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t need to know the details about everyone’s favorite heartthrob but just tell me o ne thing.”

“Wha t’s that?”

“Is he as good as they all say?”

Margot slumped on the couch. “Better,” sh e sighed.

“Oh, honey,” Cayla said, leaning back to slump beside her. “Those are t he worst.”

“I’m just trying to forget about it,” Margot commiserated. “Trying to move on.”

Cayla tilted her head to face Margot. “That may work on someone else, but have you seen the way he looks at you? He’s not going to forget.” Cayla winked at her. “Well done, girl! You may have tamed that man for good.”

“Ash doesn’t want to be with me!” Margot burst, tired of the same old argument. At Cayla’s expression, she added, “Okay, he wants me. But not enough, Cayla. No t enough.”

“Would you give everything up to be with him?” Ca yla asked.

Margot sighed. “If you had asked me that a month ago, I would have said yes. No hesitation. But now…”

“Now you have someone else,” Cayla finished for her. “That changes things.” She turned, facing Margot. “Tell me about this new fellow of yours. I assume I’ll meet him at the gala?”

Margot grimaced. “Actually, no. He ca n’t come.”

“You know we can get him in, right?” Cay la asked.

“Oh, I know. He just has … something else going on. Wo rk stuff.”

Cayla frowned. “Too bad. He’s going to miss you in your fan cy dress!”

Margot ducked her head, not wanting to tell Cayla that Tobin had seen her in the new dress—and out of it—earlier that day.

“Well, he’s not getting through this weekend without meeting me in person,” Cayla insisted, giving her best manager/mom face. “You tell him that. He’s not seeing my Margot without me eting me.”

“Of course,” Margo t agreed.