“It’s totally the bodyguard. Do you see how he looks at her? And all the photos of the two of them joking around. Either he’s gay and her best friend, or they’re totally fucking,” the guy says.
“I think the manager is a part of it too,” another girl says. “If not, he should be. That man is fiiiine.”
“Remember when she said someone from her past came back into her life?” the first girl asks, and my ears perk up. “Well, I happen to know someone from her hometown. There’s no proof, but they think it’s her old best friend. Something messed up happened in their town, this big thing with cults and everything. Anyways, they think it’s her.”
“Oh my god!” her friend squeals. “That would be so romantic,” she sighs wistfully. “As much as I’d like a chance with her, I’m rooting for the best friend.”
My heart swells, and I can’t help but feel all floaty and giddy.
“Same,” the first girl says. “That would be like the most epic romance book ever.”
Leaning my head up to look at Gavin, I find him grinning down at me. He winks, and I can’t help but giggle.
“Please,” the guy snorts. “She could have anyone she wanted. Why would she want some small-town girl?”
My smile falls, and Gavin shoots the guy a glare.
“Money doesn’t mean everything,” the girl scoffs. “True love doesn’t see how much money you have, or what kind of life you live. If you really love someone, they could be homeless, sleeping in a cardboard box, and it wouldn’t matter.”
“True,” her friend agrees. “You're just pissed off that the girl you’ve been head over heels for doesn’t want you. Maybe if you stopped being a chauvinistic pig, she would.”
There’s a chorus ofoh burnsfrom their group.
“Prick,” Gavin grumbles.
When we get through the line, we’re led to a table with a bunch of merch. “Alright,” I turn to Gavin. “You have the card?”
“This one?” he holds up his black credit card. “Yes, Darlin’, so get whatever your little heart desires.”
“You're my hero,” I giggle.
Listen, this is my first Rage Against the Heart concert, I’m gonna go all number one, stalker fan. Is it cringy? Possibly. But do I care? Not a single bit.
I grab one of everything. A hoodie, a t-shirt, key chains, buttons, stickers, a light-up stick, and even an umbrella. I also grab a beanie that says My Heart’s In Pieces and it’s Your Fault. It’s pink, black, and glittery–I had to.
By the time we’re done, Gavin is laughing, arms full.
“Holy crap,” someone whispers behind us. “I wish I had an Alpha who loves me that much to buy me all of that.”
“Me too,” someone else sighs.
I grin up at Gavin, and he winks down at me, my heart swelling with love. I’m lucky to have him.
“Well, looks like we have a super fan.” I jump when I hear Nate’s voice. He’s standing behind the merch table.
“What are you doing here?” I laugh.
“Had to check in on a few things,” he says, looking around subtly. He clears his throat. “For a fee, we can store all of that for you.” I think that’s code forDo you want me to bring that back to the bus for you?
“I’d love that. Thank you.” I giggle.
Gavin goes to pay, but Nate quickly and discreetly taps his own card, giving Gavin a look.
“Ally would kill me if you paid for any of this, seeing how she was planning on giving you one of everything anyway.”
Ugh. My damn heart is going to explode.
I pick what I want to wear, choosing a shirt with just Ally. She’s facing away, only her back profile showing. She’s dressedin a crop top, shorts, fishnet stockings, and boots that go up to her knees. Her hands are in the air, with her middle fingers up.
