Always Rayne (The ALWAYS SOMETIMES NEVER Rock Star Romance Series) by Sierra Avalon Read Free Book Online Page A

handle the creepy-as-shit reporter?”
    “I can handle it.” I assure him. 

     
    Four
    I see the guy waiting in the lobby. He really is creep y-as-shit. Leo was not exaggerating.
    He's at least twice my age, very round and rapidly losing his hair. He barely ha s enough left for a decent comb over.
    And people say I don't know how to coordinate an outfit. This guy is wearing grey plaid pants with a white shirt and a lime green tie. Even I know that doesn't match.
    He also has a photographer with him. The guy is holding his camera in a ready position like he's going to snap a photo of me.
    As I exhale, I try to muster as much confidence as I possibly can. This is my chance to be a real journalist.
    "I'm Harper Leigh," I say as I approach the man with my hand extended.
    He looks me up and down before he takes my hand. "Is that your real name?"
    I'm not sure whether to be angry or insulted. The guy just seems like a jerk. His hand is also cold and slimy from sweat. I try to tear my hand from his but he doesn't let me go. He pulls me closer to him instead.
    I can smell his body odor and the gallon of cologne he's wearing to cover the fact that he hasn't bathed in a while.
    "I'm going to get all the dirt on Nic Rayne whether you like it or not."
    I rip my hand from his and pull away from him. I want to wipe my hand on something but I don't want his disgusting sweat on my clothes.
    "I have the rights to an exclusive story on Mr. Rayne and his band."
    "Mr. Rayne," he sneers. "Is that what you call him when you're fucking him?"
    "Excuse me?"
    "You heard me. The only way that guy is giving you an exclusive story is if you're giving him something in return."
    "I don't even think I need to dignify those remarks with a response. Now please leave."
    He laughs. "Last time I checked this is a free country. I have just as much right to stand in this lobby as you do."
    He turns to his photographer. "Get a shot of her. Nic Rayne's flavor of the week."
    "That's not true. You can ’t publish that."
    “I can publish whatever I want. It doesn't have to be true. It just has to sell advertising. If you don't like it, get a lawyer and sue me. I'll get even more publicity."
    "You're disgusting. You give journalism a bad name."
    "Tell me something I don't know. I'm just here to make a buck."
    "You don't have any integrity at all."
    He nods. "Lost it years ago and never missed it. You're still young but I'm sure you'll lose it to o. And the moment you realize it's gone, I'll bet you'll remember this conversation."
    He turns toward his photographer. "Let's get something to eat, Joe." Then he turns back to me. "See you around, Kid."
    And with that, both men turn and walk away.
     
    ***
     
    Even though I’m in a special VIP area it still feels weird being at the concert alone. Okay, so I’m not completely alone. I’ve got Raven and Brad on either side of me. But I still feel like I’m alone because I don’t know either one of them all that well and I’m not sure either one of them likes me very much.
    Maybe Brad does. It’s hard to tell. He seems like the kind of guy who is nice to everyone . But you never really know if he’s just being nice because he’s supposed to be or because he wants to be.
    The concert isn’t that much different than the one I saw the other night except that Nic is making a point of looking at me every few minutes and giving me that smug grin of his. It’s almost like he wants to make sure I’m still there watching him and I haven’t left to go read a book or something.
    It’s certainly tempting. I’d much rather be reading a book but I have a job to do.
    “The guys sound great tonight,” Raven says to no one in particular.
    I’m not sure how she can tell. The music is so loud and intense it’s difficult to actually hear anything but noise.
    But the fans seem to love them. Just like they did in San Diego. The audience goes wild with Nic’s every move.
    Once the show is finally over, Brad grabs my elbow and