Rocked in the Dark by Clara Bayard Read Free Book Online

lives,” if they okay it, I could maybe play it with you.”
My mouth dropped open. “Really?”
He fidgeted, rocking back onto his heels. “Yeah. I was messing around with it the other day and I have some ideas. We could just rehearse it. See what happens?”
“I think that’s a great idea. Wow, thank you, Matt. Is it Matt or Matthew.”
He blushed. Actually blushed. “Whichever.”
I’m not going to lie. It was charming as hell. “All right. Matthew. Once we get our marching orders we can set something up.”
“Okay.”
I grinned broadly and happened to look over where the other guys were standing. Rick was staring daggers at me. I glared right back for a second but then I noticed his tongue just barely peeking out from between his lips and memories flooded back and I had to look away.
Fortunately, the meeting ended and everyone came up to join us.
A woman I didn’t recognize stepped forward. She was tall and thin with ombre hair that I could tell was extensions. Expensive ones, but still. She had on a really tight skirt suit, like that show my mom used to watch when I was a kid. The one with the lawyer who wore miniskirts all the time.
“Hey gang,” she said, smiling. “I’m Christine. The label has hired me to handle all the on-site publicity for this tour and I couldn’t be more jazzed about it.”
I hated her immediately.
“Now, I know you’re all excited to practice your songs and whatever, but I’ve lined up something really amazing for you today, so it’ll have to wait.”
Joe, who’d been typing into his phone the whole time, spoke up. “What is it?”
“A candid photo shoot. We’ll have all of you backstage just hanging out and take some pictures.”
“Posed ones?”
“Yes.” She swiped the back of her thumb under her lower lip, checking for smeared lipstick.
“So not actually candid, then.”
She tittered instead of laughed. “Got me there, Joe. Yes, you’ll be posed. But casual. Basically wearing what you are now. Just being yourselves. Getting to know each other.”
“Fine.”
Dex raised his hand, eliciting chuckles from the rest of us. “If we’re getting to know each other, couldn’t we do it in a bar or a restaurant? Somewhere a little more fun than backstage here.”
“Maybe next time. For now we’ve already got lights rigged and the photographer is back setting up props.”
I rolled my eyes. This was not part of the business I’d missed. Plus, a photo shoot meant I’d be stuck in the same room with Rick, who was still looking at me. “Let’s get this over with.”
Christine beamed at me. “Great. Why don’t we go back first and I’ll take you to makeup.”

Half an hour later I was almost ready. My hair was fluffed and sprayed. Makeup caked on. All that remained was the inevitable argument about my clothes. The wardrobe person had a dress she wanted me to change into, but I refused.
“It’s too little girl romantic,” I said, looking balefully at the gauzy pink monstrosity she was holding. “That’s not the look I’m going for here.”
“But it’s lovely. And designer. That wasn’t easy to find in your size.” She whispered the last part as if anyone in the room didn’t know I wasn’t a sample size.
“Yes, very pretty. I’m not wearing it.” I crossed my arms and stared evenly at her.
“Well…I see.” She hung the dress back up and rifled through the rack for a bit. “How about something like this?” She held up a long-sleeve blouse in a deep purple color. It was in another flimsy fabric and had – I almost shuddered just looking at it – puffy sleeves.
“No. Hell no.”
“Fine.” She put that back too and then turned to face me. “Look, why don’t you just tell me what you like to wear and I’ll see if we have anything that might work.”
I gestured down at my body. “What’s wrong with this?”
She looked me up and down a few times slowly. “It’s not terrible.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Gosh, thanks.”
I heard stifled laughs and