The Stage (Phoenix Rising #1) Read Online Free Page A

over to find Kolton Royce, in all his glory, coming toward us. I start chewing really fast so I can swallow my bite. Oh my God, do I have spinach in my teeth?
    “She’s going to be very famous, little girl,” he says, kneeling down and putting his hand out to shake with Riley, giving me a close-up view of the tattoos covering the lower half of his arms. One arm is covered in a green and black swirled tribal design. The other has a guitar with metal wings surrounded by dark clouds.
    “What’s your name?” he asks Riley, as I run my tongue along my top teeth—just in case there’s food stuck there.
    “Riley,” she says. “I like your song, the one about the panther. That one’s cool.”
    “Well, thanks,” he says, turning his attention on me. “At least one of you knows who I am, then,” he says. He sounds serious and my heart drops down to my stomach.
    “I know who you are,” I respond. I realize my hands are shaking and my breaths are coming in little short bursts. I set my fork down on the plate. “I’m a fan. I know all of your songs—I…”
    “You impressed me today,” he says. He looks at me with an odd expression that I can’t read at all. It’s like he’s worried about me, or angry with me, or something in between.
    “Thank you.” And before I can think of another way to put my foot in my mouth, he takes my hand, skin to skin, leans into me and, I swear to God, he’s scenting me like an animal.
    “Hmm,” he says, looking straight into my eyes. They are the purest green I’ve ever seen, except for one red fleck in the upper corner of his right eye.
    He says nothing, but he says everything. I see worlds in his eyes; pain, love, promises, and desire. It’s like he finds that broken part inside me and pricks at it. It hurts. It feels good. It’s been seconds. It’s been hours. He blinks before taking a step back.
    He looks shaken for a second, his jaw tensing. Then a veil drops and he’s emotionless, distant. I want to say something, but, before I can, he says, “Hmm,” releases my hand, turns, and walks away.
    A leggy blond in a gypsy dress runs over to him. “Thank you so much for this opportunity,” she says. “How can I ever repay you?”
    “Work hard,” he says. “That’s how,” but his jaw relaxes and he smiles. She moves her arm around his back and he puts his over her shoulder as they pose, her arm outstretched for a selfie.
    He’s gone again, just like that, back out to finish searching for his team. I still feel him, though. It was the weirdest experience I’ve ever had. I try to calm the shaking in my hands, to no avail, and I can’t eat another bite.
    “Mia Phoenix,” says a production assistant.
    “Yes?”
    “You can go back to the hotel now. You need to be here at seven am for the team shoot. You’ll have your close-up taken and then the group photos.”
    “Okay, thanks,” I say, getting up. Was I waiting for that? For Kolton Royce to come out and talk to me? What else could it have been?
    *     *     *
    The next morning I have to leave Riley with the staff sitter while I get made up. They have me change into the same outfit I’ve been wearing for the past few days, and the dreaded, tall boots I’ve grown to hate.
    They take several shots of me smiling and standing in front of a blue screen. Afterward, Riley and I wait for the group portion. I don’t want to leave her with the staff sitter all day. Usually I go on early and we get to go back to the hotel. But today turns into tonight as I watch the other teams do the scene and leave.
    Blaire, my New York roomie, made it onto Team Pulse. Somehow that seems like the perfect place for her to be. I mean, Pulse’s wardrobe is anything but boring. Last night over room service, she told me she hasn’t interacted with Pulse at all since joining his team. I’m wondering why I’ve seen Kolton so many times, talked to him, too. It’s weird.
    Team Kolton has to wait for hours longer; I get Riley