Secrets

Chapter Fourteen

Anya

I can't stop myself from smiling. I'm having such a good night with the guys and Jackson's band were amazing. They used some of the new material that we worked on and it sounds fantastic. 

I also never realised how much fun the elite guys are either. I guess I always expected them to be stuck up, rude and obnoxious but I am pleasantly surprised to find out I was wrong. Ricky is a sweetheart. He really is the quiet one of the group but the guys don't push him around at all, which is refreshing. He's also the mediator of the group, from what I can see. Whenever things get heated about anything, Ricky is there with a calming word.

Josh is probably the most stereotypical of them all. Status is key to Josh and I guess that's why he's the one who's taken the least liking to me. I don't hold it against him and he is still friendly, but there's a cold edge to him when it comes to me. I'm trying not to take it personally.

Sam is probably the most amazing guy I've ever met. He's funny, outrageous, sweet and polite, and being gorgeous is just an added bonus. He's almost the perfect best friend. 

From the sounds of the stories they are all telling, these guys are huge players. Except Ricky - it sounds like he is always the sensible, level headed one. To be honest, I can't blame them all being players. They are all extremely attractive, rich and respected.

Jackson heads back over to the table and the guys start to cheer and I can't help but join in. I'm rewarded with a dazzling smile from him.

"Great show, dude." Sam slaps Jackson on the back and smiles.

"Thanks. What did you think, Anya?" He looks at me expectantly and I'm honoured he values my opinion so much.

"You guys were fantastic. Really, really good." I smile.

"The guys wanna say thanks for all your help. Do you mind?" He gestures backstage and I smile and get up.

"Of course not. But it's really not necessary." I walk around the table before excusing myself and following Jackson into the back and out into the rear parking lot.

He turns around abruptly and smiles.

"Okay, I may have exaggerated slightly. The guys did say thank you, but I sent them home. I just wanted to talk to you for a minute." 

"Um, okay. You couldn't do that at the table?" My heads telling me that no, he couldn't, but I really wish he could. I hope I'm wrong but the way he's looking at me when he shakes his head and puts his hands in his pockets tells me that I'm probably not. Oh God, how did I miss this? 

"Anya, I really like you." He's blushing. Shit. Now I'm blushing. I never blush. "And I've had an awesome time with you these past few weeks. I've never met anyone like you, Anya. Anyway, I'd really like to take you out for dinner sometime. Like, on a date." He looks away from his feet and up at me and it takes all of my inner strength to close my mouth which has been hanging open the entire time.

Shit, shit, shit, this is bad. And I really didn't see it coming, either. How is that possible? And I've been getting on so well with him, now I'm going to lose him because I'm going to turn him down. Or maybe I shouldn't turn him down. Maybe I should give him a chance. He's a good guy and we do get on well. 

He's looking at me with those big blue eyes and I realise I've been quiet for too long.

"Wow, Jackson. I don't know what to say."

"That's easy, say yes."

I take a deep breath and he's looking at me, waiting. I can't handle the pressure. "I'm flattered, Jackson, I really am." He smiles. "But I can't, I'm sorry."