Hostage to you

8 Sweat

Raven's POV

Backstage is buzzing, but I'm used to the chaos by now. The show's about to start, and Billie's in the middle of going over wardrobe adjustments with Jade. She seems extra relaxed tonight, laughing and throwing out some playful comments, but every now and then, I catch her glancing my way.

She spins around, showing off her latest outfit-a crop top paired with loose pants, something casual but somehow still striking on her. "What do you think?" she asks, looking at me directly.

I shrug. "Looks good."

She rolls her eyes, but she's still smiling. "You always say that."

The words slip out before I can stop them. "You always look good."

For a moment, there's a pause. Billie's grin falters, just for a second, but then it's back, a little more playful than before. "Careful, Raven, or I might start thinking you actually mean it."

I blink, suddenly feeling like I've said something I shouldn't have, but I play it off with a small shrug. "Well, I'm just saying what I see."

Her eyes linger on mine, like she's waiting for something else, but before I can figure out what it is, Jade steps in with another outfit, pulling Billie's attention away.

The moment passes, but something about it sticks with me. I push it to the back of my mind, focusing on the show, but the way she smiled just then-it felt like there was more behind it than the usual banter.

The show goes off without a hitch, and by the time it's over, everyone's riding the post-performance high. I hang back as the crew congratulates Billie, my eyes scanning the room, but my focus keeps shifting back to her. She's glowing from the adrenaline, her hair damp from sweat, and she's laughing with the team, still full of energy.

As she makes her way toward me, her smile softens. "Good night, huh?" she says, her voice a little lower now, like she's letting me into her quieter space.

"Yeah," I reply, nodding. "You killed it out there."

Billie's eyes flick over me, but it's quick, like she's trying not to be obvious. "You did good too, keeping everything smooth."

I nod again, feeling slightly awkward under her gaze, not sure why. She's close-closer than she needs to be-and for a second, I think she's about to say something else. But then the moment breaks when someone from her team calls her over.

"Hang on," she says, flashing me a quick smile before heading over to talk to them.

I exhale, shaking off the weird tension that's been building all night. Maybe I'm imagining things. Billie's just being Billie, right? We always joke around. But there's something different now, something I can't quite pin down.

Later that night, I'm at the bar with Zoey and Marc, both of them already two drinks in and deep into some ridiculous story that Zoey's trying to tell over the loud music. I'm nursing a beer, half-listening, but my mind keeps wandering back to Billie.

Zoey suddenly elbows me, leaning in with a smirk. "So... anything interesting happen tonight?"

I frown, trying to play it cool. "Like what?"

She shrugs, but the look she gives me is way too knowing. "I don't know... maybe with a certain singer?"

Marc chuckles, taking a sip of his drink. "Yeah, you two seem pretty close lately."

I glance between them, confused. "What do you mean? It's work."

Zoey rolls her eyes dramatically. "Please, Raven. We've seen you around her. There's something there."

I blink, not sure how to respond. "You guys are reading into it. We're just... friends."

Marc raises an eyebrow. "Friends? Sure. Whatever you say."

They exchange a look, clearly amused, but I brush it off. They're just messing with me. Billie's my client. I'm there to do a job, that's all. But as the conversation moves on, I can't shake the feeling that maybe Zoey and Marc know something I don't.

Later, as I'm heading home, my phone buzzes. It's Billie.

Billie: still up?

I hesitate, then type back.

Raven: yeah, what's up?

A pause, then her reply pops up:

Billie: you wanna hang out? just chill.

I stare at the message for a second longer than I should, feeling that tug in my chest again. It's late, but I don't really want to say no.

Raven: sure. where?

A/N

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