The Rockstar's Juliet

Zachary's challenge

Wrapping a knitted scarf around herself loosely, Juliet titled her head back and met Zachary's gaze. He looked worried, he told her over and over again that he was fine, but his look told her he lied. He didn't want her to worry about him too. Reaching for his hand she laced their fingers together, keeping her gaze down when cameras started flashing and people shouted at him for attention. Zachary didn't look at anyone, instead he guided her to the awaiting car. The security men Adam had sent to guide them back to the hotel were doing a fine job. Once they were safely in the backseat of the SUV Zachary let out a tired sigh.

"What did he do?" He muttered.

Juliet reached for her phone, "We can easily find out." She told him and started a search on Dustin, her eyes widened when she saw the pictures of him being in a very intimate position with two ladies, "Maybe the fact that he is having a threesome in some nightclub might be the reason for it."

Zachary glanced at the pictures and headlines, shaking his head, "That guy."

"He is falling back to his old ways, isn't he?"

"Yeah."

She didn't want to say it, but she had to. Last thing she wanted to do was give Zachary false hope about the future.

"This time it actually might ruin your band."

Zachary reached for her hand, "True, but I don't care about that. I just need him to take better care of himself."

Dustin was important to Zachary, he told her so the first time they met. His loyalty toward his friend who was the one being wrong here made her like him even more. All the doubts she had before were there no more.

"I'm sorry you were dragged into this." Zachary told her, raising her hand and giving her wrist a light kiss, "I wish things were different."

"It's okay. I came here on my own account. I want to make sure everyone is okay too."

Zachary nodded, placing their linked hands down on his thigh while he firmly gripped her hand. He wasn't letting go, she was sure he just needed to feel her warmth. Making sure she was there. Undoing her seatbelt she moved closer to him, leaning her head against his shoulder. Glancing aside a small smile spread across Zachary's face. He released her hand and wrapped an arm around her shoulders instead, keeping her close to him, kissing her hair.

"Thank you."

Placing a hand against his stomach, she felt him breathing in and out deeply. It was soothing, feeling him quietly breathe like that. Closing her eyes she focused entirely on his breathing, letting it take her away. She had a few minutes to catch up on some sleep.

***

Arriving at the hotel there was a loud crowd awaiting Zachary's arrival, wanting him to make a statement. He didn't though. He grabbed Juliet's hand tightly in his and guided her through the path the security men made for them. Entering the hotel they met up with Max who sat at the bar in the hotel's restaurant, sipping what looked like an iced tea.

"Jules!" Max looked surprised to see her, "You're here too." Then he confirmed it, "I'm so happy that you decided to tag along." He got off his stool and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in for a hug which forced Zachary to let go of her hand, "I can't believe this is happening all over again." He whispered to her.

She couldn't believe it either, Dustin had sounded so sincere when he talked to her about changing and wanting what was best for the band. His actions proved otherwise though. It all didn't make sense, but at the same time she felt like she knew the reason why he was on his destructive path once again. Instead of voicing those doubts she wrapped her arms around Max as well and hugged him with all she had.