Protecting Love (LarssonSiblingSeries #3)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Betty

I'm halfway to the exit when I realise something important. I love music. It pumps through my veins, keeps me focused and inspires me to push myself to limits beyond my reach. It's what I live to do. If I leave now then I'm not only letting my fans down but me too.

"Betty, let's be rational here. We haven't heard your dad's side of the story," says Finn, coming to walk beside me.

I turn back around and head towards the door I just left, going backstage. Finn's shoes scuff on the floor when he changes direction, ducking his head to get through the small doorway. I pass people with headsets on, seeing the door to my dressing room. It's plain with white walls, a desk with a long mirror and a table with every sweet and pastry you can imagine.

The stylist, Jenna walks into the room, holding several boxes of shoes. She beams. "Great, you're here. Did you see your dress up there?"

I turn to see the Dolce and Gabbana sheer fabric floral number and head over, running the soft material through my fingers. I reach for the hanger and lift it off the rail, holding it up against my body. It's quite something.

"I'll step outside so you can get changed," she puts the shoes on the floor, stopping at the door to ask, "I understand you're happy with makeup and hair."

I nod, glancing in the mirror at my middle part wet-look low bun and bright red lips. "I feel confident."

"Good, that's what we want to hear," she half smiles and leaves.

I start unbuttoning my jeans, sliding them down my legs to reveal my nude knickers that stop in the middle of my stomach, followed by my blouse that hides the matching colour bralette. Once the dress is on, you can just see my underwear beneath the fabric.

"Oh, thank god, you decided to stay," says Jade, pushing her way past Jenna and into the dressing room, a mobile phone plastered to her ear.

Finn passes over a small plastic bag with the costume-type flower cotton earrings that dangle just above my collarbones. I have to look in the mirror to hook them into my ears and move my head from side to side, watching the thread swing at the bottom.

"You're on in ten. The sound guy is coming in to mic you up. Just like we practised," says Jade, looking like she has her tail caught between her legs.

And just as she finishes talking the sound guy comes into the room dressed in an orange polo shirt and black slacks. Sound Store scribbled near the right pocket. In quick time I'm all sound checked and ready to go.

"Quick, quick," Jade says, jogging out of the room, waving at me to follow.

"Wait," Finn grabs onto my fingers, giving me a warm smile. "Rock their socks off out there, curly. I'll be watching right up on the stage."

I tip up on my toes and kiss him on his top lip, using my thumb to wipe away the red tinge of my lipstick. "I'll watch out for you."

I spin around, and Finn pats my bum, winking when I can't stop the giggle from erupting. "Proud of you, honey," he says, sending spurts of excitement through my body.

"Betty, move your arse," Jade says, looking way past fed up. It's silly season as she calls it with three of her clients attending different award ceremonies this week, meaning she has to be everywhere at once.

Nerves start to get the better of me as I follow the stage runner, hearing the cheering crowd a few feet away, letting the makeup artist check over my eyeliner and lipstick mid-stride, while I keep up my vocal warming exercises from earlier. I would prefer to warm my voice up for longer, as there are several high notes I need to reach, but my promotor messed up on the timing schedule, so the driver was late to collect me and more time was eaten up by the red carpet.