Relentless

Chapter 45

Juliet

Tomorrow is the concert in LA and I'm feeling pretty confident about it. I've been rehearsing like crazy and I have had pretty good feedback. It's four in the afternoon and I run down the hall of the Moondance Arena to my dressing room. As soon as it comes into view, I see Ashton already at his post. When I reach the door, I see him staring at me as I jiggle the doorknob. It won't open.

"Come on!" I yell. I look down the hall for someone that works her but it's barren. I hear something click and look back to the door to see Ashton playing with the knob. "It's locked." I tell him. Then I hear another click and the door opens.

"Not anymore." He states, looking at me. I look up at his face and see all of his features at once. His chiseled jaw, defined cheek bones, gorgeous lips, deep brown eyes, perfect brown hair and an immaculate body.

"Thanks." I say, walking in and closing the door behind me. I lean against the door for a minute and try to get a hold of my thoughts. Once I do, I throw on my costume and run out to the stage.

"Ah, the star arrives!" Josh says, obviously annoyed.

"I'm so sorry! The traffic was horrible and my aunt had me on the phone for an hour. Plus I had a radio interview and,"

"I got it, you're a very busy person." He cuts me off, smiling. "Let's get to it!"

I take my positions for the opening number as he calls for music. Once the music begins, I start dancing.

Ashton

Holy crap.

I really should've asked who the celebrity was before I took the job.

She's beautiful.

I didn't think it was possible for her to be any more gorgeous, but I was horribly wrong.

I can only imagine what she looks like on stage. When she sang for me a few years ago, she sounded broken. Now she sounds strong and confident, like nothing can touch her when she is doing what she loves. I hear her holding a note out and feel the hairs on my arms stand up.

This is torture.

------

After her first act, she runs backstage, panting. I can't help but stare at her, not knowing if I'll ever see her again after this. She is only in-front of me for a second before she enters her room.

Looking back at the boys, I see them talking in their little huddle, probably about Juliet. I give them a cold stare and wait for them to notice. When Reid sees me, he hits the others and they all stand up straight at attention. Before I have a chance to move, I hear the door open and Juliet crashes into my back. I step to the left and look to make sure she's alright.

"Are you okay?" I ask, looking at her in her outfit. She changed out of her black leotard, skirt, boots and diamond choker chain into a crop top with lose fitting pants.

Damn.

"Yeah." She simply answers. She walks to the wings and looks out onto the stage. I see her take a deep breath and then she does something I never expected her to do.

She looks at me.

I feel my heart skip a beat as I look over her appearance. She's grown up to be a magnificent woman. I couldn't be more proud of her if I tried. Trying not to show her to much, I give her a brief smile, only to receive an eye roll in return. I hear the music to the next song start and see a crew member hand her a white microphone. She walks onstage and I hear her voice through the speakers.

"Lieutenant, do you copy?" I hear my McTate's voice in my walkie talkie.

"What's wrong, McTate?" I reply in the device.