Chapter 28

JAKE

I hear everyone cheering my name and they want me to do an encore. I am completely exhausted but I will always return for my fans because if it were not for them, I would not have been here.

I get back onto the stage and I can not help but enjoy every moment of it. As I sing to my fans my very last song, I catch a glimpse of where Layla was stationed. But to my utter disappointment, I see that she is not there anymore. Suddenly this song does not feel so good anymore.

Now, I just want to get off the stage and find out where she went. But I do what I must and I leave my fans happy. Then when I enter backstage Mark wait for me with a big grin on his face.

"You did so well. Everything went perfectly. The fans love you"

I remember the days that this was important to me. The days that I wanted to hear how good I am but all of that has changed. I am not the same person as I was before I could turn into a wolf. I have become more aware of what I am and how I act towards people.

I guess if Madeline did one thing right it was this. I was an arrogant bastard and I treated people like they were nothing. Now, I have to pay the ultimate price for my own arrogance. I put my hand on Mark's shoulder and say.

"You do not have to do that anymore"

"Do what?"

"You do not have to give me compliments when I leave the stage. I only need the truth"

He stands with a frown on his face and then he says to me.

"Well, I can honestly say that I am not lying. I really do think you did a great job tonight and it almost looks like you enjoyed it"

"Yeah, I did kind of enjoy it"

I can not help as my eyes keep on searching and looking for Layla but she is nowhere to be found.

"Okay, we are ready for you. The fans can not wait to meet you"

I have completely forgotten about how we meet the fans after the show. It is very hard to control what is within me and now I have to handle a lot of girls that want to touch me. I guess I am just going to have to use the best self-control I can gather.

"Okay, can you just give me a second to change into something else?"

"Yes, of course. We will be in the backroom"

"Thank you"

This is my chance to go and see if Layla can help me with another outfit. On the one hand, I can go just as I am but then I might not be able to see her again tonight. I quickly make my way to the makeup room.

LAYLA

I hear the crowd settle down and I am almost finished packing up. I know that it is still going to be a very long time before everyone can get back to the hotel but I heard Rita say that some of that crew goes back earlier than the others. I hope that I can be one of them because I can really use some sleep.

Just as I have finished packing up all my stuff. I decide to maybe just work on some outfits and I get out my laptop while I wait for a little while before the first crew goes back to the hotel. I have to get new outfits for the next show and I do like to do my homework.

It is getting a bit chilly and I decided to throw on a jersey while putting on my glasses. Then there is a knock on the door while I am in the middle of designing another outfit. I do not know who it can be because as far as I know I am finished with the show. Then it must be Rita.

I turn to look and then I see him. I almost fall off my seat because I did not expect to see him again tonight. He looks so good in that outfit and he seems to be out of breath.

JAKE

I knew that it was impossible that Layla could make me fall even harder for her but when I saw her sitting there with her laptop in front of her just being casually sexy, I almost could not catch my breath.

"I did not know if you would still be here or not but I came to ask you a favor"

She stands up from her crossed legs and I have to breathe shallowly not to take too much of her scent in. I am now overly exhausted and I can not trust myself around her. Then she walks a few steps closer to me and says.

"Of course, I can help you. What would you like me to do?"

LAYLA

I see him rubbing the back of his head with his hand as if he is shy and then he says.

"Some of the fans have paid some extra money to meet me in person and I was wondering if you maybe have an extra outfit for me?"

I feel my mouth starting to instantly dry as I did not prepare for this. I did not know that there was a meeting after the show and so I can not stop the blush appearing on my cheeks.

"I am so sorry but I did not prepare for this..."

Then he steps a few steps closer to me and I can see a slight smile appearing on his face. He lifts up his hand as if to make me stop talking.

"No, you did not prepare because you did not know about this. I was just wondering if you maybe could help me otherwise I will go the way I am"

There is no way that I can let the golden boy go to a meeting with fans looking like he looked the same way on the stage. I am almost hundred percent sure that Stacy will have my neck and I really do not mind helping him out. As I walk back to the clothes I say to him.

"Are you hot or do you feel cold?"

It feels like I have asked the dumbest question in the world because he is very hot.

"I feel a bit cold now. So, I would not mind a long-sleeve maybe?"

I can see that he is very tired and then I say in the most gentle voice.

"Why don't you take a seat while I see what I can do?"

JAKE

The way that she cares for me just keeps on reeling me into her. She can see when I am exhausted and she cares enough for me to actually say something about it. I take a seat and say.

"Thank you"

Then I watch as she goes through the clothes and I can almost see the gears turning in her mind. She is working on some perfect outfit for me and I know I am going to look great. Then she comes walking up to me with a few pieces of clothing.

"Would you mind just putting on these pants?"

I stand up and take the pants, I make sure that my hand touches hers, and then I say.

"I do not mind"

LAYLA

I do not know if he does it by accident or if he does it because he wants to but when his hand is touching mine. It is almost as if I feel I belong to him. I love that feeling. I love the thought of being with him. I watch as he disappears behind the bathroom doors and I know he is going to come out and then take off his shirt.

I have seen him a few times tonight without a shirt and I can honestly say it never gets old. I can stare at that perfectly shaped body all day long. Then he comes back and I have to swallow deeply to focus on what we are doing here.

"Okay, now try on this shirt with this jacket. It should keep you warm and you can still look perfect"

Of all the words in the world, why did I choose the word perfect? I have to really think before I speak because if I do not, I might say things that I should not.

JAKE

She thinks I am perfect but what if she knows who I really am. Would she still think that I am perfect? I remember how I would take that as a very big compliment but for some reason, I do not believe what she just told me.

I look down at the ground and then turn my back on her while putting on my shirt and jacket. Suddenly, I feel a sense of extreme sadness and I start to wonder if I would ever be able to have a normal relationship again. I have not had a lot of relationships as it was already difficult before I had a wolf to control.

I wonder what makes me think that I would be ever able to be with Layla. After I am dressed I turn around and say to her.

"Thank you for your time. I have to go"