Chapter: 1
Nico Rhodes
I had absolutely no fucking idea why we’d been summoned to the PR office.
Which was never a good sign.
Especially when the person doing the summoning was Allie Williams.
Colt’s mom.
And the woman responsible for making sure Neon Saints didn’t destroy our reputation before we’d even gotten started.
Not an easy job.
Considering the four of us.
I glanced at Colt as we headed down the hallway.
“So, what’d we do?”
He shrugged.
“Why are you asking me?”
“Because it’s your mom.”
“And?”
“And maybe she gave you a heads-up before deciding to murder us.”
Kale laughed behind me.
Caleb shook his head.
“Pretty sure if we were in trouble, we’d already know.”
“That’s reassuring,” I muttered.
We reached Allie’s office, and Colt knocked before pushing open the door.
“Hey, Mom.”
Allie glanced up.
“Hey, honey. Come on in, boys.”
We filed inside and took our seats.
She looked around at us.
Then sighed.
“What?” Colt asked.
“Nothing. Just wondering whether I’m going to regret agreeing to handle publicity for you four.”
I grinned.
“Probably.”
Her eyes landed on me.
“Nico.”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Behave.”
I placed a hand over my chest.
“I’m offended.”
Colt snorted.
“You’re the reason she has to say it.”
“Fuck you, Williams.”
“Colton Williams Jr.!” Allie snapped.
Colt winced.
“Sorry, Mom.”
I burst out laughing.
“Oh, shit. Full name.”
He glared at me.
“Shut up.”
“Momma’s boy.”
“At least my mom loves me.”
“Mine loves me too, asshole.”
“BOYS!”
Kale was practically doubled over.
Caleb looked like he was questioning every decision that had brought him here.
Allie closed her folder.
“Can I please get through one meeting without threatening to separate you?”
I glanced at Colt.
He glanced at me.
“Probably not,” I admitted.
She pointed at me.
“Nico, I swear.”
I grinned.
“Okay, okay. We’re listening.”
She shook her head.
“Now, we’re getting closer to some important things for this band. More interviews, public appearances, and a lot more attention.”
“Good attention, hopefully,” Kale said.
“That depends on whether you four remember how to behave.”
Caleb chuckled.
“You’re asking a lot.”
“Which brings me to why you’re here,” Allie continued. “I’ve decided we need someone dedicated to handling your publicity and media coordination.”
Colt frowned.
“You’re not leaving us, are you?”
“No, sweetheart. But you need someone available for the day-to-day work, especially once things get busier.”
I leaned back.
“So, basically, a babysitter.”
“A professional,” Allie corrected.
“Same thing.”
“Nico.”
“Sorry.”
She sighed.
“I’d like you to meet her before we go over the details.”
Her?
Well.
That could be interesting.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Come in,” Allie called.
The door opened.
And holy fucking shit.
A blonde stepped into the office.
Not just any blonde.
Nope.
This woman was fucking gorgeous.
Her hair fell in soft waves past her shoulders, and she wore fitted black pants with a pale pink blouse.
Professional.
Put together.
And those eyes?
Jesus.
I sat up a little straighter.
Well, hello there.
“Sorry,” she said, smiling at Allie. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Not at all, sweetheart. Perfect timing.”
She stepped inside, carrying a folder and a tablet.
Allie stood.
“Boys, this is Blake Sutton. She’s going to be working with us on the band’s publicity and media.”
Blake.
Pretty name.
Pretty fucking woman.
She smiled.
“It’s nice to finally meet you guys.”
Colt stood first.
“Colton Williams.”
She shook his hand.
“I figured.”
He laughed.
“Yeah, probably a safe guess.”
“Your mother talks about you quite a bit.”
“Oh, Jesus,” Colt muttered.
Allie smiled.
“Only good things.”
Blake laughed.
A nice laugh.
I wanted to hear it again.
Caleb introduced himself next.
Then Kale.
And finally?
She turned toward me.
I stood and offered my hand.
“Nico Rhodes.”
Her gaze met mine.
And fuck.
Up close, she was even prettier.
She slipped her hand into mine.
“Blake Sutton.”
I grinned.
“Pleasure, sweetheart.”
One eyebrow rose.
Oh.
Interesting.
“Blake is fine.”
I chuckled.
“Whatever you say.”
She released my hand.
Then turned back toward Allie.
Just like that.
No lingering smile.
No second glance.
Nothing.
I blinked.
Well, fuck.
That was new.
Most women at least smiled when I flirted with them.
Blake Sutton?
Apparently, she had better things to do.
Allie gestured toward an empty chair.
“Have a seat, Blake.”
She sat across from me and opened her folder.
Fantastic.
Front-row seat.
I could work with that.
“Before we start,” Blake said, “I want to make something clear. I’m not here to change who you are as a band.”
Kale leaned forward.
“Good. Because I don’t think that’s possible.”
She smiled.
“I’ve seen enough footage to agree with you.”
We laughed.
“But I am here to make sure the public gets to see the best version of you. That means coordinating interviews, managing media requests, and making sure everyone is prepared before an appearance.”
I raised my hand.
Blake looked at me.
“Yes, Nico?”
“Are we allowed to have fun?”
Her lips twitched.
“That depends.”
“On?”
“Whether your definition of fun involves creating a publicity nightmare.”
Kale snorted.
I grinned.
“Define nightmare.”
Allie sighed.
“Nico.”
“What? Important question.”
Blake glanced at her notes.
“Well, for starters, I’d prefer not to spend my first week explaining why one of you got arrested.”
Caleb burst out laughing.
I placed a hand over my chest.
“Wow. You already think we’re criminals?”
“No,” Blake said pleasantly. “But I’m beginning to understand why Allie wanted help.”
Oh.
Fuck.
Colt lost it.
Even Allie laughed.
I stared at Blake.
And she simply smiled.
Like she hadn’t just handed my ass to me in front of my entire band.
Well, I’ll be damned.
Blake Sutton had a mouth on her.
I liked that.
Probably more than I should.
The meeting lasted another forty minutes.
Blake went over interview schedules, promotional appearances, and changes she wanted to make to our social media accounts.
And I’ll give her credit.
She knew her shit.
She’d clearly done her homework.
She knew which songs were getting attention, which interviews we’d already done, and even which clips fans kept sharing.
At one point, she mentioned a video of Kale falling off a stool during rehearsal.
I fucking lost it.
“That was one time!” Kale protested.
Blake smiled.
“One time that’s been viewed over two hundred thousand times.”
Colt leaned forward.
“Wait. Seriously?”
She turned her tablet toward us.
There it was.
Kale.
Falling right on his ass.
Again.
“Oh, I’m saving that,” I announced.
“Fuck you, Rhodes.”
Blake laughed.
And there it was again.
That laugh.
Goddamn.
By the time Allie dismissed us, I’d learned two things.
One, Blake Sutton was damn good at her job.
And two?
She was completely unimpressed by me.
Which was honestly a little insulting.
I mean, come on.
I wasn’t that bad.
Colt stood.
“Food?”
“Fuck yes,” Kale said.
Caleb grabbed his phone.
“Thought you’d never ask.”
I started to follow them.
Then noticed Blake gathering her papers.
Alone.
Well.
Couldn’t waste an opportunity like that.
“You guys go ahead,” I said.
Colt looked back.
“Why?”
“Got something to ask.”
His gaze moved toward Blake.
Then back to me.
“Oh, Jesus.”
“What?”
“Leave the poor girl alone.”
I grinned.
“You’re hurting my feelings.”
“Good.”
He shook his head and followed the others out.
I turned toward Blake.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
She didn’t look up.
“Nico.”
I grinned.
“So you remembered my name.”
“Unfortunately.”
I laughed.
“Damn. You always this friendly?”
She glanced up.
“Only when I’m working.”
“Ah. So you’re nicer off the clock?”
“Depends who’s asking.”
I leaned against the table.
“Me.”
She smiled.
For one glorious fucking second, I thought I was getting somewhere.
Then she opened her mouth.
“Then no.”
Fuck.
I burst out laughing.
“Jesus, woman.”
She tucked the last paper into her folder.
“Was there something you needed?”
“Can’t a guy just want to get to know you?”
“Of course. Preferably when I’m not trying to finish my work.”
I glanced at the folder.
“Looks finished to me.”
She stared at me.
“Are you always this persistent?”
“Usually.”
“I noticed.”
I chuckled.
“Come on. I’m not that bad.”
“You spent half the meeting trying to annoy Colton.”
“He’s my best friend.”
“And the other half making comments under your breath.”
I grinned.
“So you were paying attention to me?”
She closed her eyes.
“Kind of hard not to when you won’t stop talking.”
I laughed.
Fuck.
I liked her.
She wasn’t giggling at everything I said.
Wasn’t batting her eyelashes.
Wasn’t trying to impress me.
She was just Blake.
And apparently, Blake thought I was a pain in the ass.
Fair.
“So,” I said. “You got a boyfriend?”
Her eyes opened.
“Excuse me?”
“Boyfriend. Girlfriend. Someone taking you to dinner?”
She studied me.
“Is that relevant to your publicity schedule?”
I grinned.
“Could be.”
“Then no, it isn’t.”
I laughed.
“You’re really not going to make this easy, are you?”
“Make what easy?”
“Getting to know you.”
She picked up her bag.
“Nico, I’m here to do a job. A job I take seriously.”
I straightened.
“Hey, I respect that.”
“Good. Then we won’t have a problem.”
I smiled.
“Wouldn’t dream of causing one.”
She gave me a skeptical look before heading toward the door.
And because apparently I had no survival instincts, I opened my mouth.
“Hey, Barbie.”
She stopped.
Slowly.
Then turned around.
Oh.
There it was.
That little crease between her eyebrows.
“Excuse me?”
I smiled.
“Barbie.”
“My name is Blake.”
“I know.”
“Then use it.”
“Whatever you say, Barbie.”
She stared at me.
I stared right back.
And then?
She smiled.
Not a sweet smile.
Oh, fuck no.
This one promised trouble.
“Listen carefully, Rhodes.”
I grinned.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“You can flirt with whoever you want. You can call every woman you meet sweetheart, baby, or whatever ridiculous nickname you come up with.”
She stepped closer.
“But you’re going to call me Blake.”
I looked down at her.
Jesus Christ.
She was gorgeous when she was pissed.
“Got it?”
I nodded.
“Absolutely.”
“Good.”
She turned toward the door.
I should’ve left it alone.
Really.
I should have.
But where was the fun in that?
“See you around, Barbie.”
She spun around.
“NICO!”
I fucking lost it.
She pointed at me.
“You are going to be a pain in my ass.”
I grinned.
“Looking forward to it, sweetheart.”
She shook her head and walked out.
But not before I caught the tiniest twitch at the corner of her mouth.
Like she was fighting a smile.
Oh, hell.
That was dangerous.
“Dude.”
I turned.
Colt stood in the doorway.
Arms crossed.
Looking at me like I’d lost my fucking mind.
“What?”
“Did you seriously just piss off our new PR girl?”
I shrugged.
“Maybe.”
He shook his head.
“Mom’s gonna kill you.”
I laughed.
“Worth it.”
Colt stared at me.
Then his grin widened.
“Oh, fuck.”
“What?”
“You like her.”
I rolled my eyes.
“She’s hot.”
“No shit. But that’s not what I said.”
“Fuck off, Williams.”
He laughed.
“Oh, this is gonna be good.”
I flipped him off.
“Can we get food now?”
“Sure, Romeo.”
“Call me that again and I’ll punch you.”
He laughed harder.
Asshole.
