Chapter 7

Abigail made her way over to the brunette who was busy looking out at the stage where the crew was doing the final touches for the show.

“You’re AJ’s girlfriend right?” she asked then upon reaching the brunette’s side.

The girl spun around quickly, surprised.

“Yes.” She said with a warm smile as she saw Abigail.

“I’m Abigail.” She said extending a hand, “I’m a friend of Rick’s.”

“Sara.” The brunette replied, then raised her eyebrows, “A friend of Rick’s huh?” she stated.

“Yeah.” Abigail replied a little uneasy.

“I’ve been with the group for a while now and I pretty much know most, if not all of Rick’s friends but I’ve never seen you before.” Sara said, folding her arms and looking at her.

“Oh, well we haven’t known each other long. We actually met the day he came to LA.” Abigail lied.

“Really? How did you two meet?” Sara asked.

Abigail thought.

“Through a mutual friend.” She replied a little harshly.

Sara laughed then.

“I’m sorry.” She said, “I know I’m asking a lot of questions.” When Abigail nodded, she continued, “It’s just that, these guys have some really crazy fans that would do anything to get back here.”

“Say no more.” Abigail said, putting up a hand, “But I can assure you, I’m not a crazy fan! Heck, I’m not even a fan!”

Sara arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

“I mean, I’ve heard a few of their songs, I can’t really help that, and my niece is obsessed with them. But other than that, I don’t really keep up with their music.” Abigail explained, “I just came tonight because I was invited.”

“And you couldn’t say no to those baby, blue eyes could you?” Sara asked her.

She’d seen this kind of thing before. How Rick would use his power and good looks to get girls like Abigail to come to these shows and hang with him after…

“Excuse me?” Abigail said, taken back.

“It’s okay.” Sara told her, “I know you find him attractive. Lots of girls do.”

Abigail folded her arms then.

“Okay where are you going with this?” she asked Sara, narrowing her eyebrows.

“Look please don’t be offended. You look like a really nice person.” Sara insisted, then sighed, “I’m sorry.” She told her when she realized that maybe she was wrong about Abigail. The guys had spoken to Rick about his behaviour so maybe he had changed. “I think we got off to a really bad start and it’s all my fault. I know that. I guess I’m just a little… protective of Rick.” She said covering up her real reason, “He’s like a little brother.”

Abigail nodded even though she knew that that wasn’t what was bothering Sara. She figured that this was hardly the first time that Rick had invited a girl backstage, which probably had something to do with the current situation he was in.

Sara changed the subject then as she spotted the guys.

“You see that guy talking to Rick?” she asked Abigail.

“You mean the one with the baseball cap and all the tattoos?” Abigail asked her.

“Yup. That’s AJ.” Sara told her, just as AJ turned and waved at them. They both waved back while Sara blew AJ a kiss and he pretended to catch it while Rick rolled his eyes at them. He, too, waved at them before he and AJ walked off to meet the rest of the guys.

“They’re usually pretty busy this time before the show.” Sara explained, “So don’t be surprised if Rick doesn’t pay you much attention.”

“Right.” Abigail returned, her heart dulled a little with disappointment.

“But,” Sara added, “I have a feeling this time is going to be different.” She looked Abigail up and down and knew she would be shocked if Rick didn’t find her incredibly attractive. She knew she was right when she saw Rick walking up to them.

“What are you talking about?” Abigail asked her confused.

Sara turned her around and pointed at Rick.

“Hey.” He said to them before turning to Sara, “Do you mind if I talk to Abigail alone for a minute?” he asked.

“Not at all.” Sara said with a smile before she slipped away. She had a really good feeling about those two.

“So, how do you like Sara?” he asked her, slipping his hands into his pockets again, afraid that he’d want to touch her if he didn’t. His attraction to her was that strong.

“She seems pretty cool. A little bit weird, but cool.” She told him honestly.

He nodded before taking his hand out his pocket to finger her pass.

“I just wanted to tell you that, this pass allows you access to anywhere backstage in case you wanted to check anything out.” He told her, dropping the pass so that it fell just below her breasts. “And I made them put your name on the list, just in case.” He added with a wink.

Her heart skipped a beat and she had to swallow to find her voice.

“Personally, from the way everyone’s been questioning me since I arrived here, I think you’re pretty safe. Everyone seems to be looking out for you guys.” She told him.

Rick nodded.

“We’re like a family.” He said a little distractedly.

“You’re worried, aren’t you?” she asked him when she noticed the expression on his face.

He nodded again.

“I can’t help it.” He said, “I keep getting the feeling I’m being watched. I know that sounds crazy but-“

“It doesn’t.” Abigail cut in, “You’re constantly surrounded by people and technically, every move you make is being looked at. So what you’re saying makes sense.” She said gently.

He looked at her as his frustration vanished.

“Don’t worry,” she continued, “I’ll be back here to keep an eye on things. You just go out there and do what you always do!”

He smiled feeling reassured and she had to admit the effect was devastating. She couldn’t understand why she was feeling this way, especially since she’d known him for barely a few minutes. She was going to have to watch herself with him. The attraction she felt towards him was too strong.. too potent. She wasn’t supposed to get her feelings mixed up with her job. Besides, after tonight, she wouldn’t be seeing him again. He was going to resume his tour and she was going to start her vacation. With that thought in mind, she was going to go about this as any other case she was working on.