The second worldwide tour was even crazier than the first. Their popularity increased exponentially and the release of the second album was huge. Rock music wasn't selling like it used to and they were putting up insane numbers. It went platinum within a week.
"Hey guys." I said loudly as I walked toward them. "There's a lot of people outside. Ritchie wants you to go straight to the limo. No pictures, no autographs, no stopping."
"Dude." Demi sighed. "Are we ever going to be able to interact with fans?"
"There's too many. It's not safe." I responded.
"Y'all act like they're gonna shank us or something." Johnny said as we continued walking down the hallway.
They had just finished a radio interview and they were headed to the venue to do soundcheck and a meet and greet with some contest winners.
"It's a crowd control issue." Nick chimed in. "Things can get rowdy and unsafe for them."
"Just do what he asks." I sighed.
"Fine." They all mumbled.
The door opened and I was relieved to find that there was a fence separating the crowd from the limo. It was always stressful when the crowd was right there and we had to push through. I could hear people calling out to then as we walked toward the vehicle. Demi was the first one to stop, then Matt followed suit. They starting signing autographs and conversing with the fans. The iron fence was making it awkward however, so they both decided to improvise.
I watched completely helpless as both Matt and Demi climbed the fence to take pictures with fans. Ritchie looked pissed.
"I didn't sign up for this shit." He said sternly as he hoisted himself up over the wrought iron.
"I'm sorry." I called after him.
Demi and Matt were surrounded by people. Surprisingly they were all mellow and followed Ritchie's instructions. It took them about forty five minutes to take pictures with everyone. Once everyone loaded up into the limo, the driver lowered the partition so Ritchie could speak.
"Next time, I'm gonna clothes line your asses and drag you away like a couple of crying little toddlers." He said sternly. "Do you understand?"
"Oh damn..." Joe mumbled.
Demi and Matt both laughed.
"Yeah. Sure bro." Demi said sarcastically.
"I'm serious." Ritchie said with a frown.
"I know." Demi said as she rolled her eyes.
"Man..fuck y'all." Ritchie huffed as he rolled the partition up.
Demi sat there with a smug grin on her face as she stared at her phone. Matt had a guilty look on his face. I knew he'd apologize later.
"Seriously?" I questioned. "You better apologize to him." I said to Demi.
"Yes mom." She said without looking up.
I shook my head in disapproval and leaned up against Nick.
"Hey baby." He smiled.
"Hey." I said before giving him a kiss on the cheek.
He needed to shave. His jawline was stubbly.
"I'm excited about the show tonight." He said as he laced our fingers together. "It's going to be a huge crowd."
"It'll be fun. I'll make sure I get some pictures and video for you guys."
"That would be awesome." He smiled. "I'm glad you're here Sel." He grinned.
"Fucking gross." Demi mumbled.
"Get a room." Johnny chimed in.
"Jealous?" Nick said playfully.
"Hardly." Demi chuckled.
"We love each other. Get over it." I said slightly annoyed I couldn't enjoy a quiet moment with my boyfriend. It was childish.
"Love is for pussies." Demi said with a smirk.
Nick laughed. "That makes you a pussy then because the last time I checked you had a girlfriend."
"No one ever said I loved her." Demi stated very matter of fact.
"Well now." Joe grinned. "The plot thickens."
"That's some cold shit Demi." Matt said shaking his head. "That ain't even right."
Demi shrugged in response. I couldn't tell if she was being serious or just messing around, either way it bothered me how nonchalant she was about the topic of love and her relationship. Ruby deserved better.
"So that's why you were a complete mess while she was away?" I challenged.
She narrowed her eyes at me as she thought carefully about what she was going to say. "You called her. Not me."
"I'll give you both a dollar if you take all that aggression and make out with each other." Johnny said trying to ease the tension.
Everyone but me and Demi started laughing.
"One whole dollar!" Joe said loudly.
I shook my head and sat in silence. Demi was being difficult and everyone else refused to take anything seriously. It was annoying and frustrating. I'd catch her glance at me occasionally but she didn't say anything. Everyone else talked and drank as we made our way to the venue. Surprisingly, Demi wasn't drinking.
***
We arrived at the venue with a few hours to kill before the meet and greet. As usual everyone scattered to do whatever it was they did to keep themselves occupied. Nick had settled in the dressing room so he could draw on some drum heads. He liked to throw them out into the crowd after each show. Everyone one of them were signed with custom artwork.
I looked up from my laptop and watched as he leaned his elbows on the table. His forehead was scrunched up as he carefully moved the sharpie pen across the smooth surface of the drum head. I thought he looked completely adorable. He was obviously concentrating really hard.
"What do you think?" He asked as he held it up for me to see.
He had drawn what looked like a cat riding a unicorn and holding a flag with the bands logo on it. I couldn't help but laugh. He grinned at my response.
"It's amazing." I smiled.
"You should see the one Demi drew on earlier. It's covered in dicks." He chuckled.
"How the hell would she even know what a dick looks like?" I asked sarcastically.
"You'll have to ask her." He smiled as he continued drawing.
"No thanks." I muttered under my breath.
"Don't mind her Sel." He continued drawing as he spoke. "She acts all bad ass when in reality she's nothing but a teddy bear. Don't let her get a rise out of you. It's what she wants."
"It's exhausting." I sighed. "It's like having a child you never wanted in the first place but since you were too dumb to take the morning after pill, you're stuck."
"I know." He said as he tried not to smile. "That was a little harsh, by the way." He added.
"Oh really?" I asked as I crossed my arms. "Please tell me about all the times you've picked her up from jail, dealt with the label, and had to do damage control. Dot even get me started on all her wild ass moods."
"Good point." He grimaced. "Never mind. You win." He laughed.
"Always." I smiled.
He looked up and winked at me before returning his attention to his artwork.
Nick and I had ways had a comfortable relationship. We didn't feel the need to fill up the silence between us with mindless chatter. We could exist in each others lives without being noisy and excessive. That's what I liked about him. Words weren't always necessary. I could lose myself in whatever I was working on while he created music. We were very independent of each other.
After another hour of staring at my computer screen, I needed a break and some fresh air. I left Nick in the dressing room and made my way into the back parking lot where all the buses and trucks were staged. I was surprised to find Johnny and Demi both outside spray painting their wardrobe and equipment cases.
"Hey Sel." Johnny greeted me as I approached.
"You must be bored." I laughed.
"Very."
"You wanna help?" Demi smiled as she pushed the bandana she had covering her nose down.
"You look like a bandit." I teased.
"You wanna see how bad I can be?" She smirked as she slowly moved toward me.
"Dude. I've seen a lot of porns that start like this." Johnny said as he folded his arms across his chest and watched in amusement.
"Demi. No." I said holding up a finger.
"You better fucking run." She warned as she moved closer to me.
I took off in a dead sprint toward the venue. I could hear her taunting me as she chased after me. I had no idea what she planned to do when she caught me and I hoped I wouldn't have to find out. She chased me through the back hallways and out into the stage area.
I ducked under the stage scaffolding and attempted to hide. It didn't work. She found me and grabbed a hold of me. We both went tumbling to the ground and she proceeded to pin me down and tickle me. I was laughing so hard I couldn't breath.
Once she was satisfied, she rolled off me and we laid side by side panting like a couple of over heated dogs. I couldn't keep the smile off my face. Without thinking I turned toward her and placed a gentle, lingering kiss on her cheek. It took every ounce of will power I had to not kiss her mouth.
"What was that for?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"For reminding how to have fun." I replied gently. "I forget sometimes."
"Well in that case, you're welcome."
"You're basically a giant child so....." I chuckled as she poked my ribs.
"Careful." She warned. "I might have to start biting."
"I wouldn't put it past you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" She laughed.
"I don't know." I shrugged. "You just seem like a biter."
She turned and winked at me. "There's only one way to find out..."
"Oh my god!" I said loudly. "Stop!" I blushed.
"You think I'm adorable and charming. And if it wasn't for that boyfriend of yours, you'd let me into those tight little jeans you wear." She grinned.
"This conversation is over." I laughed as I sat up.
"You know it's true." She continued. "You want to date me. Don't deny it."
"In your dreams." I smirked.
"Oh?" She questioned. "So you're more of a hit and quit it type of girl?"
"Demi!" I said trying to sound shocked. "I would never!"
She leaned in close to me and I felt my body immediately respond. My heart beat faster and my palms started to sweat. I had to concentrate on breathing.
"If Nick wasn't basically my brother." She said softly in my ear. "I wouldn't stop until you were screaming my name."
"Demi..." I swallowed.
"I want you Selena and the only thing stopping me is my respect for him." She said making eye contact.
I took a deep breath. "It'll pass. It's just a..."
"I don't think so." She interrupted. "I think about you all the time."
I pulled away in an effort to put some space in between us. I could tell she was struggling. I didn't want either of us to do something we'd regret. She took my hand and pulled me out from user the scaffolding. She brought us back to reality. There were people everywhere. Eyes to keep watch over us, even if they didn't know that's what they were doing. She knew, and I knew.
I held onto her hand tightly. I didn't want to let go. We walked toward the dressing room and I felt like I wanted to cry. It wasn't because I was upset with her, it was because I understood what she was feeling. Whatever was happening between us, it was getting worse. I say worse because its not exactly supposed to be happening and it was very inconvenient.
We made it to the dressing room and I reluctantly let go of her hand. She gave me an apologetic look before opening the door and plastering a smile on her face. I followed her into the room and sat silently as she and Nick talked and laughed like everything was perfectly normal. It wasn't normal, not by a long shot.
They took the stage that night and the atmosphere was electric. I made sure to focus my attention on Nick. I felt guilty about everything with Demi. Nothing had actually happened between us, but the fact that I wanted something to was weighing on my conscience. Nick was a good man and he loved me.
Every so often my attention would drift to Demi. She commanded the crowd like no other. She played her ass off night after night. I watched as her fingers swept across the strings. She played every chord with expert timing. As I watched her play, I noticed the pick guard was covered in blood. She had popped a callous while playing and she was currently bleeding all over the instrument. She didn't seem the least bit fazed by it.
That night after the show, I watched as she got completely obliterated with Johnny and Joe. The three of them were so drunk and high, they couldn't even walk. Thankfully Nick and Matt were sober enough to help get them to the buses. I wouldn't have been able to deal with all of them.
When we made it to the hotel, I grabbed my bags and checked into a room without bothering to check on everyone else. Nick came in an hour later and I could tell he was worried about me.
"Sel. Are you ok?" Nick asked as he pulled off his shirt and climbed in bed.
"Yeah. I'm just tired." I said softly.
"Come here." He grinned a he laid back against the pillows and opened his arms.
I settled into his embrace and fell asleep.
***
I opened my eyes and smiled as I saw Nick sprawled out beside me. The sunlight danced across his bare skin as he slept peacefully. I leaned over and place a soft kiss on his shoulder blade as I grabbed the TV remote. It was Saturday morning and everyone had the first half of the day off. I intended to spend it in bed binge watching TV an getting caught up on the news.
I felt Nick stir as I flipped through the channels. He looked cute tangled in the blankets. His curly hair was getting long since it had been a while since he'd last cut it. He looked like he was twelve. I stopped when I saw a familiar face on the TV screen and my jaw dropped.
"The leaked photos are quite intimate. So far no word from Lovato or Rose's reps. This confirms speculation that the rock star prefers women over men. It's a subject that she has expertly avoided."
I turned the volume up as I listened to Ryan and Giuliana discuss Demi's personal life on network TV as they showed the censored versions of the photographs. There was no stopping it now.
"Fuck." I said loudly when I heard my phone ring.
I didn't even need to check the caller ID to know who it was. It was the label and they wanted a meeting immediately. I had to fly out after tonight's show. I quickly got out of bed so I wouldn't disturb Nick and moved out into the sitting room. I heard a knock on my door and when I opened it, I wasn't the least I bit surprised to see her standing there. She smelled heavily of alcohol and cigarettes.
"Can I come in?" She smiled.
"Yeah...sorry." I said awkwardly as I held the phone up to my ear. I was in the middle of booking a flight.
I stepped aside so she could enter my room.
She walked in and made herself comfortable on my couch as I finished making reservations. She also proceeded to help herself to the minibar.
"Haven't you had enough?" I questioned.
"There's no such thing." She said as she opened a bottle of bourbon.
"Its eight in the morning." I sighed. "Did you leak those pictures?" I asked.
She responded by tilting her head back and laughing.
"No. I did not." She answered. "I wouldn't have leaked the ones with me in them if it was me. Why would I want my titties all over the damn Internet?"
"This is serious." I said raising my voice. "How does Ruby feel about all this?"
"She's a fucking model Selena." She snapped. "She doesn't care. It's not the first nude picture of her to make the rounds."
"Who had access to the pictures?" I questioned.
"Me and whoever decided to hack my iCloud." She shrugged.
"Why are you not the least bit bothered about it?" I asked slightly annoyed.
"The truth shall set you free." She grinned. "No more living under a fucking rock and hiding." She added as she took a long drink from the bottle of bourbon.
I wish someone would have told her to be careful what she asked for. Her high profile status made her and Ruby's relationship front page news. The scrutiny and constant need for people to know about her private life became an unbearable force that would inevitably tear them apart. I wish someone would have told her that it was going to tear her apart.