King of Hearts Read online

  “That’s why the King’s Court loves them.” I shrug, laughing again.

  “I don’t get it,” Landon remarks. “It’s just Derrik and EJ. I went to school with them since sixth grade.”

  I pat his shoulder, staring at him like he’s a lost puppy. “Oh, Landon. It’s okay. You don’t have to be intimidated by the mass of hysterical girls screaming.”

  He rolls his eyes with a smirk and is just about to reply when, on cue, the girls start shrieking again. I look and find Maddox and EJ making their way over to sign autographs. Jade and Derrik wait near the curtain that blocks off the backstage area, and Derrik motions over to me.

  “Come on.” I tap Becca’s arm, and we head down the stairs. Landon stays at the edge of the aisle before turning around to head up the stairs. “You’re not coming?”

  “Naw.” He shakes his head. “I’ll meet you guys in the gift shop. I told my mom I’d get her something.”

  “Okay.” I offer him a smile and then head down to the barrier between the stage area and the audience.

  “Sorry, you can’t go this way,” a large security guard says, stopping us. He’s at least a foot taller than us, stout, and his brow nearly forms a unibrow, which seems to be stuck in place in a scowl.

  “Oh, I know him.” I point to Derrik, who’s now looking at something behind the curtain.

  The guard glances back and then stares at me like I’m crazy. “Yeah, sure you do.”

  “Derrik,” I call out.

  Turning around, he sees the scene and smirks. As he starts jogging over to us, more of the girls off to the side begin shrieking louder than before, and bum-rush Becca and me.

  “Hey, it’s cool,” he tells the security guard. “They’re with me.” The guard does a double take, then nods and lets us in. “Head backstage, behind the curtain,” Derrik tells us. “I’ll be right there.” We both nod and head off in the direction he points. I glance back and see all of the fans jumping up and down, and Derrik begins laying on his charm. “Hey, girls. Enjoy the show?”

  I can’t comprehend one answer they give as they all scream on top of the other, and Becca starts laughing. Walking back behind the curtain, we find Jade talking on her phone. When she sees us, she waves with a smile.

  “No, I seriously don’t want to talk about that again,” she says sternly into her phone. “Yes, I know, but the Kings are where my priority is. Yeah. Thanks.” She hangs up her phone, letting out a sigh and shaking her head. “Sorry.”

  I lean over to her and give her a hug. She’s dressed in some of her usual skinny jeans that are ripped, and a purple tank top. “You look amazing, Jade. Everything okay?”

  “Thanks,” she replies, giving Becca a hug next. “Yeah, it’s good. It’s just Bret.” She rolls her eyes when she says her boyfriend’s name. “He’s always asking about meeting with new management and stuff.”

  Becca rolls her eyes. “Is he still trying to get you to hook his band up with a deal? Tell him to suck on one.”

  The insult breaks the tension that Jade seems to be carrying, and we all start laughing. “Maybe I will,” she answers. “How are you guys? I can’t believe I haven’t seen you since before Christmas last year. Now it’s spring break.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “Pretty soon, no more high school.”

  “Yeah.” I smile. “You don’t miss it?”

  “A little.” She shrugs. “But I wouldn’t give this up for anything. It’s amazing.”

  “Hey, sorry,” Derrik says, rushing over and giving me a hug. “Gotta work the crowd, you know?”

  “I’m sure Maddox is working it enough for all of us,” Jade jokes. “Peter wants us in the limo in twenty, so I’m gonna head over there.”

  “Okay, cool.” Derrik nods. Becca and I give her a hug again, and she heads toward the exit. “So, how’d you guys like the show?”

  “It was okay.” I shrug with a smile. “You were a little pitchy.”

  Becca laughs. “Yeah. Landon isn’t a fan either.”

  “Landon!” Derrik exclaims, raising a finger. “I wasn’t sure who that was, and now that you say the name, I remember. I think I had algebra with him freshman year. You gave him the extra ticket?” he asks me, and I nod. “I would’ve thought your mom would’ve brought you guys.”

  “We were talking at lunch, and when I told him, he offered,” I explain. “He got a brand-new Mercedes from his parents as an early graduation-slash-birthday gift.”

  “Oh.” A line from overs his brow. “Where is he?”

  “Like I said, not a fan.” Becca giggles, and I do my best to hold back one of my own, watching the slight jealous scowl flash over Derrik’s face.

  We’ve known each other since middle school. Sophomore year we started dating. Then, when he and the others began home studies before they all decided to take a GED and just focus on the band, we were still going out junior year. When they had to leave last year to start on this world tour they’ve embarked on, I knew it couldn’t keep going. Long-distance relationships never work, especially when someone is a world-famous rock star. Still, we’ve stayed in contact through online and texting. And I do still care about him.

  Becca’s face drops. Following her line of vision, as she stares over Derrik’s shoulder, I see Danica Parker walking toward us.

  Johnny wasn’t lying during the show that she’s the hottest star on the planet right now. She transformed a silly YouTube sketch comedy show she started in middle school into a nationally televised and streaming series. The first season of her show just ended, and the season finale scored the highest ratings of any primetime show in the last five years. People love her. And it doesn’t hurt that even at seventeen, she comes across as a mature and savvy Hollywood powerhouse. She knows the game and plays it to a T, able to get almost anything she wants. Which includes Derrik.

  “Wow, I didn’t know she was keeping you on a leash,” I tease him, whispering over to him.

  “Very funny,” he retorts.

  “Derrik.” She wraps her arm around his, not even acknowledging Becca and me. “Come on, finish signing autographs, and let’s go. My publicist wants us to make an appearance across town at a super-hot restaurant.”

  “Danica, these aren’t fans,” Derrik reprimands her, pulling his arm free from hers.

  I glance over at Becca, who scowls at Danica. She looks insulted and jealous, both of which she’s told me—on multiple occasions—I should be feeling with all the rumors and pictures floating around about them.

  It’s not like I’ve never been jealous over Danica. Not of her fame, but of this relationship that she wants with Derrik, and she seems so driven to acquire.

  I try to push any and all thoughts of jealousy away, though. Derrik and I went out, but he’s not mine anymore. I called it off for a good reason. And now, the Kings are the hottest rock band on the planet. I’m a high school senior, and I’ll be starting college in the fall. We live in completely different worlds. But it’s nice to see him from time to time and see that he hasn’t changed.

  “Oh.” Danica gives us both a blank stare. “Awesome, I’d literally kill for a Diet Coke right now.”

  “Really?” Becca retorts, smirking. “Literally? You’d literally kill for a Diet Coke?”

  “What?” Danica stares at Becca with an unknowing gaze, and I’m doing my best to hold back a laugh. Glancing at Derrik, I discover he’s doing the same.

  “They don’t work here either,” Derrik says. “They’re my friends. I invited them.”

  Taking us in again, she stares back at Derrik with a look that tells me she isn’t sure if he’s joking or not. Not in a ha-ha kind of way, but with an expression that says that both of them are above the small people now.

  “Whatever. Let’s go already.”

  “I’m supposed to head back to the hotel.”

  “No, I had Debbie talk to Peter. Your band will go back, but we’re going to the restaurant. Hurry up, pumpkin.”

  She smiles widely, tapping her finger to Derrik�
�s nose. Without another glance at Becca or me, she flicks her platinum blonde hair over her shoulder. Spinning on her pink and silver Prada heels—which I hate to admit, are really cute—she walks back down the hallway.

  “Sorry about that.”

  “Seriously, Derrik?” Becca glares at him. “That girl is a total bitch. Why are you putting on this show?”

  I’ve told Becca all about the setup Derrik has with Little Miss Thing. It’s supposed to not only be great for her show but gain even more exposure for the Kings. Like they need any more; they’ve been on multiple magazine covers, daytime talk shows, nighttime talk shows, and YouTube channels with millions of subscribers. The Kings are everywhere. So, I jab a finger in his ribs, giggling.

  “Because she’s hot and you’re hot, and two insanely hot teen idols are unstoppable. Right?”

  “Stop.” He pushes my hand away, laughing. “I’m not a teen idol.”

  “Oh, sorry. Teen icon. That is the name of your album, isn’t it?”

  Becca starts laughing, and Derrik continues to blush. “That was all Peter’s idea, you know that. I was happy with calling it Album Number Two. So next week is spring break, right?”

  “Yasss!” Becca waves her hands high. “We are going to my aunt’s in Huntington Beach. It’s going to be ah-may-zing!”

  Derrik laughs. “I bet. I had a proposition for you, though, Z.”

  “Not even twenty-one, and you’re propositioning girls already? Tsk-tsk.” Becca starts giggling, earning one from myself.

  “Huntington Beach is amazing, but how about coming out on tour with us for these last few shows?” he asks.

  His words stop both of us in our tracks. “Are you serious?”

  He nods. “I talked with the rest of the band, and they’re totally cool with it. We all know you, and Jade is hoping you’ll say yes so she’s not the only girl around most of the time.”

  He laughs, but I’m still stunned. “I mean … that would be fantastic, but I don’t know if my mom would—”

  “I already asked. She said yes.”

  “What? Seriously?”

  “Yeah. Come on, you know your mom loves me.” He casually throws his arm around my shoulders.

  I fight off the feelings I always have to battle with when I’m next to him. Glancing back at Becca, my wide eyes find hers, as she jumps up and down in excitement. “Would you hate me if I ditched the beach next week?”

  “Girl!” She pushes my shoulder. “I’d hate you if you don’t go on tour with them. You better send me tons of pics.”

  “So?” He leans a little closer.

  I see those ocean blue eyes that make every girl in the crowd melt. They’ve always had the same effect on me. And no doubt being around the band would be amazing. Traveling to their last tour stops, hanging out with Jade, and getting to be around Derrik. But I called us off for a reason. Being around him might bring up all those old feelings I still remember. Plus, there are other things in play that he doesn’t know about. Things I probably should’ve told him a long time ago.

  “Are you going to make me beg, Z?” He removes his arm from my shoulders, only to stand in front of me. Lowering a few inches, he comes down to my height, so we’re at even eye level. “I haven’t had to beg you since we went to homecoming sophomore year.”

  He grins, and it makes me giggle, breaking up my debating thoughts. Finally, finding some semblance of coherency, I return his grin. “On one condition.”

  “Anything.”

  “You only get me Diet Cokes. Pumpkin.”

  “Very funny.”

  3

  Derrik

  “Danica, Danica! Derrik, over here!”

  I wave and try to keep the fake smile plastered across my face as we pose for photographs for the group of paparazzi outside of La Spiga, the hottest Italian restaurant in Los Angeles.

  “Why are we doing this?” I whisper to Danica.

  She leans closer, sliding her hand over my stomach. “I told you, silly. We have to always play it up for everyone.” She places a light kiss on my cheek.

  I can’t help but let out a chuckle. “You’re doing a little more than playing it up.”

  Her lips brush against my ear. “I have to make it look good.” She takes a nibble, then brings her hand to my face. “I’m starving.”

  I cast her a sideways glance. “I’m sure you are.”

  Without hesitation, she spins and heads inside. “The chicken carbonara here is delicious.”

  The hostess greets Danica first. However, she doesn’t even stop, and heads to the table she’s apparently reserved. “Yes, right this way, Ms. Parker. Mr. Tyler.” The hostess hurries to match Danica’s pace. “Would you like a minute to order? I’ll have the waitress—”

  “No need,” Danica cuts her off, taking her seat at the table. “I’ll have the Parker Special.” Danica pauses for a moment, giving the hostess a sideways glance. The hostess nods in silent agreement. “And I want the chicken carbonara.”

  “Just water for me, thanks,” I tell her.

  She nods and leaves.

  Danica scrolls through her phone, something I’ve grown used to the times we’ve gone out. Her blonde hair is perfectly styled, slightly wavy, and it falls over her left shoulder. If the world didn’t know she was a seventeen-year-old star, she’d easily pull off a mid-twenties Hollywood starlet. Her black dress reveals just enough cleavage that she gains attention, and it falls above her knee. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think she was on her way to a movie premiere.

  “One Parker Special, and one water,” the hostess returns, setting the drinks down in front of us. Danica doesn’t acknowledge her, keeping her eyes locked on her phone while tasting the drink.

  “Thank you,” I say to the hostess, who gives me a thankful nod.

  “Your waitress will be out soon with your order,” she tells us before she leaves.

  “Why’d you decide on this place?” I ask, taking in the high-class restaurant.

  It’s not fancy—like with chandeliers or roses and candles at the tables—but it’s definitely high-end. There’s sleek marble flooring, the walls are a modern black and white, and the lighting gives the entire room we’re in a soft glow. There are a few other patrons eating, and they are either dressed in formal wear or designer fashion. It’s definitely a spot for celebrities to come to for both food and publicity. I just don’t know why Danica insists on these places when the world already thinks we’re dating.

  She smirks before taking a drink of her Shirley Temple that’s anything but virgin. We may be under twenty-one, but being the stars we are, we can definitely get anything we want, anytime we want. And even though I’ve only known her for a few months, I know she takes full advantage of that. “I told you, this is the hottest spot in L.A. Debbie feels like we need a little more media coverage.”

  “More?” I peak an eyebrow. “Danica, Teen Weekly put out a list of the top five places we should get married.”

  “Any you find interesting?” The sly smirk crosses her lips, and she reaches across the table, taking my hand.

  I leave it there because pulling away will only cause more rumors, these about our supposed relationship now being on the rocks. Also, there’s no point. She’ll just grab my other hand or raise her leg up under the table, rubbing it against mine. She’s done it before.

  “No.” I lean across the table, almost like I’m going to kiss her. “Because we’re not really a couple, Danica,” I whisper.

  She leans even closer, to the point to where our lips could touch. “And whose fault is that, Derrik?” She waits there, the flirty smirk across her face, almost daring me to kiss her. When I don’t, she gives me a small peck, then leans back in her seat, taking another sip.

  Danica Parker is beyond beautiful. In addition to the blonde hair, she also has blues eyes. Something she loves to say we have in common, as if it’s destiny we’re in this fake relationship together. She has a curvy figure that’s not too skinny, but not heavy
set either. Some gossip and news magazines have listed her as the hottest actress on the scene right now, both because of her beauty and her acting capabilities.

  It’s not like it’s such a hassle to be close to her. If I were really interested in her, I’d have no problem being affectionate either. I’m not even averse to kissing her because I found out the first night she thought this plan up, she’s a good kisser. After we talked it over with her agent and Peter, our manager and assistant, she was so happy that she didn’t hesitate to stick her tongue down my throat.

  But there’s always been Zoey. Always.

  No one knows it. Not her, and definitely not Danica. I think my brother believes I still like her, but I don’t think even he knows how much. Jade has an idea, but she’s never said anything, so I’m not sure how much she’s figured out.

  Zoey and I started going out our sophomore year, and that led into our junior year. Then the Kings hit it big, and we called it quits. Well, no, she called it quits. She told me she was happy the band’s popularity was exploding, but that she couldn’t be a part of it. She was going to go to college, and I’d be traveling the world. She didn’t want our relationship to be a distraction for everything.

  It’s something I didn’t understand. I still don’t. How would being in love with someone be a distraction? As much as it pained me, I said okay. But there was always a kernel of an idea left in the back of my mind. I knew I wanted to find a way to prove to her that us being in a relationship could work. When I learned the last leg of our tour coincided with her spring break, I set my plan in motion. This week is the biggest of my life. I’m going to get her to fall back in love with me.

  I lean back in my seat, watching Danica still locked on her phone when the waitress walks over to us. “Hey.” I offer her a smile, and she immediately starts blushing, setting Danica’s plate of food in front of her. “How you doing?”

  She starts shaking, and a giggle bubbles out.

  “What the hell?” Danica blurts out. “Where’s my slice of lime?”

  The waitress’s giddiness vanishes, and now she looks embarrassed by Danica’s words. “Oh, I’m sorry, Ms. Parker. The chicken carbonara doesn’t usually come with a slice of lime.”