2 - Fangirl

Abel Cross stalks onto the bus, footsteps heavy and unhurried. Familiar in a way that makes Mara’s stomach twist. For a moment, time freezes.

He looks exactly like he does onstage and nothing like the boy Mara fell in love with. His dark eyes are piercing, black hair spilling artfully across his forehead. A plain black t-shirt clings to his chest for dear life. Tattoos wrap his arms and disappear beneath the fabric like sexy secrets.

Breathe, Mara.

His gaze finds her instantly and he stops in his tracks. He stands there, glaring down at her. “What the hell are you doing here?” His voice is flat, no warmth to be found. 

Raze straightens, eyebrows lifting. “You know her?”

Mara opens her mouth.

Abel cuts her off, not giving her a chance to speak. “You shouldn’t be here.” He grinds out.

It’s a clear dismissal, like she’s an inconvenience that has soured his night.

This gives her a perverse sense of satisfaction. In fact, she is gleeful at his discomfort. Fucker.

“I would have preferred to do this from a safe distance,” Mara says. She keeps her hands folded on her lap, even as her heart pounds in her ears. “But you didn’t leave me any options.”

Gabe’s gaze flicks between them, confusion knitting his brow. “What is going on?”

Mara reaches into her bag and pulls out the envelope. She notices when his jaw tightens. It doesn't stop her. “Sign these and it I promise it will be the last time you ever see me.”

His silence is worse than anything she prepared for. She prepared for him to rant or scream at her. She did not prepare for his cold, quiet fury. It doesn't matter. Her purpose is righteous. She stands, pushing the envelope at him.

He backs up, dodging her advance. “No,” his voice is low threat. “I told you I’m not fucking signing.”

She slaps the envelope down on the table, pent up frustration bursting forth. “What the hell, you dick! What is wrong with you? Sign the damn papers." She gets up in his face. "Tonight.”

Mara feels the burn behind her eyes and refuses to blink. She won’t give them the satisfaction of seeing her break.

Abel exhales slowly as he locks her in a staring contes for several moments. Then, he pivots away from Mara to address his bandmates. “Guys, I’d like to introduce you to Mara. Mara, this is the guys.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m aware, We’ve all become besties while waiting on you to finally grace us with your presence.”

“Is she our entertainment for the evening?” Raze’s grin is lazy.

“She is my wife.” His statement is delivered devoid of all emotion.

Raze freezes mid-sip. Beer sloshes over the rim.

Gabe’s mouth falls open. “Your what?”

Mara’s breath leaves her lungs in a sharp, involuntary gasp. How dare he brand her! "You fucking bastard! How dare you!" He has no right to claim her! 

Raze stares at Abel, then at Mara, then back again. “Bro, how the hell are you’re married?”

“Legally, at least.” Abel says with a sneer.

The sheer audacity...Mara can't form coherent words. Instead, she stands there and rages at this prick.

Gabe shakes his head like he misheard. “Since when?”

Abel’s full attention turns back to Mara. He is cold. Unreadable.

Raze’s gaze darts between them. “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“Because it doesn’t matter,” Abel cuts in.

Gabe frowns. “It matters if you’re married.”

Abel scowls back. “Not to the band.”

Mara waives a hand. “Whatever you’re thinking, he’s done nothing wrong. We’re separated.” She surprises all three of them with that admission. “I haven't held back on living, either. I just need this to be done.” 

“What the fuck are you insinuating, wife?” He crowds her against the table.

When the heat from his body invades her senses, she slides away. His lip curls with satisfaction, as if he knows he’s affecting her.

She flips him off. With both middle fingers. It's a white lie, her not holding back on living. Mara said it on the fly to let them know she's unbothered with the drinking and womanizing.

She frowns at that train of thought.

Abel stalks closer again until the tips of his boots are nearly touching hers. Something dark settles in his eyes. “You think this is your big moment?” he asks, voice low and steady. “Sneaking onto my bus like a desperate fangirl?”

Girl, remember who the fuck you are.

Her head tilts up so she can fully meet his jackassery. “Except I’m not a fan. At all. I’d rather be anywhere else, Cross. Anywhere.” Mara says voice a little shaky with emotion. “I’m here for my freedom.”

Abel’s gaze drops to the envelope. Then back to her face. “And you think a signature gives it back?”

“It gives me a start.”

Abel’s smile is a mockery. “You already started when you walked away.”

“Don't even turn this around on me! I am not the one who messed up! I am not the one who broke us." Her composure slips even as Gabe and Raze react to her heated comments.

Mara blocks them out completely, focusing on the real threat. "Why do you refuse to let go? We are just a legality. With a few signatures, our nightmare can disappear.” She pushes the envelope back at him. “Because let’s be honest. That’s all we have been reduced to, a living nightmare.”

The space is too quiet now. Even Raze looks like he’s holding his breath, beer can half-raised to his mouth. Gabe is frowning, staring at his feet.

Abel remains unyielding. “You don’t get to rewrite the story.”

Mara lifts her chin. “I’m not interested in rewriting it. Only with ending it.”

Abel finally looks at Raze and Gabe and points at the exit. “Get the fuck out. Leave us.”