Unstoppable (Fierce) Read Online Free PDF Page B

or how much weight I had lost, I still had so much further to go. There were no “after” photos yet, just endless “before” shots that made me cringe every time I looked at them.
    No wonder all those groupies in their tight shorts and miniskirts and teeny weeny tops didn’t give me the time of day. Just like the rest of society, they would never expect a guy like Jace, who had been engaged to a stunning brunette like Amy, and hung around a wholesome beauty like Shelby, to look twice my direction.
    But he had looked twice, hadn’t he? Not only that but he had put that coveted ring on my finger , and he had spent the entire night before wrapped in my arms, whispering affirmations of love in my ear. He had touched me with desire, with a hunger, that defied all societal expectation.
    It made me think about Eddie, who thrived on those expectations. “ Don’t get mad at me ,” he had said. “ I didn’t make up the rules .”
    Who exactly made up all these rules? And why did we all feel compelled to obey?
    With a sigh I turned from the mirror and headed toward the stage.
    After my number where I introduced Jace, I escaped backstage. I was wiping the sweat from my face and touching up my makeup when Andy caught up to me with a welcoming smile and an even bigger hug.
    “That was fabulous!” she exclaimed as she squeezed me tight. “You’ve really come into you own as a performer, Jordi. I’m so excited you’re on the tour with us.”
    “Me, too. It’s more than I ever dreamed when I was wearing out my MP3s of Dreaming in Blue.”
    She laughed. “Been there. Only I don’t have the musical chops to be on that stage. And I certainly don’t have your composure to sing in front of thousands and thousands of people.”
    I shrugged away the compliment. “I don’t know how confident I am. I just love to sing. Put a mic in my hand and I’m a different person.”
    She nodded. “I feel that way as a writer. Put a computer between me and t he world and I’m unstoppable. But if I have to give a speech, you’ll find me under some table in the fetal possession.”
    It was hard to believe, given her confidence and her composure. “That makes you and Vanni an interesting pair.”
    She laughed. “You have no idea.”
    We heard the groupies screaming from the arena. “Is it always this crazy?”
    “Crazier,” she said with a war-weary roll of her eyes. I remembered too late that she had been on the end of a gun courtesy of one of Vanni’s stalkers.
    “It must be hard for you. Sharing him with the world.”
    She shrugged. “He was in the band when we met. It wasn’t like I didn’t know what I was getting into. This is the rock star life. You gotta take the good with the bad and hope, when it’s all said and done, it’ll be worth it.”
    I could tell by the contented smile on her face that it was worth it for her, especially when Vanni sneaked up behind her to goose her. She giggled and he wrapped his arm around her waist as he looked at me. “It’s about time that two of my favorite ladies got together. First stop, national tour. Next up: world domination.”
    He bestowed that radiant smile that brought all his fangirls to their knees. “Vanni, three minutes!” a stage hand called from the door.
    He glanced down at Andy. “ Gotta go earn the bacon,” he said before he planted a gentle, lingering kiss on her lips. “I’m glad you’re here,” he said softly against her mouth, and I glanced away from their intimate moment. Andy was still glowing after he disappeared from the room with a gentle pat on my shoulder as he passed by. She stared after him wistfully until I finally hopped from the chair. “Let’s go watch your man work his magic,” I suggested as I held out my hand.
    She nodded with a happy smile.
    We stayed backstage with other important guests and the stage hands and roadies. Unlike everyone else, who had a job to do, we enjoyed the performance and danced along to the music like a couple of