The One After [SHAWN MENDES]

Chapter 26

We'd just finished the backstage tour when Fallon whispered to me, "Your boy has quite an entourage. I can't get over how many people are here. It made sense for the Toronto show, but this is just one of many tour stops."

"Several of his friends work for him, and I think the rest are part of his professional team," I replied in a low voice.

We ended up in a room filled with food and drinks. People were mingling and the vibe was that of a subdued party, though I imagined that things were a little rowdier after the concert. Shawn disappeared to get ready, and I was bummed that I didn't get a second alone with him.

"Excuse me," a voice said over my shoulder. "Can you come with me? Someone wants to see you."

I recognized the man as Shawn's bodyguard. "Of course."

I slipped away from the crowd with him and followed as he led me down several corridors. We ended up at an unmarked door, which was presumably Shawn's dressing room. I'd always imagined them to have a star with the person's name on it, but maybe that was a movie cliché.

He knocked softly and a second later Shawn opened the door. He beckoned me inside and closed it behind us. "Usually I like time to get centered before my show, but I wanted to see you alone. Jesus baby, you look gorgeous tonight."

I was wearing a short plaid skirt with a black satin and lace bustier. Over that I had on a faded denim jacket with my new pin attached, of course. Black combat boots completed the ensemble. I'd considered wearing the shirt I bought at the Toronto show since the girls were both wearing theirs, but I opted for sexy instead.

"Thank you," I said. I spent a lot of time planning this outfit, and I loved that he appreciated it.

"I'm really glad you're here, Lucy," he told me before he leaned down to kiss me. "Will your friends be upset if I steal you when the show is over? I want you all to myself."

"They'll understand." I pulled him back in for another kiss.

He took my hands to lead me over to the couch and then sat down on it, so naturally I climbed on top of him so I was straddling his thighs. Our kisses grew more passionate, and it took no time at all for him to become aroused, which in turn got my juices flowing. I undid his belt buckle and began to undo his jeans when he stopped me.

"Lucy, I can't. It's a thing with me...no sex before going on stage."

I stopped and looked into his brown eyes. "Really? I assumed that's why you had your bodyguard come get me."

"You thought I wanted sex?"

"Yeah, but that didn't bother me."

He lifted me off his lap and set me down next to him. "I wanted to see you. That's all. You should probably go so that I can finish getting ready."

I knew he was irritated with me,  but I wasn't going to attempt a discussion when he had to be on stage in less than an hour. I gave him one more quick kiss, straightened my skirt, and wished him luck.

When I rejoined everyone, I saw that Fallon and Briya made friends while I was gone. They were in a circle, which included Brian, and were talking animatedly about something. I got myself a water and squeezed in between them.

"You're back soon," Briya whispered.

"He just wanted to say hi."

"Well he must have said it while his mouth was on yours because your lipstick is smudged really badly."

I backed out of the circle and hurried to a bathroom where I made myself presentable. It occurred to me that Shawn probably had lipstick on his face, too, so I went to his room and knocked on the door after his bodyguard nodded at me that it was okay. Shawn was shirtless when he answered it and I let out an involuntary gasp when I saw his muscular chest.

"Everything ok?" he asked.

"My lipstick was smeared around my lips and I wanted to make sure you didn't go on stage with your face looking the same." Then I reached up and wiped a little off his upper lip. "See?"

"I appreciate that, but I would have caught it," he chuckled.

"I wasn't sure, and I know you're trying to keep this a secret. You've been thwarted by lipstick before," I joking referred to the incident with the pillow. I couldn't stop myself from saying something else. "I'm sorry about earlier. I'm an idiot."

"It's fine."

I let him get back to changing, but as I started down the corridor I muttered, "Fine rarely means fine."

I heard a cough and turned to see Shawn's head poking out the door. He crooked his finger. "C'mere, Lucy."

I approached him and was yanked back into the dressing room before being attacked with a deep kiss. When we broke apart, I put a fake frown on my face. "Now I have to fix my lipstick again."

"Sorry, but I had to make things right between us."

I gave him a couple more kisses, cleaned up my lipstick in the restroom, and met up with everyone as they were gathering in the hall.

All of Shawn's friends, aside from the ones who were there in a professional capacity, were ushered to a special area just outside the pit area next to the stage. Tate McRae was the opener again and was as incredible as she'd been in Toronto. The audience was fully hyped by the time the man himself made his entrance. I'd never been so close to the stage for any concert, and there was an energy emanating from Shawn and his band that blew me away.

Several times we made eye contact, but he was careful to not hold it for long. I danced with my besties, who were enjoying the show as much as I was. It was an amazing night, and when he played his final song, I felt tears well up in my eyes because I was so sad it was coming to an end.

"Holy fuck, that was great!" Fallon said exuberantly while we waited to have our all-access passes checked so we could go backstage.

"He's so talented." Briya added in a hushed voice, "And could he be any hotter on stage? It was so different to see him up close. My god...the veins. I hate you a little right now."

He was hot. Like center of the sun hot. "He looked really good tonight."

"What happens now? Do we hang around here? Is there a party like they had in Toronto?" Fallon asked once we got to the lounge we'd been in before the show.

I shrugged. "I'm not sure, but Shawn might want to get to bed since that performance must have been exhausting for him."

Briya giggled. "But he won't be sleeping."

I looked around to make sure no one heard her. "Shhhh!"

"Sorry. Don't worry about us. Some of the guys were saying they were hitting up the casino later, so we can join them while you sleep," she said with an exaggerated wink.

Other people arrived in the room which was now stocked with more substantial food and drinks. When Shawn and the band showed up, they were greeted with applause. I wanted to run into his arms to tell him how amazing he was, but I fought the urge. Instead, I waited while he made his rounds.

"What'd you think?" he asked me and my friends when he got to us.

"You were incredible!" Briya gushed.

Fallon nodded. "You put on a fantastic show once again. Thanks so much for inviting us."

"Thank you, and I was happy to do it." He turned to me and grinned. "Did you enjoy it, Lucy?"

"I can't put how it made me feel into words," I told him. "You're magical on stage."

"Grab something to eat. There will be limos outside to get everyone back to the hotel." He leaned closer to me and whispered in my ear, "I'll see you in our suite."

Tingles surged through my core as I imagined what was in store for me.