091:Aubrey

Rafe was in the limelight. I knew about this kind of promotion, but I'd never seen it personally. I'm not a famous Mann--- not one of the seps, not one of the twins, not anything except the baby who did not go into the industry.

However I reminded myself... I had agreed to marry into the industry, somehow it had caught me off guard. Somehow the industry had captured me anyway.

I watched him, he was a pro. Definitely a pro. He was suave, debonair, sure of himself, quirky and funny, and humble and arrogant and cute and cuddly and aloof and mysterious. His answers were always quick, and short. He loved to talk about the music, the band, others he collaborated with. He dodged questions about personal subjects--- especially me.

My guys had spread out. I didn't even see them. I didn't see Rafe's guys either, just Holli and Lavon. And of course, Jake stood near me. I'd known that would happen. Jake was loyal to the family. We weren't a pay check to him. Jake was family to us.

Rafe's laugh was cute and quiet. I listened to these last few questions, knowing we were wrapping it up after an hour of giving stuff away and promoting, signing and talking.

"What are some things you've been told bands do that are annoying?" The reporter for Mexico Tonight asked. She had been hovering on the sidelines till now, not the main gal, but dressed for clubbing, super cute and super sexy. I eyed her speculatively. She'd looked my way several times, but Rafe had really dodged questions about me and about his love life. He was well known for dating models for short periods of time.

"Oh man, bands that are late on stage. Very poor form." He said, as he stroked his chin thoughtfully, sexily--- I had to mentally shake my head at his antics. Adorable. He loved this attention, flashes went off like mad. "Bands that talk too much about themselves on stage."

"Is that why you don't talk that much onstage? But recently, you talked quite a bit on stage about a girl you proposed to. On stage. Did you break your own rule, or was that for show as it is being reported everywhere?"

Rafe shrugged. "I'm making it a policy to involve the fans a little more. It's worked well for Bono." Dodged that one completely.

"What other things do bands do that Axis tries to avoid?"

"I always introduce the guys, I like to make sure everyone gets their time in the limelight. It's only right. They make the band you know? Lead singers get far too much attention." He grinned apologetically and there was a round of applause. I blew out my breath. Another ploy. He was very cute at this.

"How do you feel about bands who bring cameras and try to film the audience?"

"The audience came to the concert to hear music. It's about the music."

"Does Axis play the same songs at every show?"

"No. Our lineup is completely different every night, every performance. Fans who go to more than one show will not be disappointed."

"How long do you take backstage if you do an encore?"

"Some bands take too long, I know, it's a common complaint. That's why we leave and then come back on immediately. Get a little water, but nobody does any take down."

"Although you have been known to come back alone. The band never does come back."

"That's happened once or twice, sure. Sometimes there are very strict deadlines to traveling, or the venue has guidelines that have to be met."

"Do you ever ask for requests and then not play them?"

"No. If we're in a club, that's the only time I ever ask for requests, and we hardly ever play clubs anymore, we just can't. No offense, we tried, you know? But the fan base got too big, you know?"

"Have you ever been drunk on stage?"

"Again, poor form, we don't believe in drinking on stage, and as band leader, I won't allow it. Not that I would have any dissenters. We all feel the same way. It's disrespectful to the fans. And the fans are who we need to please. Don't want to offend the fans. They mean too much to us. We are very loyal to our fans, and they are good to us for sure."

"What do you have to say to the fans who come to hear you play one special song that doesn't get played?"

"I've got a Facebook page, and Twitter. Tell me your favorite and what show you'll be at and I'll do my best." He waved, he smiled, the cameras went off, the lights came up more, and people backed up as Jake and then Tim and Lavon were there to escort us out.

"Rafe, is that your current girlfriend? What's her name? Can you do a couple of dance moves for the camera?" I knew now that Rafe was famous for his dancing off stage. He had an arm around me, but he didn't call out my name. He did however, pull me close and before I knew it, he had me bent back over his arm, and he kissed me soundly then pulled me back up. I couldn't even see because of the gazillion flashes that went off. Rafe's smile was perfect, never wavered. I'm sure I looked like a simpleton with my eyes half closed or all the way closed, and my stupid expression fixed in a fakey smile.

What I could see was his expression over the deep rise and fall of my chest. For just a split second, our eyes met above the flashes and his grin was so beautiful, so relaxed, so deviously mischievous. It was what he was known for, and he'd just included me one hundred percent. He may not have answered them about my identity, but if they were still confused it was their own fault. He'd given them his answer.

His hand against my back lifted me expertly--- completely confident and able. I returned to standing, and was now so close. We posed for a few more pictures and then Jake and Tim simply moved in front of us and ushered us out to where Mack was waiting. There were no incidents, the night was a success, and I felt glamorous and protected and excited and very real. If this was part of his life, I'd just entered his territory successfully.

*****