Kingsley Maguire runs the wildly popular POPTube channel, P-Fan, where she dishes out all the latest on pop music. And her latest obsession? None other than Milo Gray, the swoon-worthy lead vocalist of the chart-topping British band, MKL. She wants an interview with the elusive star, and she's ready to go to extreme lengths to make it happen, even if it means moving halfway across the globe.

Milo Gray values his privacy. With his life splashed across the front page of every gossip magazine and his music dominating the airwaves, he’s learned to keep his guard up tighter than ever. If that means rejecting the interview request from someone as captivating as Kingsley, he won't hesitate a single second. Some things are best kept private, no matter the temptation.

But when fate throws them together and sparks fly, Kingsley and Milo find themselves stuck in a whirlwind of desire, jealousy, and secrets. As they navigate this rollercoaster ride of emotions, they must confront everything they thought they knew—the true cost of privacy, the complexities of fame, and the undeniable power of human connection.

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Teen

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Excerpt

Dazzling colors, blinding strobe lights, and rolling fog transformed the sound stage into a surreal dreamscape. Sparks rained down from the rafters as purple and blue lights pulsed rhythmically. Plumes of fire erupted first in the left corner, then the right, before all the lights abruptly shut off. A single blue spotlight snapped on at the back of the stage, revealing three male silhouettes. They stood with their backs turned, heads bowed, and microphones gripped in their right hands.

More lights hummed to life, unveiling the band. Milo spun around and lifted his mic just as the drummer struck his snare and kicked up the bass. Milo didn’t sing. He froze, his face glittering with sweat, highlighting his blue eyeliner. The drummer hit the cymbal. To Milo’s left, Kody stretched out his arm and aimed his mic toward the camera. Their bassist strummed his fingers across the strings. Liam, the final group member, crouched facing the front.

Screams from the large audience echoed the explosion of music. The downbeat was their cue. Milo and his partners straightened and enticed the crowd with their sensual yet poppy lyrics. Their synchronized movements were expected. Two years of intense training with D.L. Entertainment had produced one of Britain’s hottest groups. Social media was in a frenzy. Would MKL, so young and fresh on the scene, be the next big hit? Would BTS lose their crown as the most sought-after international group? That was D.L. Entertainment’s ultimate goal. Judging by the roars of the studio audience, the company had succeeded.

MKL melted into the shadows when the song finished. A young woman in a tight pink dress sauntered onto the stage. Astrid Phillips, KBTV’s leading host, commanded the space, though Milo disliked her. Before MKL, he had watched Astrid interview famous bands from the comfort of his living room. It wasn’t uncommon to see a Astrid and a group member hit the tabloids later with a scandal. How much money did the entertainment industry spend to remove the pictures from social media?

“That was MKL’s newest hit, ‘Jackalope!’” Astrid yelled into her head mic. The audience cheered as the lights returned to normal. Three stagehands rushed onto the stage, just shy of the camera’s view, and set up four stools. “Please join me in welcoming MKL,” Astrid encouraged the viewers. She waved her hand toward the stools where Milo was just getting seated. His breathing was labored, but he was otherwise cheerful. His fellow members joined him as the camera panned around. Astrid took the remaining seat and crossed her feet at the ankle.

“Cheers, Astrid.” Milo flashed a smile as the audience called out his name. A cameraman swiveled his large rig in Milo’s direction. He waved, prompting the audience to erupt in wistful calls and delighted shouts.

Singing always gave Milo an adrenaline rush. Before entering the entertainment industry, he hadn’t expected to enjoy performing. He used to laugh at pop performers in matching outfits, using ridiculous props, and hosting game shows to boost ratings. Now he understood the draw. Performing was addictive. Music had become a drug he couldn’t live without. So what if he had to carry around a giant rabbit in the “Jackalope” music video? Fans loved it. Oversized stuffed rabbits sold out all over the United Kingdom after the video’s release. And the game shows were fun. Milo loved getting the opportunity to mash a pie in Kody’s face.

“Milo Gray,” Astrid responded, “Don’t be so formal. I heard we’re the first television program MKL agreed to be interviewed by. I’d say that’s something, right?” She turned to the audience, who agreed wholeheartedly. Their screams sent chills down Milo’s spine. “Why is that?” When he didn’t reply, Astrid turned to the MKL member on his left. “Can you give us an answer, Liam Hayes?”

Liam ran a hand through his damp brown hair. “Our schedules have been packed.” His Leeds accent was light against the mic. “And honestly, we didn’t get to choose, so count yourself lucky.” Liam straightened his jacket. He wore a black sports coat with a gold pocket square, starkly contrasting Milo’s leather jacket. For a moment, Milo wondered if the leather was a good idea. He was turning into a fresh sausage roll.

“School starts again in two weeks,” Liam continued. “We’re trying to do what we can before then. Truth be told, I’m knackered.”

“Rumor has it you attend Queen Rose Academy,” Astrid purred, turning toward the camera and audience. “Queen Rose Academy is one of London’s most prestigious schools. Eighty percent of its graduates conquer the business world.” Milo noted a sparkle of jealousy in her eye. Maybe she’d applied and been denied. “Is MKL with us for the long run, or will we lose you to the corporate world? Any words on that, Kody Loughty?” She turned to the final MKL member.

Kody leaned back on his stool and winked at the audience. “Can’t say, Astrid. I don’t know about my mates here, but all I care about right now is music.” He slapped a hand on Milo’s shoulder. “I’d hate to disappoint my fans.” His straight teeth snagged his bottom lip as he eyed the announcer.

Milo had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. The Londoner flirted with every cute girl he met. The host’s blush crept up to the neckline of her dress. Milo feared D.L. would be shoveling out money within the week to cover up a scandal.

“We wouldn’t want that,” Astrid fanned herself with her notecards. “Compared to others in the pop scene, you’re quite young.” She glanced at her cards. “Fifteen,” she confirmed, motioning to Liam, “and seventeen,” she added, indicating Kody and Milo. “I assume you’re attending Queen Rose’s college division. Oh, well, secondary school for Liam,” she corrected herself with a smile, tapping her card on Liam’s knee. The three of them returned her smile with nods. “It’s rare to see someone in entertainment choose an on-campus education. Aren’t you afraid you won’t have time for classes?”

“D.L. is determined to see us graduate,” Kody answered confidently. “We’ll get through it. No problem.”

Kody was full of it. Milo knew his friend hadn’t flunked out of Queen Rose solely due to the school’s leniency with attendance. It was a no-no to kick out a kid who couldn’t attend school regularly. Kody took full advantage of that while Liam and Milo juggled their education with their grueling practice schedule. Starting in two weeks, their days would stretch to fifteen or sixteen hours. It was all part of the process. Business and education ran side by side. Sleep? Only if they deserved it. Starving? If it had a wrapper and survived running from point A to point B, they’d eat it. The thought reminded Milo he needed to stop by the store and pick up some protein drinks after the segment. Maybe a run to Gregg’s, too, for a sausage roll.

Astrid’s plastic smile centered on him. “Milo, I need to ask: Why all the secrets?”

“I’m not quite sure what you mean,” Milo replied, though he knew exactly what she was getting at.

“Why is it no one knows anything about you?”

Milo flashed a cheeky smile. “Are you saying you Googled me?”

“Hasn’t everyone?” Astrid asked the audience, who roared in agreement. “Between the three of you, you’re the biggest mystery. I can’t even find your horoscope!” She threw her hands up for exaggerated effect.

“I like to remain a mysterious bloke,” Milo drawled.

“How about any girlfriends?” Astrid pressed, eyeing each of them in turn. “We asked fans to send in questions, and ‘relationships’ was the number one topic trending for three weeks.”

Milo laughed while his friends bowed their heads. He didn’t mind answering. He had no girlfriend to share. With so many stalkers, he feared bringing the wrong girl into his life. What if he matched up with a sociopath or something?

Milo decided to charm the audience. “I’m afraid Cupid overlooks me.” He turned toward the camera and added, “But if my princess is out there listening, I’m waiting for you.” The audience’s squeals of delight made him think some hardcore fans were present.

“Me too.” Kody smiled seductively as he reached out his hand toward the camera. “You only need to find me.”

Liam stayed silent, drawing the host’s attention. “What about you, Liam? Waiting for your princess?”

“I’m just waiting for my other half.”

Milo smiled at his partner’s reluctance. He hadn’t known Liam long but understood the younger singer preferred to keep his personal life away from the public, a quality they shared. Perhaps for different reasons. He was the opposite of Kody, Milo’s long-time friend, who practically sought out reporters.

The announcer’s eyes widened before she turned toward the camera. “And there you have it. MKL is searching not only for stardom but for true love. We’re going to take a short break. When we get back, MKL will perform the single that put them on the map, ‘Revenge.’ Don’t go away!”

When the camera operator signaled the end of the segment, Astrid ripped the earpiece out of her right ear. She didn’t even acknowledge them as she strutted off the stage, chased by a small girl with a Fiji water. KBTV’s hosts were well-paid to act friendly on camera, but they weren’t exactly fans. Many of them viewed the singers as overhyped boy bands.

“Do we have to stay?” Kody asked, taking water from a stagehand and twisting his feet against his stool. “These trainers are bloody ripping up my feet.”

Milo refused the water. “Afraid so.” He glanced over at Liam, who was unusually quiet, staring at the chattering audience as though he could see right through them. “All right, mate?”

Milo nudged his friend, worried about his demeanor. During the performance, the younger singer had sounded a bit off, not on his game. Anything other than normal could jeopardize their budding careers, so Milo knew he had to check in and get Liam to come around.

Liam blinked twice and looked at him as if he hadn’t noticed Milo's stare. “Something up?” Milo tried again.

Liam tilted his head in thought and went back to staring into space. This time, however, he seemed more present. “If you wanted to find out the truth about a secret, what would you do?”

“What do you mean?”

Kody leaned over Milo’s shoulder to better look at Liam. “What kind of secret, mate?”

“The kind that could ruin your whole life,” Liam clarified, lifting his head. The overhead lights highlighted the dark circles under his eyes and turned the hollows of his cheeks into bruises. “But I don’t want anyone to know I’m looking into it, and I want to keep it a secret from my family.”

Milo frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“Maybe you should say it in plain English so this wanker can understand,” Kody joked, slapping a hand on Liam’s knee.

Milo glared at Kody. “That’s not what I meant. Liam, what’s going on?”

“I can’t say.” His friend shook his head. “Not until I know the truth. I can’t get anyone involved.”

“Hire a private investigator,” Kody suggested. “I used one last year to find out who was nicking my socks. Cost me a fortune, but I caught the bastard." Milo remembered the sock thief, who claimed an uncontrollable obsession in court. Kody stood up, stretching his arms above his head. “If you want things done right, I’ll give you my guy’s number. He’s super discreet, expensive, but worth every pound.” He glanced stage left. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to...go to the loo.”

“You know he’s not going to the loo.” Liam watched Kody run off after Astrid.

Milo shook his head. “Uni will make him slow down. Once he has classes, he’ll be too busy to chase women.” He looked at Liam. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk about it? Maybe I could help.”

“No,” the younger singer refused, standing up. “It’s something I need to figure out on my own.” Liam slapped a hand on Milo’s shoulder and squeezed. Little lines appeared at the corners of his eyes, familiar signs of pretend happiness. “I think I’m ready for the holiday to be over. I could use a break.”

“That’s not bound to bloody happen,” Milo replied. Liam walked off the stage, leaving Milo alone in front of whispering fans. He quickly looked their way, saw a girl about to jump on the stage, and promptly vacated his stool, searching for the nearest men’s room. “But I’d like one too,” he told himself as he dashed off-stage, away from the audience’s protests.

 

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