Read Orpheus: Homecoming (The Orpheus Trilogy Book 2) for Free Online Page B

kissed him on the cheek. “Come on. I'll distract them with some leg.”
    She stayed true to her word. She took the driver's offered hand and exited slowly. Holt didn't know about the throng, but the distraction certainly worked for him.
    He climbed out after her and was immediately blinded and engulfed in sound. The cacophony soon coalesced into a chant of “Or-phe-US! Or-phe-US!” as if he were a rock star. As dour as he had felt a few moments prior, he couldn't help but feed off of it. He threw up a hand in acknowledgement and they roared louder.
    This is absolutely insane.
    Jackie, seemingly in complete agreement, mouthed something that could only be, “Holy shit.”
    Several pens were thrust at him. He grabbed a few and signed some autographs, which is the one thing he actually had become familiar with during his months of celebrity.
    They made it to the entrance and were greeted by none other than Martin Trager. He hugged Jackie and kissed her cheek. After he released her and she walked across the threshold, Trager firmly shook Holt's hand. He looked in Jackie's direction as she disappeared into the sea of people and said, “I mean this in the nicest way possible, but if you don't hit that tonight, you're dead to me.”
    “No comment.”
    “That's okay.” A waitress approached them with a tray of champagne. Trager handed one to Holt and toasted him. “You can tell me all about it tomorrow. Now go mingle, I'll come get you when you're on.”
    Holt protested, “But … what am I supposed …?”
    Trager walked backward, arms outstretched, grinning. “Meet your people!” Trager turned his attention from Holt to a clearly star struck young woman.
    Holt tried to make his way through the sea of flesh, but it was slow going. Every hand had to be shaken, every cheek kissed. The atmosphere was electric, and even he found it easy to forget why they were there.
    He finally spied Jackie at their table. She was flanked by Ethan and Rachel. Next to his son were Fish and Jen, and they certainly acted like they were still a couple. Holt didn't know the two men, but he had to assume that they were Ethan's friends from the island. Rounding out the group was Tim. There was something in his posture, a look of maturity about him that Holt didn't remember, but it looked good on him. The kid was a leader. 
    He barely had time to wonder where Lena was when she nearly knocked him over. She wrapped her arms around him in her best impression of a bear hug, given their respective sizes. “CAM!”
    He hugged her back and laughed. “Whoa, you're like a tattooed hurricane!” He was vaguely aware of another barrage of camera flashes.
    Lena pulled away, laughing and wiping tears at the same time. “I'm sorry we haven't talked. Everything was just so overwhelming, and then we've been working with Martin, and I just …” She wiped another tear. “ … I just never got a chance to say how happy I am for you. You deserve it. You deserve all of this.”
    He kissed her forehead, a moment that would eventually become the iconic image of the event. “We all do, kid. Come on, I want you to meet my wife.”
    They made it to the table, and Jackie was already on her feet. “And who is this gorgeous girl?”
    Lena surprised everyone by hugging Jackie fiercely. “Omigod, I'm so glad to meet you Mrs. Holt! Cam talked about you so much, I feel like I know you!” Lena straightened her dress. “Sorry, I'm Lena.”
    Jackie said, “My turn,” and hugged her back. She then held her at arm's length, her hands on Lena's shoulders. “Thank you so much for helping me get my boys back. You ever need anything at all, you just ask.”
    Holt greeted his young friends. He was introduced to Harold and Jason, and expressed his gratitude for their part in his son's survival and his own rescue.
    Harold motioned to Jason. “I didn't do much, but you should've seen this guy go.”
    Jason smiled widely and said with unadulterated cheer, “And I still have