Blondie kept the drinks coming. She also went out of her way to let me know she was available for more than just drinks service. The way she licked her lips, let her hand brush mine, the sheer lust swirling in her eyes… yeah, she was game for a good time.
I watched her across the room as she chatted to the bartender of the VIP section. We had exclusive use but somewhere over the last hour, a handful of other people had joined us. There were associates of another band we’d performed with a few times, and our quiet dinner became an intimate party.
“Is that a good idea?” Damon dropped down beside me, eyeing the glass in my hand.
“If you’re only here to give me the speech, you’re wasting your breath.”
“I’m just worried.”
“Well, don’t be,” I hissed. “I’ve got a handle on it. It helps take the edge off.”
“You’ll tell me if it becomes an issue?”
I nodded, even though we both knew I wouldn’t.
“Listen, about yesterday...”
“Forget it. I already have.” Another lie.
“It was the wrong call.” Damon sighed. “But tensions were high, and we wanted to give you your space.”
“I got that memo when I got handed my own room key.”
“Shit, Levi, you could have stayed in the suite. We just thought—”
“That I wanted space? Yeah, I got it.”
He let out a strained breath, rubbing a hand down his face. “The truth is, we’ve all been waiting for you to blow up over this shit with Riley. But you didn’t. You didn’t, man, and that’s huge.” Damon gripped my shoulder, squeezing.
“I know what’s at stake,” I mumbled.
“Know what I think?” His brow lifted. “I think you found someone you want to do better for.” He flicked his head over to where Phoebe was talking to a couple of guys at the bar.
Red hot jealousy coursed through me, and a low growl rumbled in my chest. “She’s made her choice,” I gritted out.
“She’s just trying to protect herself. That shit with Riley panicked her.”
“Nah,” I said through clenched teeth. “We’re done.”
“Really? You believe that?”
“I don’t need her.” And she definitely didn’t need a guy like me storming into her life and ruining everything.
“Guys like us aren’t built for relationships.”
“Speak for yourself.” Damon chuckled but there was something so fucking sad about the sound. “Besides, Rafe seems to be enjoying life on the dark side.”
That was because Eva was special.
She wasn’t like most other girls.
I watched Phoebe with the two guys. They were just talking, but it didn’t stop me from wanting to go over there and claim her as mine.
Mine.
Fuck. I really needed to get over myself. She’d made her feelings on us perfectly clear. For all I knew, she was interested in one of them. They both looked like the Alistairs of the world. Dressed in immaculate suits with their hair slicked back and polished shoes. They probably had luxurious apartments in the city and a ten-year plan.
I didn’t know what I was doing from month to month. It’s why we had Alistair and Letty to keep us on the straight and narrow.
Phoebe laughed at something one of them said, her eyes twinkling with delight. It drifted over to me, cutting my skin like tiny blades.
“Relax, they’re just talking.”
“Yeah.” My teeth ground together again, and I was almost certain I would break enamel. “I need to take a piss.” I got up and headed for the small archway leading to the restrooms. Johnson followed me, waiting by the entrance.
I slipped inside and braced the counter, forcing myself to take a couple of deep breaths. The liquor burned inside my veins, giving me a slight buzz. But it wasn’t enough.
After I was done, I washed my hands and left the room, running straight into one of the guys.
“Hey, man.” He gave me a friendly smile. “I’m Dougie. I’m with Cantor Records.”
My eyes narrowed. “Good for you.”
His smile fell as he ran a hand through his hair. “Phoebe was just telling us you’re back on the road soon. She’s a real sweetheart that one.”
Anger exploded inside me and it took everything I had not to ram my fist into his face. “She’s as good as family.”
Dougie’s eyes widened, the warning in my voice was clear. “What? Oh, no... no, it isn’t like that. I have a wife. She’s pregnant. I just—”
“Save it for someone who cares.” I barged past him and stormed back into the bar.
“Problem?” Johnson asked me.
“Nothing I can’t handle.” My eyes instantly spotted her across the room. She was staring at me, confusion clouding her eyes. But then Blondie arrived with another drink for me, and our connection was severed.
“Here you go. Can I get you anything else?” She licked her lips suggestively.
Dougie slipped past us and made a beeline for his friend and Phoebe. They all glanced my way and she flushed.
Motherfucker. I hadn’t expected he would run back and tattle to her.
Phoebe laid her hand on his arm and smiled up at him. My thin rope of control snapped. Two could play at that game, and I never lost.
Leaning in a little closer, I let my hand snake around Blondie’s waist to the small of her back. “Why don’t you come sit with me and my friends?”
“Yeah?” Her eyes lit up.
“Yeah, bring a friend or two.”
“Okay.” She tried to sound confident, but I heard the slight hitch to her words.
“I’ll be right over there.” I pointed toward where Damon and Hudson were sitting. Hudson had barely spoken two words to me all day, but if there was something we could always bond over, it was our love of hot women.
I sauntered over to their table and dropped down on the leather bench.
“You look mightily pleased with yourself,” Hudson said.
“I come bearing gifts.” I winked at him.
His brows furrowed. “What do you—oh, now we’re talking.” Hunger flared in his eyes as he watched Blondie and her two friends approach with a tray of drinks.
“Hey,” she stopped just short of the booth. “This is Cherry and Jasmine. I’m Darcie.” Her eyes held mine.
“Cute name. Now get over here.” I slung my arm over the back of the booth, waiting for her to slide in. Hudson wasted no time lifting Jasmine over his lap so she could squeeze in between him and Damon. Damon looked less than impressed at our little party for six, but the guy needed to learn to relax.
I handed everyone a shooter and grinned. “To new friends.”
“Hear fucking hear.” Hudson pulled his girl close, nuzzling her neck. Her giggles filled the booth.
Rafe caught my eye across the room and frowned. I ignored him. Letty too, when she gave me one of her ‘what the fuck are you doing?’ glares. The only person I cared about was the one person not paying me an iota of attention.
Phoebe was deep in conversation with Dougie and his friend. The three of them were laughing and joking. Her body had even begun to sway gently to the music pumping out of hidden speakers.