“It’s only been a couple of weeks,” I chuckled.
“It feels like forever. You have that superstar glow.”
“Oh hush.” My cheeks burned. “I’m still the same old me.”
“Are you?” Her brow rose. “Because from the texts you’ve been sendin’ me about... Rafe.” She mouthed his name, mischief glittering in her eyes. “I need details. All the glorious and gory details.”
“Mol!”
“It’s like getting blood out of stone,” Letty said from behind us.
“Letty, get over here and give this girl a hug.”
I stepped aside, letting the two of them do their thing. Phoebe hovered beside me, chewing her thumb.
“You must be Phoebe.” Molly smiled, stepping toward us. “It’s great to meet you.”
“Likewise. I love your hair.”
Now that Phoebe mentioned it, Molly did look amazing.
“I may have dressed up for the occasion.” She cast me a knowing look.
“Well your efforts are in vain, Mol. The guys aren’t here.”
“They’re not?” Her smile dropped.
“Nope. They’re on distract Damon duty.” I checked the time. “We have around two hours to turn the suite into party central.”
“Aren’t there people you can pay to do that?” She arched a brow.
“There are, but this is way more fun.”
“Turns out your girl is quite the party planner.” Letty’s words were laced with humor.
“I’m not that bad.”
“You had Travis go to the store to buy balloons.”
“And chips and dip,” Phoebe added.
“Don’t forget the piñata.”
“You got a piñata?” Molly snickered.
“I may have gone a little overboard. I just want it to be fun.”
“Oh, it’ll be fun. Travis bought enough liquor to sink a ship.”
“I didn’t ask him to do that.”
Letty rolled her eyes. “He’s been around the band long enough to know how things usually go.”
“It isn’t supposed to be anythin’ wild, Letty.”
“Relax, Momma Bear,” she teased. “Everything will be fine.”
Nervous energy vibrated in my stomach. I really wanted Damon to enjoy his party. I wanted everyone to enjoy it. No fangirls or drama, no jealous assistants, and definitely no paparazzi.
Even world-famous rock stars deserved a little slice of normal every now and again.
“Come on, let’s go up to the suite.”
Travis followed us into the elevator, carrying Molly’s bags and was as quiet as ever.
“It’s good to you see again, T,” Molly flashed him an eager grin.
“Miss Steinberg.” He nodded.
“Miss Steinberg.” She mouthed at me, waggling her brows. “You wouldn’t believe how excited I was to get out of the house. I love those brats somethin’ fierce, but there’s only so much a girl can take, you know?”
“You have kids?” Phoebe gawked at her.
“Kids?” Molly’s eyes grew to saucers, but then she roared with laughter. “Brothers. Twin brothers. A real pain in my ass too. My mom’s at work a lot so I guess they might as well be mine. My dad, he left...” she trailed off, and I reached over, grabbing her hand.
“I’m so happy you’re here.”
“Me too, babe.” We shared a knowing look. “Me too.”
Rafe
* * *
“I still think we should have hit a strip club.”
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Damon clipped Hudson around the ear.
“I could ask you the same thing. When was the last time you got any, huh?”
“Fuck off.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Girls are practically lining up to sit on your dick and—”
“Maybe I want more than a quick fuck with a girl I’ll never see again. Ever stop to think about that, huh?” Damon’s chest heaved with the weight of his words.
“Shit, D, I was only busting your balls.”
“Forget it.” He waved Hudson off.
“Don’t do that...” Guilt shone in his eyes. “I was being a dick, sorry. You really want that though? To be whipped like Rafe?”
I gave him the finger.
“I don’t know... maybe, one day.”
“Shit, man. I didn’t realize. I just thought you couldn’t get it up or something.”
Fenton and one of the other bodyguards smothered a snicker as we slipped into the back entrance of the hotel.
“Nice, dickhead. Real nice.”
“What about you, Levi?”
“What about me?” My brother grunted.
“Are you looking to settle down?”
“What do you think?” He smirked. It was one of his trademark Levi Hunter smirks, the one reserved for fangirls and groupies.
Only it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
And I couldn’t help but wonder where his head was at.
We entered the service elevator. It had been strange spending the afternoon with the band, just the four of us. At first, it had been a little awkward, but we soon fell into old habits. Hudson had almost bailed when he found out we were going to watch a movie, and Damon moaned when we all stole his popcorn. It had been a welcomed reprieve from the fast-paced life of touring. Even if security had to arrange for the staff to let us sneak in through the emergency exit.
“So, tonight…” Hudson ran a hand through his hair. “Tell me your girl has something special planned.”
He was going to have a big disappointment when we got to the suite and realized we weren’t going out tonight.
“Molly’s here. Are you ready to see her again?” I asked him.
He released a frustrated breath. “I know she’s Eva’s best friend, but she’s really going to ruin my game tonight.”
“You have game now?”
“Fuck off. How would you like it if you were on the prowl and your ex-fling was there?”
“First off, prowl? When the fuck did you become a lion? And second, ex-fling? Is that what we’re calling it?”
Molly was more to him than just a fling. We both knew it. But if Hudson wanted to pretend different, then who was I to stop him?
I pretended to check my phone, texting Eva the signal. She had gone to so much effort for Damon, it only made me love her more. The way she’d accepted my friends without question. She didn’t care where we came from or where we were going. She only cared about us: not the band, but the guys behind it.
“Do I get to know what that girl of yours has planned yet?” Damon jammed his hands into his jean pockets.
“You’ll find out soon enough.” I smirked.
“Hopefully it involves lots and lots of liquor and a night out. I’m feeling restless.” Hudson’s eyes went wide, guilt swirling there. “Sorry, Lev. That was—”
“Seriously, you guys,” my brother let out a strained breath, “I’m okay. Are some days harder than others? Fuck, yes. But you don’t have to tread on eggshells around me.” He met my eyes in the mirrored walls of the elevator. “I’ve realized a few things lately.”