12
My stomach roiled at Emily's words. Disappointment and not a bit of disgust swept through me. Is that all anyone cared about? Who everyone was sleeping with? It was supposed to be about the music, not about sleazy gossip.
Liam shifted on the sofa and eyed me carefully. I bit my tongue to keep my fit of pique under control. I didn't want to cause an outburst.
But then Emily followed up with a second question and my raised hackles began to lower.
"It must be hard for your loved ones," she said. "Everything is changing so fast. You're getting media attention, you're going to be on tour."
My tensed muscles eased. So it wasn't about tawdry rumors. It was about something deeper. I could understand where she was coming from with a question like that.
"I can jump in and answer," Gael said. "I'm in a serious, committed relationship. And I have to admit it's hard sometimes. But my girlfriend knew what I was from the start."
"And what would that be?" Emily asked with a teasing tone, as if she knew exactly what answer she was going to get.
"A rock star god, that's what." My brother gave a cheeky grin. "And Jessie wasn't impressed by that one bit, let me tell you."
Emily looked to Nathan expectantly. "And you?"
A slow, lazy smile crept across his lips. "I'm still just looking for that one special girl," he drawled.
I nearly snorted. If bylooking, Nate meant sleeping his way across the city, then he sure was.
"Liam, as the newest member of the group, you've been pretty quiet," Emily said. "Can I ask why you've joined as a session guitarist? I'm sure your fans would love to see you form another band."
Liam's lips pressed together. "I'm just looking for something temporary right now."
"Any thoughts about starting your own after this? Or maybe even joining Cherry Lips full time?"
Liam's face turned pained. "No," he said shortly. "No plans for that."
Emily blinked, taken aback at his curt tone. I was a bit taken aback as well. Liam hadn't shown any interest in joining the band, but I hadn't thought he'd be so completely against the idea.
She changed tracks. "And do you have a special someone waiting at home for you?"
"Not in that sense," Liam replied, leaning back into his chair. "But there's this girl I’ve been pursuing. I think she's pretty amazing but she keep shutting me down."
My previously relaxed shoulders bunched up.
"That must be different for you," Emily laughed. "I'm sure it's usually the opposite, right?"
"I'm not used to being shot down so quickly and with such force," Liam said. "But she's in the music industry, so I hope we can continue working together closely."
It was like he wanted people to realize he was talking about me. I narrowed my eyes at Liam but he didn’t glance my way.
“She sounds feisty,” Emily said.
I fought the urge to recoil. Liam just laughed.
“That’s a good word to describe her. But she's also beyond talented. Hard working. She's extraordinary, really." His grin faded into a smile as his gaze went soft. “I actually ran into her a couple of times but I suppose the timing wasn’t right. We just recently reconnected. I’m hoping this time both of us stick around longer. Or at least long enough to convince her to give me a shot."
“I’m sure there are plenty of girls out there who wouldn’t mind giving Liam Knight a chance to woo her,” Emily said.
“None of them are her,” he said.
If Emily were any less professional, I would have thought she’d faint into a swoon at Liam’s declaration.
If I were any less professional, I might have done the same. Liam Knight knew how to lay on the charm.
