“That’s ridiculous. Everyone likes you.”
Jade jumped off her seat again and grabbed my hand. I had to gather up the bottom of my dress to keep up with her.Drunk Jade was a quick one.
She pulled me to the back corner, where I hadn’t noticed the piles of miscellaneous gear stacked by the door.The first to walk inside through the vendor door was Damien, of course. When he looked up and noticed me, he stopped.
“Damien! Look who I found!” Jade gushed.
He stood there, his mouth slowly parting as his eyes roamed my body. I lifted my chin defiantly, waiting for him to tell me how inappropriate I looked, just as Elijah had. Instead, he whispered, “God, you’re beautiful.”
His words were so quiet, I almost missed them, but I didn’t. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and a lump formed in my throat as he said the one thing I’d wanted to hear all night from someone who wasn’t a total creep.
But Shane and Hudson walked in behind him, followed by Jeremiah and Colton, ruining the moment.
“Well damn, Cadence. You sure know how to clean up.” Colton made an exaggerated show of checking me out before blowing out a whistle.
“I know. Isn’t she gorgeous?” Jade bumped into my arm.
I rolled my eyes. “You act like you guys have never seen a girl in a dress before.”
Hudson furrowed his brow. “That’s because I’m not sure we ever have.”
They all laughed at Hudson’s joke, except for Damien. His gaze left a trail of electricity as he looked me up and down again.
“So. Someone told me you guys need a tow?” I said.
Jade giggled.
“And that same someone mentioned you had a Jeep.” Colton stepped up to me expectantly.
“Why, yes. Yes, I do.”
“I’d consider that a match made in Heaven then.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. How long until it’s loaded and ready to leave?”
“Prolly not too much longer. We almost have all the gear packed up,” Hudson said.
“Cool. Just come grab me at the bar when you’re ready for me to pull her around.”
“Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.” Shane turned and walked out the door.
I let my gaze flick to Damien’s dark expression before turning toward Jade and nodding for her head back to the bar.
She pranced in front of me, and I tried to keep up with her in my heels. But at this point, my blisters had blisters.
“What do you want to drink? It’s on me.” Jade returned to her seat.It seemed Sadie and Claire had moved to a table, leaving just the two of us.
“Nothing. I’m not going to drink before I pull a trailer.”
“You are so responsible. That’s why I keep you around.”
“I thought you kept me around because you loved me.”
“I mean that too, obviously,” she said dramatically.
“So… I’m curious about something.” And honestly, I had been for a while now. “Are you seeing any of the band members? Is that why you always go to shows and make an extra effort for them? Do you like one of them?”
Jade pursed her lips and looked at her hands in her lap. “No, not really.”
