“Seriously, Dee, you’re too good for him. Don’t get too attached,” he says, letting go of my hand. Furrowing my brows at him, I walk over to Anna and Johnny, who are still sitting together in the corner of the room.
“Hey!” Johnny looks at Jared and then back at me. “He causing trouble?”
“No, he’s just trying to spook me.”
“Did it work?”
“Maybe a little,” I reply honestly, glancing at Colt, who’s chatting with Brad.
“Listen, Jared will say anything to get girls into bed with him. He’s a Colter wannabe, so don’t listen to a damn word that arsehole has to say. He’s tried it on with all of us, even me,” Anna says. “Colt is into you. Don’t let any thoughts Jared has put into your brain fester. That’s what he counts on… that you’ll leave Colt for him. Don’t let him win. Stay as far away from Jared Coslecki as you can. He’s pure evil, Dee,” Anna responds, stirring Johnny to laugh.
“It’s not funny, Johnny. Remember how he made me think you were sleeping around behind my back? And even though I knew you weren’t, it still planted that little seed of doubt in my mind, and we nearly split up because of it.”
“It’s funny ’cause it’s true,” Johnny replies. “Coslecki is an arse. I don’t even know why Colt insists on Dragon’s Lair being our opening band anyway. I know he’s chummy with Brad, but still, he knows how slimy Jared can be.”
“He gives me the creeps,” I affirm.
Johnny chuckles. “Hey, I’m a twenty-nine-year-old bassist covered in tats, and he givesmethe creeps too. So, you’re not alone,” Johnny states.
A lady with a clipboard comes in, and the boys from Dragon’s Lair seem to know that’s their cue to head to the stage. They all say goodbye to Hux and Colt as they leave for their support band’s concert.
Colt walks over and wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me to him. “Hey, beautiful, where’d you run off to?”
“She was sidelined by Coslecki,” Johnny replies before I can speak.
Colt exhales loudly. “What exactly did he say?” There’s no doubt in his voice that he already knows the answer.
“Not much,” I reply.
“He did his usual speech… ‘he’ll cheat behind your back’and‘you deserve someone better,’blah, blah, bullshit. The stupid fucking twat,” Anna says.
Colt looks at me and frowns. “You didn’t believe any of that shit… did you?” I exhale, then shake my head. “That’s my girl. He’s a dick. I don’t know why Brad puts up with him.”
“Coslecki is his cousin, dude. It’d be like you kicking Hux out of the band,” Johnny replies.
“Yeah, guess you’re right. Dee, I don’t want you anywhere near Coslecki. He’s bad news, and I wouldn’t put it past him to hurt you to get at me, so stay away,” Colt says while looking down at me, his eyes twinkling with some untold agitation.
Honestly, I don’t know how to feel right now.
I know Jared was only trying to stir things up, but I can’t help but think maybe there’s some truth to what he’s saying and that he has a point.
What happens if I am just the flavor of the month?
And when Colt’s had his fill, will I be tossed aside like yesterday’s rubbish?
I know how badly I took it when Joseph tossed me out, and I wasn’t even in love with him—not real love, anyway. Not that I’min lovewith Colt, either. We’ve only known each other for a hot minute, but I’ve felt more alive and like myself with Colt. I don’t know how I’d feel if I had to toss it all away. Even thinking about leaving Colt and going back to England makes me nauseous.
“You okay?” Colt asks, looking at me.
I exhale and nod. “Yeah, I’m good. Jared rattled me a little.”
“All you have to do is remember that’s exactly what he’s trying to do, so don’t let it work. Remember, it’s just you and me, baby. You’remine, and I’myours. Completely,” he reiterates, then leans down to kiss me.
His soft lips graze mine, and that familiar fire burns deep inside me. I’m sure I can’t be the only one feeling this.Surely Colt feels it too?His tongue slowly enters my mouth, and I tighten my grip around him, feeling him smile through the kiss.
“Get a room,” Dingo yells out as everyone else laughs.
I giggle and pull away from Colt’s lips. He looks down at me, and for a brief moment, I feel a strong connection to him as he stares into my eyes intently. It’s like he’s silently telling me everything will be okay. And in this moment, I believe him.
