Being at the club feels different.
Being there with Steel and Willow doesn’t sit right.
My eyes shift to Danger and his bandmates as they get ready on stage, and I can’t help but smile. I wasn’t prepared for someone like Danger to sweep into my life. I still don’t think I am. I’m not in a position to be able to start anything with anyone outside of the club, so even though he sets my world on fire, and that kiss—fuck, that kiss blew my mind—I just can’t see a way forward.
I’m between a rock star and a hard place.
I can’t move forward because I can’t leave the club without permission.
I’m proverbially stuck.
And that’s why I didn’t call Danger—there’s no point.
Letting out a long exhale, I step up to the bar, perching on a stool while the band continues to set up.
Techie turns, smiling overzealously, and I roll my eyes. “What?”
“He likes you.”
Scoffing, I shake my head. “No shit, Sherlock. For a genius, you’re not that smart.”
He frowns and tilts his head. “You’re a Snappy Sandy tonight. What’s up your twat?”
“Danger… I don’t know what to make of him.”
“He’s a rocker from America… what’s not to know? Bad boy persona, bit of a douche, all that shit rolled into a package that screams trouble. But isn’t that what ladies love about him?” Techie quips.
“You’re an arse. But seriously, I need to be careful, right? I mean, I’m club property. I can’t just hang around guys who aren’t brothers.”
Techie swivels to face me and sighs. “Lunar, look… I know Steel finding Willow has been hard on you. I also know you wanted things with him to go further, but he’s invested in Willow. You gotta let Steel go. I’m sorry, babe, but he’s letyougo. And if Danger is willing to show you a good time, and Steel has loosened his grip on you, then take the reins and run, girl. It’s not often club girls can be in the club and explore other options.”
I listen intently, and even though I feel the tears burning my eyes, I won’t let them fall.
Techie notices and puts a hand on my knee. “Steel being VP and letting you do what you want is a blessing in disguise. Don’t be disappointed. Be happy you have your freedom. You can either stay in the club and be open to the brothers… trustme, we’d love to have you back. Or you can branch out and start looking at the bigger picture.” He smiles at me. “I’m gonna get in trouble for saying this, but there’s more to life than the club, especially for women. The men… we’re in it for life. But for you, you can get out. With Steel moving on, I think that option’s good for you, Lunar. I’m not saying that because I want you gone. I’m saying it because I know you, and seeing Steel with Willow will eat at you. You gotta let go.”
Swallowing hard, I nod once. I know Techie’s right. Seeing Steel get cozy with his new flame is more difficult than I imagined. I’ve loved Steel since I was seventeen, but that love has never been reciprocated. I have to let him go, and if that’s me letting go of my fear, stepping out of my comfort zone, and trying something new with someone a little more dangerous, then maybe I need to do that.
Danger thinks I didn’t call him because of his ex-drama, but I also didn’t call because of mine. Maybe together we can forget about our pasts and move toward something nice. Or perhaps it will be a fling while he’s in Australia. Either way, he will be a nice distraction.
“Okay, maybe I’ll live a little more, try something new, see where the road takes me, and all that.”
“Atta girl. Bartender, a round of shots. We’re celebrating.”
“We are?” I ask, raising my eyebrow.
He nods. “To your newfound freedom.”
“To my freedom.”
The bartender slides two tequila shots in front of us, and I grin at Techie as we pour the salt on the back of our hands, preparing for the shot. The hum of tuning guitars filters through the bar, and my heart quickens with excitement to finally hear Danger’s singing voice.
The crowd trickles in slowly, and I swivel on my stool to face the stage. The crowd seems like any other night in a typical bar in Adelaide.
Danger steps up to the mic and clears his throat, gaining everyone’s attention. He smiles a panty-dropping grin at the patrons, and I draw my bottom lip in with my teeth and even squirm in my seat, watchingthat smile.
“Hey, Adelaide. I’m Danger. Our amazing lead guitarist is Ryan. Over there on bass is my main man, Matt, and then down the back is the guy we all love to hate, Nate.” The crowd cheers as the drummer hurls a drumstick at the back of Danger’s head. The other guys chuckle as Danger artfully dodges out like he’s said that numerous times before. “We’re Recoil, and we’re gonna blow your fucking minds!” he yells, throwing his hand in the air and nodding at the drummer, who kicks in the beat, and the music begins. It reverberates through the bar—the sound is nothing short of amazing, even euphoric. It flows through me, causing the hairs on my arms to stand at attention. Their sound is electrifying, and I can’t get enough of it.
Danger steps up to the mic, and what happens next sets my soul on fire. His voice echoes through the room and seeps into my pores, flooding my veins and warming me. It’s like smooth honey being dripped all over me, and then he’s licking it off so sexually it’s driving me crazy. I can’t imagine how someone’s voice can sound so erotic, so haunting, and so goddamned perfect at the same time. He’s mesmerizing. As I stare at him moving around the stage, commanding everyone to pay attention to him and only him, the entire room shifts and watches.
