She smiles and grabs my hand. “I thinkyouneed to do that.Yourtime here is coming to an end. I’ve gotta stick it out for a little while longer. But now… now isyourtime to shine. You just have to find the right time to leave. Find the right path to get some money behind you for Stuart and your mum, and thendon’t youdarelook back. You get out of here with your rock star and make something of your life.”
Smiling, excitement floods my chest. “I think I’m going to. I have to find the right job to set up Mum and Stuart first. Then I’m gone. But you make it sound like you can’t do the same, Skye. You can, you know? You’re strong, you’re smart, you’re beautiful… you can do anything.”
“I am, and I can, but not yet. It’s not my time. I’m not ready to leave. FIM is here, and he’s… interesting.”
I raise my eyebrow and smirk. “You and FIM? The new prospect?” I ask, and she shrugs.
“Yeah, he’s kinda cool. I mean, nothing dramatic is happening, but I like him. He’s different. Gentle, not like the others. You know?”
Raising my eyebrow, I know exactly what she means. Danger is nothing like these bikers. Sure, he’s similar in his way of being protective and dominant, but he isn’t like them in terms of personality. Not at all.
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I’m so glad we’re both finally finding decent guys.”
She giggles. “I know, right? It’s only taken… how long?” She laughs and flops back on the bed next to me. “I think you’re gonna be just fine, Lunar. You’re gonna be one of the lucky ones.”
I turn to look at her. “You will too. Trust me. We’re both gonna make it.”
***
When I glance at Techie and Steel, I watch them authorizing a message to the gate, so I know Danger must have arrived. They exit the black door, and I jump on the spot a little, putting down my drink before I race outside. I’m super excited to see Danger as I run out the heavy black door to watch the van pull in. ThenI slip past Techie and Steel toward the driver’s door and wait for Danger to get out.
He’s grinning when he opens the noisy door and steps down. I can’t contain my excitement, so I jump straight into his arms, pressing my lips to his. Danger kisses me back. His hand moves to my hair, holding me firmly in place, and time slips away. I have no idea what’s happening around us as I melt into his arms.
I hear the Recoil boys talking to Techie and Steel, but I don’t care what they are saying. I just need to get my fill of Danger.
“Don’t worry, she’s like that with everyone.” Steel’s voice creeps in, and I know he’s talking about me, so I bring up my arm and flip him my middle finger while I continue to kiss Danger. Steel laughs when I finally slow the kiss, pulling my lips from Danger, and then look at Steel.
“Hey, man, how you doing?” Danger asks.
“Good… good. How are the gigs goin’?” Steel asks.
Danger pulls me to him possessively. “Not as good as a packed-out stadium. But hey, if we have to start from scratch and work our way up, we will and are happy to do it.”
“Yeah, well, if we didn’t have to take so much time off, we might’ve been able to stay on top—”
“Nate, shut it!” Matt grumbles toward his twin.
Ryan and Danger furrow their brows.
“Let’s go out the back, sit down, and have some beers before dinner, hey?” Steel asks, breaking the tension.
I link my arm with Danger, and we head off around the side of the compound, down toward the burning tree, and sit by the unlit bonfire. Techie sits next to Danger, who’s eyeing Nate suspiciously.
I had no idea Nate was carrying resentment for Danger, and by the looks of it, neither did he.
Chapter Fourteen
DANGER
Gathered around an unlit fire pit, we chat amongst ourselves in various conversations. Techie is talking to me about some record labels that he thought I’d be interested in discussing, but all I can think about is Nate and his snide remark.
It is entirely obvious he isn’t happy, and it’s bugging me. I know my leaving the band for Ella was a big thing—a significant mistake—but we have been back together for some time now, and I thought we were hitting our stride.
I can’t comprehend where this unexpected tension is coming from.
His comment has thrown me.
We’re playing gigs. Luke, our agent, is talking about starting a headline tour around Australia. Our songs are on the radio, and Techie’s talking about recording contracts. Things are going as well as can be expected.What more does he want?
