Jackie smiles, placing her hand on my arm. “She misses the band and being on tour, and even though I know it wasn’t your fault, you should make things right with her.”
My stomach flips, and I let out an exhale. “I sure am going to try.”
“That’s all I ask. She’s a good girl, and she’s trying to protect you. But if you push hard enough, she might come back. She misses you terribly, Danger. Annalise has had the preparations for tonight to keep her busy, but I worry that once this is over, she’ll fall apart without you in her life. She needs you… like I suspect you need her by the way you look at her.”
I glance over my shoulder at Lunar while she talks with a guy who is clearly a chef, and she seems calm and relaxed.
Glancing back at Jackie, my eyes plead with hers. “I do need her. Every inch of me needs her.”
She reaches out, taking hold of my arm. “Then fight for her, Danger, because she wants youso badit’s killing her on the inside.” She squeezes my arm and, with a warm smile, walks off.
I take a deep breath and nod, knowing Iwillhave my woman back by the end of tonight. With one final glance at Lunar, I turn and head back to my table, taking a seat next to Ryan.
“So… how’d it go?” he asks.
“Strange, Lunar didn’t say much. I have to get it through to her that we need her back with us. I need her back withme.”
Ryan nods. “Good, ’cause you suck without her.” My expression darkens as I face him. “Just get her back on tour with us. Fuck what Luke says. The dust has blown over for the most part, anyway. And let’s be real. The merch stands are seriously suffering without her expertise.”
I sigh, resigned to the truth of his words.
I am painfully aware of everything.
And tonight, it’s time to make a change.
Chapter Twenty-Four
DANGER
Before the charity auction officially began, we took to the stage. The audience loved our performance, delivering three songs, all Lunar’s favorites. Throughout the performance, I focused on her, singing the lyrics with extra emphasis, knowing how much it would affect her. She squirmed in her seat, indicating my sensual performance was having the desired effect.
It’s only a matter of time before we end up back together.
I will make sure of it.
The night is drawing to an end, and all I want is to find Lunar and talk to her about returning to the tour. I want her to understand how much she means to the band and me.
With a newfound determination in my step, I make my way down the hall to the restrooms after being unable to find her in the bustling ballroom.
As I make my way down the dimly lit corridor, it’s not the couple talking that catches my eye. It’s the vibrant pink dress the woman is wearing.Lunar.A man is standing close to her, engaged in conversation. When my eyes adjust to the subdued light, I am paralyzed.Nate.Tension hangs in the air, and it’s not only from me seeing them together. I’m not close enough to hear what they’re saying, but their closeness surprises me, rooting me to the spot, watching in stunned silence.
Then, time stands still, and my heart leaps into my throat as I witness Nate lean forward, pressing his lips to Lunar’s. Her hands come up to his chest, and that’s all I need to see. I turn, stumbling around the corner, trying to catch my breath.
My bandmate and my girl?
My chest heaves so violently against what I just witnessed.
I thought I would reconcile with Lunar, but instead, she’s…
My head’s spinning, and I can’t walk fast enough away from the scene of their fucking betrayal. My heart is breaking, and I have no idea how I didn’t see this coming. I knew Nate liked her or was at least pretending to like her, but I had no idea Lunar was falling for it. I stumble to the bar. The shine of the black counter illuminates the rows and rows of sparkling glasses hanging from the glass rack suspended from the ceiling. This place is so perfect, it’s making what I saw even harder to stomach.
The barman glances at me. “You okay, mate?”
“No! I need a drink,” I admit.
He nods and turns, grabbing a short glass, dropping in a couple of ice cubes, then pouring in three fingers of whiskey.
“This one’s on the house,” he offers, sliding the glass over to me. I nod a thank you, lifting the glass and downing the fiery liquid in a single gulp. It sears my throat, and I don’t give a shit.
