He doesn’t have to tell me twice.
An hour later,and we’re all eating warmed up pancakes in Creed’s car as we head into the city. Things didn’t really go far beyond the three of us kissing, but it felt just as intimate beneath the playfulness of the moment.
A nervous sort of excitement has been fluttering through my body for more than half of the ride. I’m ecstatic to see where the magic all comes together in creating an album forDark Sins. But more than that, I’m ready to see the rest of the gang again.
Even through the closed windows, the distinct sound of cameras flashing and a busy cloud of paparazzi can be heard on the street, just before we pull into the secure parking garage that belongs to Cort Records. I haven’t been checking headlines because many of them are asking the same questions that Creed isn’t ready to answer yet. There’s no way we can give them the whole truth without risking those who saved us, but a part of me doesn’twantto stay silent. I want Guy to suffer public humiliation and a slow social death, since the way in which he actually died was instantaneous.
“Are they always like that?” I ask as Creed opens his door to let me out of the back seat.
“Honestly? No. But we’ve been suspiciously quiet after ghosting thousands of fans.” He shrugs, taking my hand before draping his other arm around Riley’s shoulder. “That’s part of why Ayla will be here today. We need to deal with the fallout that comes with what happened, no matter how valid the reason.”
I nod as we make our way into the building and head for the elevator, guilt trying to gnaw its way up.
The moment the three of us are isolated, my face is grabbed by a set of tattooed fingers, and I’m pulled forward until my vision is filled with Creed’s ice-blue glare. He looks…pissed, but his actions are contradictory when he leans in and pecks the tip of my nose.
“Stop it,” is all he says as the elevator dings and the doors open.
My cheeks heat when I realize what he means. Creed is so in tune with my emotions that I’m sure my worry was becoming a palpable thing. He stalks out of the elevator, leaving Riley and me to follow, hand in hand.
“There they are!” A man who doesn’t look to be much older than Creed greets us as we round a corner and make our way down the hall. He shakes Creed’s hand before pulling him in fora one-armed hug, then reaches for Riley next. They exchange pleasantries before he turns to me.
He’s handsome, but nowhere near the beauty that Riley and Creed possess.
He holds a hand out to me. “Cortland Shepard,” he introduces as I tentatively place my hand in his to shake. “You must be Collins. I’ve heard about you over the years; it’s nice to finally put a face to all of Creed’s stories.”
If my face was flushed pink before, I’m certain I’m tomato red now as I peek over at Creed, who looks absolutely unapologetic and a little smug. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
It’s all I manage to squeak out, because how else am I supposed to respond?
We’re ushered into a maze of rooms that are all interconnected. We come to a stop in what looks like a lounge area, and immediately, I’m nearly barreled over by Ayla’s feminine frame and high-pitched words that I can’t make out through the excitement pouring from her. I hug her back and just soak in the warmth of her embrace.
“Look at you!” she cries, swiping at her misty eyes with one hand while clinging to me with the other. “You look so good! You all do, oh my God…” she prattles on, and it’s got my heart fluttering with a new sense of ease.
A large palm covers her face and shoves her away. She looks shocked, but she’s cackling playfully because when I look up, it’s to see Bear doing his best to hide his smile while fighting his sister for my attention. “Hey, you.”
It’s all he gets to say before I plow into him, wrapping my arms around his middle and squeezing tight. His reciprocation is gentle and light, but I can feel the relief in his embrace. I guess Creed’s had enough of sharing me, because I feel his arm band around my middle as he yanks me back. But I’m just as surprisedas Bear when I look up to find that Riley is the one holding me against his chest.
His hand flexes against my abdomen before his thumb strokes in soft circles as he leans down and presses his lips to the shell of my ear. “I just needed you close.”
I crane my neck to look up at him, and he looks almost apologetic, but then murmurs, “Please don’t go far, Snow.”
My goddamned heart.
“Never, Ri.”
Pushing up on my toes, I place a kiss along his jaw before wrapping my arms around his middle. He holds me tighter, and I melt into him instantly. I swear, Riley hugs have got to be one of my most favorite things in the world.
Chapter 32
Collins
“I NEED…”
“Alright,” Cortland calls out, clapping his hands together, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. “McGowan is wrapping up the crew meeting for the tour now. He’s gone over the additional security parameters requested, and then he’ll join us in the studio. We’ll get some hours beneath us before calling it a day to get some grub. Sound good?”
Everyone collectively nods and starts to file out of the room. When it’s just the four of us left, Cortland turns, his eyes darting to the scarred side of Riley’s face before dropping to his hands and back up to his face. I’m about to tell him to fucking check himself for staring at Riley, but then he smiles, and it looks to be genuine. Creed gives my hand a gentle tug, as if in acknowledgement of my bristling protectiveness, becauseof coursehe noticed.
“You look good, Graves. How are you feeling?” Cortland asks.
