“Take a seat, guys. Here, you sit next to me, Parker.” Harvey nudged Parker down onto the Chesterfield, sitting in the middle and indicating for Ravi to sit on his other side on the long leather sofa. This left Gibbo and Rafe to sit back down on the opposite sofa, and RG and his lap decoration in the adjacent armchair.
Rafe automatically took the fresh tumbler of whisky that was passed his way. This time he hardly felt the burn of the liquor on its way down—too focused on the heat flashing through his body.
2
Parker couldn’t believe he was sitting on a couch with HyperOctane. Or more precisely, he couldn’t believe he was sitting across from Rafe Moreno.Rafe fucking Moreno!
Parker rubbed his hands self-consciously on his jeans to rid them of the dampness that had suddenly appeared, then reached for his untouched glass that sat on the coffee table, suddenly desperate for something to lubricate his parched throat.
Rafe laughed at something the guy next to him said. God knew what, because Parker’s mind was elsewhere. He was too busy admiring Rafe’s striking good looks—those glittering golden brown eyes, and the smooth complexion, and the days’ worth of scruff on his face. He couldn’t remember seeing photos of Rafe without either stubble or a short beard and wondered what it would feel like against his own smooth skin. He subconsciously rubbed his jaw, touching the skin that was lucky to need the whisk of razor more than once a week. When he realised what he was doing, he jerked his hand away, but not before Rafe met his eyes. Heat travelled up his face, and he inwardly cursed his fair skin and propensity for blushing.I must look like an idiot.
He brought the glass to his mouth, ignoring the tremble in his hand, and threw back the liquid.Jesus!How did these guys drink the stuff? The alcohol burned the back of his throat and seared his nostrils. He coughed, a single cough, and nearly suffocated trying to hold a coughing fit at bay.Way to fit in, Parker.
“So, Parker, glad to be in the big city again?” Harvey asked.
Parker elbowed him in the ribs. “I’m from the city.”
“Compared to Sydney, Perth’s just a large country town.”
“You’re from Perth too, arsehole.”
Harvey wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” Parker couldn’t help smiling back. “The show was awesome, by the way. You guys had the crowd wrapped around your little fingers.”
Harvey chuckled. “The show was fantastic—so much energy. But the credit for the crowd mustering goes to Rafe. Man, that guy sure knows how to get them up and on their feet and baying for more.”
Parker’s gaze automatically turned to Rafe. What was it about him and that magnetic pull? “I guess.”
“You guess?” Harvey leaned to whisper in his ear. “You’ve hardly looked away from him since the minute you first walked over and locked eyes on the man. And don’t forget, I knowallyour secrets.”
Oh, God, he didn’t want to go there. Parker immediately looked to Harvey, touching his arm. “I’m so sorry. You know I flew all this way over to see you, don’t you? You’re the reason I came.”
“I know. I’m just giving you a hard time.” Harvey winked and squeezed his shoulders. “I’m glad you came to see me. Can you believe in a week’s time we’ll all be flying over to the US? I didn’t imagine this happening in my wildest dreams.”
“I did. Fuck, Harvey, you need to stop selling yourself short. You guys have put in so much effort to get this far. HyperOctane deserves every success. You sure worked hard enough for it. Writing great songs, making brilliant music, and all those hours of dedication are paying off. And bloody hell, you are so talented. No one plays the guitar like you do. Hell, the whole band is talented. Not a single one of you doesn’t belong here and doesn’t deserve the accolades.”
Parker didn’t realise how much passion was in his speech and how much his voice had risen until Rafe cut in from across the table. “You sound like our number-one groupie. Head of the cheer squad and all that.” His grin was wide.
Parker knew he was blushing again. Hedidsound like a groupie, but fuck, it was Harvey, and Harveyneededto hear what Parker had to say.Fuck Rafe.Just because he had it all—the looks, the supposed personality—not that Parker had seen much of that—and the damn voice of an angel. He obviously didn’t know how tough he and Harvey had had it growing up. Parker straightened in his seat.Own it.He took a deep breath. “Just saying it how I see it. Harvey is the best goddamned guitar player in the southern hemisphere. You’ve seen the articles.”
Rafe chuckled, a dimple flashing in his cheek. He held up his hands in surrender. “Hey, calm down. You don’t have to convince me. Harveyisawesome, and his playing is one of the key reasons we’re where we are today.” Rafe turned to Harvey. “That sure is one little hellion you’ve got there. I can’t believe you’ve been hiding him from us.”
“Yeah,” Gibbo chimed in. “And who’d have thought you’d be one for a long-distance relationship.”
Harvey straightened, pulling his arm from Parker’s shoulders. “What the fuck, man! I’m not in a relationship. Gross! Parker’s my little brother!”
3
Harvey’s little brother?
A slow smile spread across Rafe’s face. He looked from Harvey to Parker. Now he had that little titbit, he studied closer, but saw there was little family resemblance. Harvey was a good-looking man with his messy sandy-coloured hair, green eyes, and plump lips, but nothing like his brother. Okay, so maybe the lips were somewhat similar. Parker was currently chewing on his bottom lip, staring at Rafe with wide eyes, and Rafe wanted to lean across and tug the tender flesh from between his teeth.
“Ah, so this is your little brother,” he said, leaning back in his seat.
“Hey, not so little!” Parker objected, eyes flashing.
Rafe chuckled.Hellion indeed.
