I don’t look at him as I check the timing sequence on the lighting triggers. “Nothing like what you’re thinking. We just talked.”
He whistles low. “You didn’t make a move? Can’t get it up, or what?”
I stop flipping switches and give him a slow look. “We have an understanding.”
Tank raises both brows. “You’re serious? You’ve got that blonde bombshell curled up in bed with you, and you’re playing monk?”
“Don’t mistake restraint for weakness.” I glance at him pointedly. “I want her, but on her terms. And yeah, mine too.”
He shakes his head like I’ve grown another one. “Man, I don’t know if I should be impressed or worried.”
Before I can react, he reaches between my legs and grabs my junk through my jeans.
I slap his hand away, shooting him a death glare as his deep, obnoxious laugh booms across the rock wall behind us.
“Easy, tiger,” he says through his laughter. “Just checking you still had your cock and balls. Was starting to wonder if they shriveled up and dropped off.”
I shove his shoulder hard. “Fuck you! For the record, everything’s in perfect working order. We’re just not rushing it.”
He smirks. “Effa? Taking it slow? Shit, what timeline are we living in? Either you’re a magician, or she’s completely turned off and doesn’t want to crush your fragile ego.”
I narrow my eyes. “She’s cautious. She’s worried that if things go south, I’ll walk off the tour. What she doesn’t get yet is that I don’t do that. I finish what I start. Contract or not.”
His grin fades a little at the tone in my voice, and I know he hears it.
The finality.
The conviction.
Because when it comes to Effa, I amnotscrewing around.
He stops laughing, and for once, his expression turns serious.
“Wow! She’s actually thinking logically. If Effa’s talking like that, then yeah, she’s into you. And not just for your cock. You’re the first guy… hell… the only guy, I’ve seen catch her eye emotionally in the two years I’ve been on this tour. Every other dude’s just been a warm body. Convenience.”
I don’t know why that hits me the way it does, but it lands deep. Maybe because I like knowing I’m not just another crew fling to her. I’ve got her attention, and not because I can work a rig and lift heavy shit. She seesme.
“Fuck, man, you’re smiling like a damn Cheshire cat,” Tank says, narrowing one eye. “Anyone would think you like her too.”
“I do.” I shrug, unapologetic. “She’s a little quirky with all her hippy energy talk, but there’s something about it… about her. She actually gives a damn about people, about the world, about her music. That kind of depth? It’s rare as hell in this business. She’s got a fire in her that I don’t see often. I like her. And I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes.”
Tank grips my shoulder, and his tone shifts from teasing to a rare dose of seriousness. “Well, for what it’s worth, I’m rootingfor you two to bump uglies and make sweet-ass love songs together. But fair warning, if you hurt her, I’ll be the first to knock your ass out.”
I nod once. “I respect that, but it’s early days. Don’t go booking a venue and hiring flower girls just yet. We’re not official. We’re feeling things out. But I’m not here to mess her around.”
Tank closes his eyes dramatically and lifts both hands into the air like he’s summoning the spirits. “I sense… happiness in your future. A wedding fit for a rock star. And babies… lots and lots of babies.”
I smack his hands away, laughing. “You’re a fucking idiot.”
“Hey, don’t knock it. Isn’t that what your girl does? Taps into people’s energy and sees the future? I was channeling my inner Effa.” He smirks like a damn lunatic.
I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the amused grin tugging at the corner of my mouth. The guy’s annoying as shit, but he is loyal.
Before I can respond, movement to my left catches my eye.
The girls are being escorted toward the stage.
I push off the rock and move into position, fingers flying over the digital board to cue the lighting sequence. The first set triggers, the lights dim, and the crowd erupts like a wave crashing into the cliffs around us.
