“Yeah, do me a favor, Brian, and take this to Matt so he can set it up.” Mr. Hottie with the Abs hands the grumpy guy something, but I can’t make out exactly what it is.
Honestly, I don’t try very hard. I’m just thankful not to be in trouble.
“Sorry about that. But he’s right, you can’t be back here. I’ll walk you to the bar.” He motions for me to follow him.
Chapter three
“Are you lost?” I ask, trying not to stare at the gorgeous woman.
She stares at me like she doesn’t know how to speak. I get this a lot. It’s part of being a rockstar. My millions of followers nicknamed me Rockstar Thirst Trap. It’s grown on me so much now I even hashtag it on my posts.
“Um,” she stalls. “I was just…the bartender told me to use the bathroom back here, and then I definitely got turned around. I’m sorry.”
“Let’s get you back to your friends. The bartender’s always sending people over here trying to be helpful. I don’t think he realizes how dark and twisty it is.”
“Okay, thank you,” she stammers, turning away from me.
It’s adorable. I know she’s trying to pretend she’s not into me, but she’s terrible at hiding it. A shit-eating grin threatens to slide across my lips. I place my hand against the small of her back and guide us toward the bar. Her pulse is racing, which sends a rush of adrenaline through me.
“So, are you excited for the show?” I ask, trying to make awkward conversation.
“I’m excited to be here with my best friend. This is her favorite band. She’s been following them forever. When she got the email, she immediately bought the VIP tickets, then called to inform me I’d be attending with her,” she confesses.
My smile deepens. We’re almost to the end of the hallway. The buzz of the busy bar is faint. There’s something I can’t figure out, though. For someone who claims to be here for a good time, she looks…sad.
Surprising us both, I shoulder-bump her. She goes rigid and stops walking. “Why do you look sad?”
She stares at me for a second like she’s trying to decide if she’s going to answer honestly or lie. Then she takes a deep breath and grumbles, “Fuck it.”
“Fuck it,” I repeat, confused.
“Yeah, fuck it. What do I have to lose? Maybe you’ll take pity on me and turn my night around.” She laughs awkwardly.
I run a hand through my hair, then place it against the wall just above her head. Leaning in to frame my body over hers, I whisper, allowing my breath to land on the shell of her ear, “Why is it funny?”
Recognizing she’s stuck between me and the wall, this siren of a woman looks down, avoiding eye contact with me. “Because my ex just sent a story with his new girl. He’s the lying, cheating, asshole type, so he doesn’t deserve to love someone else.”
Tonight, I want nothing more than to be the reason she forgets him. He sounds like a fucking loser. It’s his loss. I barely know her, and I’m already far too invested in how her night ends. It’s crazy. There’s an intense urge rushing over me, demanding that I make her mine. To show her what it feels like to be cherished beyond measure. Even if it’s only for one night, no strings attached, just a rebound. I’ll happily volunteer myself for this duty.
My mind races with half-formed plans, and then it lands on one. She said maybe I could make her night better. I know something that might. She doesn’t know who I am, but plenty of my fans do—a photo of us would definitely go viral fast.
I slide my finger under her chin. Her skin is soft and her eyes, are a warm honey-colored brown. I find myself staring into them forlonger than I should. “How about I do you a favor,” I rasp, my voice low. This conversation meant only for us.
“Okay.” She gulps.
“Do you have your phone?”
She nods her head.
“Can I see it?”
She stares at me in shock, and for a minute I think she’s going to bolt. “Let’s post a photo together, so you can one-up his night. Besides, I think we can both agree I’m way more attractive.”
She presses her hand against my chest, pushing against me, but I remain a solid wall, blocking her in place.
“Awfully bold of you to assume,” she teases.
I smile a very knowing grin. If only she knew I’m the guy she’s here to see perform tonight.
