Page 80 of Love You Like This

“Be nice,” Stone says through his smile as the douche bag in question comes up to the table.

“Hi.” He holds out a hand to Tobias. “I’m Chaz. The morning DJ.”

“Hey man, nice to meet you.” Stone shakes his hand next.

“Hello.” I stand as I grip his hand, the only one of us to do so. Is it a dick move? Absolutely, and I don’t give a fuck. I tower over him to the point he has to tilt his head back to keep eye contact.

“The show was great. You guys are always a blast to watch live.”

“Thank you,” Stone says graciously.

“Can I ask you guys a question?” He flicks a glance at Jade who is now schmoozing with the execs. “How hard would I need to work to get your PR girl to come home with me? She’s hot as fuck.”

I bristle at the question, ready to land a blow. Every physical altercation I’ve been in always revolves around her. Her shitty high school boyfriend. My shitty surf buddy. Apparently, this clown wants to be the third.

“She’s into chicks,” Tobias says before I can say anything.

“And she’s taken I’m afraid,” Stone adds.

“Really? Damn.” He turns to give her another appreciative look. “Such a waste, but if her girl is as hot as she is, I wouldn’t mind watching.” He looks back at us with a sleazy smile, expecting us to be in on the joke.

We’re not.

“I don’t know, man. I don’t spend my time sexualizing women like that. Especially not at their place of work where they’re the utmost professional. She’s the best in the business and a woman,” I emphasize the word after he called her a girl, “who deserves respect.”

He looks between the three of us. “Of course. I meant no disrespect.”

“Right.” I still haven’t sat down.

“Can I get a picture with you three for the station socials? They’re about to open the doors.”

The three of us walk over to the backdrop covered in the radio station’s logo for the photo. Chaz stands in the middle and strikes the most ridiculous pose. Jade does a double take when she sees us having the photo taken and comes over. Her brows pull together when her gaze skims over the three of us. I assume none of us are smiling.

Chaz shakes our hands one more time and walks away, nodding at Jade. As soon as he walks off, she strides over to the three of us. She doesn’t need to say anything to communicate her anger.

“What is your problem? Be fucking nice,” she growls quietly.

“No,” Tobias says, flicking his lip ring with his tongue.

She shakes her head and looks at Stone, then me. “I expect you guys to behave and be cordial.”

“He called you our PR girl,” Stone says, “and wants to get in your pants.”

Her eyes flick to me and then back to Stone. “It’s my business who gets in my pants. I can handle myself.”

“That so?” I ask darkly while Stone and Tobias go sit back down at the table.

“Yep.” She pops the P with extra attitude.

“Okay,” I give her my fake ass smile.

Game on. If she wants to play it this way, let’s fucking go.

Thirty

JADE

The line of fans moves slowly as each of the guys give attention to every person as they walk past. It’s one of the reasons for their enduring popularity. They’re so good at making each fan feel important because they are. All three of them recognize they wouldn’t be here without the people who stream their music, who buy their albums, who come to concerts and scoop up as much merch as possible.