Page 76 of Reckless

Wayne makes us drinks while the women disappear somewhere, giggling in that way female best friends do.

The den is homey, with lots of plush couches and throw cushions, but it’s decorated in a manly style. There is a TV that takes up most of the wall over the open fireplace. Drew put on music through a hidden sound system when we arrived. 'By The Way' by the Chili Peppers is playing in the background.

I can’t even guess at how much this place cost to build. My house in LA is huge, but it could fit in this place three times over.

When we pulled up in the limo, I’d glanced at the RV parked off to the side of the garages. As nice as these guys are, I’d give anything to get in it and drive away. I’ve been around too many people for the last twenty-four hours and don’t like it.

Being alone with Krista in the RV is all I can think about. Not just to take her to bed, though that has crossed my mind more than once tonight. Just being there with her, while she writes, or drives, or we talk about the things we’re going to see at our next stop has become a comfort for me.

Wayne hands me a glass of amber liquid and tells me it's Scotch from his family’s distillery. I thank him and he sits opposite me. He’s undone the top two buttons of his shirt and rolled his sleeves up. I have no fucking clue how he managed the whole night in a hot club wearing a full suit.

He’s the epitome of a cool billionaire, but I’m not intimidated. In fact, I’ve been waiting for this moment all night. Not with bated breath.

“I’m not gonna give you the speech, you can relax,” Wayne surprises me. “Krista makes her own choices.”

“I appreciate that.”

“All I will say is, treat her with respect. And don’t underestimate her. She can deal with you better than I ever could if you wrong her.”

“You know, I don’t doubt that.” I raise my scotch at him, then take a drink. He sips his.

“Despite being late and disappointing her, unintentionally or otherwise, I can tell you’re not just some player taking advantage of her.”

“You saw all that tonight?” He barely came near us.

“I see things.” He crosses his ankle over his knee.

Fuck, did he mean on the dancefloor? No, he doesn’t know me well enough to joke about that. It hurts to know he saw her disappointed. I could fucking throttle Ethan all over again.

The label sent someone straight out to talk to the club owner, who somehow was convinced to drop the charges. He was brought to the hotel to get his ass yelled at, then taken back to LA.

Sol didn’t see him. I convinced her it was best not to add fuel to the already raging fire consuming our reputation. And she wasn’t in the best mood to confront her dickhead brother anyway.

Before I left, she swore me to secrecy about the pregnancy. When I asked her what she was going to do about the baby, she looked so lost. I gave her another hug, hoping my silent reassurance is enough for her to know whatever she chooses, I’ll support her.

It’s impossible for me to imagine Solene with a baby. Any of us, for that matter.

At least now I understand why she is so upset about all the changes. If she keeps the baby, it will be her who makes the most drastic change to the band. She will not be touring while heavily pregnant, or after giving birth.

And what of the father? I’ve been trying to come up with ways to find out who he is. Luther can do it. He can retrace her steps, check the cameras at the casino, or use facial recognition. If we can track him down, we should. Solene didn’t want to talk about him.

Wayne doesn’t need to say I disappointed Krista today. I know I did. It was totally unintentional, and Krista will understand that. I know her well enough to tell when she’s really pissed off or upset.

That wasn’t the impression I got when I first saw her stepping out of that limo. The jealousy shit, I’m going to push out of my head. Do I even deserve to be jealous? Fuck, yes I do.

“So, do you have plans beyond the road trip?” Wayne asks, breaking me out of my darkening thoughts about kicking Xander’s ass if he comes near Krista.

“Nothing solid,” I tell him. I’m kind of hoping to extend my stay. I’ll keep that to myself.

“Do you have family?”

“Besides the band, yeah, my parents and two brothers. I can’t remember the last time I saw my youngest brother in person.”

“Sometimes that’s how life works,” Wayne shrugs. “My family never fucking leave me alone,” he rolls his eyes. “Except for Henry. He’s the oldest. He’s gone off grid.”

“You don’t know where he is?” I ask.

“We do, but he doesn’t stay in touch.”

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