Page 32 of Broken Instrument

“Yeah, so you could keep all the gems tucked away for a rainy day,” Maddie teases.

I throw my head back and laugh, surprising myself as well as the rest of the group. “I dunno about that, but I’m glad you guys liked it. I’m gonna go say hi to a friend. I’ll meet you guys back at the house.”

“Sure thing,” Jake returns.

Maddie adds, “Do you want us to take Pix?”

“My shadow?” I look down at Pixie. Her tail is wagging back and forth as she sits right next to my feet, completely oblivious to the sea of people or how many are probably dying to ask if they can touch her. “Nah. I’ll keep her with me. Thanks, though.”

“Aw, come on. Let us take her home so I can feed her the bacon I saved from breakfast this morning,” Maddie begs. “I gotta make her love me more than she loves you.”

Milo laughs and tugs his girlfriend closer to him. “Should I be jealous, babe?”

“All I’m saying is if your friend ever decides to breed Pix when he gets back, I’m here for it. We’ll leave it at that,” Maddie replies.

With another laugh, I shove aside the reminder of Pixie’s owner, for more reasons than one, and say, “You and me both. I’ll see you guys at home.”

“See ya!”

The place is crowded, and I weave between people, waving at the fans who tell me how excited they are to have me back while ignoring the people who ask where I’ve been over the past few months and why I’m not in Broken Vows anymore.

I can feel Hadley watching me. Watching me juggle the questions and compliments like a seasoned pro. I wish I could read her mind and know what she’s thinking. If she’s impressed. Disappointed. If she can see how exhausted I am from the few mentions of Sonny taking over Broken Vows, or if she thinks I’m overrated and didn’t like my performance. I hope that isn’t the case, because when I was up there? I played for me, sure, but the person who got me to sit down, to strum the first note was her. It was because of our conversation at the vet’s office. It’s because I wanted to know the why behind my love of music. And while I was up on the stage, I think I found my answer. It’s not the drugs. It’s not the high from having everyone’s eyes on you. Okay, maybe a little, but not entirely. It’s the energy. The pull. The connection. And holy shit, did I feel connected to Hadley as I sang. More than I’ve ever felt with anyone in my entire life.

Her mouth lifts in a soft smile as I finally break through the last line of people and plop down in the barstool next to hers.

“Sorry it took so long,” I start.

“Don’t apologize.” She steps off her barstool and squats down, scratching Pixie’s head in greeting. The girl’s short but has curves any guy would drool over, and right now, I can see straight down her top.

Down, boy.

I clear my throat and look at the rim of her empty wine glass instead. There isn’t a lip stain marring it. I don’t know why it surprises me. It shouldn’t. She isn’t one for lipstick. I shouldn’t have noticed that particular quirk either, but… I shake my head and stare at the rows of glasses and alcohol lining the back wall, attempting to get my head on straight.

Keep it together, man.

Just because I played a good show doesn’t mean I can or should jump into bed with Hadley. Sure, sex after a good performance is a great way to get off. But embarrassing myself when I’m not able to finish because of my addiction to drugs isn’t exactly going to end the night on a high note.

Pixie lays on the concrete floor beneath our feet to get comfortable as Hadley stands and slides onto the barstool next to mine, oblivious to the fact I was most definitely picturing her naked a few seconds ago.

“I had no idea I was hanging out with the cool kid,” she tells me, her smile shy. “Did you know there were a pair of girls over here a few minutes ago who were gushing about your abs and were sorely disappointed when you didn’t take off your shirt on stage tonight?”

I hide my smirk behind my hand but don’t bother to deny it. Those were some good times.

“You know, if I was your girlfriend, I’d be jealous,” she teases, her naturally red lips tugging into a wider smile, and it shoots straight to my groin.

Calm the hell down, Fen, I remind myself. It’s only the high from playing. Nothing more.

“Dating a musician has its pros and cons,” I agree while flagging down Sammie from behind the bar. When she sees me, she lifts her forefinger, telling me to give her a second, and goes back to filling a mug full of amber liquid.

“Pros and cons, huh?” Hadley asks. “Like paparazzi and strangers asking you to take off your shirt so they can see your abs?”

“Something like that.”

“So, tell me. Would those be in the pro category or con?” With her elbow on the counter, and her chin resting in her hand, she gives me her full attention, clearly as curious about me as I am about her.

“Paparazzi, con. Strangers wanting to see your abs?” I don’t bother to hide my grin as I casually look her up and down. “Pro.”

She rolls her eyes. “For you, maybe. For your hypothetical girlfriend? Debatable.”

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