Page 67 of Fractured Frets

I got to spend time with my friends.

This was one place we could go in LA without being harassed or attracting too much attention.

I wasn’t sure that would last much longer. The Flintlocks had chart-topping hits. Their global tour was a few months away. My show was growing each season. So I wanted to savor the freedom I had while it lasted...including my secret hookups with Slip.

Lewis and Tia had known about us for just over three months, since Cole’s birthday in April. They’d been as secretive as we were, sneaking around, working out if what they felt for each other was serious or not. But last month, they’d been busted by Cole and had caused their fair share of problems in the band. Cole hadn’t been happy Lewis was banging his sister. Tension had led to Lewis moving out of Cole’s place and in with Slip. Until things settled between the guys, Slip and I’d agreed to delay telling everyone we were together.

I was more than happy with that. The thought of telling everyone still made me nervous. I had this constant lump of nausea sitting in the pit of my gut. What would happen when we told everyone? Would Slip and I lose what we had? Our game of flirting, driving each other crazy with jealousy, then sneaking off together, fucking, and returning to our friends and acting like nothing had happened was hot. Steamy. And super sexy.

We didn’t like keeping secrets from our friends, but hiding the truth was easier. We’d both been burned by previous partners. Everyone accepted we liked our single status. But the notion of being honest with everyone still plagued me. Slip didn’t need to know every detail about my past, did he? Was what happened with Noah the reason for my concern in our relationship? It played a part. I had been scarred for life.

But tonight, we weren’t telling our friends we were seeing each other. This evening was purely about having fun.

At the entrance to the bar, I met Molly, the manager. She gave me a warm hug hello. I’d met her a couple times when I’d been here with the guys. Then, a solid, brick wall of a bouncer guided me through the growing crowd to the small VIP area at the back. He unclipped the rope, spoke to the other security guard standing in front of the section, and waved me in to join The Flintlocks, Sutton, and Tia. They sat on high-backed stools around a bar table covered in shot glasses, bottles of vodka, bourbon, and beer.

“Fancy seeing you here.” I flicked my eyebrow upward at Slip as he grabbed the champagne out of the ice bucket beside Sutton. He poured a flute and handed it to me.

“Always good to see you, Mads. Didn’t know you were in town.” Slip threw me a playful wink.

He knew exactly where I’d be and what time I’d be there. We had our secret hookups down to a fine art thanks to our constant flow of text messages. So much fun.

“Thank you.” I took the flute. “But you should know I go everywhere with Sutt. It’s a given.” I took a sip of the bubbles, hugged Sutton sideways, and pressed my cheek against hers. “Hello, beautiful.”

“Hey, gorgeous.” After a smile full of warmth and a big air kiss to one side of my face, then the other, she clapped. “I’m so happy you made it.”

“Yes. Finally.” I did the rounds, saying hello and giving quick hugs to Lewis, Tia, Cole, and Flint.

“How’s your mom doing?” Sutton topped up her champagne.

“She was exhausted after a long day of appointments.” So was I. Three interviews and a flight from San Francisco, done. “Bridget offered to stay with her to make sure she was okay.”

“So you have nothing to worry about. Awesome.” Tia hooked her arm around my shoulders and squeezed me tight. “We’re gonna have a great night. Get that drink into you, and let’s enjoy the band. Duke and the boys are on in twenty minutes.”

“Cheers to that.” I raised my glass and took another mouthful.

Since Sutton and I had met The Flintlocks fourteen months ago, we’d become a tight knit group of friends. I dreaded losing that connection if Slip and I didn’t work out. Ergh! Don’t think about it. Not tonight.

As we jostled around the tiny area catching up, every time I caught Slip’s gaze, too much heat embedded in my cheeks. Each time he licked his lips, need grew between my legs. He brushed my arm, and a flurry of sparks skipped toward my chest and hardened my nipples.

Oh, yeah.

Not sure we’d be here long.

What excuse would he come up with tonight to give me a lift home?

By the time Duke and his band took to the stage, and the band’s friends and family had joined us in the VIP area, Slip and I had ended up mushed in the very back corner. We stood behind the others sitting around the bar table, and Lewis hovered beside Slip.

Music blared from the speakers, reverberating throughout the packed venue. Duke’s mad voice and his band’s energy had a whole Imagine Dragons vibe. Partygoers sang along, jumped, danced, and waved their arms in the air. I jigged and bopped on the spot, swaying and clapping along to the beat.

But Slip edged in closer, standing with the front of his shoulder against the back of mine. I tried to step sideways to keep a friendly distance, but my elbow connected with the wall. I glanced behind me. Yep...nothing but black drapes covering full-length windows.

I was trapped.

Heat rushed in waves across my skin. Well...this is cozy. Too cozy.

“You look fucking amazing, Mads,” Slip murmured in my ear as he slid his hand across my ass and cupped my butt cheek. His body heat melded with mine, gluing me to the spot. It took all my strength to keep my eyes on Duke’s band. But every cell in my body wanted to turn toward Slip, kiss him, and fuck him against the wall. I’d missed him. It had been a month since we’d last been together. Our hot sexting and video calls had made the time apart more bearable.

I could wait a few more hours until we were alone.

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