Page 36 of Don't Bang a Bandmate

Damn.

So, this is what that feels like.

12

JORDAN

It’s almost too implausible to be true, and yet... everything falls into place.

The Electrics. Paul Monroe.

Working together to take us down.

They tell me everything Logan Shock told them; the ten of us cramped into my suite. Some sit on the couch while others take their seats on the floor around the coffee table. Except Knox. He paces back and forth across the carpet in front of my bathroom door, one hand gently pinching his chin as he soaks it all in.

Bronson stands with his back to the door. Always listening.

After they explain their night, they demand I tell them what conspired between me and Mr. Monroe at dinner.

So, I tell them.

Every littleconfidentialdetail.

“This is nuts,” Addison says as she drops her head onto Harvey’s shoulder.

I nod in full agreement. “I feel so gross,” I say.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, Jordan,” Katrina says beside me.

Knox snorts. “I wouldn’t say that.”

We all look at him as he stops, his glare locked on me.

“Why didn’t you tell us what you were up to tonight?” he asks.

“I already told you,” I say. “I didn’t think it was a big deal. Just a business dinner.”

“With PaulfuckingMonroe,” he says.

“Knox,” Jonah says, warning him to keep his cool.

“I don’t know what to tell you, Knox,” I say. “When your boss flies into town and says he has something confidential to discuss with you, you go. I didn’t know what he was going to offer me. Nor did I know Logan Shock was going to crash our rehearsal.”

Knox crosses his arms. “Did you take his offer?” he asks.

My mouth sags. Everyone stares at me, awaiting my answer. I look at Bronson in the silence. His normally blank expression is... well,blank, but his eyes lock sharply with mine, eagerly listening.

“No,” I answer. “Of course I didn’t. Why would you even ask?”

“Well, you didn’t say,” Knox says.

“Because I thought it was obvious.” I push off the couch. “Of course, I didn’t accept his offer. I didn’t even consider it for a second.”

“So, you said no?” Knox says, pushing the topic. “Sorry, Paul. It’s not for me. Better luck next time?”

“Well... no.”

“What did you say?”

---