Page 12 of Forgot to Tell You Something

A smile flashes across Owen’s face. I know my shit, and now he knows it, too. “Rapid Cycle? Brave choice. I’m with Stefani on theGreen Sneakersalbum.”

“Of course you are,” I mutter, unable to hold back the eye roll. Queen Snarky, at your service.

Stefani jumps at her chance. “See? Yet another reason to take me tomorrow night. I love punk music.”

She was doing so well, right until that lie dripped from her lips. Anyone who knows Hedgecore knows that they arenota punk band. They’re rockabilly.

Owen, for his part, remains a gentleman. “I only have two tickets, and I already invited Tally. But you might be able to scalp one tomorrow night.”

I chew the inside of my lip, watching my friend’s face fall. At this moment, being her wing woman is the worst job in the world. “You can take Stefani. No need to feel obligated.”

Owen’s gray gaze probes me. “I’m taking you.”

“I’m just saying,” I flounder, but Owen raises his hand, cutting me off.

“Suddenly, you don’t want to go? Did you develop alternate plans in the last thirty seconds? I recall how excited you were when I told you about the extra ticket.” He leans closer, his next words meant only for me. “I also remember how it felt to have your body pressed against mine.” He straightens, those stormy eyes daring me to lie to him. “Have you changed your mind?”

Am I insane? What am I doing? I want to go to this concert. I want to see Owen again. Why am I throwing up roadblocks and giving Stefani an opening?“I want to go.”

Owen smiles, letting his fingers slide through the ends of my hair. “Then it’s settled. Sorry, Stefani.”

My friend pooches out her lower lip, but we aren’t caving to her wishes.

The truth is, I’m not entirely sure if Owen wants me to go because he’s interested in me, or because he feels obligated that he asked me first. Possibly, it’s because, unlike Stefani, I actually know—and love—their music. But regardless of his reasoning, I know mine.

I want to see Hedgecore. Seeing them with Owen is a beautiful bonus. Stefani will just have to sit this one out.

“There will be other shows, Stef.” I offer her a smile, and she gives me a halfhearted hug.

“I’m glad you get to see them, Lu.” Even if she’s disappointed, I know she means those words.

“Thank you. I’ll be right back.”

I don’t make it two steps when Owen wraps his hand around my upper arm. “Where are you going?”

“Bathroom.” I offer up a cheeky grin. “Do I need a permission slip?”

“Might need a bodyguard.” Even with all the other smells in the bar, I pick up Owen’s scent. He’s wearing cologne, but it’s not overdone, and holy hell, it mixes well with his body chemistry. Yumminess squared.

“What could happen between here and the toilet?”

Famous last words.

In the bar patron’s defense, he wasn’t aiming for me. He likely didn’t even see me until after he knocked me off my feet, himself a casualty of the boisterous mosh pit.

But before my ass hits the ground, inflicting any number of colorful bruises, I’m in Owen’s arms. His hands tighten around my body as he sidesteps the would-be assailant, now lying face down on the ground next to my smashed beer bottle. “What the fuck is wrong with you? She could have cracked her head against the bar.”

The man staggers to his feet, muttering an apology as the blood drips from his mouth and nose. “I didn’t see her.”

“Pinch your nose and hold your head back,” I order from my perch in Owen’s arms. Catching my savior’s inquisitive look, I shrug. “I’m a nurse. I think he broke his nose.”

“Likely cracked a few teeth, too. Either way, he’s not my problem. I’m just glad you’re not hurt.”

My face splits into a grin at his concern. “We can now add hero to your resume.”

“I don’t know if I’d go that far.”

Even though the danger is long past, Owen is still holding me, and my body is awash with handy-dandy sensations. Everywhere his fingers touch me, rivulets of heat flow into my body, and my core temperature is nearing nuclear levels.

---