Page 27 of Fractured Rhythm

Chapter 7

Jamie:What did the sushi say to the bee? Wasabee!

Cassie:Epic eye roll.

Jamie:Or egg roll.

Cassie:I missed your lame jokes. How are you?

Jamie:Feeling great. Wish you were here in LA. Miss you, Cas.

Cassie:Miss you, too.

CASSIE

“You nervous?” Hollyasked as she put the finishing touches on my makeup for the night.

“No. Should I be?” I asked, pushing down the butterflies in my belly. Of course, I was nervous. I never could resist Bash on the dance floor. The man had moves that should be illegal. His hips, fucking hell, his hips. I bit back a groan. He had rhythm in everything he did. EVERYTHING.

Holly laughed and stepped back to look at me closely. I tried not to squirm—unsuccessfully.

“Tell me about Jax,” she said.

“You can’t hook up with him,” I said sternly.

“Why not? Is he a selfish lay? I’ve had a few musicians, and sometimes it’s all about them. They wouldn’t be able to find a g-spot without detailed instructions,” she said nonchalantly.

I chuckled. “Seriously, Holly.”

“What? Sometimes they need a map, and I want to get off. Works out for everyone. I mean, maybe not their egos, but they should try harder and not be so damn sensitive.”

“The ladies seem to love Jax, so maybe he doesn’t need directions. But, gross, he’s like my brother, and I don’t want to think about that or you doing that with him at all.”

“Relax, Tristan’s more my type. The quiet ones are usually a-freaking-mazing in the sack.”

“Umm, can you not? Tris is also like a brother. Now, can we finish getting ready, or do you need a minute to yourself?” I asked with mock seriousness.

“I did that before I came over—ha, get it.”

“Sometimes I think you’re really a twelve-year-old boy,” I said, shoving her out of my bathroom.

“Why, thank you,” she said with a slight curtsey.

She was too much sometimes, and exactly what I needed in a friend. I hadn’t had too many female friends when I was growing up. I never knew if they wanted to be friends with me or just get closer to the guys, so I gave up trying when I was in high school. I had a few close friends, but even we’d drifted apart over the years. It’s not like I was inviting them over for milk and cookies with my mom after school.

“Just teasing you. It got you to stop freaking out about Bash, so you’re welcome.”

“I wasn’t freaking out about seeing Bash.”

Holly eyed me. “You realize you’re a horrible liar, right? And no amount of BB cream is going to hide those pink cheeks whenever his name comes up.”

“Shut up. I’m fine. Can we go?” I should bail and stay at home curled up in my pj’s. He made me too fucking nervous, which I hated and also sort of loved.

A mess. I was a goddamn mess.

I didn’t wait for her to respond. I just tugged at the short hem of my dress, grabbed my wristlet, and headed for the door.

“You coming?” I asked over my shoulder.

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