Page 10 of Snared

“Sure, sure. I don’t want to be bailing anyone out of jail or finding a judge to get annulment papers drawn up while we’re here, okay?” I gave Jax my sternest look.

“I’ll be on my best behavior. Scout’s honor.” Jax held up his hand in devil horns instead of the Boy Scout salute.

Bash threw an empty water bottle at Jax’s head and the taunts started flying.

I sat back and watched the madness, my gaze darting toward Charlie, who sat in one of the swivel chairs near the TV. Her eyes met mine for a brief second before she turned back to the guys. My phone buzzed on the table in front of me, drawing my attention.

It was my father.

Again.

For the third time in the last week, for fuck’s sake. I’d known there was a chance he’d be in Vegas for the festival, but I had no desire to spend any time with him, which is why I’d already told him I was too busy. And yet, he kept texting me. I wasn’t sure how much clearer I could’ve been.

I’d watched my father hook up with musician after musician and starlet after starlet. I’d heard the stories about him when he wasn’t part of my life, and I didn’t want him in my life now. We might have been in the same industry, but our similarities ended there, and I was doing everything in my power to keep it that way. I honestly had no idea why he kept trying to have a relationship with me, but part of me wondered if it was because now I was the young guy in the business and he was the old man aging out—not that he’d let any young starlet believe he was too old for anything.

I turned the sound off and pushed my phone away. Probably not the best idea when I had a company to run and multiple bands to manage, but I needed a breather.

“Best interview yet. They love me,” Jax said, rubbing his hands together as the band walked out of the studio.

Jax had already charmed every DJ he’d come across and we’d only been in town for a few hours. The band wasn’t performing until the final night of the festival, but it never hurt to get some quality time in with fans on their off days.

“Please. They just go along with your insanity.” Tristan smirked.

“Whatever. Who’s up for a stroll through the festival? After all, gotta please the fans,” Jax said, wiggling his brows.

“Do you ever stop?” Charlie asked.

“Not if I can help it.”

The man’s antics were endless.

“Take security with you and go catch Savage Night’s performance. They’re on soon and since they’ll be opening for your next dozen shows, it’ll look good if you watch some of theirs,” I said.

“I’m up for that. They’re actually pretty good live,” Tristan said.

“I’ve been listening to them, and yeah, I think they’re a good fit with us. Solid sound,” Charlie said.

“Fine. I’m in,” Bash said.

“Then we’re going out on the Strip tonight,” Jax interjected, a dangerous gleam in his eyes.

“Don’t get hitched,” Tristan warned, pointing his finger at the front man.

Jax shuddered. “Definitely not. Pretty sure I’m allergic to commitment.”

Bash burst out laughing. “No lies detected there. You coming too, CH?”

“Why not? If only to keep an eye on this idiot,” I muttered.

“You love me.” Jax slung his arm over my shoulder. I good-naturedly shoved him off me and called security to let them know we needed a ride to the grounds.

I figured I’d check in on Savage, have a drink or two with the band, then escape to my room, grateful for a night away from Charlie’s soft snores wafting up into my bunk on the bus.

CHARLIE

I groaned, raking my hand through my hair. I was never drinking again.

Never.

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