Page 40 of Snared

“Oh boy, CH looks frustrated right now. I think all this love talk is making him want to come out here and kiss his new bride. I’m sorry, CH, these people paid good money to see me sing—and hear the rest of the band play, of course. You can kiss Charlie later,” Jax said.

Yep.

Death was coming for that showboating pain in the ass.

I finally glanced over at Josh and caught him staring daggers at Jax. Daggers that apparently Jax didn’t give a shit about.

“Hey, Jax, think we could actually play some music now?” Bash called out.

“We’re getting there, Wolfie, we’re getting there. I’m thinking ‘Crazy Ride’ because that’s exactly what the last few days have been,” Jax said.

“As long as you’re singing and not talking, we’re good with anything,” Bash shot back.

“Oooh, Wolfie’s getting testy. All righty then. Let’s go,” Jax said as I hit the opening beat.

I had to give the man credit. As embarrassing as that had been, it was slightly brilliant on Jax’s part. Who would question the validity of our marriage now?

Of course, I had no plans to tell him that. His ego didn’t need any additional encouragement.

I shoved aside all non-drumming-related thoughts and gave myself over to the music. At the end of the day, that was all that mattered, and I was determined to bask in every second of it.

The vibrations rolling up my arms as I banged on the skins sent endorphins racing through my body. Every tap of my feet on the pedals centered me. Nothing could touch me when I was behind my kit. I couldn’t fight my grin as I played, and when we moved into “Far Away,” my body poured everything I had into the drum solo. It was a song that leaned heavily on the drums and one I’d helped the guys write for our first album together. It would always hold a special place in my heart, and I had no choice but to give it everything I had.

In so many ways, I felt like this was my song. My moment to shine as brightly as possible.

Sweat poured off me as we exited the stage after our second encore.

“Fucking hell, Charlie. You killed it tonight. Well, you always kill it, but tonight… fuck, that was beautiful,” Bash said, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

There was no higher praise than that, especially from Bash.

“It felt great out there. If I could spend my life sitting behind my kit, I would.”

“Epic, Spidey, epic,” Jax said, grinning. I was past the point of caring about that nickname, not with the current high coursing through me.

“Great job, guys. Stellar,” Josh said, coming to stand next to me as I guzzled down a bottle of water he’d handed me.

He stared at me, his gaze intense, heated.

Warmth bubbled up inside me.

Oh no.No.

It was true that I got turned on after a show. It wasn’t my fault all that dopamine was racing through me, and tonight, after all the shit of the day and that performance, it raced even stronger. And now Josh stood next to me, looking immaculate as always and giving me a look he had no business giving me.

I should’ve poured the water over my head. Or his.

“Where’s my water?” Jax asked.

“In the dressing room,” Josh replied.

“Look at you, being all husbandly,” Jax murmured.

“Fuck off. And no more stunts like that on stage, got it?” Josh said.

“As obnoxious as it was, it probably helped your cause,” Bash said.

“Probably,” Josh grumbled.

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