Page 95 of Snared

Being up here, feeling the vibrations in my arms with every strike of my sticks. No media. No exes. No drama. Nothing else mattered.

And that’s why I dealt with the bullshit. So I could sit behind my kit and rock the fuck out.

Jax had spent the opening song teasing each of us, but there’d been a glint in his eyes when he’d looked at me. By some miracle, I’d managed to slip into our dressing room undetected, and no one said a word about my sudden appearance, but I had a feeling they were on to us.

Nope.

I was not going to dwell on that messiness right now.

Drums. Lights. Music. Melding with Tristan’s bass.

Nothing else mattered.

And as we launched into “Fight Me,” I gave myself over and let it consume me.

The guys moved around the stage, Tristan heading toward me while Jax bounced around like a madman and then sidled up to Bash. The movements were never planned, organic and perfect.

I grinned down at Tristan as I hit my snare, my feet tapping the pedals in a maddening rhythm that I performed without a second guess.

When I hit the final beat and the song faded out, I glanced over at the wings. I’d taken to doing that more. Meeting Josh’s gaze. Not that I could always see his face with all the lights, but at least once a show, he’d step in my direct line of sight.

Then he’d flash me a grin that ramped up my adrenaline more than was healthy, and I’d start thinking about tasting him again.

I never wanted to rush a show, but after our unfinished business in that dressing room, I wondered how early we could escape the after-party this time.

But tonight, there was someone standing next to Josh.

No.

Oh my god.

And she was waving at me.

“Holy shit. Jules,” I yelled without thought.

My sister was here. Standing next to a smiling Josh and jumping and waving at me like a loon.

“Why’s Charlie yelling?” Jax’s voice cut through my momentary pause.

“Her sister’s here,” Bash said, clear as day, and I turned to look at him.

He shrugged. “Cassie set it up.”

“Charlie’s sister is in town and no one thought to tell me?” Jax acted affronted.

Then he turned back to the crowd. “What do you think? Should we get Jules out on stage to say hello?”

“Stay away from my sister, Jax,” I shouted, wishing I could hop off my stool and give her a hug. I couldn’t believe she was really here.

“Sisters love me,” Jax teased.

The fans yelled and cheered along with our antics.

“Ew. Nope,” I said, flashing Jules a grin.

“How about we finish the show our lovely fans are here for? And then you can flirt pathetically with Charlie’s sister,” Bash said.

“Pathetically, Wolfie? How you wound me.” Jax leaned closer into his mic. “Jules loves when I flirt with her.”

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