Page 19 of Snared

“Charlie?” Cassie asked.

My fork banged on the edge of my plate. “Oh, sorry. Nothing really. Too much to drink and then we ran into my ex—likeThe Ex—and then, I don’t know, Troy said something and Josh punched him. Then more drinks and I passed out in my room,” I rambled.

“Back up a minute. Josh punched your ex?” Cassie asked.

“Oh yeah, guy was a total douche. The ex, not CH. Well, not that CH isn’t always a douche,” Jax said.

“Fuck, you’re annoying,” Josh said.

“I believe the word you’re looking for ischarming. I’m charming,” Jax said.

The man was always ready with a quip. It was exhausting. Or I was exhausted.

I needed more coffee. And bacon, some salty goodness to soak up all the booze and bad decisions I’d made last night.

“Anyway,” Cassie drawled, “he really punched your ex?”

“Um, yeah.” I wished I’d never mentioned that.

“Well, well, CH. Who knew you had it in you?” Bash said.

“Hey, I protect every member of this band. The guy was a dick and insinuating things about how Charlie got the job. He was drunk and belligerent, and I corrected him. End of story,” Josh finished gruffly.

That. Was. Not. A. Turn. On.

I shoved another piece of bacon in my mouth before I could say another word. I should’ve ordered room service.

“Well, that was very nice of you, but let’s hope he doesn’t press charges,” Cassie said, her gaze darting between Josh and me.

I took a gulp of coffee and nodded.

“So, how long are you here?” I asked Cassie.

Cassie quirked a brow but didn’t push me.

“Until you guys get back on your bus in two days,” she said. “I didn’t want to miss the show tonight, and we all have to go out tomorrow night since you’re staying an extra day.”

Our next show was in Salt Lake in two days, and since Vegas was so close, we were staying an extra night after the festival in Vegas instead of spending the night in Salt Lake. Jax’s idea, probably. The roadies had already been sent ahead to set up.

“She can’t get enough of me,” Bash said, tugging Cassie close again.

Jax pretended to gag, and Tristan knocked him on the back of the head. Just like a normal on-the-road breakfast with my bandmates. Then I caught Josh’s eyes on me. There was something there that I didn’t want to acknowledge. No, who was I kidding? I wanted to acknowledge the hell out of it and that was a huge problem.

This annulment couldn’t happen fast enough.

Never drinking tequila again.

Never.

Chapter 5

JOSH

“Yougonnastareatall the moving bodies down there or join them?” Tristan asked the following night.

I turned to look at him and saw a glimmer in his eyes. He couldn’t know I was watching her, could he? No way.

Shit.

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