Page 54 of Snared

I couldn’t protest because he was right, and that’s why I was a fantastic manager, thank you very much. I kept it real.

Tristan winked at Bash. “It makes him feel better to think the fans are there just for him.”

“I’m the face of Steelwolf, kids. And it’s a beautiful one, right?” Jax preened.

Tristan shook his head. “Always has to have the last word.”

“I don’t see you disagreeing with my last statement,” Jax said.

Then he turned toward Charlie.

“See? Banter. I’m good at it,” he said.

“Witty, Ellie. It’s supposed to be witty banter,” Charlie replied.

I burst out laughing, and all four of them looked at me like I’d grown two heads.

Watching the movie this morning with Charlie had been the breath of fresh air I hadn’t known I needed. My chest warmed at the thought of her enjoying something that meant so much to me.

And I still couldn’t take my eyes off Charlie as she laughed with the rest of the guys, but I didn’t miss the side-eye Tristan gave me.

Chapter 11

CHARLIE

Theimpromptumoviemorningwith Josh had been nice. Unexpected, but nice. He’d been sweet and charming, and I had no idea how to handle him like that. It stupidly made him extra attractive.

I’d enjoyed the film, but being that close to Josh, laughing with him? I wasn’t sure I was ready to explore those feelings. He wasn’t supposed to be kind and funny, and it was messing with my view of him. Which made him even hotter. Yep, that was a problem.

“Fine. We’ll get breakfast at your place. We could do room service at the hotel, you know,” Bash said.

“I cannot wait for a hotel room to myself without you guys all over the place. Four days of a nice big bed by myself. No more tiny bunk.” I grinned at the thought.

“Hey, we’re not that bad,” Jax said.

“Actually…” Josh started, the tone of his voice drawing my attention.

“What? You forget to book our rooms or something? I know you’re not used to all the menial tasks tour managers do, but I’m not sleeping on the bus for four days while we’re in LA because of another screwup,” Bash said.

“We can room with CH. How many bedrooms do you have again?” Jax asked.

“Three. And no, I booked your rooms, but I canceled Charlie’s.” He hesitated slightly on my name.

“Excuse me?” I asked. “Why the hell would you do that?” I knew what he was probably going to say and dreaded it.

“The guys are at a hotel, but I’m obviously staying at my condo, so you are too,” Josh said.

“Dammit.” I hated that it made sense.

“We have to keep up appearances, remember? How weird would it look if my wife didn’t stay in my home while we’re in LA?”

“He’s not wrong,” Bash said. “Don’t glare at me. He’s not.”

“I get it—I don’t like it, but I get it,” I said, resigned.

“I have an extra bedroom, Charlie. It’s not like we’re sharing a room. And my condo is very spacious,” he said. “Besides, we’ll be doing lots of press, some sound checks, and two shows, so we won’t be there that much.”

“Want us to stay there, too? Like an all-band sleepover? Tris and Bash can sleep on air mattresses and Josh’ll take the couch so I can have his bed, obviously,” Jax said.

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