Page 61 of Snared

“Now that that’s cleared up, how about we play some music?” Cameron said, bouncing up from his chair. “That’s why we’re here, right? Maybe you guys can join us since you’re here too, obviously.”

“You okay to share the spotlight?” Jax asked.

“Like you share,” Cameron said with a chuckle.

“You’re one to talk, showboat,” Jax goaded.

“I know when you look in a mirror it’s usually not this sexy, but…” Cameron grinned as he twirled his drumsticks.

“All right, get your ass on stage already,” Josh said.

I was grateful the tension had faded, but I still wasn’t happy that Josh’s first reaction had been one of accusation. And that was why the marriage would end with our hearts intact when the tour was done. I would never fall for a guy who jumped to conclusions like that.

Josh spent the next hour being super attentive. We mingled with other artists and executives, his hand always touching me somewhere: my shoulders, the small of my back, my fingers as they laced with his.

I didn’t hate it.

I should have hated it.

It was both comforting and nerve-wracking. I felt like my body was a live wire with every touch, every caress.

I’d been dreading this party because this hadn’t been how I wanted to show up. I wanted to just be Charlie the drummer, not Charlie the band manager’s wife. The dynamic was screwed up, but it wasn’t as awful as I’d expected.

Sure, we’d gotten looks and pointed questions, but we’d kept up our ruse. So much so, that if he kissed me one more time behind my ear like he knew that was the spot that drove me mad, I was going to lose it.

“Need another one?” he asked against my cheek. I couldn’t look at him. I was too nervous that I’d see the need I felt matched in his eyes.

Or worse, that I wouldn’t see it.

Fucking hell.That wouldn’t be worse, I told myself.

“We’re going on soon, so I’ll wait,” I said, itching to get on stage and recenter myself, remind myself who I was and why I was here.

“So, what do you guys think? Best album of the year, right?” Aiden asked from the stage, drawing my attention to where it should be.

“Ah, it’s decent,” Jax yelled out.

“Fucker,” Cameron shot back, and the crowd laughed. The antics of Jax and Cameron were well-known.

“I guess since our BFFs, more commonly known as Steelwolf, took a break from their tour to be here tonight, we should get them up here to jam. What do you think?” Aiden asked, and the shouts of encouragement started immediately.

“Guess that’s my cue,” I said, stepping free of Josh and taking in a deep breath.

I headed toward the stage without waiting for Josh to respond.

Cameron stood up from behind his kit and gestured to me before looking out at the audience.

“Think I’ll give Charlie my seat for this one. You know, as a wedding present, of course. You may have heard she got hitched to Josh. Can you believe someone is willing to put up with him?” Cameron said, feigning shock, and I laughed.

“Maybe she’ll make him less grouchy,” Tristan said, slipping on his bass.

“We can only hope,” Bash said.

“All right, how about we play?” I chimed in, slipping onto the drummer’s stool.

“Oh no, is he going to make her grouchy?” Jax teased.

“If I’m grouchy, it’s because you’re annoying,” I teased back.

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