Page 10 of Aria

"Dude, don't be an ass," Devon said, his tone teetering between playful and aggravated.

I took a moment to glance around the room, findingLisa and Julia standing against the far wall, chatting with Miles, Tad, and the two blondes. I wondered how much of our public display of affection had been witnessed.My cheeks heated in response. "You know, it's fine," I said, rising to my feet and running my fingers through knotted hair."I should get going."

Devon stood up in protest, pulling me back to him with a flirty grin. “It’s still early.”

I untangled myself from his arms, despite my body screaming at me otherwise. It was difficult to get back in the mood with Noah the Asshole standing there glowering. "That's kind of the issue," I apologized. "It's, like, three in the morning."

Noah rolled back on his heels. "Let her go, Dev.Water Girl clearly has better things to do than hang out with the likes of you.”

My teeth clenched.He was really getting under my skin. "It’s Chelsie," I corrected.

Noah shrugged, amused. "Sure. Whatever you say, Charley."

I stepped over to him, arms crossed and eyes spitting fire."Mynameis Chelsie."

Noah leaned in closer until I felt his hot breath skimming my face. My resolve almost broke from his proximity—he was seriously invading my personal space and loving every minute of it.Refusing to back down, I glared up at him, daring him to say something.

"You're right. I'm sorry," Noah said, humor flickering in his eyes."Charley was last night's conquest.You know… Devon's girls all start bleeding together after a while."

His implication had barely processed when Devon grabbed Noah by the shirt collar and pushed him up against the wall.

"What the fuck is up with you, man?" Devon demanded.

I could only watch the scene unfold in silence because Noah's comment had rendered me speechless.His words had sucker-punched me right in the gut. Did I have the word “insecure” scrawled across my forehead in bold, red letters?

What did he have against me in the first place?Why would he want tohurtme?

The room was closing in on me and I had to get out of there.Storming over to the exit, I signaled Lisa and Julia to follow.We exited the lounge, just as Tad and Miles ran to break up the ensuing fight.

"What the hell happened in there?" Julia wondered. Her voice was shrill over the hip-hop song pulsating through the DJ’s speakers.

I tried to hide the sting of tears in my eyes as the we navigated our way out of the bar.I’d been naïve to think I wasspecial.

Maybe Noah was right. Maybe Devon was just a stereotypical rock star, after all.

Maybe I was doomed.

Lifting my chin, I forced a smile."Nothing. Just guys being guys."

CHAPTERTHREE

CHELSIE

Istrolled through my cozy apartment, humming to myself as I wandered into the kitchen to make a sandwich. Natural light filtered in through the lace drapes, a welcome contrast to my dismal mood. It had been a long week, and I hadn't had a Saturday to myself in a long time.I loved days when I had all the time in the world to relax and not have to worry about unsatisfied customers or my skeevy boss—honestly, I was content spending the afternoon with my cat, Misty, and catching up on reading.

It had taken years to get to this point after many brutal years of co-dependency. My life wasn't always the picture of serenity and independence people saw now… I had a lot of skeletons in my closet.But I’d pulled myself together and crawled out of that dark hole.

It was a good life; a simple life. A tiny studio apartment was all I could afford on a waitress’ salary, but it was enough. I surrounded myself with positive people, a steady job, and absolutelynomen.

That was important—I refused to regress back into the damaged and dependent girl I had once been.

“You’ll always be scared and weak, little girl.”

I shuddered, forcing away the memories of my past life.

It was probably for the best things had ended the way they had with Devon Sawyer.He would not have been a good influence on my life, considering rock stars were known for their excessive drinking, drug habits, and multiple women. I’d had enough experience with toxic men to last several lifetimes.

Devon was also a rockgod. He wasn't just an average, struggling musician playing at coffee houses and music festivals.Devon Sawyer was a household name. He toured the world and enticed women to throw their underwear at him on stage.

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