Page 31 of Aria

It was always a rush watching them play.

While Devon was my main attraction, I couldn’t help but fixate on Noah from time to time. He played his instrument with such passion—almost as if it were more of an erotic experience than a musical one. It was incredible to watch him hone his talent in front of the crowds. I stared at him, eyeing the sweat that escaped down his bronzed neck, soaking the collar of his t-shirt.

I swallowed. Then I shook my head and refocused my gaze on Devon who was riling up the crowd. The audience was eating it up, making my insides tingle with adrenaline.

Devon couldsing. He wasn’t a synthesized pop artist in a boy band—no, Devon Sawyer was the real deal. His voice was raw, his range incredible. Goosebumps puckered my skin every time he opened his mouth.

Much to the disappointment of the cheering crowd, the show wrapped up two hours later, and the four men skipped off the stage.

“We’re Freeze Frame! Goodnight!” Devon shouted, lifting his guitar into the air. The applause was resounding.

Pure magic.

When the men returned backstage, Devon grabbed me by the back of the head and planted a heated kiss on my lips. I pulled away, breathless. “You nailed it out there.”

Noah came sweeping in then, scooping me off my feet and crushing me in a tight hug. “That’s why they pay us the big bucks,” he murmured against my ear.

“Yuck, put me down… you’re all slimy,” I grimaced, hugging him back with a playful squeeze despite my protests.

Devon draped a towel over his shoulder and took me by the hand, tugging me away from the sweat-soaked guitarist. “We’re gonna hit the bars, babe. I’m feeling celebratory tonight. Want to join us?”

I shook my head. Late-night drinking shenanigans with Freeze Frame were always entertaining, but I was exhausted from all the traveling. “I’m pretty tired. Mind if I call it an early night?”

Noah approached us, snatching Devon’s towel to wipe his face. “Me too, Dev. I got no sleep last night.”

Devon’s eyes danced back and forth between us before he shrugged. “Knock yourselves out. You’re just going back to the hotel, then?”

Nodding, I cut my gaze to Noah. I was surprised he didn’t want to join the rest of the band, as Noah was usually the first to suggest a night of alcohol after a grueling show.

Noah flung the towel over his shoulder. “It’s better if you’re not on your own, anyway, Combs. I’ll call our driver and make sure you get back to your room in one piece.”

Combs.Noah had been calling me by my last name for the last few weeks, and it was sort of… endearing.

Devon gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “You sure you won’t change your mind? I can’t imagine spending any time with this asshole is going to be all that fulfilling.”

I leaned in, playfully. “I’ll make a clean break,” I said, planting a quick peck on his lips.

Devon kissed my nose, then my mouth, before letting go of my hand. “Get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Goodnight.”

I sighed, certain my eyes were full of dreamy adoration as I watched him go.

Noah snuck up beside me, holding out my jacket. “I’m beat. Let’s head out.”

* * *

Noah

Moments after we’d stepped out of the limo, a torrential rain poured down on us. I pulled off my leather coat and held it over Chelsie’s head as we sprinted toward the hotel entrance.

“Thanks,” she said, shaking the rain droplets from her hair while we hurried through the revolving doors.

Running my hands through my own drenched hair, I paused, taking a moment to catch my breath in the hotel lobby. “Is this weather bi-polar or what?”

“Good ol’ Chicago for you,” Chelsie smiled, then began walking ahead of me to a nearby elevator. “Well, thanks again for the makeshift umbrella. I’m going to turn in for the night.”

I followed. “I’ll walk you to your room,” I offered, pushing the button for the eighth floor. I wasn’t sure why I wasn’t ready to say goodnight just yet, but maybe it was the two beers I’d just washed down during the limo ride over.

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