Page 35 of Fractured Dreams

Tex’s phone vibrated in his pocket, and he pulled it out, checking the screen to see who was calling.

Noah.

He dropped Eden’s hand, and she turned to look at him, brows raised in query. He held up the phone so she could see who it was. Her eyes went big and flashed back up to his, a shadow of apprehension darkening them. “Are you going to answer it?”

“Yeah. He knows I’m staying with you Eden; he won’t think it’s strange we’re together.” She nodded, but the nervousness in her eyes didn’t disappear. “Keep going, I’ll catch up to you,” he said.

“Okay.” She turned and walked away from him, throwing a last glance over her shoulder as she approached another stall.

Tex swiped the screen to answer the call. “Hey man, how’s it going?”

“Took you long enough, I was about to hang up.”

“Believe it or not, I don’t spend my days clutching my phone to my chest hoping you’ll call.”

Noah snorted. “No, you just follow me on social media adding all my shirtless selfies to your spank bank.”

Tex laughed. “You got me, man. I’m still waiting on today’s one though. You’re overdue. Better whip your shirt off and start flexing for your fans. You know, me and that other guy.”

“Ha ha. I’ll have you know, I have well over fifteen million followers on Instagram.”

“No wonder you’re in two bands, it must cost a fortune paying all those people.”

Noah snorted again. “Alright, enough. I’m actually calling to check how things are going with Eden. Is she behaving for you?”

Tex’s eyes found Eden in the crowd, the sunlight glimmering in her long blonde hair, her smile flashing brightly as she laughed at something the stall owner was saying to her. “She’s being averygood girl for me,” he said, trying to keep the insinuation out of his tone, but unsure if he was successful. Unsure if he was even trying hard enough; whether he was actually hoping Noah would call him on it.

But Noah didn’t. “Where are you anyway? Sounds like you’re in a crowd.”

“Eden dragged me along to a farmers market.”

Noah laughed. “Should have guessed. Whatever man Eden ends up with better love those places too. I think she’d be there every weekend if she could.”

Tex merely grunted an affirmation, his eyes going back to Eden, who’d moved on to another stall and was bending down, patting the little dog belonging to the owner.

Noah’s voice was more serious when he asked, “You’ve got someone with you, haven’t you?”

“Yeah, Will’s along for the ride.”

“Good. I don’t want Eden getting trampled in the rush of fans trying to get to you. Those tweens can be deadly.”

Tex tried to keep his voice light as he answered, “C’mon man, you know it’s Zac that has the most tween fans. It’s those big, dreamy eyes of his. They’re irresistible to women of all ages.”

Noah laughed, but all Tex could think about was whether going to farmers markets with Eden on a regular basis would be something he’d be able to do without ruining it by being recognized. Wondering whether Eden would get sick of having to have a bodyguard trailing them if he did. Even now, Tex was trying to keep his head down as much as possible and not catch anyone’s eye. Being famous, being recognized, had never been something he’d particularly cared about before, it was part of the job. Hell, half the time it was something he enjoyed. But now, looking at Eden so happy and relaxed, he wondered how his lifestyle might affect her if this thing between them ended up lasting longer than when Noah got back.

He dragged his focus back to the conversation with Noah, trying to sound normal, not as if he was distracted by thoughts of the man’s sister and everything he might want from her, and the sudden unwelcome thought of everything he might not be able to give her.

Tex spoke to Noah for a few more minutes, mainly about how the Crossfire tour was going, before hanging up. For a second, he just stared at the black screen of his phone, wondering what the hell he was going to say to Noah about him and Eden when his friend got back. How he was going to justify what he’d done. What he was still doing—wanted to keep doing.

He frowned as he slipped the phone back into his pocket, then looked around for where Eden had got to. His gaze passed over a young couple who were staring intently in his direction. The man’s brow was wrinkled as if he were trying to place Tex, or as if he weren’t quite sure if he was seeing who he thought he was seeing. Tex’s eyes scanned down. The guy was wearing a Fractured tour T-shirt.

Fuck. Of all the goddam luck.

Tex pulled his cap down lower and turned away before he saw recognition light up the man’s face. He looked for Will, catching his bodyguard’s eye and gesturing with his chin in the direction he’d last seen Eden. Then, head down, he started making his way back toward where they’d left the car. Will would find Eden and meet him there.

Back at the car, Tex leaned against the driver’s door, jaw tense, knowing he was cutting Eden’s fun short, but not willing to risk being recognized. He spotted Will and Eden making their way toward him, Eden smiling warmly up at the big man, not seeming upset about her trip out ending early, and once again the spark in Tex’s chest flared, burning brighter.

Seeing her with that carefree smile on her face, his heart felt full. Dangerously full. He was already getting addicted to being around her. He shouldn’t be feeling that way so soon, especially not knowing what shit would hit the fan when Noah found out.

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