Page 18 of Fractured Trust

Fun? Had Eden really not felt the tension between her and Noah earlier? “Um, I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

Eden’s eyes sparkled. “Please come with us, Summer. I know things are a bit uncomfortable between you and Noah, but he’ll be up on stage. And it will do you good to get out and have some girl time. Plus, you’ll get to meet Lexie.”

“I don’t know Eden; I don’t think Noah will want me there.”

“I think what Noah does or doesn’t want would surprise you,” Eden said. “He likes to act like nothing bothers him, but there’s a lot going on behind that devil-may-care smile, and sometimes even I don’t know what he’s thinking. But I can guarantee you, if he didn’t want you there, he would have shut me down straight away when I mentioned inviting you.”

Summer bit her tongue. Noah hadn’t had any problem before letting her knowshe’dbothered him. “You told him you were going to invite me?”

“I threw the idea out there, and he had ample opportunity to say something. But he didn’t, so we’re all good. And anyway, you can’t let my brother dictate your life. You didn’t use to back when you were dating, you absolutely shouldn’t now that you’re not.” Eden grinned mischievously, her dimple flashing, the smile so like Noah’s that it made Summer reflexively smile back.

She shouldn’t really be considering it. Not after what had just happened. But Summer was suddenly desperate to go out and have fun. It had been too long. Since the divorce, she’d hardly been out. All of her old friends had been friends with Deacon as well, because he hadn’t really liked her going out on her own, preferring them to do things as a couple. Most of them had been friends through work too. Since Deacon’s dad owned the company, that meant that as things deteriorated between the two of them, invitations to hang out had dried up, leaving her feeling more alone than ever.

“Well… I guess it could be fun. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the guys play live.”

Eden smiled. “Excellent, it’s going to be great! I’ll come and pick you up, and we can drive in together.”

“Don’t you want to ride in with Tex?”

“He can catch a lift in with Noah. They practically live next door to each other.”

“Okay, that sounds good then. Thanks, Eden, I’m looking forward to it.”

Summer couldn’t stop a tremor of both excitement and trepidation shuddering through her. Noah had always been irresistible when he was in his element, playing the drums. Seeing him up there would bring back a lot of good memories, as well as serving as a reminder of everything that had torn them apart.

But this was her life now. He was in her life; even if only on the outskirts. With what had taken place before, she figured they’d both be more than happy to keep their distance. She’d just go along, have fun with Eden and Lexie, and then go home.

Chapter 9

By the time Friday eventually rolled around, anticipation coiled hotly in Summer’s belly. She didn’t know if it was excitement at finally getting a chance to have a night out with friends, or if some masochistic part of her was looking forward to seeing Noah play again. And frankly, she didn’t want to know. All she wanted was to go out, relax, and listen to great music.

When Summer left work that evening, she went home and showered, changing into black skinny jeans, ankle boots, and a clingy turquoise tank top. She curled her hair, brushed mascara on her lashes, and swiped on some lipstick. Gazing at her reflection, she twisted in front of the mirror, wondering if what she was wearing was okay. If she looked casual enough to not appear to have made too much of an effort, while still looking good. After all, if she had to see her ex-boyfriend killing it up on stage while women threw their panties at him, she wanted to look hot doing it.

Her phone beeped with a message from Eden, and Summer took one last look in the mirror, noting her flushed cheeks and too-bright eyes. She snagged her purse at the door, which she closed and locked behind her, then rushed downstairs. As she left the building, she slowed for a second when she realized Eden wasn’t driving her own car but was sitting in the back of a black chauffeured sedan. As she approached, the very large driver got out and came around to open her door for her. Summer smiled and thanked him before sliding in next to Eden, who looked gorgeous as always in a short, sparkly shift dress and knee-high boots.

“I thought you were planning to drive,” Summer said as the driver climbed back in, put the car in gear, and took off smoothly.

Eden laughed. “Tex worries too much. If I’m not riding with him, it makes him feel better to have someone with me.” She nodded at the front of the car. “Will is his favorite bodyguard.”

The big man in front met Summer’s eyes in the rear view mirror and gave her a nod.

Summer smiled and gave him a self-conscious wave. This whole famous rock star thing was completely foreign to her since Fractured had only just started to hit it big when she’d ended things with Noah. But she loved hearing about the relationship between Tex and Eden. The big, tattooed guitarist was obviously head over heels in love and wasn’t afraid to show it, which was super sweet. Their relationship was still new enough that she often caught Eden blushing when she spoke about her boyfriend. Like now, for example, when her cheeks tinted pink at talking about how protective Tex was.

But it also sent a pang through her because she couldn’t help but wonder what that would feel like, to be so happy. For something to feel so right. She’d thought she’d had that once, but she’d been mistaken. And then she’d made the mistake of tying herself to a man she wasn’t in love with—at least not initially anyway—and for all the wrong reasons. Familiar guilt wound its way through her chest, but she shoved it away. She’d taken steps to fix her mistakes. She only hoped eventually the regret would fade, and that Deacon would realize she’d done the right thing—for both of them.

And maybe, one day, if she were lucky, she’d meet someone who loved her as much as Tex loved Eden. Someone who she would love as much as she used to love Noah. Although having a failed marriage already at age twenty-nine didn’t help with her confidence. Neither did knowing she’d still have to contend with her insecurities.

God, now she was depressing herself. Summer gave herself an internal scolding. She was getting her life back on track, and she was going to face what fate had in store for her head on and try to have fun doing it.

When they got to the venue, Will drove them around to the back entrance, past the line of fans out the front, plenty of skimpily dressed women among the jeans and t-shirt-clad ones making her stomach cartwheel slowly with remembered anxiety. She reminded herself that it wasn’t something she had to worry about anymore.

When they got out of the car, a security guard opened the door for them, and they walked inside. An attractive blond-haired man who looked to be in his mid-thirties noticed their entrance and strolled over, smiling warmly at Eden, then holding his hand out to Summer. “Hi, you must be Summer. I’m Drew, Fractured’s manager.”

Giving his extended hand a shake, Summer smiled at him. “It’s nice to meet you.”

His eyes lingered on her with obvious curiosity, and Summer wondered if he knew her history with Fractured. Someone else had managed the band when she’d been with Noah, and she didn’t know how long ago Drew had replaced him.

Drew handed them both an Access All Areas pass, which Summer hung around her neck, then ushered them down a couple of corridors, finally leading them out to the secured area between the pit and the stage. Nodding to the security guards, he swung the gate open and waited for them to go through, then gestured to a petite, dark-haired woman standing to the side with a camera held up to her face. “Lexie’s over there. Have fun guys, I’ll see you after the show.” He gave them a grin, and Summer returned it before trailing after Eden.

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