Page 2 of Tight End

And everyone in that audience felt it, too.

Dak and Aiden grab hold of my brother and pull him over to them, no doubt to talk his ear off about the recording contract we recently signed.

Allie nudges me hard when she sees a bleached blonde girl sidle up to Lane and press herself against him. “What a freaking viper. I didn’t think they let groupies back here. Isn’t this supposed to be a private room?”

I glance at her over my shoulder and grin down at Allie. “With tits like that, you can get access to pretty much anywhere.”

She lets out a sharp peal of laughter. “I didn’t think you paid attention to big boobies, B.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m gay, not blind. And yeah, they’re damn impressive. Good for him.”

Allie shakes her head. “He can totally do better.”

“Yeah, but right about now, I don’t think he wants better. I think he just wants a sure thing.”

“You’re gross.”

I shrug. “He’s got a lot to celebrate tonight. He deserves it.”

“And what about you? Who will you be celebrating with tonight?” She scans the room and not so inconspicuously points to a tall, dark-haired guy standing in a far corner. I shift and bring a hand to the back of my neck, holding his gaze for a second too long.

“You know I don’t like the PDA shit.”

“Yeah, but he’s hot. And definitely into you by the looks of it.”

The truth is, the other guys can fuck around without anyone raising eyebrows. I’m openly gay, but that doesn’t mean people want it thrown in their faces. So I try to be discreet about my hookups. It was especially hard before we signed with SoCal. I never liked to broadcast my sexuality because I’m the front man. And a gay front man is a hard sell, no matter how talented he is.

Fortunately, the public spoke, and after opening for a bunch of bands in sold-out clubs around LA, SoCal came calling and Davis cinched the deal for us.

I almost feel like I can be free.

Almost.

But something still holds me back.

As anyone in this industry knows, luck can be very fucking fleeting.

So I keep my private lifeprivate.

“I’m good. I’ve got you.” I put an arm around her shoulders and hug her close to my side. “This is really the only way I can hug you these days.”

“Are you actually making a crack about my weight? You know I’m pregnant and my emotions are fragile right now.”

I chuckle. “So sensitive.”

“You know, you’re lucky I?—”

She cries out and stumbles backward. Her hand reaches for me, clutching my jacket for balance.

Davis rushes back to us, his eyes wide with alarm. “What’s wrong?”

I snake an arm around her waist. “Al, what happened? Are you okay?”

Her face pales, all color draining from her cheeks. “I—I—” Then her eyes drop down to the pants she’s wearing. A large wet spot spreads across the fabric. “I think my water just broke.”

I look at Davis. “Shit. Is that bad? She’s not due yet. What does she need?”

Allie clings to Davis. “It’s too soon. I’m only thirty-seven weeks. She’s not supposed to be here now. Oh my God, Dr. Micelli isn’t here. I can’t do this. It’s too early.”

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