Page 64 of More Than a Spark

He brushed his finger pads down my cheek. “Yeah, okay.” He planted a quick kiss on my lips. “What are we going to do today?”

I sat up and shrugged. “I don’t know, go to the mall?” I chuckled. We hadn’t done that since we were in high school.

“An indoor mall? It’s going to be hot as fuck today.” He rose up to sit beside me.

“Of course.” I ruffled his hair.

He offered a wide smile. “It’s settled then. And tonight, I hope you wear a really hot outfit for the show.”

“Maybe I’ll find something interesting at the mall.” I waggled my brows at him. We’d go off and spend the day together and forget about all this other nonsense.

* * *

I adjustedmy pink-sequined crop top and grabbed Ryder’s hand as we followed Caleb in through the back hallway of the casino. I’d opted for a pair of tight-fitting jean shorts, after Ryder had copped a boner when I’d tried them on in the store today. “How big is this place again?”

Caleb pushed a cart with gear on it, including my keys. “Huge, like a small stadium, or so Gabe says.” He swiveled his head to look in Gabe’s direction, walking next to Jeremy while Jeremy pushed another cart.

“Yep, they said it seats about fourteen-hundred people.” Gabe kissed the back of Jeremy’s hand and smiled at him. “There’s a bar on the main floor and theater seating up above,” he said. “Our first all-ages show.”

“Cool.” Axel jogged up next to me, his guitar case swinging from his hand. “All I know is this is the biggest paycheck we’ve gotten yet.”

“Yeah, we keep this up and maybe we can find a bigger band house.” Silas smirked at me.

“No fucking way. The place you all are in is a part of our history now.” Axel glared at Silas.

With a poke in Axel’s back, Silas said, “So was that beat up leather couch, but we got rid of it when Jeremy moved in.”

Gabe rolled his eyes. “Maybe if you both hadn’t put cum stains on the thing…”

“What?” With a growing smile, Ryder arched a brow at me.

I huffed a breath. “We had this old leather sectional that Axel’s parents gave us when we moved in together, shit, I think it was sophomore year for me.” I glanced at Axel, giving me a knowing grin. “We had a deal that no one was supposed to getsexyon it, but of course Axel and Silas did it anyways.”

“And Silas got caught on camera.” Axel barked out a laugh and pushed Silas.

Silas stumbled and threw a glare at Axel. “How was I supposed to know fucking mobsters were outside taking pictures of us to blackmail Gabe’s father with?”

Halting, Ryder dropped his mouth open. “What the hell has been going on with you all? I knew about the shooting, but mobsters?” He started walking again, shaking his head.

“That’s how I met Gabe. His father hired me to be his bodyguard when the mob was threatening his family and his father’s firm.” Jeremy shook his head once. “And I don’t think I lasted more than a few days before we kissed.”

“Yeah, because I’m that irresistible.” Gabe laughed, dipping his head.

“Well, I’m really glad nobody got to Milo before I moved home.” Ryder gave me a warm grin.

“Milo was always off on his own. We never knew where he was half the time.” Axel stopped at a heavy metal door, then swung it open. “I think he was waiting for you, Ryder.” He ticked his brows.

“Yeah? Well, he did come up to see me a few times.” Ryder kissed my cheek, then pushed the cart into the room. “Holy shit. Look at this place.” He glanced upward.

“Holy shit is right.” Axel walked into the large, round room and whistled, planting his hands on his hips, and turning around.

“Oh my God.” Caleb left his cart just inside the door and scanned the room. “Dude, we’ve sort of made it if we’re playing a place like this, right?” He threw an arm around Axel and side-hugged him, a broad smile playing over his mouth.

“Damn right. I mean, for a cover band, this is amazing.” Axel beamed at me.

I let my gaze peruse the rows of seats on the second floor, like movie theater seating, then the main floor, the round tables with black tablecloths set up across it in front of an oval, raised stage and a backdrop of red curtains. One long bar was tucked against the walls on each side of the stage. “H-how do they know if someone is underage in here?” The place was going to be a madhouse later, judging by our past gigs.

“I think they check IDs at the door and give out wristbands to the people who are old enough to drink.” Gabe followed Jeremy to the stage. “Come on, we need to get this shit set up, so we can meet the rest of the band wives in the green room for dinner.”

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