Page 196 of Rock Me All Night
Gavin stares back.
Drew speaks first. "Consider us even."
No comeback. Gavin nods. And that's it. Conflict big enough to break up a band settled. Men. Who can understand them?
A fan paws at Drew. A woman. She's in a tiny dress and she's teetering like she's drunk. She laughs, a loud obnoxious laugh. Definitely drunk.
"Oh my gawsh, I love Sinful Serenade. Will you sign something for me?" she begs.
Nope. Not watching this. I go to break Drew's grip. He squeezes harder, but I fight it enough to slip away. I cut through the crowd. Time to find a nice bottle of tequila and something to mix it with. That's the only way I'll survive watching this flirting disaster without vomiting.
The booze is in the corner, and there are half a dozen mixers. I fill a red plastic cup with plenty of tequila and plenty of orange juice. It's no Paloma, but it will get the job done.
"Oh, you better hope Drew isn't looking."
Fuck my life. That's Tom.
He's standing there with a blonde woman on his arm. This could be Drew. He could be the one about to take home a pretty girl and never speak to her again.
Tom turns to his conquest. "Meet at my car in five." He taps her ass and sends her on her way.
"That was a beautiful display of affection. Thank you for that." This drink can't fill my throat fast enough. I drink with greedy sips. Not great tequila. It burns.
Tom is unblinking. "You like Drew."
Time for another sip. Heat spreads through my cheeks and throat. "I don't know—"
"Yeah, you do." Tom points to Drew and the flirty fangirl. "You looked like you were gonna deck her right in the jaw."
"I don't hit people."
"Drew does." Tom looks at me. "When he was with Vivian. And then after, when he was fucking his way out of his bad mood."
"What are you talking about?"
"You want those details?" Tom leans closer. "You want to think about him fucking a different girl every night, driving them all insane with that look in his eyes that promises he'll love them?"
"Seems like I don't have a choice. You're doing a great job explaining it. Really evocative language."
"You like him a lot, huh?"
I finish the rest of my drink with one long gulp. "I should go."
"I want to help."
No, Tom doesn't help. Tom is only out for Tom.
I study his expression. It seems genuine.
"Why?" I ask. "You don't help anyone."
"That's not a very nice thing to say."
"You only care about yourself and what you think is best for the band."
He takes my plastic cup and pours me a refill. "This is what's best for the band. Drew's pleasant when you're around. Shows up to practice in a good mood. Doesn't argue that we need guitar solos in our singles."
"Is this supposed to be a compliment?" I take my drink from Tom and take a long sip. It's a lot stronger. At least Tom does something right.
