Page 91 of Hard Rock Muse
“Just…” I waved my hand around, indicating the members of Cherry Lips still squabbling with each other. “I missed this.”
Seth heard us talking and jumped in.
“You miss fighting with me and Julian over set lists?” he grinned.
“I mean everything about it,” I replied. “When you’re in a band you’re not just friends. You’re not just coworkers. You’re more than that.”
Seth and Julian turned thoughtful and nodded.
“You’re right,” Seth said. “We’re family.”
Tears stung the back of my eyes as my heart ached with nostalgia.
“Yeah,” I said. “Family.”
The discussion over the acoustic set wound down without a resolution. Everyone had gotten tired of talking around themselves in circles. Becca and Jessie came back to the group.
“Sorry, gorgeous,” Nathan told Becca. He pulled her into his lap and she perched on his knee. “Didn’t mean to ignore you.”
“It’s okay,” Becca said with a quick kiss on his lips. “I know what you’re like when it comes to band stuff. I get it.”
“And that’s why I love you so much.”
Nathan pulled her down for a deeper kiss. She let him for a few moments before laughing and pushed him away with a shake of her head.
“Keep it PG-13 in front of the others, please?” she asked.
With the group together again, everyone had paired off into couples, except Seth.
“Poor Seth,” Gael said. “We’re going to have to get you a girlfriend.”
“Too bad you have no game,” Nathan teased.
“I’ve got game!” Seth protested. “Just watch, I’m going to go down to the dance floor and pick up some hottie right now.”
“I thought you wanted us to play a drinking game?” Liam said.
Seth looked torn, dithering back and forth.
“Why are you encouraging him like that?” Gael said. “I thought for once we’d get through a club night without throwing up.”
“My drinks aren’t that bad,” Seth said.
“Yes they are,” Cerise retorted. “And don’t lie, you make them that way on purpose.”
A sneaky smirk crossed his lips. “Would I do that?”
“Yes,” said every single person in the room.
“I don’t know,” I said teasingly, “I haven’t tried one of your drinks in a while. Maybe you’ve lost your touch.”
“I almost feel like that’s a challenge,” Seth said.
“Why are you encouraging him?” Gael wailed again.
“It’s okay, babe,” Jessie told him with a reassuring pat on his chest. “When you pass out again I’ll make sure you get home safe.”
“WhenI pass out?” Gael repeated, looking offended. “If I recall, I’m the one who dominated in that game against Cameron.”
