Page 9 of Something to Believe In
Cheers from everyone, especially Axel, filled the barn. Tony continued, "I put an ad out yesterday, and I'll be interviewing as soon as candidates come forward. It's about time, and we've earned it."
Maddyn nodded. She nudged Livia, who winked at her husband, then Maddyn's eyes landed on his. She had some magnetic pull to him. He found it impossible to look away. Gloria stepped up next to Maddyn, and his eyes moved to see her watching him. He felt his cheeks heat.
Taking another long pull off his beer, he turned to Jami and Tony and joined in their conversation. Jami turned to him. "We're trying to decide if we should take a break for a week, and all of us come back with a couple of songs written. At least, those of us who want to write. Or if we should nail down these two new songs Sean wrote first, then break."
Axel's stomach knotted at the thought of taking a break right now. "I think we should nail down these songs while the momentum is strong, then break."
Jami nodded. "I think so too."
Tony began pulling more drinks from the coolers and lining them up on the bar. Axel watched as Maddyn, Livia, and Gloria each accepted another drink. They chatted with each other, and Mads' smile made it difficult for him to look away.
The barn door opened, and his jaw dropped. Lacey strutted right into their sanctuary. They were all quiet. Surprised was the actual word. Or was it flabbergasted? It was flabbergasted.
Tony rushed around the bar and blocked Lacey from coming any closer. "I'm sorry, this is not a public place, and you are not allowed here."
"But I wanted to see Axel."
"No."
Axel stood frozen. None of his bandmates said a word as they watched Tony sidestep to stop Lacey from going around him. He held his hands out, trying not to touch her, but she was making it difficult.
Lacey grew agitated. "Axel, why won't you talk to me? I drove for hours today to see you." Her voice grew louder and higher in pitch.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Mads squirm in her seat, and Livia took a deep breath. They were getting uncomfortable, and he didn't want that.
He stepped out from behind the bar and slowly neared Lacey and Tony. Tony turned. "Stay back, Axel."
Axel shook his head. "Let me deal with her. No one else needs to deal with this."
Tony shook his head. "Neither should you."
Axel squared his shoulders. "It's okay."
Tony dropped his hands, and he dropped his gaze to Lacey. His jaw was tight, and so were his shoulders. This woman was becoming a pain in the ass.
"Go outside. Now." His words came out as a growl.
Lacey's eyes rounded as she stared at him. She actually seemed hesitant now. Did she want this reaction? It didn't matter; it was the reaction she was getting.
"I said now," he ordered.
Lacey turned toward the door and began moving toward it. Anger rose so quickly inside him that he was now shaking.
Lacey stepped through the door, and he followed her outside. She turned to him. "I don't want you to be angry."
"Then have some fucking respect for me and my fellow bandmates. We deserve our privacy. All of us, and this is private fucking property."
"But..."
"No!"
She straightened. Slowly, he let out a deep breath. She looked away as he stared at her. In the waning moonlight, he watched her tear up, and his defenses faltered.
His voice softened. "Go home, Lacey. Never do this again."
"I just wanted to talk to you. I'm such a big fan. I wanted to let you know, and I wanted..."
He shook his head. "Lacey, I appreciate that you're such a huge fan, but this isn't how you get my attention. Not like this. Never do this again."
