Page 22 of Cadence
“I’m more of a giver than a receiver,” Eli says, shrugging off Beau’s teasing.
“He cried like a baby,” Beau whispers conspiratorially.
“Hey!” Eli gasps, slapping his arm playfully. “I cried like a man. Big, burly tears.” He glances at me, his grin lazy as I chuckle. “I like to inflict pain, not take it. Besides…” Grabbing the bottom of Beau’s shirt, he tugs it upward to reveal a chest covered in ink. “I’ve got him as my human canvas. Why would I need more than that?”
He leans forward, his hand slapping Beau’s stomach, fingers lingering over his abs for a beat too long, making Beau’s muscles flex. I don’t miss the way their eyes catch, Beau almost leaning into his touch.
“Dude,” Beau mutters as he yanks his shirt back and tucks it into the waistband of his apron, a faint blush appearing on his cheeks.
“What?” Eli says, holding his hands up. “They’re fucking hot. Let her see.”
Fighting back a smile at whateverthatwas, I take a bite of the warm croissant Beau brought over, the chocolate oozing from the middle, coating my tongue.
“So…” I say, brushing crumbs from my lap. “I know about you two, but what about Maddox?”
“What about him?” Beau asks as he leans on the back of a chair in front of him. “Eli and I work, while he writes the music.”
“That doesn’t seem fair,” I say, frowning. “No side job for him? Or does he just freelance as a grade-A dickhead?”
Eli grimaces, taking a long, pointed sip of his coffee. “Ouch.”
“I’d like to say he doesn’t usually act like that,” Beau says.
I quirk my eyebrow. “But…”
“But he’s gone through a lot lately. Just…don’t hold it against him.”
Crossing my arms, I settle back into my chair. “Like what?”
I don’t miss the way Eli’s eyes flick to Beau, or how his mouth pulls tight like he wants to say more but won’t.
“That’s not our story to tell, but honestly, Maddox works just as hard as we do,” Eli says instead. “His grandma? She left him a boatload of money when she died, and he’s put every penny toward the band.”
Beau nods. “He’s complicated, stubborn, dedicated as hell, especially now we’ve got the tour looming over our heads, so yeah, to say he’s stressed is probably an understatement.”
“We’re all stressed,” I mutter, playing with a flake of pastry on my plate. “Doesn’t mean you take it out on everyone else.”
“We know,” Beau adds quickly. “If you want, we can talk to him? Get him to back off?”
I shake my head. “It’s fine. I’m a big girl. I can fight my own battles.”
Reaching for my mug, I wrap my hand around the porcelain, letting the heat flood through my palms. It’s true; I can fend for myself, but I won’t let someone like Maddox Knox treat me like shit and expect me to lie down and take it. Not when all I got was a muttered apology when I walked back in and collected my sticks, which were halfway across the room.
“If he wants to throw a temper tantrum, that’s up to him, but I’m not letting it slide again,” I say, sipping my latte. “He gets this one. That’s it.”
“Damn.” Eli blows out a light whistle. “Remind me to never get on your bad side.”
“Smart choice.” I smirk from behind the lip of my mug.
Beau straightens, rubbing a hand absently over his chest. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, some of us have to get back to serving customers.”
Eli lifts his cup, giving it a light shake. “I’ll take another.”
“Fine,” Beau says, snatching it from him before turning back to the counter. “But you’re paying for it this time.”
Watching him go, a smile tugs at the corner of my mouth as Eli returns to sketching, his pencil gliding in slow, deliberate strokes across the page. I lean back, shifting my headphones over my ears again, counting out the beats as Sip Station’s music fills my ears, popping the last of my croissant into my mouth.
Maddox and his attitude can wait until tomorrow. Today? I’ve got caffeine, great music playing, and two bandmates who know how not to be dicks. And I’ll take that as a win.
