Page 6 of Accidental Baby For My Brother’s Best Friend

Gemma

When Locke Kincaid joined the band, I knew he would be a problem. I had been their manager for about a year by then and he had a chip on his shoulder because he was older and more experienced and he didn’t like that I was the one that Jackson went to for advice about venues.

But Locke wasn’t a front man like Jackson or social media savvy like me. He was a bit of a wallflower, for the most part, although I’d heard some stories from the rest of the guys about how he had a certain way with women.

I wouldn’t put it past him to be a bit of a womanizer - with those soulful brown eyes and crooked grin, not to mention the fact that he’s tall and broad-shouldered - I shake my head outside the bathroom door, trying not to think about Locke anymore.

The whole reason I’m even thinking about him now is because I didn’t realize that he’d bethistype of problem. The way he’d looked rightat mewhile he licked that bartender’s neck…

I take in a deep breath and burst out the back doors into the fresh air. I don’t drink much while I’m working, so it isn’t the alcohol that’s making my head spin. I know that much. It’s not as if I’m jealous or anything, after all, I’ve never considered Locke as anything but a thorn in my side. Of course, I find him attractive, but I also find Axel and Samuel attractive. I’m a hot-blooded American female, after all, and I’m around musicians constantly and have been since I was barely eighteen.

I’d fielded my fair share of offers, and I’d gotten to a few bases before Jackson inevitably ruined everything. My brother told me from a young age that rockers couldn’t be trusted, and when I asked if that included him, he hadn’t thought that was very funny. Jackson wasn’t exactly a Casanova but he had his fair share of flings when we were teenagers. I don’t see much of it now, but I’m sure there’s a girl or two that rotates through his apartment that I don’t know about.

Axel has a different girl on his arm every night, so I’ve never expected totrustany of the musicians that I’ve been around in the last few years, but hell, don’t I deserve to have a life?

I’ll be twenty-two years old in a few months and I’m still a virgin, and honestly, it’s starting to bum me out a little. It’s not that I’m justthatattracted to Locke Kincaid, right? I’m just sexually frustrated. Anyone would be, being around all these attractive men and being nearly celibate.

Hell, I haven't even been kissed in almost a year, so ofcourse, I’m more affected than usual. Plus, Locke has never been flirty with me. He is Jackson’s best friend, after all, and so I am even more off-limits than I would be to another member.

What the hell kind of tequila does this bar serve to have him acting like this?

Luckily for me, the rest of the boys have already dispersed to wherever they are going and whatever trouble they are getting in, and the payment’s done and the show’s over, all the equipment loaded into the van that I’ll drive back to my place: usually, because I’m the only one sober.

I sit in the van for a long moment before starting it up, thinking of Locke’s intense brown eyes.It’s not him,I tell myself.It’s not him, it’s just that you’re becoming an old maid, Gem.

Jackson doesn’t realize that he really doesn’t have to worry so much. I’m not interested in falling for a musician and being like one of those groupies who follow them around making heart eyes and ignoring all other guys. I’m not interested in a relationship,period. I just want to have a little fun.

A girl’s got needs, after all.

Every time I’ve gotten close, my brother has butted in, either just watching me like a hawk or intimidating the hell out of the poor guy until he leaves me alone. I can’t believe no one has stood up to him, or at least tried sneaking around with me.

I find myself pouting in the van and I laugh at myself a little as I back out and head to my apartment.Chin up, I tell myself.You’ve got a plan.

Not just a plan. I have a front-row ticket to Jack and the Spades’ first national tour, and a million chances to finally find someone that my brother can’t intimidate. Failing that, Jackson will be busy.

I’ll just have to keep it a secret, won’t I?

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