Page 22 of Slow Ride

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Jordan hadn’t had any intention of actually going backstage after the concert.Yet there he stood in the security line clutching his…no,Johnny’s…backstage pass in trembling fingers.

Did he really belong there?Probably not.

Was he going in anyway?After that final performance, where Kason Cox’s gaze had snagged his as he sang “Secret Love” and appeared to stare straight into his damned soul?Hell fucking yes.

The singer had magic, that was for sure.It was what made him a star.He could connect with millions of people around the world.He was capable of manipulating their emotions in the best possible way with his voice and the stories he told through his songs.

Maybe that’s all that had happened tonight.It could be that Kason had moved Jordan with those lyrics about a love so strong and forbidden that you didn’t dare share it, not even with the person it was meant for.But to Jordan, it had seemed like so much more.

He hadn’t felt that kind of attraction—like he’d met and recognized a kindred spirit—since the life had poured out of Johnny onto the dirt floor of that warehouse masquerading as a corrugated metal barn in the middle of nowhere where the ambush had gone down.

Jordan thought about stepping out of line and continuing his trek up to the lake about a thousand times in the fifteen minutes it took to make it to the security team, who were vetting the people at the entrance to the after party.In the end, he simply couldn’t.

It had been a long five years of living alone, of feeling like no one else could understand his anguish.Long enough that he wanted to at least talk to Kason now that he’d realized the other guy just might get him.

If he didn’t take this chance, he knew for certain—since it had happened to him before—that he would regret it for the rest of his life.

When he saw the crush predominantly composed of flashy young women covered in sequins, with glossy lips, and big hair, he realized he was probably crazy.He could use a stiff drink if he was going to investigate any further.But as he pushed deeper into the throng, he realized there wasn’t a bar anywhere backstage.

He’d just about given up any hope of actually seeing Kason himself when a roar went through the gathering.So he followed the shouts and whistles, assuming Kason would be at the center of attention.Fortunately, the crowd kept growing louder as he plunged deeper into it.

The very last thing he expected to see as he rounded a corner was his beautiful Wren caught up in Kason Cox’s arms while they attempted to suck each other’s faces off.If anything could have made the man more attractive to Jordan than the moment they’d shared earlier, that was it.

“Wren!”he shouted without thinking as he tried to part the gawking throng and get closer.For a better look or maybe out of some crazy notion that she would welcome him into their circle with open arms.

If he’d thought about it for a half second, he would have realized how foolish that was.

She wasn’t his anymore.

Never had been, really.She’d been Johnny’s, and he’d elected to share her with Jordan.

None of that mattered to his instincts.They shut down his rational thoughts and drove him forward.

“Wren, is that you?”he yelled again.This time he was close enough to realize that soon she and Kason were going to need a room or risk being indecent right there in the middle of the backstage party.Maybe that’s what celebrities did.He wouldn’t mind staying to watch.By the way Wren froze when she finally heard his voice, she probably wouldn’t approve.

“What the hell are you doing?”A familiar woman drew his attention by calling, “Jordan!”

“Devra, hey.”He tried to brush past her but found the way blocked by several of the women he recognized from his visits to the Hot Rods garage as well as Devra’s wedding.“Nice to see you ladies again.”

He peered around Nola, trying not to let Wren and Kason out of his sight.

“Jordan, please.I know you love Wren.”Sabra tried to make him be sensible.“Don’t ruin this for her.She’s happy.She spent the whole night singing along, dancing, and…smiling.”

“I’d say that if you upset her, I’ll put my boot up your ass.But…” Mustang Sally whipped her long thick black braid over her shoulder.“I think she’s about to come do the honors herself.”

“If you want to change your mind and leave, we’ll slow her down so you can go without making any more of a scene.”Devra put her hand on Jordan’s forearm.“I’m trying to help you like you helped me.”

“If you want to do that, let me talk to her.To them.”Jordan flicked his gaze from Wren, who was indeed marching straight toward them, to Kason.Devra winced but stepped aside.

“Thanks, squad, but I’ve got this.”Wren flashed a tight, not-very-reassuring smile at her friends, then spun to face Jordan.

He probably should have said something profound or at least apologized.Instead, the thing that tumbled out of his mouth was, “You’re wearing a dress.”

Immediately, she blushed.If he knew Wren, and damn he did, that would only piss her off more.Her eyes turned icy in an instant.He hadn’t meant it as an accusation.It had startled him, that’s all.He hadn’t stalked her or anything, but especially lately—now that they had mutual acquaintances—he’d caught enough glimpses of her to realize that she’d reverted to her old habits after Johnny had died.

If it was Kason who was thawing her again and making her feel confident enough—as Johnny had before Kason—to dress like this, that was a good thing.

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