Page 14 of Filthy Sweet

He lets out a gruff, short laugh. “Yeah. It does.” He turns to me and smiles, and warmth flows between us. “Thanks, Owen.”

I swallow. “Sure.”

“What are you up to now?”

“Just getting ready for work tomorrow. And trying to mentally erase the fact that there’s a humiliating picture of me going viral among the Seattle music industry.” I shrug. “Hiding in my apartment.”

Fox frowns, then brushes his thumb across his jaw, studying me.

I squirm. “What?” I ask.

“Hiding doesn’t work.”

“Hiding doesn’t work? What does that mean?”

He shrugs. “If you hide, you’ve already admitted defeat. Much better for people to see that you’re not ashamed. I learned that lesson a long time ago.”

I tilt my head to the side. “What are you saying? I should start texting the photo to people I know?”

Fox chuckles. “No texting. But you like waffles, right?”

“Sure. Who doesn’t like waffles?”

“Good.” He nods. “Let me get you breakfast.”

* * *

FOX

Maybe it’s a bad idea to invite Owen to visit Kissing Dirt with me. But I remember that he likes the band, and I’ve got this urge to do something nice for him, considering it’s my mess he’s caught up in.

It’s pretty fucking rare that someone looks at me the way he did, like he’s empathizing with me or something. Despite me claiming otherwise, Owen saw right away how shitty it was for me to have that picture out there, and instead of exploding at me for getting him wrapped up in it, he took the time to show he cared.

It might be a low bar for most people, but that does something for me.

I step out to the road and stick a couple fingers in the air to get us a car. Owen stands beside me, hands in his pockets. He’s got on a pair of denim shorts, paired with his Converse, a pale blue T-shirt, and a light gray jacket. His hair is combed, but he looks a little groggy, in an adorable kind of way.

That moment on the dance floor comes back. Something flared through me, and if Owen weren’t Reggie’s brother, I’d have gone for it. I’m usually into people who are a lot more jaded and worn down, like I am. People who are up for quick, dirty release. But there’s something really tempting about a guy like Owen, someone I’d have to work to unravel. I have no idea what he would be like in bed, but I bet he’s full of surprises.

My cock twitches, agreeing with me.

“Do you have a favorite waffle place?” Owen asks me. “Should we invite Reggie?”

A taxi pulls up, and I grab the door, holding it for him. “The waffles aren’t at a restaurant.” Owen slides in, and I follow after. “And no, we don’t need to invite Reggie.”

“Okay.” Owen buckles up while I give the driver our address. “Where’s breakfast, then?” he asks, confused.

“Kissing Dirt is working on new material at their rehearsal studio. Catering is bringing waffles, and I need to stop by.”

Owen’s mouth falls open. “Kissing Dirt?”

“You like them, right?”

“What?” he yelps, obviously excited.

I chuckle, very pleased with myself. “Cool.”

“But why would they want me there? If they’re working, I shouldn’t be there, should I?”

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