Page 72 of Heart of a Rebel

Cassie nods as her eyes get glassy. Sebastian must notice because he releases me and wraps his arms around her, and it makes me happy to see my brother happy.

I feel Adrian—smell him—before I even spot him walking up to me. He stops at my side, and I turn to avoid watching my brother make out with his girlfriend.

“Sorry for the circus that speech’s going to cause,” I say.

Adrian smirks. “Wouldn’t be a day at work if one of you wasn’t keeping me busy.”

His tone is laced with playfulness, and I feel like I’m finally starting to see behind the stressed band manager that is Adrian Hale. And it makes me wonder if a small part of him enjoys watching me make a mess.

“We’re taking off.” Sebastian slaps Adrian on the back of the shoulder before leaning in to give me a hug.

Cassie’s eyes dart between me and Adrian, and I wonder if she sees it—if any of them do.

It’s not like Adrian and I haven’t spent plenty of time alone together, especially given my current situation. But if the air is anything like the electric current I feel with him standing beside me, I wonder if they notice things have changed.

Would I mind?

If this could be real and I could fully embrace letting go of my reservations as I did up on stage?

I’m tempted to find out.

“We’re right behind you.” Adrian nods.

Sebastian and Cassie head in the direction of Noah and Merry, who are already walking out the door, while Rome weaves through the crowd and makes his way over to me. I’m surprised to see his arm empty, assuming at some point tonight he would have latched onto one of the ridiculously attractive women with eyes pinned in his direction.

“Strike out with an actress?” I nudge Rome’s arm with my own when he comes to a stop beside me.

“You know I didn’t.” He grins but then tucks his hands in his pockets and shrugs. “Just not feeling it.”

My eyebrows must shoot up on my forehead because Rome cracks up at whatever expression stains my face.

“Since when is Rome Moreno not feeling it?”

“Never,” Adrian answers before Rome can.

Rome shakes his head and dips his chin, running his fingers through his short hair, long enough now that it’s waving at the ends. His gaze moves back to me and instead of arguing with Adrian, he just shrugs.

Come to think of it, this isn’t the first time in recent weeks I’ve noticed Rome alone. Between him hanging out with the guys or playing cards with me on the tour bus, his usual interest in screwing whatever walks by is tapering. I don’t know whether I should be happy to see Rome not drowning himself in women or worried.

“That was some shit up there,” Rome says, his smile dropping.

I shrug a shoulder. “Didn’t really say much.”

“Doesn’t matter what you say, they’ll always want more.” He places a hand on my shoulder. “You don’t owe them a thing. But just admitting it, that shit’s brave. I hope you know that, El. Somewhere out there is someone who feels a little stronger because of you.”

“I hope so.” I swallow the lump in my throat.

“There is. I’m proud of you.” Rome’s expression darkens and he squeezes my shoulder. “Well, I’m out of here.”

“Really?” I quirk an eyebrow. “You’re actually leaving alone?”

“Miracles do happen.” He grins as he dips away.

And as I watch him disappear into the crowd, I hope he’s right.

26

Adrian

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