Page 38 of Volatile

I got up to tell Austin we needed to find another place when hazel eyes met mine. Speak of the fucking devil. He still wore his getup. Something he’d taken to doing. Fans loved to photograph him out after the show in the costumes. He carried himself like a prince holding court. Sweeping through the club like he owned it. The newfound confidence was hot as hell.

I sneered, downing the drink I had. I didn’t object when they formed around me, taking the vacant seats at the high top to merge with the group. Aspen’s hair fell in his eyes as he laughed, and his gaze flickered in my direction. He wanted to know if it was working.

Could he tell it was?

Could he read me so easily?

He chewed his lip, fighting a smile. The fucker felt like he was winning, and he was, but that didn’t make me want to fight him any less. I don’t know what he was bringing out, but I would get control of it.

“Are you okay?” he asked while the others conversed over the loud music. He kept his tone soft and intimate.

“Perfect.”

“I didn’t see you after the show.” The glint in his eyes told me he enjoyed every second.

“Nope.”

“Why are you being so curt?” he asked, a little bit coy.

“You know.”

“Do I?” he pressed, pushing my buttons harder.

I scowled. “I’m good.”

“Maybe we need band couples’ therapy?”

“What are you getting out of this?” I demanded.

“Getting out of what?” he asked, still playing it off.

“Aspen!” A guy came up to him and started gushing over his costume. The guy was all over him, touching his shoulder and flirting while laying the compliments on thick.

“Who is that fuck?” I asked Kingsley when it hadn’t stopped after five minutes, much to the guy’s entire entourage getting more annoyed by the minute.

King laughed. “You really don’t know, do you?”

I shook my head. “I assume he’s famous because of groupies, but I don’t recognize him.”

“He’s Arthur Gold. He’s an actor,” Kingsley said like he had a bad taste in his mouth.

“And what’s his deal?”

“He’s gay and newly out. I don’t know. I don’t like him.” Kingsley shrugged and returned to his drink.

I tuned in to what the guy was saying to Aspen.

“I guess it’s just off-putting you haven’t said anything about your brother’s relationship, especially with how much of an influence you are right now. I really think you should be speaking out.” Arthur shrugged.

“He’s my brother.” Aspen frowned, drawing back.

“Still, those closest to us should be the ones telling us when we are wrong,” Arthur went on.

“I don’t think he’s wrong.”

“Seriously? They are like eight years apart. Gross.” He stuck his tongue out.

Kingsley balled his hands into fists, but I put a hand on his chest and shoved him back from the table. I needed a distraction from my hard-on.

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