Page 56 of Madden

Madden claps Brix on the back, and he turns toward us along with Tysin.

“Glad you finally showed up.” Brix bumps him on the shoulder.

Tysin lifts his beer and nods toward us.

“Brielle, good to see you again.” Brix smiles. “I want to thank you for the article too.” They both nod.

“Yeah, thank you. It turned out great,” Tysin adds.

It’s hard not to think about the last time I was here and overheard their conversation with Madden when they didn’t realize I was nearby.

“Absolutely, I enjoyed sitting down with you guys and writing it. Good to see you both again, too.” I slip my hand around Madden’s arm, leaning into him. “Congratulations to you on another kick-ass album.”

Their faces seem to relax some then, and they thank me. The words I’ve been waiting to say are on the tip of my tongue. Even though I’d be less nervous with a drink in me, I want to get it out so I can stop stressing over it.

“I know you weren’t exactly thrilled when you heard about Madden and me getting close,” I blurt out, and Madden stiffens next to me. “I’ll admit, I don’t think either of us thought anything would come of it after our first introduction.”

Madden pulls me into his side, leaning into my ear to say, “What happened to us not talking about it anymore?”

His reaction earns a smile from Brix and Tysin.

“I can assure you, though, that I’m not here to get on his good side only to hurt him later, or any of you for that matter.”

Brix studies me intently, and Tysin takes another long pull of his beer.

“What I’m trying to say is, he doesn’t have to suck up to me and he’s certainly not sleeping with the enemy either. I’d like to leave our first impressions in the past. Can we agree on that?”

Madden interjects. “They’ll have to whether they like it or not.”

“I’m still surprised he didn’t hurt me after he caught me with Kyla. I don’t need to add another reason to his list.” Tysin reaches his hand out to Madden, who’s staring at him deadpanned.

“Don’t forget it either.” He cracks a smile, clapping each of them on the shoulder, and pulls them in for a hug before turning to me.

“All we care about is you do right by him. It’s about time he found someone who makes him happy.”

Madden puts his arm around me, pulling me into his side. Kyla and Ivy appear behind them, along with a server carrying a tray of shots.

“You’re here,” Kyla sings, glancing between the two of us, before she pulls me into her arms for a hug. Ivy is right behind her.

“Has anyone told you that your legs look killer in that fuckin’ dress?” Ivy asks.

Madden grumbles under his breath next to us, something that sounded like, “Don’t fuckin’ remind me.” We both snicker, but he stands there stoically, watching the exchange.

I’ve only talked to Kyla and Ivy a few times since the interview when I’ve been on a video call with Madden and they were nearby. Ivy and I bonded briefly over our shared history, with her career writing for Mayhem Magazine.

Kyla and Ivy take two shots from the tray, handing them over to Brix and Tysin.

“We got shots for you, too.” Ivy lifts her hand to signal to the server for two more.

Lord knows I need a little something to help me loosen up a bit.

Layken sits at one of the high-top tables, leaning against the wall, holding what looks like a shot glass of lemonade. Trey’s too captivated by his fiancée, burying his face in her neck.

We each take a shot glass, and Brix raises his hand in a toast before we throw them back.

A few other bands are here to show support for A Rebels Havoc. One of them is High Octane, who they’ve played with before.

“You think it’s alright for two friends to dance?” Madden asks, slipping his arms around my waist, his warm breath sending a chill down my spine when he leans in close to my ear.

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