Page 16 of Madden

Chapter Five

Madden

“You mind tellin’ me what the hell is goin’ on out there?” Tysin asks, stalking into the back room at Whiskey Barrel. “I can’t believe you invited her here tonight.”

“What do you mean you can’t believe it? She’s in town to interview us about our album. We got off on a bad foot yesterday, and it’s our fault we started late. She needs pictures for the article, so I figured she could come get some live shots of us playing.”

I twist off the cap of my beer, feeling the intensity of his gaze burning into me.

I should’ve known they’d be on me for inviting her. I didn’t expect her to show up alone. I wasn’t going to be a dick to her, leaving her to sit by herself. So I offered for her to join us and introduced her to the girls.

“Don’t act like I don’t notice what you’re doing.” He narrows his eyes.

He has a lot of fuckin’ nerve questioning me when he was hooking up with my sister behind my back.

“I’m sorry, you have a problem with what I’m doing?” I slam my bottle down on the table and pick up my drumsticks, flipping and twisting them in my fingers.

His nostrils flare, and he shakes his head.

“Yeah, I thought so.” I smirk.

I couldn’t believe they had kept their relationship a secret for as long as they had. I didn’t see through their hatred toward each other to mean there were unresolved feelings between them.

Hell, I thought she despised him after he made a bet with Brix.

I felt stupid when I realized there was so much more I didn’t know. I guess I could say the same for Tysin too, though.

We’ve both moved on, and they’re as happy as ever. It’s still weird as fuck to watch them together, but all I care about is that he treats Kyla right.

“We both know we can’t afford more bullshit to be spewed about us in the media, okay? Like I said, shit got off on a bad foot with her yesterday, and I’m trying to make it right. Smooth it over. I figured if I came in, sweet-talked her a little, then maybe she would leave out the fact I yelled at her for being in my house like she broke in or some shit.”

Tysin shakes his head, trying not to laugh.

Yeah, the guys had a good chuckle when they found out what happened. It’s been stressful as hell lately, with our album dropping soon. Hanna stopped by after practice and helped me relieve a little tension.

Nothing is going on between us, but we’ve been hanging out more over the past few weeks. She’s been coming to our shows for years.

It’s nothing serious; she knows the score between us. She’ll drop by my place, and we’ll fuck around. We’ve never gone on a date, and she never stays over. It’s just easy.

Although, if I’m being honest, I can’t deny the immediate spark and tension I felt after being around Brielle for even twenty minutes. Not only is she beautiful, but damn if I didn’t love her smart mouth. The attraction and pull are unlike anything I’ve ever felt.

I’ve been so focused on our music over the years I haven’t let myself think about a relationship. Watching all my friends fall in love, get engaged, and start families has me feeling like I’m behind.

“That’s all this is, then? You’re just trying to get on her good side to make sure she doesn’t write anything bad about us?”

I avoid looking at him, picking up my beer and downing the rest. We’re about to go on stage, and I’m entirely too sober for this conversation.

“Yep,” I reply curtly.

He nods slowly, clearly not buying it. I don’t care, though, because he’ll have to take it.

“Let’s get goin’. We need to get on stage.” I stalk out of the back room toward where our stage overlooks the packed crowd.

Standing off to the side, near the doorway, is Hanna. She’s leaning against the wall, her arms crossed, waiting for me to come out.

When she spots me, she pushes off the wall and saunters toward me, her eyes lighting up.

“I was hopin’ to catch you before you went on.” She smiles, moving to stand against my side.

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