Page 17 of Madden

She runs her hand over my chest, and I nod, anxious for the first time, hoping no one spots us together.

I’ve never cared if my hookups saw me out, talking to other women, or even knowing if I took someone home with me. Hanna is one of the few people I’ve hooked up with more than once, but now that she’s here and touching me, I’m hyperaware about Brielle being across the room and possibly seeing us.

It's not like she hasn’t seen Hanna already, considering she was standing outside the room when she walked out after.

I don’t want Brielle to get the wrong idea, though, and think anything more is between us.

“What’s up?” I ask, twisting my baseball cap around on my head.

She drags her teeth across her lip, watching me, and I clench my jaw. I know the look, and I can only imagine what she’s thinking in that dirty fuckin’ mind of hers.

She rubs her breast against my arm, fluttering her long lashes at me.

“You doin’ anything after your show tonight?”

“I’m not sure,” I say, trying to sound noncommittal.

There’s no way anything will happen with Brielle, but I can’t lie and say the thought hasn’t crossed my mind. It’s just too damn bad she’s enemy number one.

Even if she’s attracted to me too, and we gave in to see where it could go, I’d never be able to fully trust her.

I’ve seen how people in the industry like her will do anything they can for a chance to make a quick buck, even if it fucks over celebrities. Whatever they gotta do to get clicks and attention, the more they’ll have to line their pockets.

It’s too bad, though, because, damn, I’d love to get my hands on her and crack her perfectly crafted exterior.

The thought of her on her knees, staring up at me, with tears streaming down her face while she sucks my dick into her sweet little mouth, makes my knees weak.

“Maybe, if you’re up for it, I could stop by your place when you get home, and we can hang out for a bit.”

She emphasizes the words “hang out,” and we both know exactly what she means.

I nod. “I’ll let you know, okay? I’ve gotta get goin’.”

I spot Brix taking the stage, trying to catch Trey’s and Tysin’s attention to get their asses up here with us.

My eyes flick over to where Brielle sits with the girls at a table. Abel stands nearby, making sure no one bothers them.

A slow smile stretches across my face when I spot her looking over at us. She appears to be chatting with Ivy. Layken sits across from them with Kyla.

Trey and Layken just announced their engagement online earlier today. She’s getting to be far along in her pregnancy. Only a couple more months or so and their daughter will be here.

Trey has been on high alert all night, making sure everyone keeps their distance and no one messes with her. The only way he chilled out about having her here tonight was knowing Abel would be by her side.

I can’t say I blame him, though. It’s packed, with people standing shoulder to shoulder, trying to get close to the stage. I wouldn’t want my girl, carrying my baby, left without someone lookin’ out for her, either.

Brielle’s eyes connect with mine from across the room. She presses her lips together to fight off her grin when she catches me watching her.

I step behind my drum set and hold my sticks above my head, spinning them around my fingers.

“Are you ready to get this fuckin’ party started?” Brix growls into the mic, and I take a seat on my stool.

I kick us off on the drums. With lights beaming down on me, I close my eyes and let the music take control, beating with every ounce of energy I have in me. I swear, nothing feels more right than sitting behind my drum set playing music.

It’s been a form of therapy for me lately. Some days, when shit has gotten so stressful and out of hand, I’ll sit down and play until I have nothing left.

We don’t play a full set, only a few of our new songs and a couple of our old fan favorites. No matter where life takes us, I’ll always love coming back here and playing at Whiskey Barrel.

It grounds us to remember where it all began. I love going out on the road, playing in massive venues we thought would only be a dream growing up. Hell, my entire life, my dad liked to tell me my music would never get me anywhere, and it’s not something I’ll ever forget.

---