Page 29 of Madden

Chapter Nine

Madden

I’m beginning to wonder if Brielle is blowing me off.

I sent her a text a couple of hours ago asking if she was at work. She read it immediately but never responded.

My lip curls on the edge, resisting the urge to pull my phone out of my pocket to check it again.

“What’s the plan for tonight?” I ask, reclining on the sofa in our hotel room.

On nights like this, I hate being the lone wolf without a girlfriend. I miss the nights when the guys would hit up a nightclub or grab a beer with me.

Now they’re all locked down, and if I have any hope of getting out of here, away from their sorry asses and the reminder of how single I am, it’ll have to be on my own.

“We have an early morning tomorrow, so whatever you’re thinking, don’t overdo it because I’m not dragging your ass out of bed,” Kyla sneers, and I roll my eyes.

She’s the reason we keep our shit together these days. I guess I shouldn’t complain because I know what it’s like to be in her shoes. For years, I tried to keep Brix and Tysin in line. Of the three of us, I’m the only one with my head on semi-straight.

At least, that’s how it used to be.

Ever since I met Brielle, my mind hasn’t been able to stay away from anything but her.

When I found out we’d be in the city again doing press on our album Come Hell or Havoc, I was hopin’ I could sneak away from the guys for the night to see her.

Brielle: Yeah, about to head out of here soon, though. Why do you ask?

I press my lips together to fight off my smile. If the guys caught me, they’d grill me about why I’m grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.

Me: You free tonight? I’m in the city and was hoping to meet up for drinks.

The bubbles on the screen appear and disappear again. The longer I wait for her reply, the more nervous I get thinking she’s trying to find a way to get out of it. But then her response comes through.

Brielle: You are?

Brielle: Where?

I step out of the room and click on her name, dialing her number. She answers, her voice coming out breathy and sultry. I squeeze my eyes shut, my mind once again picturing her at her desk.

What is it about her in those sexy little dresses that makes me want to ravage her like an animal?

“You never told me you were coming to the city.”

“We’re only here for a couple of days.”

“I see,” she murmurs.

“I’m going to take off here in a few. I’ll be waiting outside for you in about twenty minutes.”

She’s quiet for a moment, and I picture the wheels turning in her mind.

“Don’t overthink it. We’re just friends, right? Two friends hanging out and eating some food.”

She giggles. “Is that right?”

“Of course. Why, what’s goin’ on in that dirty mind of yours?”

When her laughter picks up this time, I know I got her there.

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