Page 12 of Touch in the Dark

“We’ll talk about it with him and Jordan later, if we agree, she’s gonna have to suck it up.”

“Are you happy about it?” I hedge, looking at him out of the corner of my eye.

“Like you said,” he looks at me with a small frown. “It makes sense. What’s the look for?”

“Nothing,” I shrug.

For a second, he looks like he might question me further but he stops and focuses on the road. Arch loves Jenna, like the rest of us do. I know he doesn’t blame her for any decisions Adam makes. I’m pretty sure we all know Adam is making decisions based on her. I won’t begrudge him. Things haven’t been easy for any of us over the last ten years. Finding and maintaining a relationship has been impossible. He had it for a while with his ex, but its different with Jenna. It’s the real deal.

Losing my mom at an early, yet very much impressionable age taught me life is too short to not go after the things that make you happy. Maybe a few years back, if this happened, I might have been more concerned, but we are in a place where we don’t need to bust our balls to prove ourselves.

Arch has always been free and easy, going with the flow where women are concerned. Jordan had a revolving door to his bedroom, until recently. I’ve definitely not found anything even remotely long term over the last ten years.

Although… I shake my head. Nope, not going there. Not going to think of her gorgeous blue eyes and long, blond hair, her infectious laugh and carefree style. I fucked that up beyond repair anyway. I’ve ran in to her twice since we came to New York, she had a couple of short term gigs here and is still good friends with Jenna.

She is in L.A. doing her thing, probably not giving a second thought to the asshole who allowed her to think there was more going on between us. I didn’t even have the balls to talk to her about why I’d be a shitty excuse for a boyfriend. I’m better off sticking to my random, yet sporadic hook ups.

After Christmas, we’ll be leaving for what will essentially be a year long tour. I pity Adam just thinking about it. I’m better off alone, there is less chance of hurting people that way.

Chapter Four

“This is awesome,” Jordan says as he bounds down the stairs ahead of us.

He’s like an overexcited puppy. I have to admit he’s right. After spending five hours on this set getting dressed up and down and up again, they offered us the use of a hotel suite next door where we could get washed up and changed, ready for the party. They provided us with food and drinks and allowed us to take the clothes from the shoot. That isn’t new, we are often given designer clothes, belts, shoes, cologne, you name it, because seeing BreakNeck members in their products really got marketing execs going.

This particular shoot had us in Giorgio Armani classic tuxedos, perfect for the black-tie event we are heading to. Jordan is the only one who has kept the bow tie in place. The rest of us ditched those as soon as we could. I unbutton the top three buttons of my white dress shirt and Adam switches out the pointy black dress shoes for his boots. He is on his phone to Jenna as we walk to the car waiting for us outside the hotel. Not saying he can’t do anything without talking to her, but he can’t.

Arch rolls his eyes at me as Adam tells her we’ll be by to pick them up in ten minutes.

“Is Alessa with them?” Jordan asks, pulling the door to the limo open.

I happily barge past and get in before he can. If he wants to chat with Adam about their women, I don’t need to be involved in that. Arch has the same idea, and we leave them to their whipped ass conversation. I grab the vodka bottle from the mini bar and pour a couple of shot glasses, handing one to Arch before putting the bottle back.

“Hey, where’s mine?” Jordan slides in beside Arch.

“Bottles right there,” I point.

“The gentlemanly thing would have been to pour all of us a drink,” Jordan sniffs, but reaches for the bottle and two glasses.

Adam gets into the car and unbuttons his tux jacket, letting it fall around his hips as he spreads out on the seat. Jordan offers him a glass, he takes it with a nod of thanks. The car pulls away from the curb and I spot our security guys, Stone and DiMarco get into a car behind us. They’ve been at the shoot all afternoon, probably bored out of their minds.

“So how long are we expected to hang out at this party?” Adam asks, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m exhausted.”

“No one is forcing you,” Arch points out. He’s looking out of the window, not at anyone in the car.

Adam looks across at him then over to me when he sees Arch’s attention isn’t in the car with us. I shrug at him, telling him silently to let it go for now. Adam and Archer have been best friends forever. They knew each other before Jordan and I came on the scene in middle school. Maybe I should let Adam know I think there might be something up with Arch, he may be best to talk to him about it. It looks as if Adam is already realising Arch isn’t himself.

“Alessa is excited,” Jordan says, lifting one leg and resting his ankle on his knee. “She’s got a thing for Remi Molyneaux.”

Adam frowns at him. “That doesn’t bother you?”

“What? That she thinks the guy is hot and wants to lick him?” Jordan laughs. “Nah man, I’m secure in my relationship,” he sips his vodka. “Why, you think he’s gonna steal Jenna away?”

“He’d be more likely to want to lick you,” I point out making Jordan laugh and Adam scowl.

“Let’s face it bro,” Jordan looks back at Adam. “Jenna probably doesn’t even know who the fuck Remi Molyneaux is.”

“True,” he concedes, but still doesn’t look overly impressed.

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