and let you go.”
I frown, unsure how I feel about his answer. “But you decided to get something out of it instead?”
He gives a stiff half-shrug. “That was part of the reason.”
“What was the other part?”
He rubs his lips together, studying me. “Because I—we—wanted to keep you around.”
“You sound just like East,” I tell him. “But, why would you guys want to keep me back then? You didn’t even know me.”
He merely shrugs. “I had a feeling from the second I laid eyes on you that there was something different about you.”
“Because I wasn’t human probably, but you didn’t know what,” I state.
“No, it wasn’t that.” He picks up his drink again, rounds the bar, and stops in front of me. “It was because you were the creature from my curse, and I think my magic realized that, even if I, myself, couldn’t quite place why I felt a connection to you.”
I angle my head to the side. “You felt a connection to me?”
He nods, reaching out and brushing a strand of hair out of my face. “Did you not feel it, too?”
I want to be able to nod, but the truth is … “Not really. But I wasn’t aware that I had magic either.”
He sucks on his lip ring with a contemplative look on his face. “What did you think of me the first time you met me?”
“Do you really want me to answer that?” I ask warily.
He nods. “Yep. I’m curious.”
“Okay then.” I blow out a breath. “Well, the first thing I thought was that you were gorgeous. Like really, really gorgeous,” I say, and he starts to grin. “But then you opened your mouth and I just thought you were a cocky asshole.”
His smile fades a little. “You know I didn’t mean that top-shelf quality remark, right?”
I shrug. “I know that now.”
“What top-shelf remark?” Maxton wonders, causing Asher and I to jolt. I think we almost forgot he was there—he’s so quiet.
“Oh, you know, when I first met Asher, he thought I was an aftershow woman and told me that I definitely wasn’t top-shelf quality and to go find another band that had lower standards,” I explain, sneaking Asher a joking grin.
Maxton elevates a brow at Asher. “You said that to her?”
“I didn’t mean it,” Asher grimaces then downs like half his drink. “She just caught me off guard. Because I felt like I knew her or something, yet I couldn’t figure out why. And I regretted it the moment I said it.”
“You didn’t seem like it,” I say.
“I don’t seem like a lot of things,” he tells me.
“True,” I agree.
He takes another long sip of his drink. “And why do you think I asked you your age then told you to come back to the vehicle after the fire was taken care of?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. You said it was for entertainment.”
“And it was.” Flicking a glance at his brother, he fixes his gaze on me and steps toward me, lowering his voice. “I wanted to do something pretty similar to what I just did to you a few minutes ago.”
I smash my lips together as my heart hammers in my chest, and his lips twitch upward into an arrogant smile.
“Well, it probably wouldn’t have worked out in your favor then,” I manage to say.
His expression softens. “I know.” He touches a strand of my hair again, this time raveling it around his finger. “I had to earn your trust first.”
“Well, that and I thought I was still cursed.” I pause. “Which I still think I am, unless that’s changed?” I leave the silent question hanging out there.
Asher’s gaze strays to Maxton, and so does mine. Maxton looks from me to Asher and they trade a weird look.
“Oh my gods,” I groan, my head bobbing. “Will someone, please, for the love of gods, tell me how we’re supposed to break this curse, because it’s driving me mad.”
Asher’s lips part. “Not yet. I want everyone to be here when we—”
I place my hand over his mouth. “Nope. I don’t want to hear any more excuses.” I lower my hand from his mouth. “You can either tell me now, or I’m gonna go steal myself a crystal ball.”
“I …” He struggles for words, which is super weird. “I can’t just talk to you without everyone else.”
I fold my arms across my chest and stare him down. “Why not?”
He hesitates. “Because … It’s not just for me to tell you.”
“Okay then.” I back toward the door.
He narrows his