Claiming Her Beasts (Claiming Her Beasts #1) - Dia Cole Page 0,7

all, I’d never make enough money through music to keep the woman I loved from selling her body on stage every night.

I tightened my fingers around my phone as the familiar feelings of frustration and shame washed over me. What kind of man doesn’t help support his family?

I imagined I could hear the ghostly echo of my mom’s voice in my head saying, “Don’t be like your deadbeat dad.”

My shoulder’s sagged as I struggled to bring to mind the face of the rock band roadie I’d only met a handful of times. I wouldn’t be like that guy. I wouldn’t chase a career in music at the expense of my family.

And so earlier today, I’d finally manned up. I’d pawned my bass. It was an unfortunate twist of irony that my mom had given it to me on this day six years ago. But nostalgia wouldn’t pay the rent.

I slid my phone into my back pocket and felt for the fat wad of cash there. I couldn’t wait to see the look on Lee’s face when she saw the money. Just imagining her reaction made me smile. Maybe I could talk her into going out with me somewhere. Just the two of us. Like a date…

As I slipped into the fantasy of Lee and me together, the brunette gave me a coy smile.

“Who’s your hot friend?” she asked Dexter loudly.

The annoyed look on my friend’s face made me wince. Dexter hated it when the girls he liked went after me. I’d like to say it was a rare occurrence, but it wasn’t.

Ronnie interjected, “That’s Reed, but don’t waste your time. He’s been in love with the same girl his entire life.”

“Aw,” the brunette said, her smile softening. “That’s sweet.”

Dexter scoffed. “Nah, it’s fucking tragic. She doesn’t return his feelings.”

I turned away before I could see the brunette’s expression turn to pity. I didn’t need anyone's sympathy. Lee didn’t love me the way I loved her… yet. But I knew she would one day.

She was the one for me. I’d known it the moment she’d saved me from those older boys who were bullying me the first day of kindergarten.

One minute I was being shoved into the dirt. The next minute an avenging angel had rushed over from the bus stop. Baring her teeth like a rabid wolf, Lee had rounded on the older boys. “Why don’t you pick on someone your own size?” She’d lifted her fists in a clear invitation.

Although she was much smaller than they were, the boys took off running.

She’d glared after them, and then helped me to my feet. “They won’t bother you now that you’re with me.”

And from that moment forward, I was with her. She’d owned my heart and soul. I’d followed her everywhere. Over time, she and Eden became my best friends and their Gran became my second mother.

The sound of Morgan tuning his electric guitar tore me from my memories.

Sam sat down at his drums and pounded out a frenetic beat I felt in the marrow of my bones. The ache to play with them was almost physically painful.

Moving closer, I took a seat on Gran’s lumpy old couch just across from Morgan’s amp. Even years after her death, the lingering scent of Gran’s Shalimar perfume still clung to the polyester cushions. The smell brought to mind happier times. Times when Eden, Lee, Gran, and I had gathered in the living room of the old house and played games or watched some mindless show on television.

Morgan flipped his long hair out of his face and scowled at me. I wasn’t sure if he was pissed at me for quitting the band or if he was just in a foul mood.

Trying to ignore his glare, I struck imaginary chords on my knee. Damn. Losing my bass and my band hurt worse than I'd imagined. Maybe one of these lame ass jobs I kept interviewing for would pan out and I’d make enough money to buy my bass back.

My mind drifted back to the interview I’d had this afternoon. The convenience store manager had stared at my long hair in barely disguised disgust.

Screw that guy. Lee liked my hair, and I wouldn't change anything about my appearance that she admired. Hell, just look what I’d been willing to go through earlier this year for her. Memories of the weeks of throbbing pain had me shifting uncomfortably in my seat.

The cushions next to me dipped.

I glanced over to see the gorgeous brunette sitting next to