loved him. In a way, from what she said, they sounded like family. “Thank you for sharing that with me, Audra,” I said. I knew it was against the rules. It meant a lot that she trusted me.
“It’s only fair,” she said, her cheeks dimpling with a smile. “A secret for a secret.”
I chuckled. “I suppose that’s true.”
“You know, a lot of women have tried to get close to him,” she confided. “I’ve been trained to see right through any agenda, to keep him safe.” I nodded. “You’re the first person I’ve told that story to,” she concluded. I knew that meant I had earned her approval. It touched me deeply, which I hope I indicated properly with my smile. She took a deep breath and rose to her feet. “If you need anything else,” she offered.
“I’ll call,” I said.
It was a lot to think about. I felt like I had been given her blessing, which only made my decision whether to succumb to this silly affair even more confusing. I had only been thinking about my heart being on the line. It never occurred to me that maybe Auggie needed to be protected, too.
I turned my attention back to the stage just in time for the opening act to perform. To my surprise, it wasn’t some no-name up and comer that needed the exposure. It was Dreaming in Blue, one of the biggest headlining acts thanks to the Philly front man, Giovanni Carnevale.
I hit my feet like everyone else in the stadium.
“What’s up, Philadelphia?” he hollered as he hopped out on that stage, barefoot and clad in leather. “It’s so good to be back home. When the Duke called me up and asked me to join him for a charity concert, I told him it would have to be for a really good cause. Tonight, we’re raising money for the Children’s Hospital. Everything you buy here tonight; twenty percent of the proceeds goes right back into your community. How’s that for a Friday night?”
The crowd went wild. I did, too. Both Fern and I had been groupies for Dreaming in Blue back in the day. One look at Vanni, who wouldn’t be? I went to my first DIB concert on my twentieth birthday, but neither Fern nor I could afford front row tickets or backstage passes. We loved them from afar, like you do with most of your idols.
When they launched into one of their bigger hits, “Wanting Her,” my jaw nearly clattered right to the floor when my very own sister hit that stage to dance around Vanni. Since he was married and respectable now, Gav filled in his part. They danced around each other, sensual, intimate, and I knew then and there—by the way she only had eyes for Gavin and none for Vanni, that her heart was no longer hers to give away.
The minute Auggie joined the stage for “Say My Name,” and I couldn’t see anything past the auburn-haired Duke of Mayhem, I knew that the same could be said for me.
This was going to be one hell of an after party.
Chapter Eighteen
I scanned the club where the afterparty was being held for the familiar honey-spun color of my sister’s hair. The minute I saw it, I made a beeline right for her. She squealed when she saw me, and I returned her squeal before throwing my arms around her. “You did so great!”
She was laughing, as happy as I’d ever seen her. “Oh, my God, Pea. It was the greatest night of my life!”
I hugged her tight. “You deserve this and more.”
“It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. It’s like a dream.”
I nodded. I understood the feeling well.
“How are you feeling?” she asked as she pulled away. “Do you need anything?”
“Are you kidding?” I said. “I’m in the best hands possible.” I trailed off, thinking about Auggie on that stage. When he tore his shirt open, it was damned near primal. I fell just a little further every single time. “Audra even gave me ginger tea.”
We began to move through the crowd. “Awesome. I told her it helps.”
I linked my arm with hers. “What really helps is seeing you onstage doing your thing.”
She giggled. “It took sixteen hours of practice every day to nail the routine but God, Pea. It was so worth it. And Gav is a great teacher. That’s what he wants to do one day,” she added, beaming with pride. “Once he stops touring,” she said, her head gesturing towards Auggie,