days afterward. The quiet was torture.
I’d lived with this quiet for years now. It stung and it gnawed at me, but I’d adjusted pretty well. And most days, I could forget why it was there in the first place. However, he changed the game just by showing up. And when he added a challenge, a dare, or a deal one of us couldn’t refuse, he had my undivided attention.
Which meant this was a reverse setup, and I should steer far, far away from Tegan.
So like a complete moron, I went after him instead.
2
Tegan
A cool gust of wind whipped through the alley behind the bar. I zipped my leather jacket, nodding a curt greeting to the guy puffing a cigarette against the brick façade as I slowly headed toward the studio. The operative word was “slowly,” ’cause any second now Declan would come tearing after me, demanding to know what the hell I meant. I’d tell him eventually, but in the meantime, I’d thoroughly enjoy stringing him along. He deserved a taste of his own medicine.
“Tegan!”
I bit back a smile and continued walking. He called my name a second time, grabbing my elbow when he caught up with me. I spared him a casual sideways glance. “Yeah?”
“What did you mean by ‘make you a deal’? Are you working on a solo project? Did you want me to write you a song or play an instrument or…what?”
I huffed derisively, looking both ways, then crossing the street to the deserted alleyway behind Scratch Records. I had no idea what time it was. It must have been later than I thought. There was usually a car or two parked near the building, but it was empty now…and kind of spooky. Although tonight, I felt more amused than anything. I shook my head and paused to grab my key from my pocket.
“No, I’m not interested in going solo. Justin would probably kill me if I tried. And if I needed a song, I’d go to him before you any day.” I shot an ugly smile over my shoulder as I unlocked the glass door and gestured for him to relock it.
I started down the hall toward the darkened main office, but Dec pulled the sleeve of my jacket. I whirled around to face him with a “WTF” look that would have made anyone else back off immediately. Not Dec. The guy had a fucking thick skull.
He cocked his head inquisitively as he stepped into my space, effectively boxing me into the corner of what was basically the side entrance vestibule. No one would notice us unless they wanted to use this exit. At this hour, it was safe to assume we were alone. That was good. I didn’t want an audience. But there was something about the accidental snug quarters that made me itchy.
“Stop walking away from me and tell me what you—” Dec froze. “Is this a sex thing?”
I snorted humorlessly. “Not a chance.”
“Liar.” Declan folded his arms over his chest and nodded. “Okay, fine. I’ll blow you if you help me. What are the rules?”
“Blow me? What are you—are you fucking nuts?” I sputtered.
“Maybe. Don’t be such a prude, T. It’s not like we haven’t done it before. And if sex is the kind of leverage you need over me, whatever. If we both get off and you quit looking at me like I killed your cat, maybe it’s a win.”
It took me a full minute to shut my mouth and unscramble my brains so I could intelligently process the nonsense he was spouting. No, wait. This was Dec. He rarely meant anything he said outside of a studio. The guy was trying to trip me up.
Declan McNamara was a snake, but he looked like the rock and roll god he probably would be one day with his longish brown hair, chiseled jaw, full lips, blue eyes, and lean, tattooed body. It wasn’t enough to say he was handsome. His attraction went well beyond looks. He oozed confidence, charisma, and an innate sense of purpose that put him in another realm. He had “it” …that extra ingredient that set him apart from mere mortals. Kind of like Justin, but different. More subtle.
I mimicked his posture, crossing my arms as I leaned against the wall. “I see. So, you’re saying you’d trade your ass for my drums?”
He pursed his lips like he was hiding a smile. “I’m thinking on my feet here, T. I had no idea you wanted my ass.”
“I don’t,” I deadpanned.
Dec