Bedded Bliss (Found in Oblivion #1) - Cari Quinn Page 0,4
them a few miserable, drunken months to realize that nothing mattered more than music and friendship and family, and making something out of all three. They were still trying, still finding their way, but they’d come far from those usually hungover, often philosophizing jerks they’d once been.
That didn’t mean he wouldn’t kick Ryan’s ass for screwing up the best opportunity they’d had yet to make their mark.
“I get that biking is a release for you. I get you’re a thrill seeker. But did you really have to do that shit right before the biggest show we’ve ever done?”
“I know, man, I know.” Ryan’s voice lowered. “I was going to call Lila, but I figured maybe you could? Since you have the in.”
Michael dropped his razor and hung his shoulders, laughing at the absurdity of his life. It was either that or get rip-roaring drunk, and he wasn’t about to do that before rehearsal. He had standards, dammit. “Not sure you’ve noticed, but Lila isn’t too thrilled with me lately.”
“Because you’ve been on hardcore pussy patrol.”
“I wouldn’t say that, necessarily.”
“Uh, Tabitha Tremaine? Does that name ring a bell?
“One girl is not hardcore pussy, hate to tell you, bro. If it is for you, then maybe you need to up your game.”
“My game is on point. And all the rules go out the window when you’re banging a senator’s girlfriend and it’s all over the news. You can’t even say the band’s name without someone mentioning how Senator Dickless wants to take you out.”
Michael snorted. “Right. I’m a real threat to a guy like that. Old money, powerful, can have any woman he wants—”
“Except his fiancée, who is hung up on you.”
Michael put his phone on speaker, set it down on the counter and picked up his razor. “That’s over.”
“Uh-huh. Sure it is. Just like you’re going to quit partying. Isn’t that what you told Lila last week?”
“I didn’t say I was going to quit partying. I just said I could if I wanted to.”
Ryan chuckled. “Right. You’re going to give up gorgeous Tabitha who’ll spread them for you anytime anywhere, and you’re going to stop drinking and having fun when you’ve finally got something to celebrate. Absolutely. Gonna happen.”
Michael nearly told Ry that he hadn’t had sex with Tabitha, then decided there was no point. Whatever he said, people believed what they wanted. Lila sure was. And she was just going to love this latest piece of crap news.
News he had to deliver. Thanks, bro.
“Maybe I want something more. That ever occur to you? Partying gets old after a while.”
“It sure does, but you were definitely feeling no pain when you were up on that bar dirty dancing with Juliet the other night. You’re damn lucky Lila wasn’t there or else you’d have gotten the “no band fraternizing” lecture she likes to throw around, though she knows no one gives a shit. I think she was a principal in a former life or something.”
Michael had to laugh. “She’s managed a lot of groups. She knows what causes strife within a band. She should, since Oblivion nearly imploded because of that.”
“Yeah, and then she married one of the members of Oblivion, so pot, you’re turning black.”
“Truth. Just saying, she doesn’t want to see us do anything stupid. Jules and I were just messing around. Just dancing,” he amended, because Ry would take the “messing around” thing and run with it right into a bedroom. “She’s a fun girl. But not for me.”
“You have fun with a lot of girls, which, you know, good for you, dude. We’re all enjoying our trip on the banging bus. Just saying that you can’t really claim you could clean it up in a second and get on the straight and narrow because, sorry, I don’t believe you. Neither does anyone with eyes and ears who’s seen one of the rags or heard a story on one of those tabloid news shows.”
“Can we talk about something other than my dick for five seconds? Any more talk about it and I’ll think you want a ride yourself.”
“In your dreams, pal. So Lila? You gonna talk to her for me?”
Michael did a half-assed job finishing his shave before rinsing off and patting his face down with a towel. “How long did the doc say you were out?”
“Depends how it goes. At least through this leg, probably, as far as drumming goes. It’s just too much strain on my wrist. I can come back in a support role onstage though.”