it to Granger with all the shit going on. I’m about ready to play it when Blade calls.
“What?” I snarl, because if he mentions her…
“Where are you?”
“A bar.”
“Axel, don’t be a dick.”
“Christ, I’m at Davey’s.” Taking a drag from the cigarette, I decide to stay here all day and get fucked up. Maybe that can fix the ache in my heart.
“Blade?” The line is dead.
“Perfect.” I snort, causing the girls to think that’s their opportunity to come over.
“You look so familiar,” the brunette says, blowing smoke from the cigarette at me. It’s my biggest pet peeve. I’m a smoker. I love it. But when you’re so rude and fucking self-absorbed that you can’t get your disgusting breath out of my face…
I smile. “Excuse me.”
She looks shocked along with the friend who hides behind her. The way I’m dressed, they have no idea I’m a Disciple. I stare at them and the friend grabs the brunette’s hand and pulls her back inside.
I look at my phone then, curious to see what Granger did with it. He’s the musical genius. I can write the song, but he can lay down the music he hears in his head.
I hit play and his gravelly, soulful voice starts out with, “Fuck you.”
Then a slow keyboard melody builds, and he takes my words and brings them to life.
It’s by far his best in a long while. The Stuffed Muffins have been in disarray, dealing with fame, and putting out some real sellout shit lately. They probably think they can pull it off now because I never would have allowed it.
Actually, I wouldn’t have allowed them to release half the crap they’re successful for let alone play it.
It’s why I left. Being a rock star was not what I wanted. I loved the music, but not the life.
That was all Granger. He was born for it.
It’s why he had to say Fuck you at the beginning. I take a last inhale as I snuff out the cigarette and text to Granger: It’s good.
Granger will understand. He won’t text back. I pocket my phone, hearing it in my head, the words and music a perfect match.
I’m undone by her eyes, her lips, and her smell. She’s all mine.
Untouched.
Touched by me.
Closing my eyes, I lean back on the concrete building. My words tumble out of my lips as I say, “Touched by me.”
I knew it then. It’s why I wrote it. My subconscious needed to say what I couldn’t face: I wrote a love song about my ethereal princess and I sent it to my childhood friend to immortalize her.
A dark shadow falls on me. I open my eyes to Blade standing in front of me, blocking the sun. When I look behind him, I see my family rolling in.
Raising an eyebrow, I say, “Should we tell Davey to call in more help?” I smirk as Edge steps to Blade’s side, fists clenched, his blue eyes dead serious like he’s going to enjoy this.
“All right.” I nod, looking at them. “We’re doing this.” Adrenaline pulses through me and I push myself off the wall. This is exactly what I need.
“You guys came to beat some sense into me?”
Blade throws back his head and laughs, grabbing Edge’s shoulders. “I think he might have already figured it out, brother.”
Edge ignores him and tosses his hand off his shoulder. “Like hell. I’ve been waiting for this fucking moment since I was twelve.” His blue eyes narrow on me and I smile because he’s right. I motion for him to come on.
“You have indeed. And I’m man enough to acknowledge it. Come on, brother, give me all you got.”
I take off my shirt. I fucking love fighting. Edge is right, though. He has been waiting. I’ve been talking the talk since we all were kids. I laughed at them, pitied them, fucking made fun of them, Edge especially… and here I am.
Pussy whipped like them. Yeah, if anyone deserves a beating, it’s me.
I stretch my arms to the side and crack my neck as I look around at all my brothers. They move back to give us room. “Wait, no David?”
“Yeah. Charlie said that he can only come out to visit you in the hospital. Otherwise he’s busy helping her order a new kitchen for the diner.” Blade lights up a cigarette. “Although”—he points at me—“Charlie asked me to let you know that she’s ordering nothing but the top of the line. Asshole.” He steps back, his hands motioning for Edge to carry