snapped. When our gazes met, he immediately looked away as if he couldn’t stand the sight of me. My tired sigh was drowned out by Xavier, who ignored Loren’s bitchiness and began speaking.
“Braxton’s popularity has grown to the point that the label felt it wise to sell backstage passes without my knowledge.”
“Wait. What?” Loren snapped. He then looked at me and narrowed his gaze as if this were my doing.
“They want to meet Braxton,” Xavier answered with a shrug and then an apologetic look thrown my way. For some reason, I hadn’t anticipated this part of touring with an international rock band. I’d been too busy trying to keep my wits when they were around. “She’s new to Bound and virtually unknown. The public’s only knowledge of her is what we tell them.”
“We like it that way,” Houston pushed through gritted teeth.
“Well, your fans, the reason you’re all here and still have a career, don’t. It won’t kill you to mingle for an hour. You’ve done it before. I don’t see the problem.”
“The problem is that we should have been told.”
“I’m telling you now,” Xavier returned unperturbed. “Besides, they didn’t pay extra to meet you three anyway. They want her.”
“Yeah,” Loren returned with a scoff, “right. I’ll believe that when my dick falls off.” He stormed off, making it clear he wasn’t looking for someone to argue.
“This is nuts,” Rich said, surprising me with his objection. “This is Brax’s first tour. We’ve only done a few shows. How do they know it won’t be too much for her?”
I raised my eyebrows at that. I’m sure I could handle a polite conversation with complete strangers. I did it almost every day working at Succulent. “Well, if you guys could manage it with your sparkling personalities, I’m sure I’ll be just fine.”
Rich’s gaze swung to me, his silver eyes panicking when he realized he’d offended me. I already knew that wasn’t what he intended. He wanted to protect me, but I could handle myself. I was getting good at dealing with their shit. “No, that’s not—I didn’t mean—”
I took his much larger hand in mine and squeezed. “It’s fine. I know.”
My palm tingled from touching him so soon after last night. I knew from the twinkle in his eye that he was reliving it too. Since I couldn’t entirely blame my reaction on lust, I let him go and calmly waited for the sweet scent of berries to dissipate.
First Loren and now Jericho.
What did these new emotions mean?
As if nothing was amiss, I turned, intending to address Xavier only to have my attention stolen by something else. Houston was beautiful even when he was foreboding. Right now, his eyes and the set of his lips told me I’d have a long night ahead of me. I squared my shoulders, pretending I didn’t care that he knew something happened between Rich and me.
“When do the meet-and-greets begin?” I questioned Xavier.
He looked at his watch and then at the door behind me, which had just opened. “Now.”
I was glad that I wasn’t still holding Rich’s hand. I didn’t want the first impression Bound’s fans had of me to be that I screwed my way to the top. Everyone knew that assumptions spread rumors, and facts were optional.
I happened to have fucked, sucked, and made out with each member of Bound.
It wasn’t how I’d borrowed a place in their world. I had no intention of sticking around. All that mattered was that I’d have the strength to walk away when it was time.
I tried to follow Xavier when he started for the small group teeming with excitement, but a hand wrapping around my wrist stopped me.
I knew by the cruel grip that it was Houston.
Rich was too gentle when he wasn’t getting blown, and Loren was still off somewhere sulking. Besides, Loren would have grabbed my ass and wouldn’t care who saw.
“This isn’t happening,” he announced once I spun on my heel to face him. I was still debating whether to break his nose or not. “Go back to the bus. I’ll tell Xavier you were feeling sick. The label will refund them their money.”
I pulled my wrist free, and to keep from making a scene, Houston let me.
“You might be okay with that, but I’m not. Look at them.” Of course, he ignored my order and kept his gaze on me instead. “I’ll bet you at least one of those people over there sacrificed more than just a couple hundred bucks. You can refund