sore thumb, towering over even the security detail.
“Oh my God! It’s Phil Deveraux!” I heard someone shout.
“NOLA’s Junk fuckin’ rules!”
“Phil! Oh my God! Can I have your autograph?”
“Holy shit! Phil Deveraux!”
“Hey, guys!” Phil’s voice boomed out. He waved to the line of people, quickly dragging me to the door and shoving me in before him. “If anythin’ happens, she comes first, got it?” he told the bouncers.
“Yes, sir,” both of the bouncers replied.
“Seriously, Phil!” I scoffed.
We didn’t head to the ground floor area but turned left into a narrow stairwell leading up to the VIP section on the upper level. There was an unimpeded view of the stage, and it was where the bands and a few of their people would sit to watch and wait their turn. I’d never been up here. I’d only glanced up on occasion to see Louisiana’s up-and-coming rockers lean themselves on the railing, drinking beers and checking out the talent.
Another narrow stairwell was on the opposite side of the VIP terrace from where we’d entered. Turning left led to the four VIP bathrooms, and turning right led down to the back porch overhanging on the bayou. That was where—one night, six years ago—a few hours spent in each other’s company had changed Phil and me forever.
“Holy shit!” cried a man’s voice. “Phil Deveraux?”
Phil turned his head and smiled, squeezing my hand.
Is he nervous? Was this a bad idea? Should we go?
I recognized the guy who had called out. It was the singer for Devil’s Advocate, the band scheduled to headline tonight. I liked them a lot. They had a great sound, and they got involved with their fans and the crowd. It was never a bad show when they played.
“Sweet!” I said, tugging on Phil’s hand. “That guy is Andy, and he’s got a hell of a voice.” Quickly, I told him about the band.
Phil leaned in to listen to me, holding his hand up to stop everyone from coming up and interrupting me.
Wow. That was kind of hot.
Smiling, he brushed his mouth over mine. “I can’t wait to see what they can do. I’m sure if you like them, then I’ll be impressed.”
He turned back to Andy and held out his hand. “You’re Andy then?”
Andy looked ready to faint with happiness. “You’ve heard of us?”
“No, but my Baby Girl says you guys are great. Can’t wait to hear what you have lined up.”
Andy’s eyes moved over to me. “Baby Girl?”
“Yep, and she’s dyin’ for a beer—” said Phil.
“And a Jäger,” I stated, smiling at Andy.
“And a Jäger, so we’ll talk in a bit, yeah?” said Phil.
“Oh, fuck yes!” said Andy.
Pulling me over to the bar, Phil ordered two bottles of beer and two shots. He handed me my shot first and clinked his against mine. “To a lifetime of Fridays together.”
I let out a giggle to which he cocked an eyebrow before busting out into a dimpled grin. We took our shots, grimacing together, and sucked down a healthy amount of beer to chase it.
“Fuck, Kenna, you just had to be a dude on the inside, didn’t you? You couldn’t be some girlie-girl who likes lemon drops or some sort of fruity shit?”
Laughing, I replied, “You got a problem with my inner dude, dude?”
Roughly, he pulled me into his chest and growled in my ear, “I fuckin’ love your inner dude. I’m gonna go all fabulous later and violate the fuck outta him.”
“Awesome. I’ll bring the lube,” I said.
He nipped at my neck. “Yeah, I think tonight’s the night,” he murmured. He grabbed my ass, pulling me harder into him.
I was already planning on it, dude. “I’ll think about it.”
“I’ve been thinkin’ about it for a while.”
“Have you now?”
“Mmhmm,” he replied, his eyes heating up and making my lady parts tingle. “Have you?”
“Maybe a little more than I’d care to admit,” I replied.
I could swear, his eyes went black with his desire. His hand slipped into my back pocket, and he squeezed my ass hard.
“I fuckin’ want it.”
“I’ll—”
“Give it to me, I know.”
“Ass!”
“Yeah, your ass. With my dick in it. Fuck, I’m chubbin’ just talkin’ about it.”
I bit my lip to keep from giggling again, and his head ducked down to suck my bottom lip into his mouth, biting it for me.
“You’re fuckin’ sexy as all fuck, you know that?” he said softly.
“Even when I let my inner dude out?”
He grinned. “Especially when you let him out. I love that guy. He’s a trip. Does he want another shot?”