There’s still a few days left of this shit, and if we’re going to pull it off, she needs some time to breathe.”
“I’d say so,” Jake mumbles into his cup.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means you two definitely need some breathing room. It’s beginning to seem a little too real for even me, and I know the truth. You sure you can pull this off without falling for your brother’s girl, or vice versa?”
I avert my attention over to the pool where Natalie is hanging out with Jess, Riley, and Walker. Seeing how close Walker is sitting to Natalie, I become tense, just like every time I’ve noticed him practically on top of her.
“You’re flexing your jaw, man. I’m not sure that’s a good sign.”
“Stop worrying for nothing, Jake.” I stand and toss my beer bottle into the trash. “She’s my brother’s girl. I’m supposed to be protective of her; especially since my brother isn’t here to do it.”
“You sure it’s only for your brother’s benefit? I’m only asking, because I’m friends with both of you and I’d hate to see some shit go down that ruins your relationship.”
“I’m sure.” I say the words, not fully believing them myself. “We’ll be back in a couple of hours. We’ll grab something to eat at the bar, so don’t worry about cooking for us.”
“Gotcha, man.” He stands himself, eyeing me over. “Take some time to breathe and have fun. Alana is already starting to believe you and Natalie are real. That’s why she’s inside instead of out here with us.”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
“What does that mean?” He studies me hard. “I don’t like that look.”
“She kissed me this morning and I kissed her back.”
“Why the fuck would you do that? You trying to screw this all up?”
“It was only for a split second and then I pushed her away. It’s no biggie. Tomorrow is a fresh day for Nat and me. After spending some time away tonight, we’ll be refreshed and ready to play tomorrow.”
“I hope so. The next two days are important. If you want to leave here a free man, without Alana hounding you every single day, you gotta sell it hard. Just be careful.”
I nod at Natalie when she looks at me. She says something to the crew before standing from her chair and heading my way.
“See ya later, man.”
“We going?” she asks, still smiling from whatever her and the others were talking about.
I grab her waist and pull her to me, before moving to speak into her ear. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” she whispers. “Why?”
I press my lips against her neck and set my eyes on Walker, who is watching us. “Just checking. Let’s go.”
“What was that about?” she asks the moment we’re in my truck.
“Nothing. I just noticed Walker kept leaning in on occasion to talk to you. I wanted to make sure he wasn’t making you uncomfortable.”
“Not really. He was a little flirty, but nothing I can’t handle. You really have no idea how many drunk guys I fight off at the hotel when I work night shifts. Why do you think I have a stun gun?”
“That’s why you bought that thing? To keep guys from making moves on you?”
“Yeah. And it works too. Trust me, I can handle myself. When a guy gets handsy I pull it out and it sobers him up quick.”
Anger rises and the need to protect her has me squeezing the steering wheel to keep from going off. “Does my brother know?”
“He’s heard a few stories.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“What does he do about it?”
She exhales as if this subject is frustrating her. Well, it’s frustrating me too. “Can we stop talking about work and your brother for a while? I just want to have a night of fun and a few drinks with you. No heavy shit tonight, please.”
“Fine. I’ll drop it.” For now.
The bar is pretty quiet, so as long as we’re out of here before dark we shouldn’t run into too many people who might recognize me.
“Two beers and two orders of barbecue wings.”
“Make that three orders of barbecue wings. Extra ranch.”
“Someone a little hungry?” she asks teasingly.
I shrug and thank the bartender when he drops off our drinks. “I’m always hungry. I’m down to eat whenever, wherever. I even bring snacks with me on stage sometimes and sneak in bites between songs.”
“Seriously?” She looks amused as she takes a drink of her beer. “What kind of snacks?”
“I had a bucket of fried chicken sitting on a stool next to