Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,138

doesn’t have a care in the world.

Savanah beams. “He’s messing with you.”

“It doesn’t fucking feel like it.”

“They’re protective of me, King. I lived here, remember? Once you’re a part of the family, you’re always family.”

I pull her closer to me, so only she will hear. “Are we okay?”

She places her hand on my chest, staring up into my eyes. “Yeah… we’re fine.”

I’m not sure I believe her.

“It’s time to go. The concert waits for no one,” Jovie calls out, grabbing Savanah’s hand and drags her away from me.

I inhale deeply, taking off after them.

This is going to be a long night.

I had no freaking clue the tickets Kevlar got for this concert were in the VIP section.

The concert was fucking epic. Rush Dayley is mega-talented. It might not be the heavier music I’m into, but I appreciate good music when I hear it. I understand the hype around him. He is as good as all the buzz that surrounds him.

What I don’t understand is why Kevlar, Jovie, and Savanah are so interested in seeing him. How they would even know him is beyond my comprehension.

I haven’t had a second to talk to Savanah tonight. She’s been with Jovie most of the evening. I don’t blame her, they are best friends, and she has missed her. Anyway, it’s given me time to get to know Kevlar. The guy is decent. Has two kids from a prior marriage. Jovie is their stepmom, according to Kevlar because he claimed her—no real idea what that means, but I will go with it—and has taken to the role perfectly. She would. She’s exactly right for something like that.

With us being so close to the stage, when Rush spotted us, his eyes landed on Savanah, and they lit up. I’m all too familiar with that look on a man. There’s history there, and I would have liked to have known before coming all this way with Savanah to see it for myself.

Now the concert is finished, we’re standing around in the backstage VIP room waiting for Rush to enter. Jovie and Savanah are huddled together as I stand with Kevlar. I figure while I have Kevlar to myself, there’s no harm in asking. “Kevlar, is there something I should know before Rush comes out?”

Kevlar’s face turns blank. Like he’s not sure what he should say, and before he does, the doors fling open, and Rush strides in, wiping his face with a towel.

Jovie jumps on her toes as Savanah stands back with a warm smile—one of recognition and fondness.

Rush spots Savanah right away, breaking out into a sprint to get to her. “Sav,” he calls out, hoisting her up into a tight hug, twirling her around.

She laughs as they embrace.

My stomach hardens, my breaths coming faster. My jaw clenches as a burning sensation swarms my chest. We haven’t even talked properly about what we discussed in the car, and now she’s fawning over some rock star?

Their hug is longer than I would have expected, then he slides her down his body.

They lock eyes.

Something unspoken passing between them.

Rush finally turns to Jovie. “Jovie! I missed your gorgeous face.” He pulls her into a quick hug.

Kevlar steps past me. Rush grabs Kevlar into an all-man back-slapping embrace. “Kevlar… fuck man. How I wish we were back in Pat O’Brien’s right now.”

“We had a good time in New Orleans. All of us did,” Kevlar replies.

Rush turns back to Savanah. “You’re looking stunning! I was fucking amped when I saw you guys in the crowd. It made my performance better having you there, I swear.”

She slaps him on the chest playfully, making my teeth grind. “You didn’t tell us you had a Texas tour planned when you left.”

Rush exhales. “Sorry… didn’t wanna make shit weird with us. After our night together, I didn’t wanna cloud anything by telling you I was gonna be in town.”

Sweat pebbles on my forehead as my heartbeat pounds hearing it all but confirmed for me. I fold my arms over my chest, letting out a loud huff and dammit! That move gains everyone’s attention, so I ask, “How did I not know about this, Savvy?”

Rush’s eyes widen like he didn’t even notice I was there.

Savanah steps toward me, her face tense. “I wasn’t allowed to say anything. Rush is famous, King. There are rules.”

“Well, he’s shouting it from the fucking rooftops right now. So, why wouldn’t you tell me before we got here?”

Savanah glares at me. “For starters… it’s none of your damn business. Half