Page 46

No. The crowds would be insane. My ankle already throbbed. “I’ll attract too much attention.”

“Nah,” Flint said. “If you’re worried, hire security for the night.”

Lewis’s eyes glinted as he scanned the length of my arm. “You certainly turn heads, but there’s a strict ‘no phones’ policy at his gigs. He’s protective of his shows. There’ll just be good music and some fun. So what do you say? You want to come with me?”

My pulse strummed too fast. Out with Lewis? We were just kindred spirits, right? “Do you ever take no for an answer?”

“Yes. But for this? No.”

He should. “You’re impossible, you know that?” I half snarled, half smiled. I needed a good kick up the ass. We were friends. I had to accept that, move on, and get over my I-wanna-fuck-you attraction. Avoiding him hadn’t lessened my pull toward him, so maybe spending time with him would. It was worth a shot. If that didn’t work, moving out of Cole’s place would be my only option. “Fine. I’ll organize security. But we’ll have dinner first. There’s an awesome Spanish restaurant near that club. I might have to use my celebrity status to get a table, but it will be worth it.”

He laughed. “Are you trying to impress me?”

“Nope.” I shook my head. “You’re in training for what’s yet to come.”

“I need all the help I can get.”

So did I.

I’d just agreed to go out with Lewis.

And I had to be on my best behavior.

Chapter 13

LEWIS

As I waited on the sofa for Tia to come downstairs, sweat broke out on the back of my neck. I kneaded the knots tightening in my shoulders. Why had I insisted she come out with me tonight? Me and my big mouth after one too many drinks. My head ached from the constant frazzle and the twisting of wires in my brain when I was around her.

I didn’t understand my attraction toward Tia. More importantly, I didn’t want to. My focus was on the band, not her. But for one night, I needed to put aside the chaos hurtling through my mind and take her out. She needed this. She’d been cooped up in this house for months. Other than to work, Flint’s place, and Duke’s, she hadn’t been anywhere. A night of loud music, a rocking DJ set, and a room full of hot LA men would do us both a world of good.

When I heard her bedroom door open, I looked up. Tia hobbled downstairs in a pair of black wide-legged dress pants, and a sleeveless midriff top. She carried a clutch and a metallic silver trench coat. Dark smoky makeup and bright red lipstick highlighted her gorgeous green eyes and accentuated her fine lips. But they weren’t the only things about her that stole my breath. Her beautiful long hair had been hidden beneath a silver bobbed wig. Total disco vibe.

I stood and wiped my hands on the back pockets of my jeans. “Tia, you look amazing.” Stunning.

“Thank you. So do you. Nice threads.” She picked a piece of lint off my black blazer. “LA fashion is finally rubbing off on you.”

“That’s Kara’s doing. All my gear is from her styling us now.” I had more clothes selected and fitted to wear for promo than I’d owned in my entire life. They felt good. I looked good. I’d own that.

Cute wrinkles formed across the bridge of her nose. “You’d make dirty rags look hot.”

Warmth crept up my neck. “Thank you.” I reached out and toyed with the silver ends of her wig. “What’s this for?”

“Disguise.” She shrugged on her coat, then hooked her clutch over her shoulder. “It doesn’t always work, but with my leg, I don’t want to be swamped by overzealous fans and get hurt.”

“You won’t. I’ll keep you safe.”

But doubt darkened her eyes. I wouldn’t let anyone hurt her, not ever.

Fidgeting, she tugged and straightened the hemline of her short top. “Lewis, we don’t have to do this.”

“Wh-why not?” My voice snagged in my throat. She had nothing to worry about. We had security and a VIP table. But me? I’d be in agony all night. Just looking at her made my dick ache. And that ache shouldn’t exist. Not for her.

“I’m happy to stay at home.”

“I know, but you’re not.” I grabbed my cell phone, wallet, and keys off the coffee table, and tucked them into my blazer. “Like riding a carousel horse. You can do this. I’ll carry you if I have to. We’ll have dinner, and a few drinks, listen to Morgan’s set, and check out guys. We’ll have fun. I promise.” If the rampant butterflies swarming through my gut subsided, everything would be fine.

“I’ll hold you to that.” She tied the sash on her coat.