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We walk back toward the house in silence. Just as we reach the porch, my phone buzzes. I glance at the screen and it's a text from an unknown number.

"You shouldn’t have trusted him, Dahlia. He’s lying to you."

Chapter 12 - Axl

Ican't get her out of my fucking head.

It’s been three days since the concert. Three days since I had Dahlia against my bathroom vanity and three days of replaying every sound she made, and every expression that crossed her face when she came.

And now, I am sprawled across the couch in our recording studio like some lovesick teenager, staring at the ceiling instead of working on our new album.

"Earth to Axl!" Marcus waves his hand in front of my face. "Dude, we've been trying to get your opinion on this bridge for ten minutes."

I blink, forcing myself back to reality. "Sorry. Play it again?"

Derek rolls his eyes from behind his drum kit. "He's still thinking about Mystery Girl."

"Her name is Dahlia," I say, then wince when all three of my bandmates exchange knowing looks.

"Ooooh,Dahlia," Luke mocks in a high-pitched voice. "Tell us more aboutDahlia."

I flip him off. "Fuck you."

Marcus puts down his guitar and drops onto the couch beside me. "Seriously, though, what's up with you? I've never seen you this hung up on anyone."

"I'm not hung up," I protest, but it sounds weak even to my ears.

"Bullshit," Derek laughs. "You've checked your phone fifty times today. You haven't hit on a single groupie in three days. And you keep zoning out with this stupid smile on your face."

"I do not," I growl.

"You're doing it right now," Luke points out.

I throw a guitar pick at him. "Can we just focus on the fucking music?"

"Not until you admit you're obsessed with this chick," Derek insists.

"I'm not obsessed," I mutter. "I'm just... interested."

Marcus snorts. "Interested? Bro, you've slept with half the women in this city and never once asked for their number afterward. Now you've got your investigator tracking down one girl. That's not just interest. That's borderline obsession."

He's right, but I'll die before admitting it. I've never chased a woman in my life. They chase me. That's how it works. That's how it always worked.

Until Dahlia.

"Whatever," I stand up, needing to move. "She was different, okay?"

"Different how?" Luke asks, genuinely curious now.

I run a hand through my hair, struggling to find the words. "She saw me."

"We all see you, dumbass," Derek laughs. "You're not invisible."

"No, I mean..." I pace across the studio. "She sawme. Not Axl Valentine, the rock star. Just... me."

The guys exchange glances again, but this time there's no mockery in their expressions.

"Shit," Marcus says softly. "You really like her."