SEVEN

HALE

I feel like shit after my nap, but it doesn't offset the excitement buzzing within me when we step off the bus. Obviously, we have to unload our bags and suitcases into the hotel room, but I’m bouncing on my feet to finally see the venue up close.

I have VIP access to every fucking performance this weekend.

When I read the set list and saw that Obsidian Static and From Stars To Evolution were performing during Twisted Tours, my entire body had a meltdown.

The guys of From Stars To Evolution are so fucking hot that it’s painful.

Yes, they’re probably too old for me, but who could possibly blame me?

Obsidian Static has their own insane chemistry. The vibes you get while watching them perform makes you never want to look away.

As we’re heading to the hotel lobby, a small wiener dog runs to my feet, wagging its cute little tail.

“Mildred, come back here,” a man calls out for the pup. “I’m so sorry, she usually has much better manners than this.”

Holy. Fucking. Shit. The lead singer of Obsidian Static’s dog just chose to come to me. Okay, okay. Play it cool. This is fine. You’re on the clock, not a groupie.

“Oh, no worries at all! I love animals,” I say confidently. “Her name is Mildred, you said?”

“That’s her, the ornery thing.” He huffs.

“Do you mind if I pet her?” I ask, already making eye contact with the furry girl.

“Not at all. She loves people, and she’s obviously taken a liking to you.”

I bend down to scratch behind her ear, and her tail goes wild over it. The moment doesn’t last long before I hear my stepbother— yes, bother, as in bothering me— calling out my name.

“Goodbye, Mildred! I hope to see you again this weekend!” I run my hand down her back one last time before waving bye to her owner as well, still lightly fangirling as I jog back to join my group.

When I meet them at the front desk, Colby is arguing with the poor attendant.

“What do you mean, you’re overbooked? I paid for four rooms,” he scolds.

“Well, your deposit will be refunded to you for three of the rooms. We do have cots available to add to the one room if needed, but the hotel is sold out for the week.” The woman types nervously on her computer, avoiding eye contact with Colby at all costs.

“My band isn’t sleeping on cots. We’re part of the reason this hotel is even sold out to begin with.”

“Colby, it’ll be fine. I don’t mind bunking with everyone. It’ll be like old times, and I’m sure Syd is fine too, right?” I look over to Syd for confirmation and Jackson nods in agreement as well.

“I’m good with it.” She nods, and a mischievous smirk comes over her face while she eyes Colby, no doubt knowing that our spoiled little rockstar is about to fume with not getting his way.

“See? All good here.” I gesture between Jackson and Sydnee to Colby nervously. “Can we get four copies of the room key, please?”

“Of course.” The attendant smiles anxiously at me and turns to go make the keys.

Colby levels me with a death stare, and hell if I’m not slightly into it.

“What?” I shrug.

“Do not butt into things.” The roll of his eyes is hard.

“You were being a dick to a girl who’s probably going to deal with, like, thirty more dickheads tonight alone. It wasn’t fair. She doesn’t run the system.”

Colby groans and grabs the keys from the girl before handing us each one of our own.

“Do not, under any circumstances, leave this anywhere. Do not lose it, Hale.”

I grab the key card while trying to ignore him treating me like a baby, but he keeps hold of it, waiting for me to acknowledge his words. The two of us tugging against the key card brings our bodies closer than either of us intended.

“Yeah, got it.” I’m desperate to roll my eyes, but it’s so fucking hard to look away from him. He’s so close now.

He releases the key card, and I quickly turn away from him and the smoldering eye contact that I want to melt myself into.

I ignore his idiotic comments, acting like I can’t be trusted, and follow the trio to the elevator so we can finally drop our bags and get to work. How can someone so hot be so fucking annoying?

Getting into the venue is easy work. The badge I’m wearing looks just like the band’s and lets me go anywhere that the band is allowed to be.

My excitement at this knows no bounds. Okay, so maybe I’m feeling a bit like a groupie.

I had no idea that by the time I got here, I would be this geeked.

A venue staff member shows me to my booth, and even through my million questions, I’m assured that my makeup and products will be safe overnight.

Sue me for being worried, but there are thousands of dollars’ worth of makeup, skin care, and hair care here. It’s a serious investment.

Taking my time, I set out my products, from foundations to brushes, glitters, powders, and all of the likes.

I pull out my hair crimper and my straightener, as well as bobby pins, elastics, and hair accessories.

I know Syd is a simple gal, but I wanted to have a few fun items in case she decided to dress it up at any point.

By the time I’m done preparing my station, there’s no one around me.

Peeking from behind the corner of the small booth, I spot Syd with a girl I don’t recognize.

Syd has her pushed against the wall, holding her there with one hand on her hip.

Something in my chest catches. I’m not sure if it’s jealousy, but it’s definitely not something I want to be feeling. Why the hell would I care if a band member gets their rocks off while we’re here?

Ugh. I pull out my phone and tap the screen, opening the period tracking app. Sure enough, I’m in my ovulation phase. This explains so much, and the guilt of being a green-eyed horny mess dissolves.

I grab my things and leave the booth to go find the guys, but mistakenly glance back in Sydnee’s direction.

She’s looking right at me, and the look she gives me is indecipherable.

The only thing I know for sure is that I recognize the heat deep within her gaze.

I feel a spark where I really shouldn’t.

I swear the wind blowing the wrong way could make me horny at this point.

I make it back to the hotel room just fine on my own, swiping my key haphazardly as I walk in, still feeling confused, but dropping my empty bags and deciding on a shower anyway.

When I open the door, I find a half-naked Colby wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, leaning over the sink and shaving his facial hair. Each stroke of the razor brings him closer to a chiseled jaw and the playful boyish look that he’s known for.

He doesn’t startle at my intrusion, just eyes me in the mirror, and I can’t help but stare at him.

His tall body is rippled with muscles, and tattoos cover nearly every inch of his chest. As inappropriate as it may be, I linger far too long, watching the veins and muscles flex with annoyance.

“Can I help you, little sister?” I mean… Maybe he could…

“Uh, I, I just needed a shower.” I stutter through the words. I can feel my cheeks flame hot, and I know he sees it too, judging by his smug smirk.

“Go right ahead.” He gestures with a nod of his chin.

“I can’t shower while you’re in here, freak.”

“Well, then don’t. I’m getting ready, you know, as the actual performer. In case you forgot, your schedule revolves around me and the band this week.”

He might as well have stuck his tongue out with that taunt. I don’t have any choice but to see his words as a challenge. I may be paid to be here, but I’m also not gonna let him think he’s winning at anything. Call it sibling rivalry.

I push farther into the bathroom so I can reach the shower. Colby seemingly resumes shaving his face, but at a much slower pace, glancing over his shoulder sneakily.

I give myself a mental pep talk for the line I’m about to cross.

Okay, so what? You planned to masturbate with the fancy shower head, and now your stepbrother is in the bathroom and refuses to leave. It’s fine.

Telling myself this isn’t anything new, I pull off my top. Colby has seen me in a swimsuit dozens of times. A bra isn’t much different, and he’ll give up and leave soon, right ?

Next, I unbutton my shorts, letting them fall, but I don’t look back for Colby’s reaction.

There’s a strangeness in the air while I dance over the line being crossed here, but I refuse to back down.

With my heart pounding harder, I push open the fogged sliding glass door and shove it closed behind me.

The opacity of the glass is enough that I can only see Colby’s silhouette, so I know he can’t see any of my actual bits through the door.

I take a deep breath before unfastening my bra and tossing it over the top of the door, and follow with my panties.

I don’t try to gauge his reaction through the glass, but I do face the brunt of the first burst of cold water in silence.

He won’t win whatever this is. The door clicks closed, and I wipe the glass to see there’s no broody stepbrother in sight.

I should feel satisfied I won. Colby will see that I don’t bend to his will or his stink attitude.

The satisfaction of said winning does nothing for my nerves, however.

Once the water is finally warm, I stick my head under the spray to soak my hair and close my eyes to rinse my face.

I look at the fancy shower head above me that I swear is begging me to remove it from the holder and abuse it.

My body hums with need between the ovulation desires and the three band members filling my mind.

Eyes still closed, I bring the pressurized water down my torso, and my body jerks when the spray reaches my center.

A small whine echoes through the tile bathroom while I grind my teeth to keep another from escaping.

Colby may not be in the bathroom, but he’s probably still in the hotel room.

My eyes squeeze tighter, using one hand to spread myself open and the other to hold the shower head to pulse against my clit.

Visions of Jackson wet in the shower earlier today fill my mind, and then another wave has me picturing Colby standing over the sink, half naked and covered in ink.

My pussy clenches repeatedly, aching for the unknown feeling of either of them inside me, all while imagining I was the one Sydnee had pinned against the wall at the venue.

None of what I’m doing is okay. Not only am I lusting after all three bandmates as I hold a shower head to my needy core, but I’m feeling my orgasm build even stronger to the thought of my stepbrother.

It’s so fucked, no matter how badly every fiber of my being continues to chase this pleasure, his name at the tip of my tongue getting me even closer.

The deep space between my hips aches when I think of him. As if he’s still standing in the bathroom, I picture him stroking himself while watching me through the fogged glass. Not seeing enough, but knowing exactly what I’m doing, and maybe even why.

Another moan makes it past my lips, but my release is right there. My legs start to shake as it begins taking over my waist, and I bend in half as I come so fucking hard that it steals my breath.

My moans through my orgasm are definitely audible, and I just hope that the shower walls have a decent sound barrier.

I ride the wave of pleasure for so long that my knees are practically made of Jell-O when I stand to return the shower head to the fixture.

A figure behind the glass catches my eye, and my stomach drops to my fucking ass.

“I didn’t realize we were playing chicken, but you win, little sister,” Colby says in a raspy voice before actually walking out of the bathroom and closing the door behind him.