Page 72 of Drive

“It’s good you’re making friends,” Reid said, his voice cool, indifferent.

“Yeah,” I said, unwilling to entertain his shit another second. “Have a good show.”

“Thanks.”

We separated at the bar. I sat on my stool and watched the whole show, my grudge against him disappearing song by song. He lost his shirt, tucking it in his back pocket on the second set. Seduced by the sweat dripping from his hair, the movement of his body, I watched, my reaction the same, the warmth spreading as I kept my eyes glued while a group of girls screamed at the foot of the stage. The club was sweltering and packed beyond its limit. Ben shrieked out the lyrics to one of their originals, “Even”. It was a song about a little boy who was left alone in a dark house, screaming for his mother. It was dark, and it reeked of Reid. I shuddered at the thought of that happening to him. That night there was something different in the way he played, and it radiated off him. He didn’t look up, not once. Not even when Ben tried to engage him. He felt so far away as the fans screamed for them. After the show, Reid made a beeline for me, and we drove home in silence before he retreated to his balcony.

I slept alone.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“10,000 Emerald Pools”

Børns

It’s crazy how a small stroke of luck can turn things around. And I knew without a doubt that Reid needed something more to keep him going, and that something more turned out to be an invitation to play weekly at a couple of clubs and getpaidfor it.

“It’s starting,” I said with a smile as he gave me my phone back. Ben had called me because Reid’s had been disconnected a few days before.

“It’s not much at all.”

“It’s money to play drums!” I said with a broad smile. “You are a paid musician now, Crowne,” I said, traying an order of enchiladas as he stood next to me, loading up his own. He couldn’t hide his smile, and that time I caught the full dimple.

“Let’s go out tonight and celebrate,” I suggested, hopeful.

“Yeah,” he said. “We made plans to meet up later.”

“Oh, well, if it’s a group thing, I get it. I can get a ride from Leslie.”

“No, you can’t.” Leslie popped her head out of her office. “I’m your boss, not a taxi service, Stella. And, Reid, you better make damn sure you clear those nights with me.”

He gave Linebacker Leslie a salute then walked his tray out of the door.

“I’ll work all those shifts to cover him,” I offered. “Every one. Even if it means doubles.”

“I would take you up on that, except you’re a horrible waitress.”

I drew my brows together. “What? I amnot!”

Leslie nodded toward my tray. “That order went in ten minutes after you took it. I watched you, and now those enchiladas are freezing.”

“I’ll do better.”

“I doubt it,” Leslie said as I made a face at her turned back. “I have a rearview mirror in here.”

***

I’d always romanticized being around a rock ’n’ roll band. What could be more rewarding than hearing creative conversations fly in a cloud of smoke, tattoos, and cheap beer? It’s not every woman’s fantasy, but as Reid slung his arm around me, his fingers lightly brushing my shoulder as he spoke, I couldn’t help but to feel the exhilaration that came with sitting in the dark black booth as one of them. A silent cheerleader. For once, I just sat back and watched, and kept the questions to myself. And that’s when I saw the true magic. The starlit eyes of four guys who were on the same edge ofsomething. Even Reid’s prominent skepticism was on the back burner. I melted into his hold, his fingers never stopping. I caught Ben’s eyes on his fingers once or twice before he winked at me.

“Fuck, man, if we can get a few more gigs, we can quit our jobs,” Rye said enthusiastically.

“Says the guy who just needs enough money to play video games on his mother’s couch. This isn’t real money,” Ben said with an eye roll. “But, damn,” he said, raising his glass, “I’ll take the steady gigs.” They all toasted, and I raised my glass. They got busy talking about new songs, the energy around the table flowing through all of us. I texted Lexi and saw Reid frown at me. “Lexi.”

He nodded and laughed at something Adam said before he turned back to me while I put my phone away.

“Hey,” he whispered. “You feeling okay?”

“Yeah, of course. Why?”