Page 13 of Hard Rock Desires

It stroked my ego to see the disappointment on Grace’s face, even though it was also tinged with relief.

“Guess I better go,” she said.

“Stay,” I said without thinking.

She cocked her head at me. “What?”

“We’ve got a small after-party planned,” I said. “You should stay for it.”

“I’m here with my friend,” she said. “I can’t just leave her.”

“She can stay, too.”

“And how many other girls will be there?” she asked.

I glanced over at Finn, who had at least five surrounding him. The other members of the band were here now. Chris and Micah had their own gaggle. Kaylee and Anya were talking to a couple, a guy and a girl, who looked overjoyed. Well, Kaylee was the one chirping away while Anya stood there with a strained look on her face.

“You won’t be the only one,” I reassured Grace.

“I guess it would be a nice surprise for Lisa’s birthday,” she murmured.

A thrill went through me. Those blue eyes looked unsure, but there was a hint of curiosity underneath.

“Okay,” she said. “I’ll stay.”

Five

Grace

“I still can’t believe you pulled this off,” Lisa whispered loudly in my ear as she threw her arms around me. “We’re partying with the band!”

“I told them it was your birthday,” I replied.

I hadn’t mentioned to my friend I’d met Zain before the concert. I hadn’t wanted to get into all the details. All she knew was that he’d invited us to stay back after half of the other fans had left.

There were about fifteen people who had stuck around, mostly women but some men too, and it looked like some of the band’s entourage had joined in, the roadies and assistants. The event staff had brought out more drinks and food. Someone had turned on pulse-pounding music and lowered the lights. People were drinking and dancing and laughing. It was just like being in a private lounge at a club. Or so I assumed, since I’d never actually experienced something like that before.

Lisa was having the time of her life, bouncing from band member to band member, chatting and gushing and, when it came to the boys, flirting. I wondered what her boyfriend would think. Then I remembered he was just as much of a fan as she was. He probably would have loved it. He might have even joined in.

I mostly stayed out of the way, situating myself in a high-backed stool at the edge of the crowd. I wasn’t any more used to this clubbing thing than I was used to being in the crowded audience at a loud rock concert. Even less so with all the alcohol flowing. The smell of beer that wafted up my nose made my stomach tumble over on itself.

Lisa was having a good time, though, and I was more than content keeping to myself.

But a certain someone with midnight black eyes and a cocky grin didn’t seem to want to leave me alone.

“Are you sure I can’t get you anything, love?” Zain asked for the third time.

I brandished my bottle of water. “I’m good. I need to drive home after this.”

“We can get you a cab,” he offered. He had a beer in his hand, but the bottle wasn’t open yet.

“I’m not much of a drinker,” I told him.

I wondered if he’d press me on it. But he simply nodded and accepted my explanation. I was surprised when he dragged over another chair and placed it next to mine, perching on it.

“All joking aside,” he started, setting his unopened beer down on a table. “Did you enjoy yourself tonight?”

He sounded like he honestly wanted my opinion. I supposed he already knew everyone else was thrilled with how the evening had gone. Their fans had paid ungodly sums of money to be here. They had cheered so loud and danced so hard I thought the building would collapse. Of course they had loved the entire experience.