Page 23 of Hard Rock Love

“I’m really proud of her,” I said. “She’s doing amazing things.”

“I'm helping with those amazing things,” Seth butted in with a smug tilt of his chin. “My little side project is going really well.”

“Yourside project?” Liam, the man next to Cerise, laughed. He placed a hand on her knee, caressing it unconsciously. “It’s more of a team effort, isn’t it?”

Seth made a face. “Let me have this one, okay?” He perked up and bounced on his toes. “Who’s in for a little drinking game?”

“Not tonight, I think,” Liam said. “We’re only staying for a bit then heading home.”

Seth looked disappointed, but hid it well.

“We haven’t had a lot of quality time recently, what with the album release and getting ready for the festival tour and everything.” Cerise closed her eyes and crossed her fingers. “Please, for the love of god, pick us,” she muttered to herself.

I assumed she was praying they picked Cherry Lips to be the headliners, just as Seth had been saying.

“And by quality time, you really mean…” Seth raised a suggestive eyebrow and gave them a knowing smirk.

“We’re going to fuck each other's brains out, yes,” Cerise said bluntly.

It was almost startling, how at ease she was with herself. I doubted this woman had ever felt self-conscious in her life.

“I can’t compete with that,” Seth said. “The others and I will just play without you.”

We continued wandering through the house, looking for the rest of Seth’s band members.

“Oh.” He stopped and pointed to the far wall. “I see Gael and Jessie.”

There was a pair in the corner sucking face, with their hands in entirely inappropriate places. I averted my eyes, even though they didn’t seem to care too much about privacy.

“I guess they're out,” Seth said. “Nathan’s always up for a game, though. I can get him and Becca to join in.”

Seth nodded his chin to a couple on one of the loveseats. Her legs were draped over his knees, their faces close together as they talked. The girl had a sweet smile on her face, which matched the loving look the guy was giving her.

“Hey, Nate!” Seth called. He made a drinking motion with his hand. “You in?”

Nathan leaned in close to the girl, Becca, and said something into her ear. She looked thoughtful, then nodded. He turned to us.

“Nah, we’re good here,” Nathan called out. “Next time.”

“Yeah, all right,” Seth said with an understanding nod.

But I could feel the palpable disappointment radiating from him, the expression on his face falling, no longer so exuberant.

I squeezed his hand and nudged him with my shoulder.

“That’s sappy couples for you, right?” I said.

Seth’s mouth twisted, looking forlorn. He let out a small quiet sigh, then seemed to shake himself. When he looked back up, the bright smile was back on his lips.

“It’s cool,” Seth said. “I’m glad they’re all having a fun time.”

I nodded in agreement, but my heart still ached for Seth. Playing those games was important to him, but it looked like his friends weren’t all that interested.

“My best friend moved away,” I said without thinking. “She went to a college on the other side of the country.”

Seth made a sound of sympathy.

“I'm sorry,” he said. “You miss her?”