Page 71 of Rockstar Baby

He watched Ian, taking cues from him, changing the song slightly to suit him. He didn’t lead, which surprised me. He was so forthright when he was around me. Seeing him fall back into a supporting role was puzzling.

As the often played “One” from Metallica blended into… I frowned. What was that song? I loved music, but it was more of a whatever-is-on-the-radio love. I enjoyed the old songs on the jukebox at the diner, some of the country-type music that played at the Spinning Wheel, and even some of the rock my brothers listened to.

But this felt more groovy. Before our generation.

Rory wasn’t that much older than me, maybe a handful of years, but this music felt older. Finally, Ian’s vocals rose to the rafters. His voice was velvet-smooth with an almost seventies’ flavor.

The guitars were layered and seemed very skillfully done. I listened to music, but I’d never picked a song apart in my life. Rory’s fingers were sliding up and down the neck of the guitar, making it do all sorts of things I’d never noticed one could do before.

It was far hotter than it should have been.

“Oh, don’t start that crap,” Zoe called out behind us. “Freaking Eagles song. As if he hasn’t already gotten me knocked up,” she muttered.

Ian lifted his hands in exultation. “For you, my sweet wife-to-be.”

“Get a life. You haven’t asked yet!”

“Yet is the operative word, Magic.”

“The Eagles?”

Zoe shrugged. “His brother was here and they got on a classic rock tear. ‘One of These Nights’ is my favorite Eagles’ song.”

I grinned. “That’s sweet.”

“Yeah, he likes to think he’s adorable.”

Maggie snorted. “Oh, he knows he is.”

“Why my life is never boring. Besides, I don’t really mind bringing him down a peg or two when necessary.”

“I hear that, girl.” Maggie held out her fist and Zoe bumped it.

Ian gave Zoe a saucy smile then turned to Rory. He said something to Ian and they started another song, this one more current. They both strummed their guitars faster, as if they were in some sort of race.

Kellan joined in and his rumbling voice growled out the words to “Animals” from Nickelback.

My mouth dropped open. He didnot.

Rory’s mouth tipped up into a sly grin as the song got dirtier and grittier. Ian’s voice matched Kellan’s and they sang the gunfire-fast song in a weird tandem.

Maggie gave a delighted laugh beside me and Zoe whooped.

I was ready to strangle Rory.

The song was a little too close to our previous evening. I finished my lemonade and threw my cup at Rory. He tipped back his head with a laugh, then hopped to the floor and swung his guitar around his back as he headed right for me.

As Kellan got to the part about getting caught in the car, Rory pulled me up into a quick, hot kiss before letting me go as fast as he’d grabbed me. Then he threaded his way through the assembled crowd back to the stage.

“Whew.” Zoe fanned her face. “I didn’t know Rory had it in him. At least without a beer or seven first.”

My cheeks were flaming, but not because of the kiss. Somehow there was a lighthearted Rory hidden in there who felt the need to show me affection. Okay, so it was a very hot kind of affection, but still, so not him. I mean, when we were naked or alone, he was quite handsy, but in front of people? Yeah, no. He was almost reserved.

The three rockers were laughing like lunatics by the end of the song. Then they had their heads together, iPhones out.

“Oh, this will go on for awhile.” Zoe kicked out her feet.

Maggie nodded. “Someone got an idea.”