Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 68177 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68177 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“Are you okay?”
My brother’s question drags my attention away from Samantha, and I focus on him.
“Yeah.” I grab his upper arm in a reassuring gesture, but I’m not sure if I’m reassuring him or myself. He eyes me warily, and I wonder what that’s about, wonder if he’s talked to Braxton over the last few days. I don’t ask. I don’t want to know—or that’s what I tell myself. “Are you ready for your show?”
“I’m always ready to hit the stage,” he says, and I study him and can tell he’s already pumped up. His pupils are slightly dilated, his body buzzing. He’s excited, anxious to share himself with the crowd who has gathered to see him perform.
“There’s a lot of people out there, and even more waiting to get in.”
“Maggie will be happy about that. She’s worried about losing us when we go on tour,” he explains, and I realize then that I haven’t spoken to Maggie in a while. Not that we were great friends, but we did text every now and then before I accidentally stood up her friend and got wrapped up in Braxton.
“Is she here tonight?”
“If she’s not yet, she will be,” he replies, looking at the door when someone knocks softly.
I turn at that time and see a cute girl with oversized glasses on poke her head into the room. “Maggie told me to let you guys know you’re on in five,” she says quietly, her cheeks turning pink.
“Thanks, Ally,” Jamie replies, his voice gentle, and her face becomes an even deeper shade of pink before she nods and shuts the door.
“She’s got it bad for you, dude,” Jinx says, looking at Jamie, and I narrow my eyes on my brother.
“What?” he asks me.
“I just got a glimpse of her and know she is way too sweet for a guy like you. Don’t even think about going there.”
“It hasn’t even crossed my mind.” He holds up his hands when I raise a brow. “She’s Maggie’s niece and not my speed.”
“You mean she’s not easy.” I roll my eyes, finishing my drink and setting the cup down.
“She’s sweet, but like you pointed out, she’s not for me.”
“She might not be for him, but it’s funny as shit to watch the two of them together, her stumbling all over herself, him trying not to scare her off.” Jinx laughs.
“Shut the fuck up, man,” Jamie grumbles then looks at me. “Are you planning on hanging after the show?”
“Maybe, it depends on what Samantha wants to do.” I glance over to where she and Lozz are sitting on the couch, talking.
“I’d guess she’d be cool with hanging out after.”
I smack his arm. “She’s not one of your groupies.”
He grins. “It only takes seeing us perform once to become a groupie.”
“Maybe you should get that printed on a T-shirt to sell at your concerts,” I say, taking his bottle of Jack and putting it to my lips, coughing as the heat hits my throat.
He laughs, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “I’m glad you came.” He kisses the side of my head then lets me go and shouts, “Let’s go!”
A minute later, the guys are heading toward the stage, with me and Samantha going back the way we came. As we exit backstage, the crowd roars at the first cords of their hit song, “Drink with Me.” I look at Samantha and grin then lead her to the front of the stage.
“Holy shit, they are good!” she shouts at me three songs later, and I nod.
She’s not wrong; they are good, and I really do think that once they hit the road, they are going to take the music industry by storm. I’m happy for my brother but a little sad for myself, because I know things between us are changing. We don’t need each other as much as we once did. We’re both becoming adults with our own lives and our own futures. Even if those futures seem to be up in the air right now.
Needing a minute away from the crowd, I lean into Samantha and shout in her ear, “I’m going to go to the bar. Do you want to come with me?”
“I think I’ll stay,” she says, her eyes locked on Lozz. “But will you bring me a vodka tonic?”
“Yeah,” I shout back then push through the mass of people trying to get as close to the stage as possible. It takes me a few minutes to make it to the bar, and when I do, I yell, gaining the bartender’s attention, then ask him for my order. When he disappears to fill it, I look to the stage and watch my brother do what he does best.
“Where the fuck have you been?” I turn at that question and find Maggie smiling at me.
“Work.” I smile back, moving across the space to give her a hug.