Page 21 of Enjoying the Band in Lockdown

“She’s got one.” Xavier didn’t lose his cool. Not even as I grabbed my shorts. “She’s my girl. She’s with me and—”

“Mate, I get it.” Jax taunted, licking his lips with exaggerated swagger. “I get what the fuss is over. She’s had a taste of what she can have. What can I say, but game on.”

“Can you guys just chill? I don’t know how many times I need to remind both of you, and anyone else who’ll listen. I’m Xavier’s girl.”

By now, I was standing, fully dressed, and more confident in forgetting whatever crap bullshit Jax and I had. We were nothing. Great sex. Fantastic sex. But nothing else. Nothing like what Xavier and I shared. “Ready to go?” I didn’t wait, assuming Xavier would follow me out and leave Jax to his own ego.

“Why is it so hard for you to see me with Jax? I mean, this whole band thing was your idea.”

“I know.” At least Xavier held my hand, as if the last half hour didn’t happen.

“You and Devon aren’t a problem. You even seem to enjoy it when Chase joins our bed. But there’s always been something about Jax.”

“He’s an asshole.”

“Mate, I’m right here.” Jax hadn’t given us space, deciding to catch us and continue the conversation.

“Okay.” Xavier spun around, still holding onto me. “You’re an asshole to women. You think every woman is put on the planet for your entertainment. And then I see what you do. You fuck them. You fuck with their head and then you fuckin walk away.”

His thumb caressed my palm before he continued, “I don’t want that for Sydney. I don’t need you to keep messing with her like you mess with every other woman you’ve been with.”

Not surprisingly, Jax didn’t show any embarrassment or offer an explanation or apology. “Not my problem. I never promised them anything. But I don’t hear you complaining when the women follow us around, buy up tickets and give the band a social media buzz.”

“Xavier, it’s over. I want to go back, with you.” I didn’t need to listen to Jax talk more shit and mess with Xavier’s head.

“Ready to hear the song?”

“Who got what they wanted?”

“Let’s just say we’ve got the words, we’ve got the music and all we need is the full band together to bring it home.”

“I can’t wait to hear it.”

“We did talk about the competition.”

“Oh.” I heard Jax quicken his pace, wanting to hear. “Have you changed your mind?”

“Even if I did, I think the guys would have something to say about it.”

“Not their choice,” I stressed. “Have you changed your mind?”

“No, but maybe the timing. Your leaving shook us. We figured we all need some time to chill. Take it easy for a few days. Give us some space to forget about the competition and get ready for the online concert. Get some media going, promote the song.”

“So, do we wait until after the concert?” I didn’t hear Xavier putting a hold on us having fun, only the competition.

“What do you want?”

“I like the idea of using the competition to get rid of the stress. But I think we all need some time to reconnect while you guys finish the song.”

“So, we just chill?”

“Have some fucking fun!” I laughed, knowing his response before he picked me up and carried me bridal style up towards the main road and the pub.

“How about we just have fun, fucking.”

The song was everything Xavier had promised.

With Chase on the drums, the baseline was as solid as they came and even Trent seemed to come alive on guitar. Not that I’d ever admit to Jax or Devon, but the band’s strength was in the rhythm section. Setting the mood for the rest to follow.

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