Page 28 of Out of the Blue

The song continues, and we move together to the anthem like we’re the only two people here. I like it.I like her.

Stop. She’s a woman. She lies like everyone else.

Well, noteveryone. None of the guys in the band has broken my trust. But women? Both my mother and my ex-girlfriend were bald-faced liars. Perhaps Cordelia’s lies—the false eyelashes, push-up bra, and dyed hair—really aren’t too much in the grand scheme of things, though. Especially considering all she’s doing for the band. And for me.

Cordelia traces her arm down my back, scraping her fingernails as she goes. Fuck. “That feels really good,” I murmur in a gruff voice.

She offers a lazy smile. “I’ve forgotten how much I enjoy dancing.”

I lean down to kiss her, but don’t meet her lips. Instead, I note, “You were built for it.” Noise off to the side reaches my ears. “Wonder what’s going on?”

She pokes her head around me. “Oh. Looks like Hunte has entered the building.”

It’s like ice water pours over me. I still as the last notes of the song blare. “I need a drink.” Without waiting for her to join me, I leave the dance floor, find a server, and order another Bud.

Beer in hand, I flop down on a sofa, spreading my legs wide. Why didhehave to come and ruin my night? It was going so well before he crashed into it. I take another swig of my drink when the man himself crosses in front of me, a Bud at his lips. I rest mine on my lap and slide my thumb over the opening.

Cordelia approaches him and they talk. From my vantage point, I study him. His posture. His mannerisms. The way he sits his thumb on top of his open beer bottle.

Fuck.

Cordelia nods and turns toward me, straightening her shoulders. She walks over, the tips of her toes inches away from my boot-covered ones. “Braxton just told me he’s digging your sound. How cool is that?”

I chug another swig of my Bud. “Yeah.” I down more of my favorite drink.

Off to the right, Braxton’s best friend, the bassist phenom Colton yells, “Yo, Brax! Need another Bud?”

He responds, “You know it!”

Colton laughs. “Damn. Should’ve gotten you stock in your favorite beer ages ago.”

Braxton says something back, but I’ve tuned them out. I don’t need to witness any more of this bullshit. Suddenly, the club is too loud, the noise level too high, and the drink too flat. I slap my half-drunk beer onto a nearby table and slam my palms on my knees. Cordelia takes a couple of steps backward.

“I’ve about had my fill of this after-party.” I rise, causing her to scurry to the side.

“How are you getting back to the hotel?”

Her question freezes me for only a second. “I’ll order an Uber.” I fish into my back pocket and extract my cell.

“Mind if I catch a ride with you?” She yawns. “We have a big day ahead, and I’m sort of beat.”

I shrug. “Sure.” Wanting to flee from the club, I order the car through the app. “Twenty minutes.” Shit. Such a fuck-long time.

“Great. Just enough time to say good-bye,” she replies.

Could we be more opposite if we tried?

We make our rounds to my bandmates, none of whom are ready to leave. Why would they? It’s only a little past midnight. Braxton reels his wife in for a kiss and my stomach curls. Even though the night’s still young, I’m beyond ready to bolt.

Good-byes done, we pass the bathrooms on our way to the front of the club. Reminds me of where Cordelia and I first hooked up. I glance at the Ladies’ Room door and note her eyes doing the same. The air thickens for a moment.

“Let’s go. The car should be here soon.”

She clears her throat. “Right.”

We leave the club and I fist bump the bald bouncer. “Thanks, man. Nice place you got here.”

“Appreciate it. See you around.”

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