Page 17 of Broken Melody
“I can’t believe that Maddox Colt is here in my bar.”
“Why, Dusty? This is Hollywood. You get celebrities in here all the time,” Britt says laughing.
“I know, but he’s…he’s… well he’sawesome.”
“Aw, Dusty, do you have a man crush?” Britt teases him.
“Shut up,” Dusty says to Britt and his tone makes us both laugh.
“Well it’s your lucky day. Sailor can introduce you to him. He’s here to see her.”
I swing my gaze to her and give her a look that could kill. She knows that I don’t want anyone to know about the audition the other day. If I don’t get chosen, I’d prefer people not know about it at all. I don’t want to have to navigate through their pity later – no thank you.
“You know him?” he asks me with surprise in his tone.
“We are just acquaintances,” I tell him just as Maddox breaks away from the crowd and sits in a vacant bar seat right in front of me.
“I need to talk to you,” he says looking at me intently. He moves his gaze to Dusty, sees his hand on my shoulder and frowns.
“Maddox, please meet my boss, Dusty Hook. He’s the owner of the bar… if hearing his last name didn’t make that obvious.”
“Oh please, Sailor, we both know I’m more than just your boss,” Dusty says and Maddox’s jaw clenches. Britt looks on in glee and I just feel perplexed. “I’m your friend.”
“That you are,” I tell him with a smile. “Dusty is a fan, Maddox. He’s excited that you’re here in his bar.”
“Ah, well, it’s nice to meet you Dusty, and I promise I’m not here to get drunk and get in a fight or trash the place,” he says referring to the tabloid stories of him doing just that.
“That thought didn’t even cross my mind,” Dusty says, although truth be told, I bet he would think it’s cool if Maddox did bust up his bar. Men!
“Can I talk to you for a few minutes? Now?” He looks at me expectantly, and even over the noise Britt and Dusty either heard him too or are just nosey because they are staring at me as well.
“What? No direct orders or finger snapping this time?”
He smirks, “Not today.”
Uncomfortably, I look at Dusty, “Is it okay if I take a quick break?”
“Of course,” Dusty says with excitement in his eyes. “We’re covered,” he says referring to the bar.
“Thanks,” I force a smile not at all sure I want to hear whatever Maddox came to say. But then again if he’s going to let me down and tell me they decided to go another way, he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy that would volunteer to come and tell me in person. So I’ve got nothing. I look at Britt quickly and we both shrug at each other.
Weaving through the crowd, I follow Maddox toward the door. He keeps his head down, but it doesn’t matter, he’s still stopped along the way and asked to sign a couple things. I see people act like they’re looking at their phones while discreetly taking photos of him, but it’s obvious as hell. I bet a picture of him gets a pretty penny considering how much press he gets. Oh yeah, I did my research. There’s been a lot of gossip about him and reading it all kept me rather entertained for a few hours.
When we’re finally outside, he moves down the sidewalk a few steps and I follow. When he stops and turns to me, I move to the building and lean against it waiting for him to spit out whatever he needs to say.
“You’ve got kind of an attitude, you know that?” He says to me.
“Me? Are you kidding me right now?” He smiles and I realize he purposefully goaded me. Apparently, he finds me amusing. Rolling my eyes, I snap, “Just spit it out. What did you come here to say?”
“What makes you think I came here to say anything? Maybe I just wanted to hear you sing karaoke. I mean after Jace and Rick told us about it, I had to see the karaoke queen for myself.”
“Well I’d believe you except for the fact you asked to speak to me. So, I’m guessing you want something.”
“Maybe I just wanted to get you alone.”
His gaze rakes me from head to toe making my toes curl in my shoes. He’s messing with me, but I can play that game, “Oh, yeah?” I ask tucking my hair behind my ear and licking my lips. His eyes track my movements. Taking a step closer, I lift my face up to his, “Why didn’t you say so?” His eyes move from mine to my lips and back again. His head moves a little closer and that damn curl at the corner of his mouth makes my stomach flip. If I wait one more second, his lips will be on mine, “Maddox?” I practically whisper.
“Yeah?” he says, his breath hot against my lips.
