Page 55 of Rock Out Together
He chuckled. “That’s me. I gotta get out on stage. Enjoy the show, and I’ll see you after.” His voice held a warmth that made my heart skip, as if he meant every word. It sounded like a promise. To me.
And that was how, ten minutes later, I stood stage left watching Steele Horizons rock a crowd on the beach in Panama City for spring break 2025.
Great. Just great.
Zara and I stood on the side of the stage. She was going apeshit, dancing in place and singing along with the lyrics. I wanted to go back to the hotel and hide away in the room, but she convinced me to stay, saying the music would distract me.
She was right. Jake Steele was very distracting. His energy on stage was electric. Every move, every note, commanded the crowd’s attention and stirred something deep in my gut.
He was singing their number one hit, “Broken Chains.”
I’d put this song on repeat on Spotify when I broke up with my ex. It got me through some deep emotional moments. I felt stupid for not recognizing Jake, but he didn’t plaster his face everywhere. It was all about the band logo.
Now, seeing him pour his soul into the song, I felt a connection to him that went beyond the music. I had that beautiful face linked to the song that healed me.
He was mesmerizing. My body was on fire as I watched him. How could this hot-as-hell rocker have such emotional depth? His voice carried a raw vulnerability that made my heart ache, as if he were singing directly to me.
I got now why Zara was obsessed.
“Before we close out this set, I want to thank security for keeping our fans safe. Especially my new friend, Emily.” He turned our way, breathing hard, his shirtless body covered ina shiny sheen of sweat, a boyish smile on his face, like he was about to be naughty. That smile sent a thrill through me, both playful and intimate, as if we shared a secret.
“This is for you, Care Bear,” he shouted, launching into a song I wasn't familiar with. It didn't rage like a lot of their other metal songs. The ballad sent shivers down my spine. The melody wrapped around me like a warm embrace, each note pulling me closer to him.
He wowed the crowd. Then he walked to where I stood and pulled me onstage, singing into the mic, eyes never leaving mine. My body froze as he pressed me against him.
I never knew what hunger was,
until your eyes found me.
It drags like teeth against my ribs,
I burn to taste it again.
For a second, I couldn’t breathe. I kept my eyes fixed on him. My body thrummed to the beat of the song. I could feel the heat of his fevered skin, the sweat wicking into my shirt.
His touch was electric, grounding me in a moment that felt like it belonged in one of my novels, something I’d only ever read about. Where the hero sang a love song to the heroine.Oh God, don’t let me faint!
He finished the song, then turned to face the crowd. “Give it up for Emily.”
They went wild, clapping and chanting my name. If this were my fifteen minutes of fame, I’d be okay with that. Iwasn’t one who craved attention, I preferred to be behind the scenes.
Though with Jake’s hand in mine, I felt like I could handle anything. His presence made me feel brave and safe. As our gazes locked, I felt the promise of a new story starring Jake and Emily, and it was only just beginning.
four
. . .
The Escape
“You try running a full marathon on stage every other night and then complain about how much I sleep.
~Elliott Blake
Jake
Grabbing Emily’s hand, I pulled her off stage in a run. “Grab Zara for the afterparty,” I yelled to Rowan, who nodded, a knowing smile on his face.
Yeah, he'd better know.Care Bear girl was bussin’ fine in my shirt. It hid the curve of her waist, but when it hit right under her ass, her shapely legs made my mouth water. Her softness in the oversized garment was sexier than any groupie’s carefullycalculated outfit.
