Page 34 of Hard Rock Tease
"I need to be there early for set up and sound check," Noah continued. "You don't have to show up until later."
"So we're not really going together."
"The band's gonna party afterward." He flicked his eyes to me quickly, then looked away. "You could stay and party with us."
A feeling almost like hope rose in my chest. Maybe he did want to spend time with me without there being a work reason.
"Bring some friends. Hot ones," he added. "I need girls there to distract Cameron or he'll give me shit all night."
I let out a laugh of disbelief. "You want me to bring my hot friends so your bandmates can hit on them?"
"You've got hot friends, right?"
"I can't believe you."
"Didn't you say you had two roommates?"
"They're both taken."
"Cameron won't mind."
"Their boyfriends will."
Noah pushed away from the keyboard. "Just be there at ten. I'll make sure you're on the guest list." He made his way over to the front door, scooping up his wallet and shoving it into his pants pocket.
"You're leaving now?"
He shrugged into his leather jacket. "I need time to de-stress before performing."
"Because being with me is so stressful."
"…got no fucking clue," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.
"What was that?"
"Nothing." He shot me one last careful look. "You can stay and work as long as you need. I'll see you tonight."
He shut the door behind him. I turned back to the piano, staring down blankly at the keys.
Being around Noah twisted me up into knots. There had been certain points during the last few weeks when I'd almost come to believe he might actually like me. Not just tolerate my presence, but actively enjoy it.
Then he'd walk out like I meant nothing and I'd remember that Noah didn't care about me at all. I was just a means to an end for him. At that thought the roiling in my stomach intensified, those knots becoming a tangled mess.
Was he only having sex with me because he needed to, as part of his "process?" I didn't know if he actually liked me or if he would sleep with any hot girl as long as they served as inspiration.
Was I having sex with Noah Hart because I wanted to feel close to him, because I felt like there might be a deeper connection between us? Or maybe I using my body to get ahead in my career, using all the tools at my disposal to help my client with his work.
All those thoughts ran through my head constantly. I had to stop doing this to myself.
I took the time to go home and change into more club-appropriate clothing, a tight black skirt with a shimmery blue halter top. I wondered if I shouldn't wear a Darkest Days band t-shirt, but that would probably be too fangirl of me. I could imagine the disgust on Noah's face if I showed up wearing one. The thought was funny enough to tempt me, but my outfit made me feel sexy, and I needed some of that.
As pathetic as it was, I needed to feel like I, Jennifer Young, was desirable in my own right, and not just because I happened to be the only "consultant" Noah Hart could stand to be around.
When I arrived at the club, I was let in by the bouncer immediately. I had half-wondered if Noah would forget to tell them my name and I'd be left out in the cold.
It seemed like the party had been in full swing for hours. I'd shown up just in time to catch the performance. Since I didn't know anyone else and didn't bring my friends as ordered. I made my way to the front of the stage and planted myself there with a drink in my hand.
I only had to wait a few minutes before people started crowding beside and behind me. The air in the room crackled with anticipation. Squeals and cheers and shouts gave way to a wave of chanting as the crowd began yelling for Darkest Days.
