Page 3 of Hard Rock Love
“Hey, Seth.” I tried not to sound strangled. “It’s good to see you again.”
Our eyes locked. I almost lost myself in that brilliant green, head going woozy, the rest of the world fading away.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Julian said. “Last time Seth saw you, you were barely a teenager.”
I’d been young enough to be annoyed by Seth’s pranks and amused by his humor. Sure, I’d known he was good looking in that “he’s kinda cute” sort of way, but it had never gone beyond that. I knew he was out of my league. An older boy, a drummer in a rock band, best friends with my big sister? I wasn’t even going to bother with girlish daydreams when I knew it would never happen. I’d been too preoccupied with school and studying, anyway.
I still was, truthfully, but I was also an adult now, and the grown woman inside me was shrieking one thing.
Climb this man like a tree.
My stomach flipped over on itself at the thought, and not just because of Seth. Vivid memories from months ago bubbled up from the void I’d shoved them into.
I pretended to rummage around in my purse, avoiding Seth’s eyes.
“We should all go out for dinner sometime,” Julian said. “To catch up.”
“If you can manage to fit a night out in your schedule,” Everly said, poking Julian in the chest.
“Things have been kind of crazy lately,” Seth agreed. “We’ve got that tour coming up soon, too.”
I still felt his eyes on me. I fumbled with the clasp of my purse, pretending it was stuck, giving me some extra time to gather myself.
I shouldn’t have been thinking about one of my sister’s best friends that way.
Instead, I thought about schoolwork, and the exams coming up. College was harder than high school and I needed to spend a lot more time studying.
I very carefully avoided all thoughts of study groups and frat parties.
By the time my flush was under control and my breathing was back to normal, the conversation had moved on to music, media interviews and set lists. The kind of things I’d never been interested in.
I kept my attention on my sister. Still, out of the corner of my eye, I caught the looks Seth gave me.
He was just as taken aback by me as I was by him. Surely his reaction was nowhere near what mine was, though. Seth was surprised at how tall I was, how I’d changed from that pesky little sister into an adult. He could be thinking how old he’d gotten in comparison.
My thoughts, on the other hand, were definitely more sensual in nature.
With trembling hands, I clutched my purse, fighting to get ahold of myself.
I wasn’t going to start thinking those kinds of thoughts. Not about the guy who’d watched me grow up. And absolutely not about the cool rock star who was rich and famous with no doubt hundreds of girls throwing themselves at his feet.
“The speeches are going to start soon,” Julian said, forcing my attention back to the conversation. “We’ve got to say a few words, accept a few awards.”
“I hope Cerise doesn’t hog the microphone,” Seth said. “I’ve got a great acceptance speech ready to go.”
“If you touch that microphone, I’ll stuff your mouth with the award statue,” Julian said.
Seth faked a disgruntled pout. His bottom lip was full and pink and perfectly kissable.
Never one for PDA, Julian pressed a chaste kiss to Everly’s cheek and ran a hand through a few strands of her hot pink hair.
“Will you be okay by yourself?” he asked.
“Don’t worry about me,” Everly said. “I see Kell over there.” She raised an eyebrow at me with a wry look. “I better go say hello and schmooze with therealrock stars, just like Abby said.”
As Julian and Seth headed toward the stage, Seth threw me one last unreadable look. He looked like he wanted to say something, but simply lifted his hand in a wave.
I lifted mine back and mouthed,have fun.
He flashed me a brilliant smile, green eyes sparkling.
Always do, he mouthed back with a wink.
My stomach fluttered.
When I told Everly I’d come to the album release party, I thought I’d stick to the walls, stuff my face with fancy finger food and entertain myself by watching all those so-called influencers flaunt their expensive outfits and accessories. I’d only vaguely thought about seeing Seth again.
To my chagrin, thoughts of Seth, now fully grown and more gorgeous than any model I’d ever seen, didn’t leave my head for weeks.
