Page 2 of Something to Believe In
Jami grinned. It was that grin, a half-grin he'd describe it as, that the women went wild for. He'd grin on stage, and the women would scream their heads off. As the drummer, he was at the back, and he saw it all. If he were being honest with himself, he'd also state that his eyes locked on Maddyn's sexy ass more than once or twice a night. He'd shake his head and focus on the crowd screaming for Jami or the beat of the song or the overall joy in all of them doing what they loved. But then, without thought, he'd be watching Mads’ ass moving and shaking as she sang her heart out. He had the best job in the world.
Except they had a no-fraternization policy. Band members weren't supposed to hook up with each other. It tore bands apart. Big bands. They'd all agreed they didn't want things to get messy, so they abided by that rule. That was until Livia joined the band last year. Tony fell in love with her at first sight. He said he'd leave if Jami and the rest of them didn't let him and Livia stay together, and since he was doing a bang-up job as their manager, and Livia's voice was outstanding, they all agreed. But how many times could that actually work out for this small band? He would not be the one to ruin a good thing, just when it was paying off!
The door to the outside opened, and Maddyn stepped inside. He watched her in the mirror behind the bar. It looked like she'd been crying. He whipped around on his stool and stared across the room at Maddyn. Beautiful, sexy Maddyn with the voice of an angel. Earlier, she had pulled her long dark hair back in a ponytail, but now it was askew. And she stood stock-still in the dim light of the barn. Axel jumped off his stool and stalked toward her slowly, afraid she'd bolt. Her eyes were glistening with moisture; her hair was more messed up than her ponytail. But what really pissed him off was the bright red handprint on her cheek.
His rage rose to the top so fast he was nearly dizzy. "Did that fucker hit you?" It came out almost as a growl.
Her eyes rounded as she looked into his. Her lips quivered. Jami came to stand next to him. Tony was on the other side of Jami. Livia stepped out of the studio and froze as they all stared at Mads.
Mads opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. Livia ran to Maddyn's side and hugged her friend tightly. Maddyn burst into tears, and it was as if he had the Hulk inside of him. He stalked to the door and pushed it open with such force that it swung back, hit the side of the barn, and slammed closed again.
Chapter Two
Maddyn hugged her friend, Livia. It felt good to have warm, caring arms around her.
Livia whispered, "Did he hit you, Mads?"
All she could do was nod. It came so fast and furiously; she didn't have time to duck. He raged about her being five minutes late. Five fucking minutes.
"Okay," Livia whispered. "You're done with him, right?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Maddyn pulled back and saw that Axel and Jami had left the barn. Tony too.
She took a deep breath. "Don't let them go after him."
Livia looked into her eyes. "Are you alright?"
"Yes. But he's volatile and unpredictable. I don't want anyone getting hurt."
"You stay here."
Livia stepped through the door of the barn, leaving her in the dim light and silence. She leaned against the wall of the barn; the cool, sturdy walls supported her. Her legs were shaking so badly she wasn't sure she'd make it to the sofa in the lounge.
She heard her friends and co-workers nearing the door and inhaled another deep breath. She pushed herself off the wall and shuffled to the nearest sofa. They had four sofas surrounding a large square coffee table. It allowed all of them to sit and relax, and, to be honest, it felt like the safest place in the world right now.
The door opened, and her friends came back in. One by one, they joined her on the sofas. Axel sat across from her, Tony to her right with Livia. Sean left the studio and saw them on the sofas and flopped down on her left. Jami brought drinks from the coolers for everyone and plopped them on the coffee table before sitting on the sofa next to her.
Without a word, Jami put his arm around her shoulders, and she leaned into his support. Her eyes landed on Axel's as he watched her. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, then licked his lips. He asked softly, "What happened?"
"I was five minutes late."
Axel's eyes rounded. Axel was incredibly handsome. She'd stared at him more than once over the last few years. But he was her friend and co-worker, and they had to remain professional.
"Five minutes late?" he asked slowly.
She swallowed. "He doesn't like me to keep him waiting."
Axel's eyebrows shot up in the air. "Fuck no, Mads." His voice rose. "You are not at fault for anything. Especially not being late. You're working. We're working." He motioned around to all of them. "He does not tell us when we're finished with practice. We tell him. Actually, I'll tell that motherfucker."
She smiled at Axel's anger. Not that she was happy he was angry, but it made her heart swell that he was mad on her behalf.
Axel stood and stepped around the coffee table to sit on it in front of her. She took a deep breath. The look in his eyes changed. There was an intensity in them she'd rarely seen. Maybe never. His hands rested palm to palm, as if he were praying. "Please tell me this is the first time he's done this."
She licked her lips and tried swallowing the lump in her throat. She sat up straight, and Jami removed his arm from her shoulders. From the corner of her eye, she could see Sean lean in, waiting for her answer. She felt incredibly stupid.
