Page 14 of Cadence
He’s goading me, I know he is, and it’s working. My pulse kicks up, my hands tremble slightly, and the part of me that wants to mouth off…rises to the surface like it’s been propelled.
“Or maybe you don’t look hard enough,” I mutter, knowing if hereallytried, the account Olive set up for me could be found. Not that it matters. That version of me, the one I don’t broadcast, was my escape, a bit of fun that turned into something bigger.
He holds my stare, and I lift my chin, shoulders squaring.
“I’ve already worked my ass off to earn respect in this industry.”
Something flickers in his eyes—surprise? Confusion?—but he masks it before I can properly acknowledge it.
“And from what I heard…” I step closer. “You need me more than I need you.”
A muscle in his jaw tics as his gaze searches mine, but I don’t break.
“I’ve answered your questions,” I say. “Any others? Or are we done?”
I’m right in front of him now. I can see the shallow rise and fall of his chest, feel the pull in the air between us. His knees are spread, and somehow, I’ve ended up right between them.
“Sorry, we’re late—”
The door bursts open, and Eli and Beau come barreling in, skidding to a halt when they see Maddox and me mere inches apart. Their gazes bounce between us, concern and suspicion etched onto both their faces.
My cheeks flush as I glance down, finally registering just how close I am, his guitar pressing against his chest the only thing separating us. An arm hangs over the body, a hand resting on his thighs, fingers flexing, and we’re so near he wouldn’t have to move much to touch me.
“Are we interrupting something?” Beau asks, slowly dragging the strap of his case off his shoulder.
Maddox stands, his movements controlled, moving around me and strapping his guitar over his chest like the last five minutes never happened.
“Just introducing ourselves properly.” He smirks as he leans down to plug into an amp.
The pressure surrounding my lungs releases as heat creeps up my neck, and I rub at it absently, trying to mask the flush.
Eli frowns, stepping closer until he’s directly between me and Maddox like a wall, his eyes raking over me. “You good?”
I force a smile, the kind you wear when someone presses on a bruise, and you pretend it doesn’t hurt. But bruises fade and I won’t let him get under my skin so easily next time.
“Great.”
He looks like he’s about to ask more, but I glance over his shoulder just in time to catch Beau murmuring, “What the hell did we walk in on?”
Maddox shrugs, casual to the point of cruelty. “Nothing.”
“Okaaay.” Beau drags out the word, skeptical, grabbing his sleek black guitar and tuning it, not nearly as smoothly as Maddox did. “Since someone’s already cranky, let’s just start.”
“Welcome to your first day of hell,” Eli says and shoots me a wink, lifting his bass from the stand. “You’re gonna love it.”
I snort, grateful for the shift, and settle behind the kit. Twisting my long hair up, I secure it, my hands already twitching to play. My fingers brush over the toms, familiar and comforting, the surface soft beneath my touch. I twirl a stick once between my fingers and breathe.
One in.
One out.
An excited smile pulls at the corner of my mouth, and I’m ready.
Okay then.
Let’s do this.
Chapter Five
