Page 74 of Composed
I love you more
Not possible.
Cole slinks backstage and I shove my phoneback in my pocket.
The air is electric, the crowd pumped asBohemian Rhapsodystarts playing through the speakers and filling the room as the band on stage gathers their equipment.
I don’t know what it is about British gigs, but I’ve never been to one—small venue or stadium tour—where this song hasn’t played at least once in between acts.
Time ticks slowly, each second dragging as I watch the wings, waiting.
Then, lights flicker, one by one, before the room plunges into darkness.
The floor vibrates, the air charging with anticipation. A distorted lick cuts through the air. The speakers rattle as a bass pounds through them. Theo grips my hand.
A spotlight shines centre stage. A man in all black stands there. Ripped jeans, chain hanging from the waist, inked arm lax at his side while his hand curls around the stand.
My heart thunders.
Cole just stands there.
I bite my lip as his eyes scan the crowd before landing on me. The most gorgeous grin splits his lips. My stomach swoops. Saint trills his Fender, playing a song I know all too well.
Strobe lights hit the walls, bouncing over the audience as Carter kicks the bass drum and Axel swings his bass around his neck. Cole still doesn’t move. He’s like a statue—soaking it all in.
I trace his frame. His growth spurt came a little later than Saint’s, but boy did it come. Standing at six-four, he towers on that stage.
His black T-shirt clings to rippling muscles. I draw along his new sleeve; the artwork pristine, before landing on the black beaded bracelet on his wrist.
I glance down at my own, only to find mine missing, replaced by a white beaded bracelet instead.
That cheeky bastard.
I hadn’t even noticed he’d swapped them. His eyes heat when I look up at him again with a playful scowl.
“Hey, everyone,” he shouts into the microphone. The crowd hushes, every gaze in the room pinned on him. “You don’t know us yet. But you’re going to.”
Theo’s grip tightens around my hand.
“I’m Cole.” He hikes his thumb over his shoulder, pointing at each of the guys. “And this is Saint. Axel. And Carter. Remember those names, ’cause you’ll be screaming them one day.” My breath quickens as he turns his attention solely to me. “We’re Reckless Abandon. Let’s fucking go!”
I gape. “Did he…” Theo giggles at my side as I stutter. “They—my—name—songs.”
“He did,” Theo says as Saint leads them the first song of the night. “Theydid. They named themselves after your song, Rix.”
Holy shit.
A hand curls around my wrist, tugging me until I crash into a solid chest. Hot heavy lips claim mine.
I sink into Cole as his arm wraps around my back and he lifts me.
“Can you believe we just did that?” He laughs against my lips.
I beam. “You were incredible.”
“We played a gig, Rixie.” A joyous laugh spills from him. “And it went well.”
“And you told a bunch of now definitely fan girls that they’ll be screaming your name later.” I narrow my eyes in jest. “Should I be worried you’re gonna run off with one of them.”
