Page 5 of Dare (Fighting Fate)

Emmy sighed, reaching out to take my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. “Just enjoy tonight—wherever you go. You’ve earned it.”

I nodded. She was right. I wasn’t going to ignore my gut, but if it wasn’t going to be more freaking specific, I wasn’t going to tie myself up in knots trying to figure it out.

Pushing myself to stand, I straightened my shoulders. “Do we have any wine left?” I asked, striding to the fridge and searching its depths. Locating a bottle in the back, dark recesses, I pulled it out and grabbed a glass from the cupboard. “Are you guys doing anything tonight?”

Following me into the kitchen, she hoisted herself up onto the counter. “Yeah. The band’s leaving next week for a month so I’m binging while I can.”

Pouring myself a glass, I took a sip and shook my head at her slowly. I honestly didn’t know how she handled it. Aiden, along with three other guys I went to school with—Dean, Jace, and Matt—made up the rock band Fighting Fate. As weird as it was to me, they were now one of the country’s hottest bands to hit the billboards in the last five years. I mean, they were huge. I didn’t know one person who hadn’t at least heard of them in one way or another.

But I had to admit they deserved it. Aiden and Dean had been obsessed with writing songs since our sophomore year in high school. Jace and Matt had been more interested in the girls they could attract back then, and that probably hadn’t changed much for Matt, but it sure had for Jace. He and Aiden’s twin sister, Mia, were the ones responsible for starting the couple love fad. From what Emily had told me, Jace and Dean were the ones behind most of the creating that went into making their current album.

“Where are they heading this time?” I asked, taking another sip.

“Just the East Coast,” she said, running her fingertip over her bottom lip. “They’re still having dramas with the label. Apparently, they’re getting an agent or PA or some crap. Someone who’s supposed to help liaise between the band and producers or something.”

I frowned. “I thought that’s what Mia did?” Mia had been traveling with the band since they first went on tour two and a half years ago.

Emily rolled her eyes. “That’s what the guys thought too, but they’re saying this is different. Dean thinks it’s just a way for Leighton to manipulate them and avoid dealing with them directly.”

“So, they’re employing someone just to push their agenda onto them? Or are the

y charging the band for the privilege?”

She let out a humorless laugh. “That’s what Aiden thought too, but they checked. It’s not costing them anything.”

Scrunching up my nose a little, I gave her a withering look. “Sounds fishy.”

“I know. The guys don’t trust Leighton as far as they can throw him,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “Especially after what he and Lila did, but there’s nothing they can do about it. They’ve already hired someone. They’re supposed to be meeting them at the annual awards night.”

Whenever Lila’s name came up in conversation it made me want to spew a barrage of curse words in any random order. She had been Dean’s high school sweetheart. Unfortunately, Dean had caught her screwing around with the label’s boss, Craig Leighton, about a year ago. Things had been hanging by a thread with the label ever since. Thankfully, I was stopped from cursing Lila to all eternity by a loud knock at the door.

Glancing down at my wine, I drew in a deep breath. “Looks like it’s date time.”

Emily grinned as I tipped back the wine. “Have a good time, hon.”

“Oh, I plan to,” I said, giving her a quick hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Scooping up my bag, I made for the door, determined to make the most of this time with Wyatt. I was sure things would settle down now that winter break was here. At least, that’s what I hoped.

Pulling the door open, I blinked at the sight before me, all my troubles instantly melting away. At six foot two, with short blond hair and watery blue eyes, Wyatt really was unmistakably hot.

He grinned as he held out one perfect, white rose. “A beautiful flower for a beautiful girl.”

That was all it took to remind me just how amazing he was. Taking the rose, I threw my arms around him and kissed his jaw. “Thank you!”

As we pulled apart, he smiled down at me. “I’m sorry we haven’t had much time together lately, babe. You really do look gorgeous tonight.”

One side of my mouth crooked higher. “You don’t look so bad yourself, Mr. Barton.”

With a wink, he held out his hand for me to take. “Are you ready to go?”

I beamed. “Yep. Where are we going?” Stepping out, I closed the door firmly, making sure it was locked for Em.

Towing me down the path, he gave me a wicked grin. “Nothing but the best for you, babe. I’m taking you to The Firehouse.”

I almost stumbled. “Are you serious? Am I dressed okay?”

Stopping me, he took my face in his hands and gently kissed my forehead. “You always look beautiful, Jess.”

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