Archer snorted. “If you call a few thousand comments and almost a hundred thousand likes flying under the radar.”
I swore under my breath as I curled my hand into a fist. “I hate social media.” I hated people sometimes too. Especially losers who got all up in other people’s business because they had nothing better to do. “Who the hell posted that? It better not be someone we know.” I hated to think after the year I’d had, one of my friend’s would kick me while I was down.
“No one I recognize.” He clicked on his phone and showed it to Reed. “You know her?”
“I met her last night.” Reed tipped his water bottle back. “I think it was one of the cousins or a friend of Cece’s from high school maybe.”
In other words, someone with no skin in the game, just like I suspected. I was tempted to text Charli and ask if she’d seen it, but of course she had, she’d been tagged in it, and that girl was glued to her phone.
I didn’t want the paparazzi to come after her, but given the way they’d been stalking me since my last breakup, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were camped out on her doorstep when she got home, fishing for a comment about our relationship.
I tipped my head back against the leather headrest and sighed. “I really don’t need this today.”
“What’s eatin’ you?” Reed asked, kicking my booted foot across the aisle. “So they caught you making out with a beautiful woman. It’s not like Charli’s married or engaged.” He frowned. “Is she? I’ve only met her a couple times, but—”
“She’s single.” If she had been married my life would have been a hell of a lot simpler. I’d have slept in a hotel bed last night, where I belonged, and I wouldn’t be able to taste her every time I licked my lips.
“How the hell is a girl like that still single?” Archer asked, still scrolling his phone. “I mean, seriously, look at her.”
His screen was full of Charli.
I swallowed to coat my dry throat and curled my hands into fists. I’d never been addicted to drugs or alcohol, but I didn’t see how it could be much worse than this. My chest was burning. My head was pounding, and my fingers were itching to pull up her damn contact and beg her to meet me at my place as soon as our plane touched down in Nashville.
That was the hell of knowing we were living in the same city now. The temptation just got stronger. And logistics got easier.
“Maybe she doesn’t do commitment,” Reed said, shrugging. “Not all girls are looking for that little gold band.” He grinned. “Some just like to have fun. And Charli strikes me as a girl who knows how to have fun.”
I wanted to punch one of my closest friends in the face for making a comment about a girl I’d called a mistake. I should probably have a shrink on speed dial to keep my crazy under control.
“She does at that,” Archer said, chuckling. “Did you see her in that dress?” He whistled under his breath. “Those tits, on that tiny little frame—”
“Shut. Up.” I glared at him, letting him know I wasn’t messing around. “Charli is off limits, you got me?” I meant the subject of Charli was off limits, but if they thoughtshewas off limits because I’d already staked my claim, I wasn’t gonna correct them.
Archer threw his hands up, laughing. “Relax, man. I was just playin’. I know you’re into her.”
Reed rolled his tongue in his cheek. “So, uh, you gonna tell us what happened last night? Y’all were the last two at the house after the party broke up. You can’t tell me you didn’t score.”
“Are you deaf?” I asked, smacking my own ear. “I said the girl’s off limits. I don’t wanna hear her name again.” Not that I wouldn’t be thinking about her plenty.
“Whatever.” Reed rolled his eyes as he looked at Archer. “Hey, I saw that cute little brunette that opened for Dade chattin’ you up last night. What was that about?”
“She wants me to work on her debut album with her.” He pulled a face. “I don’t collaborate with newbies. They’re more trouble than they’re worth. They think they have to ‘brand’ themselves a certain way,” he said, making air quotes around the word. “Bullshit. These kids need to focus on writing or finding great songs, then worry about the rest.”
The girl he was talking about, Sky, was crazy talented. I’d gotten to know her well when she toured with me, and she told me she’d kill to work with Archer on her debut album. “I think you should give her a chance,” I told him. “She’s a sweetheart.”
“A sweetheart,” he mimicked. “Yeah, that’s another problem. I don’t do sweet. Or young. Or inexperienced.”
“We’re not tellin’ you to bang her, asshole,” I snapped. “Just write a few songs with her. Help the girl out.” I always tried to go to bat for people who’d proven themselves, and Sky worked her butt off while she was on the road with me. But she needed someone like Archer, who’d been inducted to the hall of fame, to hold her hand on this one.
“Why should I?” he asked, looking sullen as he slipped his phone back in his pocket. “I’ve got artists linin’ up to work with me. Real professionals. Not spoiled little girls who think they can sneak in the back door ‘cause they got a pretty face and decent voice.”
“Have you even heard the girl sing?” I asked, uncapping my water bottle. “She’s better than decent. She’s damn good. If she wasn’t, I wouldn’t have had her on my tour.”
“I think our boy here is afraid to spend time alone with her,” Archer said, grinning. “Might be tempted to—”
“She’s barely legal,” Archer said, throwing an empty water bottle at him. “Would you give me some credit, asshole? I ain’t no cradle robber.”
Archer was a little too sensitive, but the poor bastard had PTSD after two tours overseas, so I wasn’t gonna be the one to call him out.
