Page 39 of Before the Encore

Kam laughed, offering Madison a shrug when she glared at her. “You do seem different.”

Madison groaned, rubbing her temples. She should’ve known her bandmates would sniff this out. But she wasn’t about to admit how often she’d thought about Bonnie naked. Sleeping with her would only make things complicated. Bonnie wasn’t exactly a no-strings kind of gal—and Madison wasn’t the type to settle down, buy a house, and pick out different carpet samples either.

“If I wanted her, I’d have her.” She shrugged, sipping at her beer. “Prissy and pink isn’t my type.”

They both laughed then, and she dug her nails into her palms.

“Since when?” Kam teased.

“I thought you didn’t want me to sleep with her?” Madison smirked. “If you’re giving me the green light, then that changes things.”

“I don’t think it changes things for Bonnie.” Frank secured the lid on his pen and tucked it into its metal protective case. His eyes gleamed, enjoying this far too much. “Admit it, Mads. You’re losing your touch.”

She gritted her teeth. “I suggest you both shut up before I make you.”

The threat fell on indifferent ears. Kam and Frank shared another amused glance. Part of the band dynamic was pushing each other’s buttons. But normally Madison did the pushing.

“I think you need some of this.” Kam reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a joint. “You coming outside?”

Three polite knocks at the door interrupted them. Bonnie stepped inside the dressing room, wearing after show leggings and a comfy-looking blue hoodie.

Madison smiled before she could help it, squashing it into a smirk.

“Hey,” Bonnie said, her whole face brightening. “Great show tonight. Bailey said the fans are already going wild on social media. You were great.” Her gaze shifted to Madison, sending tingles into her belly.

“You were amazing,” Frank jumped in. Always the kiss-ass. “It’s an honour to open for you, Bonnie.”

“You can stop thanking me now, Frank.” She brushed her arm absentmindedly. “Anyway…I’ll see you tomorrow. Enjoy your post-show celebrations.” With a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, she turned to leave.

“Join us.” Madison’s voice stopped her in the doorway. “We’re going to have a little smoke before we head out.”

Bonnie’s brows pinched together. “I don’t think so. I need to rest my voice for tomorrow.”

“You don’t have to smoke any,” Kam added, standing to shrug on her jacket.

“Won’t I get high from the…fumes?”

Madison bit the inside of her cheek. “Not outside with all the fresh air.”

Bonnie hesitated, cogs turning behind those curious eyes. Then, to Madison’s surprise, she nodded. “Okay.”

They slipped out the fire escape, a crescent moon hanging in the dark sky. The air still held the warmth from the day but pressed cool against Madison’s bare arms. Kam placed the joint between her lips and lit it, breathing in deep. Bonnie observed with tight features as the smoke curled around them.

“I find it hard to believe you’ve never been around drugs,” Madison said.

“Of course I have. I’ve had a few drags at parties, and I’ve been offered everything under the sun. It doesn’t mean I take it.”

“Why not?” Kam asked, blowing a smoke ring before passing the joint to Frank.

Bonnie crossed her arms over herself. “I…don’t like feeling out of control.”

“That’s why I stopped drinking,” Kam said. “But weed helps calm my racing thoughts. It’s like a big, stinky hug.”

“I have a lot of young fans too.” Bonnie sucked her lip between her teeth. “I wouldn’t want them to get the wrong idea.”

“Relax, princess.” Madison took a drag, heat filling her chest. “No one is forcing you to do anything.”

“I know.” But she still eyed the joint like it might ambush her any second. “What if someone sees us?” she asked as Madison inhaled again.