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Pike: OK.
She could hear the hurt in the simple reply, but she couldn’t deal with that right now. She just wanted to get home, get to bed, and forget today ever happened.
TWENTY-NINE
Pike sat across the table from Liam in the busy club, gripping his glass of Maker’s Mark and trying to resist the urge to grab the fucker’s head and bang it on the table. Pike was used to smarmy assholes. The industry was full of them. But Liam took it to a new level. And knowing this guy had taken advantage—no, had raped—a teenager who was in his care and sent her on her way when he got her pregnant made Pike want to do painful, maiming things to the man.
But Geoff and Braxton were yucking it up with Liam and playing the game. This tour was the biggest chance they’d gotten in a long time, and Pike was trying to keep his cool enough not to fuck it up for everyone. Once they got past this stage, they wouldn’t have to deal with Liam. But it was digging under Pike’s skin that he was going to do something to help put money in this asshole’s pocket.
Liam kicked back the last of his Crown and water and ordered another, his voice getting louder and sloppier with each drink. A few more and the guy would be plastered. Pike hoped he’d fall right out of his chair and onto his face.
“So, Pike,” Liam said, pointing with his empty glass, the ice cubes clanging. “You with Kris, huh
?”
Pike’s jaw clenched. “Excuse me?”
Liam waved a hand. “Sorry, sorry. I mean Oakley.” He leaned over to Geoff. “Can you believe anyone would name their kid that? Backwoods hillbilly motherfuckers. You met her parents yet?”
Pike gritted his teeth. “No.”
Liam nodded and grinned. “Just fucking her then?”
Braxton straightened and looked to Pike, a what-the-hell look on his face.
Pike took a long sip off his drink, letting the burn of it keep him focused and calm. “You’re drunk, Liam.”
Liam shrugged and leaned back. “Just giving you fair warning, my friend. That girl’s a clingy one. And emotional. Can go a little crazy when you’re ready to drop her. Believe me. I know that pussy’s sweet but—”
Pike’s chair clattered behind him as he shoved it back and got to his feet, anger whipping through him like fire. “Maybe she was clingy because she was a fucking child, you sick bastard.”
Liam’s eyes flashed with something deadly, but Geoff jumped up and put a hand on Pike’s arm before he could go after the fucker. “Hey, guys, I think maybe we’ve all had one too many. Why don’t we—”
Liam just laughed and put his hand up. “Yeah, let’s calm down. Sounds like she’s fed you some lies. She was a consenting adult in my bed and more than a little willing.”
Pike jerked forward, and Geoff’s grip tightened on him.
Liam smiled, all charm and smarm. “I’m just trying to help you out, friend. No need to get all riled up about a girl who will be ancient history once the tour starts.”
Pike was seething. In his head, he was already picturing what Liam’s smug face would look like with two black eyes and a broken nose. But Geoff and Brax were sending him pleading looks. Pike raked a hand through his hair and sat back down. “Just keep her name out of your mouth, man.”
Liam lifted his palms, sporting a good-natured smile but with victory in his eyes. “Didn’t mean to offend.”
Pike ordered another drink. This was going to be a long fucking night.
Oakley shuffled to the door in her pajamas, the incessant knocking making her head hurt. Pike had texted her late last night to tell her that he was going to stop by today, but she hadn’t realized he’d meant this damn early. She pulled open the door. “Pike, isn’t it kind of—”
But her words left her when she saw the man standing on the other side of the door. Liam gave her a sly smile and held out a single white lily. “These still your favorites?”
She tried to shut the door, but he put his foot forward, blocking her. She gripped the handle. “I don’t want you here.”
His expression turned cajoling. “Come on, Kris. It’s not like I’m going to hurt you. I’m just here to talk. You up and disappeared on me all those years ago. You know how worried I was when you didn’t come back? How heartbroken?”
“You got the letters that said I was resigning from the group. You knew I was fine.”
“Letters with no return address. And what’s with the Easton last name? Divorced?”
“It’s my mother’s maiden name. I wanted to disappear. Now let me.”
