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We exchange a look and I know that in his own way, he’s thanking me for being there after the whole Ellie thing happened and he fell to pieces. I nod, smiling before returning to my guitar.
The concert is a blast and after a quick check-in with Kate, we’re whisked away in a massive SUV to a party at some club called Whipped.
“Ever been to Chicago before?” Lila asks everyone while she directs her unwavering gaze at me—well, at my crotch.
“Can’t say I have,” Adam answers, once again playing defense for me.
Lila purses her lips, annoyed by Adam as usual.
“I have,” Gavin quips. A quick glance shows the bass player hiding his mouth with his hand. Even though it’s dark in here, I can still see him squelching a laugh.
Bloody arseholes. They think Lila’s obsession with me is so fucking hilarious. Adam doesn’t, but Gavin and Hawke… they have a laugh at my expense whenever they can.
“Here we are!” Lila chirps in that damn screechy voice.
One look out the window and I’m flabbergasted. Paparazzi line the sidewalk in front of the club, swarming the car as we pull up. I am not ready for this.
“What the fuck, Lila!” I snap.
“Daxey, you’re a star now. This is how it is.” She flutters her eyelashes and acts all innocent, but I know her. There’s evil shining in those soulless eyes of hers. Something isn’t right with this situation.
“C’mon Dax.” Adam tugs at my arm, pulling me back in my seat. I hadn’t realized how close I had gotten to Lila, snarling right in her face.
Jesus. I have got to control my temper around this girl. I find it so easy to fall back on dad’s rules around everyone but Lila and Kate. Breaking them for good reasons… and bad reasons.
“Fine.” I unclench my hand and breathe deep, returning to my icy exterior. Adam looks at me oddly. “I’m fine,” I snarl. “Let’s go.”
“You look like you’re going to pop a blood vessel,” he mutters.
Lila grins. “Your fans await boys!”
The driver hops out and opens the door, holding back the paparazzi as he helps Lila down to the walkway. The rest of us pile out behind her, Adam, Gavin, and Hawke smiling and chatting with the fans who line the sidewalk in front of the club.
Me? I remain unapproachable. I’ve been bottling it up for so long, it’s second nature. I’m not about to let these parasites see me lose it.
Lila trips and I smack into her back, grabbing her arm to keep from flat out knocking her arse over tit in front of the media.
“Thanks Daxey.” She grins like I hung the moon and I have to refrain from rolling my eyes.
“Let’s get inside, okay?”
“Sure thing, Daxey.” She pats my chest with her free arm.
Fuck it. The second we get past the cameras, I roll my eyes and damned if it doesn’t feel great.
Kate
“Shannon, can you grab my gloves?”
My teammate slams the locker next to mine, tossing a pair of thick gloves over my head to Bridget, our keeper.
The locker room is in complete chaos as I lace up my own shoes and pull my socks over my shin guards. Quickly, I whip my hair up into a ponytail to keep it out of my face. Today’s game is pivotal. We’re playing Oregon, one of our biggest rivals, and it’s our first conference game this year.
“Kate! Get your butt out here!”
Whoops! Coach’s angry shout from the locker room door has me moving. I must have been lost in thought longer than I realized.
“Sorry Coach Russo.” I jog past him to join the team at the entrance to the pitch.
