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“Option two, please.” I bite my lip and wait.
The next thing I know, I’m tackled to the bed. Brady digs his fingers into my ribs and tickles me. I twist and turn, trying to escape. Through my laughter, I attempt to hold the shirt out of his reach. I’m no match for him, and he grabs it easily.
He stops tickling me and gets up. “You’re fresh.”
I let out a small laugh. “Fresh?”
“Yes, fresh. You know, as in not nice.”
“Oh, I know what it means, but I’m not five.”
His gaze falls to my chest as he grins. He lifts his eyes and says, “Definitely not.” He moves in time to avoid the pillow I hurl at him.
***
The Marble Room is packed tonight. Unlike the last time Second Chances played, there is no opening act. They’re it. Brady’s been a bundle of nerves since we left the house, regardless of how much I try to reassure him that he’s going to be great.
Mercedes and Scott are here to watch the show. We sit at a table near the front, sharing some appetizers. The more time I spend with Mercedes, I realize how much I like her. She’s real. I’m grateful to her for giving the guys a chance.
“I can’t believe how many people are here,” I tell her. I also can’t believe it’s mostly women. I bite back my jealousy before I say something catty. I don’t want Mercedes to think I’m immature or insecure, even if I am a little of both.
“The power of Twitter.” She laughs. “How’d we ever make out before the Internet?”
My phone vibrates on the table, and I look down to see a text from Liv.
Just parked. Be in soon.
I eye the room, looking for Liv and Tug, then wave when I spot them coming in through the doors. Tug waves back as they make their way toward our table. I smile big when I see Harrison walking behind them. I hope this means he and Liv are working things out.
Liv looks amazing in a tight black dress, her dark hair pulled back into a taunt ponytail. I introduce everyone, and Scott stands so Liv can have a seat next to me. I notice Harrison stroking her thigh with his fingers.
The room explodes into a bellowing of screams as Second Chances takes the stage. Liv’s hands shoot to her ears as she mouths, “What the hell?”
It’s insanely loud. I shrug at my friend, and then turn my attention to the stage. Some of the girls in the front are literally crying. I laugh silently. It’s really not fair the effect my husband has on women. He doesn’t even have to try — his eyes alone melt hearts. Add that to the rock-hard body and Colgate grin, and women don’t stand a chance.
Tonight he looks particularly delicious. His face is covered in two days’ worth of dark stubble, adding to the rocker image. Jeans hanging low, with a dark fitted T-shirt and his Timberlands, laced loosely as always.
The screaming continues as Brady lifts his guitar over his head. He finds me and winks. The screaming grows louder when Brady takes his place in front of the mic.
“What are they shouting about?” Liv asks, hunkered over the table with her hands still firmly over her ears.
“If I had to guess, I’d say your brother,” Mercedes offers, flashing Liv a sympathetic smile.
Liv make a puke face. “Ew, why?”
“Hey, he’s hot-o-licious!” Scott pipes in, and then burst outs laughing. Mercedes smacks him playfully on the arm. “What? I’d do him.”
I can’t help but laugh.
Finally, a beat pumps from the base drum as Jesse clanks his sticks together. Brady starts out with a few chords on the guitar before his low, sexy voice fills the room. I look over at Liv’s shocked expression.
“I told you he was good.” She doesn’t smile or look at me. “What’s wrong?”
Her eyes finally pull sideways to look at me. “I lived with him my entire life and never knew he could sing like that.”
I smile. “Liv, it’s okay. I didn’t know, either.”
She shakes her head, and I swear I think she might cry. “I really am totally self-involved.”
