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Bryn stands abruptly, and I fall sideways into the spot he vacates. “I need another drink.”
As Bryn walks away, I debate whether to follow him. Dylan steps to one side to let Bryn past; and behind him, I catch sight of Jax, and the slender girl who climbs off his lap.
10
JAX
Sofia heads to the bar and my view of the rest of the room is no longer blocked. Several feet away, Tegan sits on a large sofa with Liam. I swear a flicker of ‘what the fuck’ crosses her face before she looks away again.
Great…
“Why did you have to invite the girls from last night?” I complain to Will.
“He did.” Will points his bottle at Nate.
“Yeah, now Sofia thinks she’s in with another chance,” I say in a low voice. Sofia’s friends remain, chattering in Portuguese as they drink, and I don’t care if they can hear I’m insulting them.
Nate grins and plays with the hem of Lucia’s short skirt. “You seemed keen last night.”
“That was last night. I’ve moved on.”
Seriously, I backed off Sofia last night, lost interest; even with a new invite, she shouldn’t expect a piece of me.
“Heartbreaker!” says Will with a laugh.
“Oh. Right. And this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship is it?” I ask indicating Paula who rests against the edge of the sofa with her legs across Will’s, texting.
“Who knows?” He grins.
I’m damn sure Tegan recognises the girls; and even if she doesn’t, the fact I had one attached isn’t sending Tegan the signal I want. As soon as Sofia arrived, she was all over me, convinced this is her lucky night, and that I’d specifically asked to see her again.
When she settled onto my lap, I shot Will and Nate a dirty look; but as usual, they’re oblivious. I shifted, told Sofia to bring me a drink, and she climbed off again. Will and Nate had enough fun with these girls last night to repeat the experience. Didn’t they say they invited other chicks too? Jesus, this is going to get messy.
I need to walk away before Sofia returns. If she climbs back on my lap, my chances with Tegan are blown. If they’re not already. “I’m grabbing something to eat.”
I head past a group of suits, nodding hello but refusing to talk. I’m surprised by the lack of interest by the industry professionals in the room; there’s little mingling between them and the musicians. Some of the road crew chatted before, but they’ve set up their own corner.
A series of tables covered in a white cloth are spread with a mix of fancy finger foods. I have no idea what half the crap is, and I spy a stack of pizza boxes at the other end. I guess the caterers listened when they asked what we wanted.
Riley stands at the table, delicately placing tiny parcels of pastry, and weird stuff on crackers, onto a plate. She glances at me as I approach. “Having fun?”
I tense, hoping to hell she’s not going to start on me about the half-naked photo shoot she wants me to do. I’ve argued with her every week for a month about this. They want the sex angle. I want the music angle. Of course, I’m flattered they think my body’s worth sharing. I know the effect I have on chicks. Sure, I play this angle to my advantage; but right now, I want to be the musician not the meat. They’re not asking Ruby to strip off. Talk about double standards.
“Yeah. You?” I reply.
“Don’t be so defensive,” she says and nibbles on the edge of her pastry. “I’m not in work mode.”
Sure. This chick is always in work mode.
“You should come and join us, we’re the under-25 gang,” I say with a smile.
She cranes her head and looks over my shoulder. “Quite a gang you have going. Mostly female too, I notice.”
Ignoring Riley’s loaded comment, I grab a slice of pizza from the box. When she doesn’t move, I turn and lean against the table, surveying the room. This really isn’t what I’d call a rock and roll night of debauchery. This is manufactured bullshit.
To my surprise, Tegan approaches the table, and I feign nonchalance as I eat, fixing my eyes on hers. Tegan holds my gaze for a few moments before switching her attention to Riley. Riley holds a second plate out.
“Thanks, I’m starving,” Tegan says. Foregoing the fancy food, she steps closer to help herself to pizza.
