Riff steps up next to the stage and yells, “Noel! Come on, man, let’s do this!”
“In a minute,” he answers. “Lane?”
I shut my eyes and try to pretend he isn’t talking to me.
He grabs my elbow and twists me toward him. “Look at me.”
His bright-blue eyes waver with a sad look and it hurts me to see him this way. I sigh and try to look away to keep the emotion that’s welling inside me.
Noel takes my chin between his fingers and forces me to see him. “Don’t promise Striker anything. You’re going to be mine again, one day.”
My heart bangs against my ribs. The intensity of his eyes and voice sends shivers through me. He’s so sure that we’re getting back together, and it’s a little overwhelming.
“Noel! Man hurry up!” Riff shouts, impatience thick in his voice.
Noel opens his mouth to say something, but takes another look at me, and quickly closes it. He leans in and kisses my forehead before he turns toward the stage.
Throughout the show, Noel glances in my direction, almost like he’s double checking that I’m still there. When it’s time for Black Falcon to perform their hit ballad, he sits on a stool and turns in my direction. He brings the mic up to his lips and sings soft words about being in love.
I bite my lip under the scrutiny of his stare, and he smiles at me.
He’s basically serenading me before a crowd full of strangers and it’s intense. The intent of his feelings is apparent, even Riff notices, but Noel continues to sing to me. A couple of off notes from the lead guitar catches my attention, and I watch as Riff steps directly into Noel’s view of me.
Noel hops off the stool and tries to step around Riff, but it doesn’t work. Riff blocks every step he takes. It obviously pisses Riff off that Noel is doing this to his ex.
Noel tries again, and Riff stops playing and shoves Noel’s shoulder. Sensing the impending fight, I decide it’s best if I get out of Noel’s eyesight before we have a very public brawl in the middle of their set.
I turn away and book down the steps leading off the stage. Noel calls my name over the microphone, but I don’t bother turning back. The sooner he learns to let this relationship go the better things will be for everyone involved.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
I catch a ride to the after party with Trip and Tyke before Noel gets an opportunity to tell me about how awful of a guy Striker is or something. A bodyguard I’d never seen before rides along with us. Mike is usually the one that hangs out with Noel and I, so I’m getting kind of used to him.
Squeezing between the two twins, I wonder how long the ride to the club is.
“What made you want to party with us?” Trip asks.
“Not that we’re complaining or anything,” Tyke throws in.
I shrug and smile at them both. “Just needed to get out.”
Trip grins. “Yeah, right. You sure it doesn’t have anything to do with Striker?”
My mouth hangs open. “How did you—”
Trip laughs. “What? Know the lead singer of Embrace the Darkness has a thing for you?”
“Yeah.”
“Noel won’t shut up about it. He’s been bitching the entire time.”
I square my shoulders. “Why should he care? He has Sophie.”
Tyke shrugs. “That’s what I told him, but he nearly ripped my head off when I mentioned that.”
I take a deep breath and face forward. It’s really crazy he doesn’t expect me to move on. I don’t get where he gets off thinking he should be able to have his cake and eat it too because news flash, this cake store is fucking closed.
We pull up to the club hosting the after party, and just like the last time I went to one of these, it’s packed. Fans rush the SUV, and I tense, and kick myself for wishing for a split second Noel was with me. The bodyguard that’s with us hops out and opens the door.
Tyke jumps out, practically right into the arms of a screaming group of female admires. A little nudge from Trip and I’m out and making my way inside. This place isn’t quite as wild as the last. There are no half-naked women dancing in cages, but the dance floor over flows with bodies grinding to the beat. A couple men pass by me as I take in the surrounding and give me a suggestive look as they take in the sight of my short black skirt. I give them a polite smile, but turn away when they start their approach.
Trip and Tyke sit at a table signing autographs for what looks like a never-ending line of fans. I glance around and relax when I don’t see any sign of Noel in the room. Hopefully he isn’t coming.
I step up to the bar and order a beer. The skinny, blonde bartender doesn’t bat an eyelash in my direction after multiple attempts at gaining her attention.
“Excuse me, love, but you look like you could use a drink.” I turn to find Striker behind me with two beers in hand.
He winks at me as he hands me one of the beers, and I smile at him. He’s looking good. Dark hair hangs loose around his face and the blue shirt he’s wearing makes his eyes an impossibly deep brown.
I lick my lips and take a long draw from the beer.
Striker leans into me and places his hand on the small of my back. “You here alone?”
I nod. “If you’re asking if I came with Noel, the answer’s no.”
He grins. “Brilliant! Care for a dance?”
I take another drink. This is what I came here to do—move on—and what better guy to do that with than this hunky specimen in front of me.