He drops our drinks off within minutes and then hurries away to serve a large group of women that have managed to squeeze their way to the bar. Becca raises her shot glass and clinks it with mine, winking before pouring the liquid down her throat. I smile widely at her and then follow suit, the bite from the tequila causing an involuntary shudder to run through my body.
Jake refills our shots almost immediately and we repeat the process again, twice, before Becca convinces me to join her on the dance floor. Having eaten next to nothing today, I can feel the tequila already working it's magic, going straight to my head almost the second my feet hit the floor.
I let Becca pull me through the crowd to the very edge of the small dance floor before stopping. My eyes immediately fall to the stage and having not checked out the band before now, my jaw practically hits the floor when my eyes fall on the lead singer.
He is down right hot. Like rock star hot. He runs his hand through his shaggy blonde hair as he belts out the lyrics to a song I can only guess is an original. His handsome face is covered lightly in stubble like he hasn't shaved in three or four days and really makes the sharp features of his jaw stand out. His tall, lean body is dressed in tattered, worn jeans and an old vintage Nirvana t-shirt. One muscled arm is completely sleeved in various tattoos while the other is completely bare.
While I love the rocker bad boy as much as the next girl, I've never really thought of them as my type. But this man, well this man could very well change my mind in that regard. Or at least maybe he could if a certain perfect god-like man didn't already occupy every fiber in my entire body. And just like that, Zayne comes flooding back into my mind.
Becca nudges me in the side and then cocks her head towards the stage when I catch her eyes, clearly not missing the way I am so obviously checking out the singer. She fans herself with her hand, indicating she thinks so too and then smiles widely at me, pulling me onto the dance floor.
After three songs of being packed tightly in a cluster of people, my entire body is dripping in sweat and I leave Becca on the dance floor to return to the bar for something to drink. It takes almost ten minutes before Jake has a chance to grab me another Vodka and Cranberry by which time the band announces that they are taking a twenty minute break. Like clock work, background music clicks on, filling the noisy bar.
With all the people from the dance floor now making their way to the bar, Jake and Pat get even more slammed with orders. Just as I am about to offer to jump in, Becca climbs on top of the bar and jumps down behind it. She fills two shot glasses and hands one across the bar to me. We both laugh and then drink our shots before she makes her way to the other end of the bar to fill the waitresses orders.
Not really having much to do, I watch Becca behind the bar. There is something so beautiful about the way her and Jake interact with one another. He will pass by her and brush his shoulder so slightly against hers or brush his fingertips across her arm while reaching across her to grab a bottle. You would have to really be paying attention to notice that it's intentional and I don't miss the way she does the same things to him. Grazing her fingers with his as they both reach for a glass. Trailing her hand across his back as she passes behind him. Every touch I watch, I see the affection in it. I can't believe I never noticed it before but it's clear to me now. These two aren't just dating, they are completely in love with one another.
“Just about makes you sick doesn't it?” An accented voice fills my ears and I jump slightly, having been in kind of a daze. When my eyes fall to the man next to me, I swear my jaw must be on the bar. It's the lead singer from the band and not only is he hot as sin but he also has an accent and one that I didn't pick up on in the slightest while he was on stage.
“I'm sorry what?” I ask, having no idea what he's talking about. He smiles widely at me and then gestures his beer bottle towards where Jake and Becca are standing next to the register.
“Kind of makes your stomach turn a bit doesn't it? Watching them two. At least they are more subtle about it these days. When they first met they couldn't keep their hands off each other and I'm not talking about little touches here and there. I'm talking about practically getting it on behind the damn bar.” He laughs, taking a drink of his beer.
“Well, glad I missed that.” I say, taking a sip of my drink as well, not really sure what else to do.
“I'm Thad by the way.” He says, sitting down his beer to extend his hand to me. I smile and take it, giving it a light shake before pulling my fingers from his grip.
“Thad?” I question. Having never really heard the name before and being just buzzed enough that I feel the need to question him about it.
“Thaddeus.” He clarifies. “But now that's not very rock star is it?” He laughs.
“No I guess not.” I agree. “I'm Grace. I'm sorry but where are you from?” I ask, not being able to pinpoint the accent.
“Ireland.” He replies with a smile. “Moved to the states about four years ago and just can't bring myself to go back.”
“New York will do that to you.” I say, shrugging casually.
“You come here often?” He asks. Not like a cheesy pick up line way but more just seeming curious.
“Four nights a week.” I say, laughing when his eyebrows shoot up in question. “No, I don't have a drinking problem. I play here, Sunday through Wednesday.” I say, taking another drink.
“Grace Morgan? You mean to tell me I am sitting with The Grace Morgan.” He teases. “Seriously though, Jake's told me tons about you. From what I gather you are quite talented. Though I would like to hear you first before I give my two cents.” He says, nudging his shoulder against mine.
“Well now you know where to find me.” I sigh, faking annoyance. He let's out a full belly laugh, his chocolate brown eyes sparkling at me.
“I like you Grace Morgan.” He says, draining the contents of his beer and setting the empty bottle on the bar before standing. “But I am a very impatient person. Come on.” He says, holding out his hand to me.
“What?” I look from his eyes to his hand and then back to his eyes. Realizing my confusion he laughs again.
“Come play with me.” He says, his hand still extended to me. I immediately shake my head and lean away from him.
“Oh hell no. I have not had nearly enough alcohol to get in front of a crowd this big.” I say, shaking my head again.
“Shot of tequila and keep them coming.” He hollers to Becca as she passes, causing a huge smile to light up her face. “The night is young love. Drink up.” He rasps in my ear before turning towards the stage and disappearing into the crowd.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Thad reappears at my side each time the band takes a break, trying his luck time and time again at getting me to join him on stage. By one in the morning, I am far too drunk for my own good but somehow sober enough that I still feel somewhat in control of myself.
“It's time love.” Thad croons next me, draping his arm across my shoulders. I once again shake my head no and then laugh at the pouty look he gives me. “You won't be up there alone, we will do a duet.” He suggests.
“Nope, not doing it.” I shake my head again.
“Oh come on. Humor me. I'll tell you what... You pick the song, if my band doesn't know it then you're off the hook but if they do, well then your ass is on that stage with me.” He smiles widely at me and I can't help but to return it.
I tap my finger against my chin, thinking entirely too hard about what songs they are likely not to know, finally settling on a country duet that is sure to get him off my back. No way a rock singer from Ireland is going to have any clue what this song even is.
“Easy by Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield.” I say, not able to contain the smile stretching across my face. I totally got this.
“Done. I'll see you on stage in five love.” He says, pushing my hair behind my shoulder and leaning down to whisper in my ear. “Never underestimate an Irish man.” He husks, his breath tickling my neck
.
While I would be lying if I said that his closeness doesn't stir something in me, I still can't shake the thought of Zayne. Even after this sexy as hell rock singer has spent the night hitting on me, all I can think about is Zayne's eyes, the way they seem to see right through me. His hands and how they feel on my body. His mouth and the way it moves against mine. Every single time I stop to enjoy the attention from Thad, my mind immediately goes to Zayne. It's more than a little frustrating.
Sighing in defeat, I playfully shove him away and immediately ask Becca for another shot. Within minutes the group has re-emerged on the stage and the first thing Thad does is ask the audience, which unfortunately has not dwindled down much, to welcome me to the stage.
A few heads turn in my direction as I make my way through the sea of people towards the stage but most pay very little attention to me. When I reach the end of the dance floor, Thad holds his hand out and gives me a brilliant smile as he helps me up onto the stage.
“Ready?” He asks, his smile not fading. I shake my head slowly, suddenly feeling the overwhelming need to vomit. I have never been on stage without my guitar before and it leaves me feeling naked and vulnerable. The amount of people now with their eyes on me only intensifies the feeling and it takes everything I have not to run off the stage.
When the music kicks in, I focus on Thad. The moment the words leave his lips I am entranced. His voice has to be one of the sexiest I have ever heard and with his brown eyes pinned solely on me as he sings the words, the crowd sort of fades into the background. As long as I can focus on him I can get through this. Just don't look out at the audience, is all I can think.
Thad steps forward, reaching out to trail the back of his hand down my cheek as he sings. The contact causes a flurry of butterflies to erupt in my stomach and I don't know if it's from his flesh on mine or the fact that my part is quickly approaching. Either way, I push it down and try to run through the lyrics in my head.
Truth is, I don't know the song that well, as in I have never sang it before, not really anyways. I only know it because Emma played it for a solid month after she broke up with her last boyfriend, if you could even call him that. Em doesn't so much do boyfriends as she does flings.
I almost miss the intro to my part but luckily catch it just in time to start on key. I repeat Thad's motions while he was singing, angling my body towards him and singing directly at him rather than the crowd. With each word that I sing, my confidence grows and before long I am really getting into the performance.
Suddenly, it's no longer the hunky Irish rocker in front of me but Zayne. The words flow through me and I find myself connecting to the lyrics more than I realized I would. It's about two people who break up and go about their lives pretending that everything is great, that they are just fine without the other person but then admitting how hard it is to make it look like they don't care.
By the third verse, Thad and I are somewhat battling back and forth. With each line that we sing, our bodies somehow get closer and closer, until we are singing directly into each others faces, our bodies pressed together as I lean my head back to look up at his face. When the last note of the guitar strums out, Thad smiles brightly at me and then leans down, gently brushing his lips against mine.
The contact is so light and brief that for a moment I wonder if I simply imagined that his lips actually touched mine. The crowd breaks out in whoops and hollers and suddenly I am reminded of just how many people are watching us at this very moment. My breath catches and I instinctively take a step backwards, giving Thad a playful shove, trying to play off the moment as nothing more than an act. Which it very well may have been.
Knowing that the band still has to continue with their set, I give a small wave to the crowd and quickly exit to the side of the stage. “Give it up for the lovely Grace Morgan everyone! If you like what you heard, make sure you stop by Sunday through Wednesday to check out her acoustic set.” Thad says to the crowd, his accent on proud display causing a few females in the audience to sigh and fan themselves.
I smile and shake my head as I disappear down the long hall at the back of the bar that leads to the bathrooms. While I was very hesitant to get up there, I can't deny the rush that I felt in doing so. My body has still not fully come down from the high of being on stage in front of so many people and by the time I exit the ladies room, I decide another drink is definitely a must.
Just a few feet from the end of the hall, a door opens as I pass by and before I have time to react, someone grabs my arm and jerks me inside.
“What the hell?” I exclaim, spinning around in the dimly lit storage closet to get a look at whoever pulled me in here. When my eyes lock with the deep blue of Zayne's, my breath hitches in my throat. “What... What are you doing here? I thought you were in China.” I ramble out.
He doesn't bother answering any of my questions. Instead he takes a couple steps towards the door and pushes it closed before stalking towards me and backing me into the far side wall, my back pushing into the metal shelves that are used for extra stock.
“What the fuck was that?” His voice is low and his eyes are dark, hovering just six inches from my face. I can only imagine the look of surprise and shock that immediately crosses my face.
“Wh....What are talking about?” My voice comes out broken and I take a deep breath to steady myself. I don't know what he is playing at but I am not about to be pushed around.
“What the fuck is going on with you and the singer?” His voice is harsh and I can see the anger flicker across his face.
Immediately my anger surfaces full force and I reach out and shove him backwards. He takes two steps back, giving me enough room that I feel like I can breathe but still hovering very close to me. “I don't think that's any of your business.” I bite out just as harshly, crossing my arms in front of my chest.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” He cocks his head to the side and studies me for a fraction of a second before continuing. “You made it everyone's business with that ridiculous display on stage.”
“It was an act Zayne. We were putting on a show for the crowd.” I don't know why I bother making excuses but they come anyways.
“That sure as hell didn't look like just an act to me. And if that's the case, did you really need to have him hanging all over you all night to drive the point home?” His voice rises and I can tell that he is fighting to control his temper. Problem is, I'm completely dumbfounded by why he's even mad to begin with.
“Why do you care? Last time I checked I don't answer to you.” I spit, feeling the hurt from the last time I saw him boil back to the surface. “Or does that only apply to you? Because I'm sure Ashley would have a few things to say on the matter.” I push past him and cross the small space to the door but before I can pull it open, Zayne spins me around and pins me against it, his hard body pressing firmly against mine.
I try not to let the sexual tension now flowing through the air derail me. If he wants to do this right now, then I have a few choice things I would like to get off my chest.
“I already told you, it's not what it looked like.” He growls, his breath hot against my cheek.
I try to push him back but he stands firm, not giving me one inch of wiggle room. Even more pissed that I can't get away, my temper finally starts to show itself. “Really Zayne. Not what it looked like huh? Well considering I saw her straddling your lap with her tongue in your mouth and you not fighting to remove her, I think I know exactly what it looked like and exactly what it was. Don't patronize me. I'm not a child.”
His gaze lightens just the slightest but his face is still full of anger. “And the little act kiss between you and the rock star, aren't you telling me the same thing? That it isn't what it looked like to everyone watching?”
“Don't turn this around on me you asshole!” I scream in his face, completely surprised by my own reaction but even more surprised by the hurt that flashes across his face at my words.
“Watch your mout
h Grace.” He scolds, finally taking a step backwards.
“Fuck you Zayne.” The words are off my tongue before I can take them back. How dare he treat me like I don't have the right to choose what words I will and will not use. I am a grown woman and by god if I want to curse, well then that's exactly what I will do.
“I find you practically screwing a woman in a conference room. Then you show up here only to leave without even saying goodbye. You were gone for days without ever trying to contact me and if all of that isn't enough, you show up here demanding answers like I owe you one god damn thing.” I step forward, shoving my hands against his chest.
“Grace.” The word is a warning but I am too riled up now to back down. I can feel the explosion of emotions finally finding their way to the surface.
“Don't Grace me!” I exclaim, throwing my hands in the air. “Go away Zayne. Just go away.” I scream just inches from his face, the alcohol running rapid through my blood stream clearly intensifying my reaction.
“Enough.” The word bounces off the walls and instantly silences me. Zayne's eyes are dark and I can tell that I have pushed him too far. “You saw me in the conference room with Ashley. She initiated it and while I know it doesn't make it right, I should have stopped it immediately. When I came here and you played that song for me. Fuck Grace, it gutted me. To see how much pain I was causing you. I had to walk away, I needed space from all of this.” He gestures between the two of us. “I spent four days trying everything I could to forget about you and I couldn't do it. Grace, I can't do it.” He says, his voice coming out softer, pleading even.
He reaches out and puts both hands on either side of my face, leaning down so that he is staring directly into my eyes. “I tried everything to get you out of my head Gracie. But I can't shake you. When I saw you with the singer, the way he was intentionally finding ways to touch you all night, it spurred something in me that I have never felt before.”
Collide (Two Hearts, #1) Page 16