Wycked Crush (Wycked Obsession Book 1)

by Wynne Roman

  “Right here, Knox. I can speak for myself.”

  I swallow a smile. One thing about Bree, she can hold her own against her brother.

  “Look, Bree—”

  “No, you look,” she interrupts and throws her head back to glare at Knox. I’ve seen Bree in lots of different moods. This is her pissed off one. The one she brings out when her brother gets on her last nerve.

  “Just stop this protective shit.” Even Knox can’t miss how furious she is—can he? “I’m sick of it. I don’t need it. Not where the band is concerned. So I woke up to see Ajia getting a blowjob. At some point, I could have caught you doing the same thing, or Zayne eating some girl out, or Noah in a threesome. So the fuck what.”

  I choke off a strangled sound. Damn. I’ve always admired Bree’s honesty, but…Jesus! Where the fuck did this shit come from?

  She stares at Knox, but he only shakes his head, his eyes bugged wide. “Goddammit, Bree, you’re not supposed to know about that shit.”

  Exactly.

  Her shoulders slump. “Knox, you dumbass. I’m nineteen now. Nineteen! Twenty this summer. You know I’m at least as old as most of the girls you guys fuck around with. Older than some.”

  He blinks, his mouth open but nothing comes out. I can’t help laughing. “She’s got you there, dude.”

  Me, too, actually. She’s at least as old as Blowjob Girl. I mean, I know I’m an asshole, but have we really been pretending that Bree isn’t grown up, same as us?

  I slant a glance in her direction. She’s dressed in some baggy white shorts, but—damn! She’s got legs. Tanned and sleek, they go all the way to heaven.

  Holy shit. I am not thinking that way!

  At least she’s wearing an old Pearl Jam T-shirt of Knox’s. It’s way too big for her, and I can’t tell anything about her shape underneath it. Good thing.

  He starts to laugh all of a sudden, a weird, stupid sound. I look at him, equal parts relief and confusion, but he’s staring at Bree. “Jesus, you’re right,” he says, shaking his head. “It’s fucking insane! I keep thinking you’re still the kid you were when we started this thing.”

  “I’m not. You grew up, and so did I.” She points to her chest.

  “Yeah, okay.” Knox lets out a long breath. “I get it. Fuck.” He shakes his head. “Look, I’m not going to change overnight, but I’ll try to do better. Okay?”

  “Yeah.” She smiles, the first I’ve seen since I flipped on the light in the garage. Maybe she doesn’t need to be protected from real-life shit, but—

  Wait. What did she say? Just stop this protective shit. I’m sick of it. I don’t need it. Not where the band is concerned.

  “Hey, just a minute.”

  “What?” Knox and Bree look at me. I stare at her.

  “You said you don’t need protecting where the band is concerned. So what do you need protecting from?”

  Maybe she didn’t mean the band in general. Did she mean…me?

  Her eyes pop wide, and I notice them for the first time. Kind of a dark green, or maybe sort of brownish? The shadows make it hard to know for sure. Why didn’t I ever pay attention before? And why am I looking now?

  “Bree?” Knox asks.

  The wheels are turning in her brain; I can almost see it. Something’s going on, something she doesn’t want to say. Shit.

  “Well…” She has kind of a swagger in her voice, a sure sign she’s nervous. “I was wondering. I thought maybe I could, you know, housesit for y’all this summer. Stay here in the house and just, like, watch over things.”

  “You wanna stay here?” Knox repeats.

  “Yeah. It’d be…great.”

  “You want to party or something?” So maybe it isn’t about me, but it pisses me off to think about her partying without the rest of us there to look out for her.

  “No, it’s not like that.” She shakes her head. “I just—”

  “Doesn’t matter,” Knox interrupts. “We can’t say yes even if we wanted to. The lease is up. We let it go for this tour.”

  “You’re moving out?”

  “Movers are coming tomorrow afternoon—well, this afternoon. Everything we don’t take with us is going in storage.”

  Bree sort of sinks into herself, almost like she’s folding up, trying to find some strength or something. She’s never acted like that before.

  “What’s wrong, kitten?” I can’t catch her gaze.

  “I was just…well, I hoped—” She shakes her head.

  “Bree?” Knox sounds concerned, but at least he isn’t pushing too hard. It’s like a goddamn miracle or something. Maybe he really is listening to her for a change.

  She doesn’t answer, just stares at her lap and her twitching fingers.

  “Baby girl?” I try again.

  She looks at me then, her eyes damp and almost stricken. When she drops her lashes, the tears spilled down her cheeks.

  “Aw, don’t cry, kitten.” I haul her into my arms and shoot a fierce glance at Knox. What the fuck? He shakes his head like he hasn’t a fucking clue.

  “Bree?” He kneels down in front of her. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

  She sniffs but doesn’t move. Her arms are around my waist, her breasts soft against my chest. She has a little more upstairs than I realized.

  Nope. Should not have noticed that. I should push her away and get the hell out of there. I don’t, of course. No way can I.

  “It’s…Gabe,” she says finally.

  Gabe? As in Gabe Richmond? Knox’s and her stepfather?

  “That motherfucker.” Knox shoots to his feet as he swears. “That son of a bitch tried to touch you again, didn’t he?”

  “What the hell?” I look between siblings. “Are you telling me that Gabe—” I can’t even fucking say it.

  “He came into my room this time,” she whispers against my chest. I think she’d push herself inside me if she could. “I was sleeping. I—” she swallows “—woke up and he was touching me.”

  “I’ll kill him.” Knox whirls toward the door.

  “I’ll help.” I try to peel Bree away from me.

  “No! Stop! You can’t!” It’s almost a scream.

  Knox glares at her. “Why the fuck not?”

  “You…know why.” She sits up and pulls away from me. Some part of me doesn’t want to let her go. “We’ve talked about this, Knox.”

  “You’ve talked—” I look between them. “This isn’t new?”

  She shakes her head, and her long brown hair dances around her shoulders. I’ve never noticed that before, either.

  “No.” She doesn’t look at me. “It’s been happening for…a while.”

  “Since he moved into the house,” adds Knox grimly.

  “I’ve been trying to avoid him.” Fuck. She sounds so desperate about it. “Never be alone with him. You know.”

  “And it’s not working,” Knox puts in flatly.

  “Wait a minute.” I aim for clarity. “He’s a grown-ass man and you—” I look at Bree “—grown up or not, you’re still technically a teenager. What the fuck’s he think he’s doing?”

  She shudders. “Today was the worst. He told me…he wants Mom and me. The younger version.”

  “That’s fucking sick.”

  “You haven’t told your mom?”

  She shakes her head and sends a pleading look at Knox. “We can’t tell her. We’ve talked about that.”

  “Tell me, then.” I grab her hand. For her or me? I only know this whole thing has my gut churning.

  Bree dips her head. “Dad broke Mom’s heart when he took off, A.” A spark of relief soothes me if she can call me by the nickname only she uses.

  “It took her a long time to get over it,” she adds after a second. “She worked like hell as a single mom to support us. When she found Gabe…it was like she came back to life. I’m not taking that from her.”

  “Sis—”

  “No!
” Bree straightens her spine but doesn’t pull her hand from mine. “I told you. There are two outcomes if I say anything. One is that she doesn’t believe me and it ruins our relationship. Two is that she believes me and it ruins her marriage. Either way, she loses, and I won’t be a part of it.”

  “You really want your mom to be with a guy like that? If he tries shit with his own…stepdaughter—” goddamn, it’s hard to think, let alone say “—you think he won’t try with somebody else?”

  Bree swallows hard. “I don’t know, but I can’t be the one to break her heart. I can’t.”

  Fuck. I get it. That doesn’t mean I like it, but I let it go—for now.

  “Okay…so…” I can’t think of anything else to say.

  “I don’t know.” Bree sighs. “I got rid of him today, but he’s pushing. Getting braver. I don’t want to spend the summer around him. You know, with you guys gone.”

  Knox slumps against the door and shoves his hands into his hair. “Son of a bitch. You’re right. Okay.” He stiffens, straightens. “Then we do the only thing we can.”

  “What’s that?” She sounds so goddamn tired.

  “You’re going on tour with us.”

  CHAPTER 3

  BREE

  On tour with Wycked Obsession. Living on the same tour bus as the band. Seeing Ajia every day.

  Every. Single. Day.

  Seeing the groupies mob him. Seeing them touch him. Kiss him.

  Maybe another girl and another blowjob?

  Nope. I can’t go there. Can’t do it.

  But…this is my chance to get away from Gabe without having to explain one damn thing to Mom. She knows how I feel about Knox and Wycked Obsession’s success. How proud I am, and how I’ve been a fixture with the band from the beginning. It’s summer vacation; she probably won’t even ask many questions. Probably would love a chance to be alone with Gabe.

  Gag.

  Ajia’s question comes back to me. You haven’t told your mom? How can I be the one to destroy her trust? Either in me or in Gabe, whichever way it goes?

  But how can I keep my mouth shut and let her stay married to an asshole like that?

  I have no answers. Not for those questions. Instead, I think about how I’m trading my claim of hating Knox’s protective bullshit for taking on the whole Wycked Obsession entourage as my protectors. But then, away from Gabe, what do I really need protecting from?

  Not Ajia. That’s for sure.

  “What about the band? You think the rest of the guys—”

  “You know we all love you, baby girl.” Ajia’s still holding my hand, I realize suddenly, and he squeezes.

  The excitement that wants to bubble up inside of me fizzles away. Yeah, they love me. Baby girl. Kitten. Band mascot.

  “Thanks.” I try to smile and pull my hand free. “But you’ve had me tagging along for—”

  “No way are you staying in Austin with that fucker.”

  I look at Ajia. He sounds as fierce as Knox, and he’s frowning in a way I haven’t seen before.

  “Okay…” I look between my two favorite guys. “But how’s this going to work? You got a little bed in the corner for me?”

  I don’t know where that came from. Maybe I’m a little more sensitive than I realized. Sometimes, it’s just all too much.

  “Don’t be a bitch, Bree,” snaps Knox.

  “Sorry.”

  “We’ll work it out. I’ll smooth it all over with Mom.”

  I don’t doubt that. He’s always had her wrapped around his little finger. Knox wants it, Knox gets it. And in this case, maybe it’ll work to my advantage, too.

  I know just how serious he is when I try to sneak out of the house the next morning. No clean clothes, no toothbrush. I have to get home and clean up.

  “Morning, baby girl.” Noah’s scrunched up on the couch.

  “Hey, Noah.” I wave. “What time did things wind up this morning?”

  He shrugs.

  “Thanks for the bed.”

  “Anything for you, Bree. You know that.”

  “Yeah, well…” I flush.

  “Hear you’re coming on tour with us.”

  “Knox told you?”

  “Yep.”

  Noah stretches and sits up. He isn’t wearing a shirt, and I can see for myself just how impressive his chest, pecs, and biceps really are. Thor’s hammer stands out prominently. No wonder girls want him, even two at a time.

  “You okay with that?” I ask.

  “You’re not staying here with that fucker!”

  “Jesus. Knox told you that, too?”

  Noah looks offended. “Course! We all talked about it last night.”

  “This morning,” I correct him. “Shit. So everybody knows.”

  “Just the band.”

  That’s enough. I drop my gaze.

  “What’s wrong, baby girl?” Noah pads across the room and throws an arm around my shoulders. “You okay? You’re not still upset about Ajia are you?”

  “No!” My cheeks burn but I shake my head. Maybe I am, but I’m not admitting that to anybody. “I just feel…kinda dirty over this Gabe thing, you know? Disgusted. He’s married to my mom!”

  “This is on him, not you.” Knox said the same thing.

  “Yeah.” I sigh. “Maybe I’ll feel a little better when I know I’m away from him.”

  “Good girl.”

  “Okay, I’m off.” I slip out of Noah’s grip. “I’m going to the house to clean up and get packed.”

  “Want some company?”

  “What? No. You’ve got stuff to do.”

  “You sure you want to go there alone?”

  “I…oh. Because of Gabe?” I shake my head. “No, it’s okay. He won’t be there. He’s at work.”

  “You sure?”

  “I’m sure.” I smile and hug Noah. “I’ll see y’all later. Have Knox text me with the details.”

  I’m home, in and out of the shower, and packing my suitcase within the hour. From that point, it takes longer. I have to really think about what I’m taking. The guys have all complained about the lack of space on a tour bus, and I know I’m not allowed much. Everything I take must have a purpose.

  One thing is sure. I’m done with all that baggy crap I wore to keep Gabe from noticing me. I’m not going all slutty or anything, but I want to dress in cute clothes that make me feel like a girl. Happy. Attractive.

  Even if Ajia doesn’t notice.

  I pick out a favorite skirt—striped patterns of blue, yellow, and black—and a white blouse with short sleeves and V-neck. The skirt is short and hugs my hips, and I love how it makes me feel feminine, while the blouse shows the little bit of cleavage I have.

  I know I’ll spend most of the tour in yoga pants, jeans, and shorts, but I want to at least start out feeling good about myself.

  Like Bree Gallagher, woman, not baby girl Bree, Wycked Obsession’s band mascot.

  A little eye shadow, mascara, lip gloss, and I’m ready. I’ve never been much for a lot of makeup, but I do what I can. The guys wear eyeliner on stage. Maybe I should get some tips from them.

  I step back into my room, grinning, but it dies a quick, sudden death. Somebody’s there.

  Knox asks, “You ready?” and I scream.

  He shakes his head. “Goddammit, Bree, what’s wrong with you?”

  “You scared me, you dick!”

  “Thought I’d help with your suitcase.”

  “Yeah.” I take a deep breath to slow my heartbeat. “Thanks. Sorry. I’m just a little…nervous.”

  “Okay, I—”

  A clatter in the hallway interrupts.

  “What the fuck?” Noah arrives first.

  “Bree! Kitten, you okay?” Ajia is a close second.

  “Goddammit, Bree, what happened?” Zayne brings up the rear, looking a little worse for the wear after last night’s party.

  Oh, wait. Rye’s there, too. H
e just doesn’t say anything.

  “Guys, it’s fine.” I shake my head.

  “I scared her.” Knox grabs my suitcase.

  “Jesus, you gave us all a fucking heart attack.” Zayne frowns.

  “Sorry.” I pick up my backpack and purse. Ajia takes the bag from me. “Maybe I’m a little jumpy.”

  “No worries.” Noah slings one arm around my shoulders. “Let’s get out of this hell hole.”

  “Hell hole?” I laugh.

  “Hey, we got a limo outside, a brand-new tour bus, and three months of open road ahead of us,” he brags.

  “You guys got a new tour bus?” I’m impressed.

  “New to us,” explains Rye. He’s the quiet, calm member of the band. “Edge of Return’s on our label. They got a new bus for the tour, so we got their old one. Refurbished.”

  “Rumor has it, there’s an extra-large bathroom.” Zayne wiggles his eyebrows. “And bigger bunks.”

  “I’ll believe it when I see it.” I laugh, remembering their old bus. Nothing wrong with it, but it was certainly nothing fancy.

  We pile into the limo—provided by the label because it’s delivering us straight to where the tour bus is parked—and the guys chat about the tour, meeting up with the guys from Edge of Return, and album stuff. I sit next to Rye and don’t pay much attention.

  “You really okay, Bree?” Rye takes my hand.

  I smiled at him. He’s the sweetest, kindest man I’ve ever met, but he always has a look of sadness, maybe even regret, that tries to hide deep in his eyes. I’ve never been able to completely cheer him out of it.

  “I’m good, sweetie.” I lay my head on his shoulder. “Now that I’m with y’all. And leaving Austin.”

  “Glad you’re coming with us.” He sounds like he means it.

  He lets go of my hand and puts his arm around me. I ride the rest of the way tucked against him. We’re kind of a handsy group, I guess, but there’s never been anything weird about it. Nothing sexual. We’re just…close.

  Not like with Gabe. The guys and I have seen each other through too much for that.

  Except for me with Ajia. It’s never been uncomfortable, but now that I saw some chick with her mouth on his dick, it’s all different. How do I fix something like that?