“You can’t keep those perfect waffles hidden from me forever,” he crooned. “I’ll talk you into sharing. You’ll be begging me to sample your waffles.”
“Is he still talking about waffles?” I asked Austin.
“Nope, he’s flirting with me,” Cami answered for him. “This is Xander’s latest technique. My ex-boyfriend had a cow when I brought him on a waffle quest. Mitch was not amused when Xander offered to let me sit on his lap and feed him waffles.”
“You broke up with Mitch?” I asked. No one had mentioned that to me. When she nodded, I continued. “I’m so sorry. Are you doing okay?”
“I’m fine,” Cami assured me. “Mitch kept pushing me to change jobs so I would be available for more of his work functions. He was looking for the perfect trophy wife.”
“Wife?” I asked. “You hadn’t been dating long.”
Cami shrugged. “I guess all he wanted was a pretty blonde to go to parties with him.”
“That asshole didn’t deserve you, babe,” Xander told her. “You need to stop dating these losers and find someone who appreciates you.”
“Like you?” Cami asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Much as I’d love to have exclusive rights to your waffles, I’m not good enough for you either,” Xander admitted.
That was definitely interesting. If I wasn’t mistaken, Xander was interested in more than Cami’s waffles.
“I’m surprised you made it out tonight,” I remarked to change the subject. “Don’t you usually see patients Thursday mornings?”
Cami was a child psychologist, and she loved her job. I’d spent enough time around her to know it was rough on her some days, but she wouldn’t give it up for anything. “With the flu going around, I’ve had a bunch of cancelations,” she explained. “I don’t need to be at the office until one tomorrow.”
“Didn’t you say your roommates were meeting us here?” Xander asked me.
“They should already be here,” I replied. “They just got back in town.”
“I can’t believe I haven’t met them yet,” Bentley mused.
“That’s because we’ve mostly hung out at work,” I reminded her.
“Speaking of work,” Cami began. “What are your plans now that the club is open, Bentley?”
“I’ve applied for a few office manager positions,” Bentley replied.
“Madi also offered her a job helping out with Reckless Release,” Gage added. “We need someone with us to handle scheduling on tours, and we haven’t liked anyone the label has sent so far.”
“They’ve all been dickheads,” Xander muttered. “We’re also tired of hearing Gage whine and cry about how lonely he is when we’re on tour. I guess we’ll need to bring you with us next, Red. Austin is miserable without you.”
Austin reached over and punched Xander’s arm. “Don’t be an asshole.”
“I’m not being an asshole,” Xander argued. “You and Gage were both miserable little bitches while we were gone. You need to be around your women.”
“I’m not his woman,” I argued.
“That’s bullshit,” Xander stated.
“He’s right,” Cami agreed. “I know we’re supposed to pretend we don’t notice.”
“So we don’t screw things up for Austin,” Bentley cut in.
“This just got awkward,” I muttered.
“Lying isn’t good,” Xander added.
“Exactly!” Cami agreed. “I know I’m not the best person to give advice on relationships, but I also know that if you’ve found someone you connect with this way, you should give things a chance.”
“We only recently started talking again,” I reminded them. “We’re dating and getting to know each other.”
“And fucking,” Xander added.
Austin punched him in the arm again.
“What the fuck?” Xander asked. “You are fucking, so why can’t I say it? Why can’t we talk about what’s going on between the two of you? We’re just trying to help.”
“We don’t need a relationship intervention.” Austin looked like he was going to punch Xander again. “Things are going great. Let us handle it.”
“Fine,” Xander replied with a huff. “Just don’t screw this up.”
Austin’s eyes met mine when he replied. “I’m doing everything in my power to avoid screwing this up.”
Chapter 50
Austin
When Piper suggested inviting Cerise and Andy to join us, I wanted to tell her it was a bad idea. I was worried Xander would fuel Cerise’s concerns about me hurting Piper again. He had a way of saying the wrong thing.
“Sorry we’re so late,” Cerise said as she approached the table.
“It’s my fault,” Andy admitted. “I had to stop by The Project for a minute.”
“We were there for an hour,” Cerise added. “Club management sucks.”
“I guess I should introduce everyone,” Piper began. “Cerise and Andy, this is Bentley, Cami, Gage and Xander.”
“I already know Gage and Xander,” Andy replied.
“You do?” I asked in surprise.
“Sure,” Andy replied. “I talked to the rest of the band when we were arranging the Reckless Release party at The Project.”
“I figured that we only worked with my cousin regarding the party,” I explained.
“Because of your history with Piper, I avoided dealing with you,” Andy admitted. “I manage the club, and I’m a Reckless Release fan, so I met the rest of the band.”
“You knew Piper back in high school, right?” Xander asked Cerise.
“That’s right,” Cerise confirmed. “We’ve been friends for years.”
“You must really hate Austin,” Xander stated as if she needed a reminder of how she felt about me.
“He’s not my favorite person,” Cerise admitted.
“So, how are the waffles here?” Andy asked.
“Don’t get Xander started on the waffles again,” Cami warned him.
“If you’d just give in and make me some damn waffles, I wouldn’t have to come to these places,” Xander accused as he waved a strip of bacon at Cami.
“You gotta be careful waving bacon around these women.” Andy gestured to Piper and Cerise. “They will steal a man’s bacon.”
“I will keep that in mind,” Xander said before his attention returned to Cerise. Sadly, my friend wasn’t that easily distracted. “Back to this Austin-hating thing. I agree he was a complete asshole to Piper when they were younger. When I first heard the story, I couldn’t believe my ears. I told him it was fucked up.”
“Are you trying to convince Cerise she should stab me with her fork?” I asked Xander. “Or were you trying to convince Piper she shouldn’t date me?”
“You’re doing a good job with the fork thing,” Cerise told him before looking at me and laughing. “Just kidding. Piper asked me to give you a chance, and I’m trying. She’s a smart woman who can make her own decisions.”
Winning Cerise over was important because she was important to Piper. I didn’t want to cause problems between Piper and her best friend.
Cami glared at Xander. “Stop making this situation awkward, Xan.”
“I’m not trying to make it awkward,” Xander insisted, and I knew he wasn’t. He usually had a good reason for bringing these things up—at least, he thought it was a good reason.
“You’re not trying, but you are making them awkward. Cerise isn’t threatening Austin, so let’s leave it at that.” Andy suggested before trying to change the subject. “I gotta tell you guys, I love your new single.”
“Piper didn’t let him come see us play at Euphoria,” I added.
“Give me your number, and I’ll make sure you see us play the next time we do a show in the Bay Area,” Gage offered. “We should be lining some club shows up in the near future.”
“That would great,” Andy said with a grin.
Apparently, it was Gage’s turn to try to make the situation awkward. “Now th
at Piper and Austin are together, she can also get you tickets.”
“We aren’t together,” Piper argued.
“Don’t,” I quietly warned.
“I’m trying to make sure they know we only recently started dating, so we can’t say we’re together,” she explained.
“Oh, please,” Cerise said with a laugh. “Let’s talk about something else before this either turns into a fight or Austin says something to piss me off.”
“Good idea,” I agreed, and thankfully, there was no more discussion of my relationship with Piper.
Chapter 51
Piper
“Well, that was an interesting outing.” I made that statement on the way to Austin’s car.
“Sorry about my friends,” Austin said as he opened the passenger’s door for me. “I didn’t expect so many awkward moments.”
Once Austin was behind the wheel, I placed my hand on his thigh. When his eyes met mine, he smiled. “I was worried you were going to run for the door when Gage said we’re together,” he remarked. “It bothers you when I slip up and say it.”
“Sorry.” My cheeks heated. “It’s just the way he said it made it seem like we had some commitment that we don’t.”
“Are you saying you want to date other people?” he asked. “Are you planning to sleep with other guys?”
“No,” I replied automatically before realizing where he was going with his questions. “Okay, I see your point. I’m not planning to sleep with anyone else, and I don’t want you to sleep with other people.”
“You’re the only woman I want,” he assured me. “This sounds like a commitment.”
I blew out a breath and nodded. “You’re right. I don’t know why I’m so nervous about saying the words. It’s not like I’m a woman who refuses to commit in relationships. This isn’t like me.”
Austin took my hand in his and brought it to his lips. “I really hurt you before.”
“Yes,” I agreed. “But clearly I’m willing to move past that. I’m not holding some ugly grudge.”
“Thank you,” he uttered. “I don’t deserve any sort of chance with you. You are an amazing woman.”
“I know,” I agreed with a grin, startling a bark of laughter out of Austin. “Enough of this serious stuff. I’m tired.”
“Does that mean I can’t talk you into coming back to my place?” he asked.
“I’m sure you could talk me into it,” I replied. “You just have to give me the right incentive.”
“What if I told you I have a pair of handcuffs with your name on them?” he asked.
“I seriously doubt they have my name on them,” I said with a laugh.
“Not yet,” he replied.
“This could be interesting,” I mused.
“It’s going to be very interesting,” was his seductive promise.
Chapter 52
Austin
We were at the label’s studio space for practice when we got the call.
“This is a major pain in the ass,” Harley grumbled. She was the only one in the band who wasn’t excited about the offer to perform as part of a big charity event. An unexpected trip to Seattle wasn’t ideal, but when one of the bands had to back out, our label had offered us the spot. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem, but Harley already had tickets to fly out to Miami to spend time with her mom. She was supposed to leave the day of the show.
“Can you get a different flight?” Gage asked.
“Maybe one out of Seattle,” I suggested.
“That’s what I’m hoping for,” Harley replied. “I’ll have to check the airlines when I get home. This wouldn’t be such a pain in the ass if it wasn’t last minute. I don’t even want to know how much more a flight is going to cost me.”
While the band was making more money, we still weren’t getting rich from our music careers, a fact I sometimes forgot because I was already rich.
“Why don’t you let me take care of the flight?” I offered, quickly adding, “Consider it a belated Christmas present.” Harley hated it when I bought her gifts. I’d learned that in the early days of our friendship when I’d replaced her broken television.
She considered my offer before nodding. “If it’s too expensive, I’ll let you buy me a ticket, rich boy.”
“When you sweet talk me like that, it makes me wonder why we never hooked up,” I teased. “Oh, now I remember. I’m not looking for a dominatrix.”
“Asshole,” Harley shot back. “I am warning you all upfront. I am going to be bitchy this trip. Don’t even think about sending some submissive little creeper after me.”
“What if we do?” Xander asked. “Will you flog us?”
“Maybe you could flog your submissive,” Gage suggested.
“You idiots are why I’m single,” she muttered.
“How is that our fault?” I asked.
“You’ve turned me off men,” was her mumbled reply.
“Ah,” Xander began with a grin. “Now, I see where you’re going with this. You want us to send a submissive girl back to you. If I didn’t think of you as a sister, I’d be tempted to ask you to let me watch. One girl dominating another sounds hot as hell.”
“Idiot,” Harley accused.
“Change of subject before Xander gets flogged,” Gage began. “Madi said our new security detail will be going with us for this show. She wanted them to ride with us on the bus to get to know everyone better, but I suggested they take a car this time.”
“Good call,” I praised. “Until we know them better, I don’t want to walk around in my underwear around them.”
“I vote they ride with us,” Harley chimed in. “Anything to keep you guys from walking around in your underwear.”
“But I got some new Spiderman boxers I’ve been dying to show you,” Xander said with a grin.
Harley snorted. “I don’t believe you bought new nerdy boxers in the few days we’ve been back.”
“I was with him when he bought them,” I told her.
“Security rides with us on the bus, and pants stay on,” Harley stated in a no-nonsense tone.
“How about if we compromise and keep our pants on, even if the new security doesn’t ride with us?” Gage suggested. “I’m hoping to convince Bentley to go with us.”
“I like that compromise,” I agreed.
“Fine,” Xander relented. “This trip is going to be stressful enough with having to listen to Austin whine about being away from Piper. I don’t want to deal with strangers on the bus.”
“Austin is going to need extra snuggles.” Harley’s mocking baby voice made me laugh.
“Fuck you,” I shot back. “I’m not that bad.”
Even I didn’t believe that lie.
Chapter 53
Piper
“What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?”
At Austin’s calmly asked question, I nearly tripped over my own feet on the way out of Euphoria.
Austin caught me before I could fall face first onto the sidewalk. “Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, you just surprised me with that question,” I admitted.
He regarded me with a perplexed expression. “Why is it a surprise that I’d ask what you’re doing on Valentine’s Day? I don’t have a lot of experience with this dating thing, but I know this is a big day.”
“Not to me,” I assured him, turning to finish locking up the club so we could head home.
Austin was quiet on the walk to his car, making me wonder what was on his mind. Most guys seemed happy with my lack of interest in Valentine’s Day. I didn’t expect flowers, candy, or anything else.
“I’m working that night,” I said once we were in the car and on the road. “There’s a big VD celebration.”
“VD celebration?” he asked before realizing what I meant. “Oh! For a second, I thought you meant another type of VD.”
“I’m sure there will be plenty of the other type of VD shared that night,” I joked.
“You’re awf
ully bitter about the holiday,” he remarked. “Why is that?”
“It’s not a real holiday, and I’m not bitter,” I argued.
“Okay,” he agreed with a sigh. “We don’t have to talk about it.”
I couldn’t understand why he was doubting me. It honestly wasn’t a big deal. When I was younger, it had seemed romantic. I’d just grown out of it. Then a thought occurred to me.
“You think this is about you, don’t you?” I asked.
“I didn’t until now,” was his reply. “It seems I need to do something to change your mind about Valentine’s Day.”
“I’m going to be at Euphoria all day,” I reminded him. “Besides, aren’t you going to be out of town for your charity show?”
“You’re right,” he agreed with a sigh. “I probably won’t be back until late that night, possibly not until early the next morning. Until now, I hadn’t even thought about the fact that I’m leaving you alone on Valentine’s Day.”
“It’s really not a big deal,” I assured him. “The best part of Valentine’s Day for me is the discount chocolate the next day. That’s when I really celebrate. I’ll be busy with Mercy all day on Valentine’s Day. She’s going to be working with me at Euphoria since we expect a big crowd.”
“She doesn’t expect a big crowd at The Frisky Beaver?” he asked.
“It should be packed, too, but her partner is working that night. Can we drop the Valentine’s Day thing?” I asked.
“I’ll make you a deal,” he offered.
“What kind of deal?” I asked. “If it’s got to do with me giving you sexual favors, the answer is probably yes.”
Austin chuckled at my response. “I’ll definitely keep that in mind. I was going to offer to drop the Valentine’s Day discussion if you agree to let me take you out for a romantic evening before I leave.”
“Romantic?” I asked. “You aren’t exactly the romantic type.”
“I can be romantic,” he argued.
“Not so much, but I like it that way,” I assured him.
“Prepare to have your panties romanced off.”
My laughter was loud and long. Phrases like that proved Austin wasn’t romantic. It was a good thing I’d grown out of that phase.
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