Don’t Fall For A Dreamer (Wayward Lane Backstage #3)

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

JESSE

O kay, so Evert was right about the rideshare being a good idea. Despite coffee and breakfast, I was still feeling the effects of my hangover, and I was wiped out from lack of sleep. And after that earthquaking kiss, my concentration was shot to hell. No way was I in a state of mind to get behind the wheel. Not that I’d let Evert know that. He was already smug as it was, a wicked grin on his face every time I so much as glanced over.

With a proprietary hand on my thigh, and the heated gaze in his eyes, he made it clear that he had no intention of forgetting about that kiss. Not gonna lie, I couldn’t forget it either. I was feeling all kinds of things I never expected. And it went beyond simple lust. There was nothing simple about that kiss, or about the two of us. The very idea that I might be falling for Evert had me shaking my head in disbelief. And why did having his attention make me want even more?

Question after question circled in my mind and I didn’t realize the car had come to a stop until Evert squeezed my thigh.

“What do you want for lunch?”

I finally looked around and realized that Evert had our driver stop at a popular Nashville eatery.

“Oh, uh, a sandwich would be great. And an iced coffee, heavy on the sugar, thanks.”

Three trays of coffees, two large takeout bags, and one guitar later, we arrived at the studio and headed in to meet the guys. Rehearsals always took place in the theatre attached to the studio. A world tour was a massive project for all involved and the tech and sound guys spent weeks testing the equipment, lights, and any special effects leading up to the kickoff.

The studio was quiet, save for security staff, which was usually the way on weekends. I’d checked my phone again, and most of the messages were reminders about upcoming calls and meetings this week, plus several interview requests from music journalists.

And a text from Brodie, which I ignored. I was here now, so if he wanted to talk, we’d talk.

We stepped into the theatre and nodded at Lennie and Petyr and the rest of the bodyguard detail. Wayward Lane and Killmine were already on stage, instruments in hand, talking to Ace, the sound engineer and chief roadie, and Tommy, his second in command. With only three weeks to go until launch, there were still glitches that needed to be ironed out.

Brodie spotted me and nudged the guys, all of whom turned and smiled at us.

“You brought Ev with you?” Brodie asked with a shit eating grin on his face. “Did we have a photo shoot I forgot about?”

“I’m only here to watch,” Evert explained as we walked up on stage.

“I didn’t know you were into that,” Holloway chuckled and then pointed to his guitar. “You brought my baby back. Did you take good care of him?”

“Of course,” I replied.

“I’ll take that for you,” Tommy said as he stepped up to me.

“Or maybe Jesse will join us again?” Brodie asked.

I shook my head and slowly handed over the Gibson to Tommy. It was weird because I’d been so reluctant to touch the damn thing yesterday and now, I didn’t want to let it go. Not that I’d admit that to anyone. Not yet. But maybe it was time to revisit my storage locker. I’d kept two of my favorite guitars—one acoustic, one electric—and suddenly, I was longing for them.

“Thanks, Tommy.”

Evert and I handed out coffee. No one was hungry yet, so the sandwiches were set aside for later.

The guys all got to talking, but Brodie stalked up to me. “You got something on your face.”

I reached up and touched my jaw. “What is it?”

Evert nudged me and when I turned to him, he raised one eyebrow. Shit. I was so off my game this morning.

I turned back to Brodie, my face heating. “Fuck off.”

“What? Beard burn looks good on you,” he teased. “And Evert, too.”

Of course, Brodie was loud, and the rest of the guys heard his comment. There were whistles and hollers, but I waved them off. Evert placed a hand on my back and I leaned into him. When he clutched me tight, his breath hitting my ear, I couldn’t contain the shudder that ran through my body.

“Ignore them,” he insisted. “They’re jealous.”

“Really?” I met his eyes.

My statement was silenced when Evert leaned over and kissed me. In front of everyone. The voices around us hushed, and I didn’t hear a single thing except the rapid pounding of my heartbeat. Our first kiss hadn’t been a fluke. The same stomach-swooping madness took hold when he touched his lips to mine. Before I could deepen the kiss, though, Evert leaned back and gave me a sinful smile.

“Someone crank up the fucking A/C because it’s hotter than hell in here!” Ronin called out.

“Show’s over.” I turned to the guys. “Back to work.”

“But it was just getting good,” Faise quipped.

“Play,” I demanded.

With a shaky hand, I took Evert’s, and guided him down the stairs to the seats.

“You realize we’re never gonna hear the end of it now?” I stated.

“Yeah, but this isn’t a one-time thing. You realize that, too?” he countered.

I swallowed hard and stopped short, staring into his deep green eyes. So full of passion, fire, and something else I couldn’t quite pinpoint. The energy between us sparked so hot I was flushed all over. Now that I knew how heady he tasted, I needed more. And the way he was looking at me? No one wanted me with that kind of intensity. I nearly growled in frustration because I wanted to be anywhere but here at the studio. Ideally, alone with Evert, back at my place, wrecking the sheets.

“It’s kind of crazy,” I admitted. I was so amped up from touching him, I could probably light up the entire stage. “But also, amazing.”

“Incredible,” Evert replied and kissed me again.

“You have to stop doing that or I won’t be able to focus at all.”

Evert’s smile lit up his face. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“Right now, yes. But, maybe later?—”

“Definitely later.”

He squeezed my hand and we sat down together.

Taking a deep breath, I finally managed to calm down enough to pay attention to the guys. We watched Wayward go through their first set like the pros they were, and then Killmine. I interrupted their playing a few times to give my feedback on the sound quality, to get the tech guys to change the lighting, and to adjust the visuals.

By the time that was done, Brodie’s assistant, Bibi had arrived and she’d brought lunch for everyone. Between that and the sandwiches that Evert and I had, there was more than enough food. It wasn’t unusual for the guys to eat meals with the crew. Some bands I’d worked for didn’t interact closely with their team. But not Wayward and Killmine. There was the usual shop talk, bawdy jokes, and lots of ribbing, of course. We’d see how long the peace would last on the road. Inevitably, there would be disagreements. There was a lot of pressure. And it’s only normal, even in the closest of families. And yes, the Wayward Lane/Killmine crew was that. An unconventional, raucous, ragtag family. Me included.

I finally got a chance to speak to Nate, and his band brothers Otis, Xander, and Heath. When Nate wasn’t sharing food or cuddling up next to his boyfriend, Tommy, that is. The roadie always had a protective arm around Nate, and the two of them couldn’t keep their eyes, or hands, off each other.

“I should’ve brought my camera,” Evert whispered as he sat beside me.

“For real?”

“I love moments like this,” he explained. “Everyone’s relaxed, being themselves. To me, those are the best pictures. Not the ones that are staged. This is the real deal.”

“Hey Ev, I got an idea for promo!” Otis called out. “You gotta shoot me in the nude!”

Laughter echoed all around us.

“You were saying?” I quipped.

“Well, they are rockstars,” Evert muttered, then turned to Killmine’s guitarist. “Otis, I told you before, and I’ll say it again. No.”

“Why? Aren’t I hot enough?” Otis teased. “It don’t have to be for the tour. I can be in one of your art exhibits.”

“You do enough exhibition as is,” Evert lobbied back.

That was true. Otis was an incredible guitar player, but he took partying to an extreme. He wasn’t shy about anything, including the attention he received. At twenty-four, and given their recent popularity, it was expected. But I’d already had more NDAs signed for him than any other member of his band. Not that I was surprised. With long curly hair, a thick beard, and more piercings than I could keep track of, fans of the southern rock group went crazy for him. He, in turn, did the same.

“Hey, this body deserves to be immortalized,” Otis replied, standing up.

In a tight white tank top and worn jeans, I couldn’t deny the guy was fit. Fit and full of himself. I was the same at his age. What man isn’t?

Otis smirked and posed, cocky as hell, until the guys threw napkins at him.

“Enough,” I interrupted. “Save the nude photos for your private life.”

“If Ev wants to come home with me, problem solved.”

I didn’t like that statement one bit. I was about to get up and get in Otis’s face when Evert placed a reassuring hand on my thigh. Reaching for my coffee, I took a long, much-needed sip to cool down.

“I’m already spoken for,” Evert replied. “Or did you miss me kissing Jesse earlier?”

I choked on my drink and started coughing. Shit.

“Course, I didn’t miss it,” Otis remarked. “But don’t you have room for one more?”

“No,” I replied at the same time as Evert.

We glanced at each other with knowing grins. Evert and I hadn’t even had sex yet and already we were acting like this thing between us was a done deal. He didn’t want anyone else but me? Was I still drunk from last night?

“Not again,” Otis grumbled and sat back down in a huff. “Another freaking couple! What in the goddamn hell, guys?”

“Don’t worry, it’s not catching,” Brodie cackled.

“Thank fuck for that.”