Forbidden Billionaire Rockstar (Raising Havoc Bandmates #4)

20. Jace

20

Jace

Throughout the rest of our dinner, Mallory halts the conversation about Trevor and instead brings up random things.

Mallory’s laughter rings out, a melody that cuts through the restaurant’s ambient noise. As she regales me with tales of childhood milkshake competitions, I find myself envying the simplicity of her past. My own memories loom like shadows, a stark contrast to the lightness of her stories.

I learned that as children, she and Brent loved going to a diner in their hometown where they sold the best milkshakes, but she created a competition between the two of them to see who could come up with a better concoction. It doesn’t surprise me that Mallory normally won, although I’m willing to bet Brent always lets her because she’s simply younger, and I smile at the glimpse into her past.

Even though I’d love nothing more than to give her just as much, I don’t have as great of memories as she does. I was a disappointment for most of my life, mainly because of my lack of athleticism. It was always my father’s dream for me to end up playing on a pro sports team. He was never a man to be picky with which sport, and his frown only deepened with each year that passed, and I showed no signs of making it happen.

“What about you?” Mallory asks, cutting into my deep thoughts with a small smile. “I’m sure you’ve got some stories you could tell me.”

“Not exactly. Mine aren’t the happiest of memories.”

“Are you close with your parents?”

I shake my head and frown. “Not exactly. They support my career in the best way they can, and it’s just not what they wanted for me.”

“They never bothered to care what you wanted?”

Normally, this is where I would change the subject because I hate talking about my parents, but there’s a softness in Mallory’s gaze that has me clearing my throat to answer the question.

“I’m sure they cared, just not enough.”

The words taste bitter on my tongue. It’s a truth I’ve rarely voiced aloud, and sharing it with Mallory feels like stepping off a cliff, exhilarating yet perilous. Her eyes, filled with understanding rather than pity, make me want to bare more of my soul than I ever have before.

“You said you fell in love with the guitar after receiving it as a gift. Who was the one that got it for you?”

The memory immediately floats across my mind, and I smile at it. “My grandmother, a few years before she died.”

“Were you close with her?”

“As close as one could be at a young age, she always tried to show me how proud she was when I didn’t get it from my parents.”

Mallory nods, then takes a sip of her wine before setting it back down. “I’m glad you had someone on your side. It must’ve been tough when she passed away.”

“It was, but music got me through most of the grief, and it hasn’t stopped since. There are still moments when it really hits me that she’s gone, even after so much time has passed, but I also know that she would be my biggest cheerleader, and it makes me feel better.”

How did this conversation get into such dangerous territory?

I’m used to most women acting like they’re listening to my words when they aren’t, but Mallory looks completely invested in our conversation as she grabs her wine glass to take another sip. I watch her swallow thickly, my eyes lasered onto the movement of her throat, and my gaze darkens on hers.

As Mallory takes another sip of wine, I find myself mesmerized. With the gentle curve of her throat and the way her lips part slightly suddenly, the restaurant feels too warm and too small. Our eyes lock, and the air between us crackles with unspoken desire.

Our waitress stops in front of our table, smiling brightly between the two of us, and asks, “Would you like the check, sir?”

“Yes, please,” I say, my eyes still locked on Mallory’s. She’s still got a large portion of her meal sitting on her plate, so I nudge my head toward it with a smile. “And a to-go box, if you wouldn’t mind.”

The waitress leans forward, a hand resting on my shoulder, and she smiles knowingly at me without bothering to look over at Mallory. “Of course not.”

She’s blatantly ignoring my date’s presence, which only turns me off from her, and I can tell Mallory’s patience is getting thin by the tight-lipped smile she flashes at the waitress.

“Excuse me,” Mallory says, too cheerfully for my liking. “Could you please stop ogling him and grab me a soda to-go?”

Our waitress straightens, her hand falling away from my shoulder as if it caught on fire, and she nods at Mallory with a solemn expression. “Of course, ma’am.”

“I didn’t peg you for the jealous type,” I say with a smirk aimed at her.

Mallory rolls her eyes. “Not jealous, just don’t appreciate women who act like I’m invisible just because an attractive man is sitting here.”

“Attractive, huh?”

“You’re well aware,” she mumbles. Her eyes move around the room, taking in more of the interior while we wait for the waitress to come back to our table, and she cuts her gaze to me. “You didn’t do so bad tonight.”

“Good enough to manage a second date, I hope?”

She clears her throat and frowns. “Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.”

We fall into silence, which gives my brain enough time to wander through my emotions. When the waitress comes back to our table, I can’t help but notice how she barely makes eye contact with me the entire time.

I leave cash on the table, including a generous tip, then slowly rise from my chair and hold a hand out for Mallory. She carefully takes her drink, then gently places her hand in mine, causing a surge of electricity up my arm. Our gazes lock, and suddenly I'm deaf to everything but the beautiful woman before me.

The only reason we break eye contact is because someone coughs at the booth behind us and pulls us from whatever trance we are in. I keep Mallory’s hand in mine, finger thread loosely through hers, as I lead us toward the exit with my head hanging low. Since I’m not in some sort of disguise, the best option is for me to keep my face out of view.

As we step onto the bustling sidewalk, I spot our driver waiting patiently by the sleek black car. He straightens up when he sees us, ready to open the door. But I'm not ready for this night to end just yet.

I turn to Mallory, a spark of spontaneity in my eyes. "What do you say we take a walk? There's a park just down the street."

She raises an eyebrow, a mix of surprise and intrigue on her face. I wave to the driver, who's watching us curiously.

"We'll be back in a few," I call out to him. "Just going for a quick stroll."

The driver nods, understanding clear on his face. "Of course, sir. I'll be here when you return."

As we start walking, I can feel Mallory's curious gaze on me. I'm not usually one for impromptu detours, but tonight... tonight feels different.

Before it gets too much later, I start down the sidewalk and head toward the park

“Not exactly dressed for a stroll tonight,” Mallory says beside me, her eyes falling down to the heels covering her feet.

I stop in the middle of the sidewalk, glance around, and bend down. “Get on, then.”

When she still hasn’t hopped onto my back, I glance at her over my shoulder and find her wide stare on my back. “We’re in the middle of the sidewalk. Get up.”

“More of a reason for you to hop on before people start to get angry with us.”

“You want me to get on your back?”

I blink and smirk at her. “Is that not obvious?”

She looks from my back, down the sidewalk, then back at me with a frown. “You’re crazy.”

Not crazy, just really don’t want our night to end.

A few people glare as they step around my bent frame, and I arch a brow at her. “Getting antsy here, sweetheart.”

“This is ridiculous,” she mutters before wrapping her legs around my waist and clinging to my back like she’s about to fall off a cliff. “Please don’t drop me.”

“Never.”

At first, I keep my strides calm so as not to spook her further, but once she loosens her grip around my chest, I quicken my pace. It doesn’t take long for me to get into a full jog, her laughter echoing in the wind, and my heart soars at the sound as an easy smile forms on my face. Only when we get closer to the park do I slow down and catch my breaths, my arms still locked protectively over Mallory’s legs.

When we get to the entrance, she slides down my back and fixes her clothing with a huff. “God, I bet someone got a good look at my ass.”

“I’ll be sure to stab their eyes out for looking.”

She chuckles and starts through the entrance, her hips swaying dramatically. Although she thinks I’m joking, the truth is I’m definitely not. The idea of someone looking at her ass fills me with a tremendous amount of jealousy, but I don’t let it consume me too much when I’m still in my present company.

We’re out in the open, but it’s late enough in the day that I’m not too worried about anyone recognizing me. It’s nice out, and I’m trying to stall the moment when I drop Mallory back off to her room. If it were up to me, I would keep her at my side and in my bed for the rest of the night — but it’s not up to me.

The park is a pocket of tranquility in the bustling city. Streetlamps cast pools of warm light along the path, their glow competing with the distant city skyline. The air is cooler here, carrying the scent of grass and late-blooming flowers. Shadows dance as a gentle breeze rustles through the trees. In the distance, I can hear the faint strains of a street musician's guitar, the melody drifting on the night air.

It's almost romantic – if I let myself think that way.

My heart screams for me to confess everything, to lay my feelings bare. But the specter of rejection looms large, threatening to shatter not just my heart but the fragile connection we’ve built. I’ve weathered my parents’ disappointment, but losing Mallory? That’s a void I’m not sure I could survive.

“Do you do this often?” Mallory asks as she comes to a stop in front of a bench that sits right under an opening of the trees. She looks up, then frowns and shakes her head. “If only the lights wouldn’t be ruining the view.”

I follow her, my gaze catching onto the darkened sky as I sink into the empty spot next to her and sigh heavily. “Not as often as I’d like. Nature soothes me, believe it or not. I can’t always find the time to enjoy it, though.”

“It is really pretty out here. I can understand the appeal,” Mallory says softly, her eyes still on the sky.

“I can think of prettier things.”

The brightness in your eyes as you stare at the sky, desperately trying to seek out the stars that the city lights will never allow you the chance to see. How your hair falls beautifully down the length of your back, practically beckoning me to thread my fingers through it.

Mallory hums in response.“Is this your way of wooing me, Brooks?” Mallory’s tone is playful, but there’s an undercurrent of something more.

“Woo? I don’t woo, sweetheart.” The lie feels heavy on my tongue.

“Fooled me,” she murmurs, her eyes searching mine as if trying to decipher a code.

“Thank you for tonight. It’s been nice. Exactly what I needed after the days I’ve had lately — a pleasant night out with a friend.”

Friend.

The word echoes in my mind, a stark reminder of the line I’m desperate to cross. I force a smile, but inside, my heart rebels against the label.

As we sit under the city-dimmed stars, I’m struck by the cruel irony. I’m falling for Mallory - hard and fast. But with every shared laugh, every gentle touch, I’m also falling into an impossible situation.

As we sit in silence, the weight of unspoken words hangs between us. Mallory shivers slightly, and I fight the urge to pull her close. Instead, I stand, offering my hand. "We should head back."

As we walk on the path, I text my driver to meet us at the park entrance. The spell of our private moment begins to fade, reality seeping back in with each step toward the bustling city streets.

While we wait for the car, a sobering thought hits me. This isn't just about my feelings anymore. The ripple effect of my choices could impact the band, our careers, even Brent's trust. The stakes have never been higher.

The drive back to the hotel is quiet, charged with unspoken words and possibilities. As we step out of the car, Mallory's hand lingers in mine for a beat longer than necessary. That simple touch sends a jolt through me, and suddenly, everything becomes crystal clear.

Maybe the real risk isn't in taking a chance on us. Maybe it's the regret of never knowing what could have been.

As we enter the hotel lobby, I make a silent vow. Whatever comes next, I'm putting my heart and soul on the line. Because a life without Mallory?

That's not a life I'm willing to accept.