Knot My Band, Part One (Knot My Band #1)

Oli

ALPHA TEA GOSSIP COLUMN

THE EDGE’S TOUR IS CANCELED, LEAVING FANS DISAPPOINTED

March 19th

I spray myself with scent remover one more time before going into the recording studio and hope the alphas do the same. It’s a common courtesy, and while we will catch each other’s scents when we are on the tour, we can minimize it.

This is our first full rehearsal together, and I’m not sure how it will go. In our last meeting, they ran hot and cold with me.

I want this to work, but there is only so much I can do. Trevor told me they agreed to join my tour, and we scheduled a rehearsal every day until then. Luckily, we both live in California, so it’s easier.

The room is full of instruments and equipment, different from how I always had it set up with my old band. They’ve moved The Edge’s equipment in here.

I barely have time to drink it all in before the door slams open, Chase, Jack, Aiden, and Dax walking in.

Dax walks right past me without a greeting .

“Chatty, aren’t we?” I call after him, unable to resist poking the bear. He doesn’t respond; he just heads toward his bass guitar like it’s his only friend in the room.

I watch him for a beat longer, curiosity nipping at me. What is his problem with me?

Aiden is all soft edges and tentative movements. His hands are shoved deep into the pockets of faded jeans. He waves with a soft smile, standing behind Jack and Chase, who both have huge smiles and come right up to me.

“Good morning, !” Jack greets. He’s all sun-bleached hair and effortless swagger, striding toward me confidently.

“You look gorgeous today,” Chase says cheekily with a wink. There’s a playful spark in those smoldering green eyes, a silent challenge that sends an unexpected shiver down my back.

I have to remind myself that he doesn’t mean anything with it. The last thing I need is to get caught up in the gravitational pull of a playboy’s charm.

“It’s good to see you all. I’m excited to get started today.” I return their broad smiles with one of my own.

“We could start if you would stop flirting,” Dax adds.

I pivot toward Dax, feeling the weight of his stare like a physical touch, sharp and unyielding. He’s a fortress of a man, all brooding intensity wrapped in leather, with arms folded across his chest as if to ward off any attempt at closeness.

“No flirting here. We can’t start until Trevor arrives. He wants to go over the setlist with us,” I inform them.

Chase leans in so only I can hear him. “We could find a way to pass the time.”

“You’re a huge flirt, aren’t you?” I accuse, shoving Chase back.

Aiden scoffs before Jack says, “Well, you’ve got that right. ”

Trevor comes in after one quick knock on the door. “Everyone getting along in here, I hope.”

He stares at me, waiting for an answer.

“Of course we are, Trevor. Nothing to worry about.” I give him a thumbs up, which Chase copies from beside me, making me chuckle.

“Good. I have the setlist here for you to start working on. You don’t have much time, so you should start practicing in order. ’s tour has been planned for a while so we are working you into existing plans.”

He hands each of us a piece of paper. The songs and order look familiar to me. The only difference is that The Edge’s songs are sprinkled in more heavily at the front.

“Four songs?” Dax asks, incredulous.

I wince.

“Once again, I remind you that you’re not as big as , and this was her tour first,” Trevor says firmly.

I can see all of them gearing up for a fight, and I want to step in and diffuse it before that happens.

“Trevor, let’s make it seven. We can cut ‘The End Of Us,’ you know I hate performing that anyway, and we make the set longer.”

Trevor is looking at me with lowered eyebrows and thin lips. “-”

I smile at Trevor before turning to the guys. “How does seven sound?”

Jack grins, Aiden has wide, grateful eyes, and Chase smolders. Only Dax still looks unhappy, but his lips twitch almost imperceptibly, the barest hint that I’ve caught his attention. His voice is gravelly and terse as he mutters, “Seven seems fair. ”

“Absolutely, we will take it,” Jack adds.

“Why don’t you like performing ‘The End Of Us?’” Chase asks.

Aiden elbows him hard in the stomach. I don’t tell them it’s because the song is about my ex.

I turn back to Trevor with wide eyes, ignoring that question. “Please, Trevor?”

His frown softens before he throws an arm around my shoulders. “I can’t say no to you, but ‘The End of Us’ stays in. You know the fans expect it. And I’m telling the crew to blame you for the longer set.”

I roll my eyes. “It was worth a try.”

“Wait, the crew can blame us, not ,” Jack says.

Trevor laughs. “Trust me, you don’t want the crew to hate you before you even start. They adore , so this once, I will let her take the fall for you.”

They look unsure, so I change the subject. “What songs do you want to add?”

The four of them debate before settling on three songs.

“Great, I’ve provided all of you with sheet music and lyrics to the songs on the setlist. I will get these three new ones to you tomorrow,” Trevor says.

“Thank goodness. They’re going to need it,” I laugh, even as anticipation blooms.

Tension and guilt swallow the room, making me regret my words.

I turn to my microphone in the middle of the room, stepping away from them all.

Aiden moves to his keyboard, Chase to the drums and Jack to his guitar.

The first song on the setlist is one of my most popular. It’s an upbeat track full of energy and requires the guys to do backup vocals.

Chase starts the song, setting the rhythm with the drums. The beat throbs in my chest while Dax joins in. Finally, Aiden and Jack round out the sound, preparing for me to join in.

I sway to the music, letting it possess me. When I sing, I have to move.

The first lyrics of the song pour out of me. They stumble over some of the chords, but I think they might have actually gone home and listened to my music because this is going better than I expected.

We stumble through a bridge, my voice soaring high then dipping low, and they follow, a little rough around the edges.

The music swells, filling every corner of the rehearsal space, wrapping around us.

With each verse, my confidence surges, matched by the energy they pour into their instruments. Our sounds meld, reflecting our natural connection.

I’ve never created music this easily with anyone.

We work our way through the original setlist with minimal notes from Trevor. Even with only two weeks of preparation, I think we can pull this off.

The last note reverberates through the air, and my body buzzes from the rush of nailing the rehearsal with these alphas. The energy in the room is palpable, a living thing that dances between us.

“Great job, ,” Chase says, swaggering over with the confidence of a man who knows his allure. His drumsticks are still in hand, twirling with an effortless grace that’s sexy as hell.

“Thanks! We all did great. I can’t believe how well we are connecting.”

“How about we all grab some dinner? My treat.” He tilts his head, his sandy waves catching the fading light.

“Sounds like fun,” I start, but then my gaze snags on Dax leaning against the wall, his arms folded tight across his chest, a storm brewing in his hazel depths. A scowl is etched into his rugged features, and it’s clear he’s not on board with the idea of bonding time.

“Let’s not pretend we’re some happy family,” Dax’s voice cuts through the warmth like a blade—cold, sharp, and unforgiving. “We’re here to make music, not friends.”

I feel the smile slip from my face, my heart sinking slightly.

“Lighten up, Dax,” Jack tries, but it’s useless.

“Maybe another time,” I murmur, reluctant to be the cause of any tension within this volatile mix. Chase’s disappointment is almost tangible, a cloud dimming the sparkle in his gaze.

“Sure thing, . Rain check, then.” Chase gives me a lopsided grin that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Rain check,” I confirm.

Aiden gives me an apologetic look, and his soft brown eyes kind of make me wish I could stay.

“Great work today, . See you tomorrow?” he asks, fingers nervously drumming on the edge of the keyboard.

“Of course,” I say, slinging my bag over my shoulder and heading toward the exit. I can feel Dax’s intense gaze like a shadow at my back, but I don’t turn around. The last thing I need is another round of his brooding intensity.

Once outside under the sky, I pull out my phone with fingers that are a little too shaky. Riley’s name lights up the screen, and I hit dial before I can second-guess myself .

“? Everything okay?” Riley’s voice comes through, clear and concerned, and suddenly, the dam breaks.

“I’m doing everything I can to make things work with The Edge and get along with them. I thought today actually went well. Our music connects so easily, but Dax clearly hates me, which really isn’t fair since we just met!”

“Oh, ve, I’m sorry. Do you want me to come to rehearsal so you have an ally?”

Riley might be my assistant, but more than that, she is my best friend, and this is why. She understands me better than anyone else.

“No, that will make me look weak. We both know I can’t have anyone doubting I can handle myself. They’re always looking for a reason to look down on an omega,” I say, holding back a whine.

“You’ve had people dislike you before, . This isn’t the first time. So, why do Dax and the band affect you so much? You sound miserable.”

I huff. “My band should be an extension of me.”

“Listen, , you’re incredible. If Dax can’t see that, it’s his loss,” Riley chimes in, her loyalty fierce as ever. “Don’t let one alpha ruin your night. You’re freaking perfect, remember?”

“Thanks, Riles. You always know what to say.” I manage a small laugh, grateful for her unwavering support.

“Anytime, girl. Now go home, get some rest, and show them what you’re made of tomorrow.”

“Will do. Goodnight, Riles.” I end the call with a sigh, tucking my phone away.

My omega wants me to march back inside and make those alphas love me, but I force myself to go home.