Chapter 47

Bentley

I’d never been to The Project. It had opened its doors about five years ago. It was your typical dance club—dimly lit with loud music. At just after seven, they already had a good crowd. The lower level was open to the general public. The second floor of the club was considered the VIP section, and there was a bouncer to make sure people didn’t just wander in.

“I can’t believe your cousin owns The Project,” Cami told Austin as we emerged from the elevator into the VIP section. “Mercy should be here to see this. Maybe we can get her to come on a night when your cousin’s actually here.”

“Mercy won’t go to any club,” I reminded Cami. “She says it’s like hanging out at work.”

“I got the impression your sister loves what she does,” Gage remarked.

“She does,” I replied. “That’s actually part of the problem. I got her to go dancing with me one night, and she ended up behind the bar, training the staff. My sister is an even bigger workaholic than I am.”

“I find that hard to believe,” Gage said with a laugh.

“Come dance with me, Ginger Ann,” Xander coaxed, grabbing my hand.

“I don’t think so,” Gage told him. “You’re gonna have a hard time singing with a broken jaw.”

“Come on,” Xander crooned. “I’ll give her back.”

“You’ll get her dirty,” Harley accused.

Austin laughed. “She’s right. I’ve seen you dance with a girl. It looks like your humping her leg.”

“I’ll pass on that experience,” I told Xander with a laugh.

“Fine.” He let out an exaggerated sigh. “I’ll have to find another woman to dance with.”

“What about Cami?” I suggested.

“No,” Cami stated with a shake of her head. “You’re nice to look at, Xander, but you have a creepy obsession with waffles.”

“She’s got you there,” Harley replied.

“Creepy obsession? I happen to have a healthy appreciation of waffles,” Xander argued. “She’s just mad because we have no future together since she can’t make waffles.”

“You didn’t tell him you can make waffles?” I asked Cami, almost laughing when she glared at me.

“You were holding out on me?” Xander accused.

“I need a man who wants me for more than my waffle-making abilities,” Cami insisted.

“You make good waffles, right?” Xander asked, his focus completely on Cami.

“You’re right,” Austin agreed from Cami’s side. “He is creepy when he does that. Wanna dance?”

“Sure,” she replied before allowing Austin to lead her to the dance floor.

“That’s just messed up,” Xander complained.

“There are plenty of other women for you to hit on,” Harley told him.

“But how many can make waffles?” he asked. “I’m going to grab a drink.” On those words, he wandered off toward the bar.

“I can’t believe you told him Cami can make waffles,” Gage told me with a shake of his head. “Now, he’s never going to leave her alone.”

“I can’t believe you chased off my dancing partner,” was my response.

“Why can’t you dance with me?” he asked.

“For the same reason I haven’t agreed to go to the prom with you,” I replied.

“I’d better remedy this situation,” he mused, slipping an arm around my waist. “Wanna dance, beautiful?”

“I’d like that very much,” I replied.

There were only around twenty-five people in the upper level of the club since it was a Reckless Release party. According to Gage, at some point, the other band members would likely go down to the main floor and bring in others. For now, there weren’t too many people on the dance floor.

Gage was a fantastic dancer. His body swayed in perfect time to the music. I’d always loved dancing and soon found myself lost in the music. “Come dance with me, Ginger Ann,” Xander called out over the music.

I laughed at his bold move and looked over to see Gage’s reaction. He seemed just as amused as I was.

“You aren’t going to win her over,” Gage told him.

“I can’t make waffles,” I added.

“You could learn,” Xander suggested.

“I already told you, Ginger Ann isn’t interested in you,” Austin added, slipping an arm around my shoulders.

“And you think she’s interested in you?” Xander asked.

“Nope,” Austin replied. “Unless Gage screws up, she’ll have no need for a rebound guy.”

“I have no intention of screwing up,” Gage assured them.

Cami and Harley each caught one of my arms to lead me away from the guys.

“I don’t know about you, but after all that manly posturing, I need a drink,” Harley remarked before calling out. “You boys stay there.”

“Now, even Harley is trying to steal my girl,” I heard Gage complain from behind me.

“Do they always compete like that?” Cami asked.

“Not always,” Harley replied. “They are in rare form tonight.”

We ordered our drinks as I took in the club. Much to my annoyance, as soon as I left the dance floor, a woman moved in on Gage. It was clear he was turning her down, but I still felt the uncomfortable twinge of jealousy.

“Don’t worry about Gage,” Harley said from close to my ear. “He’s only had eyes for you since you met on that flight.”

I felt my cheeks heat from embarrassment at being caught glaring at a groupie with Gage. “I’m not normally like this,” I admitted. “In fact, I’ve never been jealous with any of my exes.”

“Your exes have all been pretty boring,” Cami pointed out.

“They were not boring,” I argued before adding, “I suppose compared to Gage Addison, they were boring, but Gage is a rock star.”

“Don’t call him or any of the other guys that,” Harley told me. “Their egos are already too big. I won’t be able to fit on the bus with them if they get any bigger.”

“What’s it like touring with the band,” Cami asked.

“It’s both annoying and awesome,” Harley replied. “I love playing with the guys. They’re all like brothers to me, and we’re a great team. Bus travel with them is incredibly irritating most days.”

“I can see how the guys might be too much after weeks with them,” I agreed.

“It wouldn’t be so bad if they wore pants on the bus,” Harley muttered.

“Hold up!” Cami interrupted. “The male members of Reckless Release walk around the bus with no pants on?”

“I’m sure they aren’t completely naked,” I told Cami.

“They keep their shorts on,” Harley said with a snort. “I’d still prefer to have them keep their pants on.”

“I’ll bet they do it to get a reaction from you,” I told her.

“Probably,” she agreed.

“So, all you have to do is stop reacting, and they’ll wear pants,” Cami suggested.

“Easier said than done since Xander goes out of his way to find superhero boxers that are sure to get a reaction out of me,” Harley told us.

I giggled. “This is hilarious. From everything I read about the band, I pictured Xander as some suave ladies’ man.”

“Me too,” Cami agreed.

“He’s a total dork,” Harley confirmed. “Women seem to like that about him. I’m looking forward to meeting your brother next week. Gage says he’s filling in for me at a show.”

“Yes, he is,” I replied.

“You sound worried,” Harley remarked.

“Lex will be fine,” Cami assured me.

“I know he will,” I replied. “I’m worrying over nothing.”

“Austin sent me the video of his old band playing,” Harley added. “They were good. It’s too bad about what happened to the drummer.”

“This is a sore subject for Bentley,” Cami told her.

“One she needs to get over,” Harley added. “Unless I’m mistaken, this thing with your brother is why you were so reluctant to give Gage a chance.”

“It is,” I agreed.

“I don’t want to see Gage get hurt,” Harley began. “He’s going through a lot with his mom right now.”

“I know,” I assured her. “Hurting Gage is the last thing I want. That doesn’t mean I can suddenly let go of my hang-ups, but I’m trying.”

“That’s all I’m asking,” Harley told me before letting out a sigh. “It looks like the guys aren’t going to give us anymore girl time.”

When I looked over my shoulder, I saw them approaching. My gaze immediately went to Gage. His smile warmed me all over. Harley was right about him being a good guy. I really hoped I’d be able to give him the chance he deserved.