Chapter Twenty-Two:
Braxton
I have no idea how I made it to my bed last night as I have a very hazy recollection of anything past the first couple of drinks. When I open my eyes, I feel refreshed. My body feels rested and my mind is sharp. I sit up in bed, stretching my arms behind my head. Today is going to be a good day.
Reaching for my phone, I swipe the lock screen away and my heart falls into my stomach. There are seven missed calls, four from my bandmates, two from Emerson, and one from Teller. The beating accelerates in my heart as my eyes shift to the small clock at the bottom of the screen. 4:30.
“Shit!” I shout, jumping up with my phone in hand. It can’t be, that can’t be the right time. Immediately I press call on the first number from my log.
It’s Spencer’s phone, but he doesn’t pick up. I hang up angrily and dial Emerson. “Good morning, sleepy head,” she greets me in a sing-song voice.
I grip the phone tighter in my hand. “Where is everyone? Why didn’t you guys wake me up?”
She giggles. “We tried, you moron. All of us, but you were out cold. It might have helped if you didn’t get completely obliterated last night.”
“What?” I rub my hand across my face. “I can’t remember anything past the first few drinks. What happened?” I drink regularly but can hold my liquor. It’s rare for me to get completely shit-faced.
“You don’t remember? You met that newlywed couple and didn’t leave their side all night. I’m sure you racked up a pretty nice bill with all your Fireball shots.”
My memory of the night is still hazy, but I do love Fireball.
She sighs on the other end. “Where are you? You better get your ass here. You already missed sound check, and the guys are not happy about it.”
“Who is that? Are you talking to Brax?” I hear Cade’s voice in the background, and then a scuffle follows.
“Brax?” It’s Cade who is speaking to me now.
“Hey, man.”
“What the hell happened to you? Are you okay?” Even though I know he could ring my neck right now, he still cares.
“Yeah, I just… I guess I must have gone hard last night,” I reply, my mind running back through what I can remember of the night’s events.
Cade chuckles. “That’s one way to put it…”
I swallow. “Yeah, we can talk about it later. I’m going to get my stuff and head over. See you soon.”
“I’ll have Emerson text you the address for the Uber driver,” Cade says.
“Thanks, man.” I hang up without saying goodbye and then shake my head. I was asleep for over thirteen hours. I’ve slept enough of the day away; I just want to meet up with the group and find out more about what took place last night.
Hurrying up, I race around the room to gather my belongings and get over to the guys.
***
“Where are we going?” Emerson whispers as I pull her further away from the rest of the band.
“We are taking a time out,” I reply.
Her mouth is pulled up into a smile, and I can tell she is enjoying that I am taking charge. A few minutes ago, I texted her to meet me at the front. It’s not my night to run the merch table, and Cade was busy flirting, so we were stealth.
After finding the staircase my buddy told me about, I lead Emerson up it and out onto the roof. It’s nice out tonight and fairly warm for Washington. She stares back at me. “What are we doing up here?”
Pulling her into me, I tuck her hair behind her ear and then bring my lips close. “I thought we could use some privacy.”
Her lips curl up into a smile before she leans in, pressing her lips to mine. Her kiss is soft and deep, and I want more when she pulls away. She looks like she has a lot on her mind.
“What’s going on?” I ask, rubbing her chin with my finger.
She pulls away from me and sighs. “What do you think is going to happen when we go home? I don’t want to keep sneaking around.”
I shake my head. “I know.”
“Well… what are we?” she asks, appearing much too vulnerable.
“Em,” I say softly. I thought by bringing her up here we could spend a little more alone time together. I’m not in the mood to define the relationship right now. That’s a lot of pressure to put on me.
“Are we dating, Braxton? Are you my boyfriend? Or are you just my brother’s friend who is too scared to make a move?” She can be feisty when she wants to be.
I stalk toward her until her back is pressed up against the door. “Stop making this complicated.” Taking her lips in mine, I kiss her passionately, hoping to change her focus. Pulling her into me, I run one of my hands through her long, straight hair and then slowly begin to kiss her jaw line to her ear. My plan of shutting her up is definitely working.
“Brax,” she moans as I continue roaming her neck with my lips.
“Mmm?”
One of my hands begins raking up her leg to her side, and then I lift her up into the air as she wraps her legs around my waist. I keep her pressed up against the door, and my kisses are growing more aggressive as she grinds against me.
“Do you think anyone has noticed we are missing?” she asks, breaking the kiss.
I groan, nuzzling my head into her neck. “You ruined it, that’s it.” Her legs release from around my waist as she hops onto her own feet.
“I’m sorry,” she apologizes, running her hand through her hair flustered. “I guess I’m just anxious about Cade is all.”
I take a deep breath and then kiss her gently on the top of her head. “It’s all going to turn out okay.”
She glances up at me. “I hope you’re right.” I’m not sure of anything, but I want to appear somewhat in control. There is a lot of pressure on me, not only from her but also in the thought that Cade will find out sooner or later. I just want to take things as they come, one day at a time.