I gripped the wheel and drove home the quickest way possible. Chaos had just finished a tour debrief with Marcus and we were all heading our separate ways for a couple of hours. After being on the road for five months living in such close quarters, we were ready for some space. Yeah, our three-month tour went so well, it got extended. It was awesome, I wasn’t complaining, but I wouldn’t be missing that bus anytime soon.

I cranked up the volume on “Another One Bites The Dust.” I was going old school and listening to Queen. I really liked the bass riff in the song. Playing it loud made me feel better and helped chase away images of Jimmy’s hand gliding up Nessa’s back when we walked out of Torrence Records. He gripped the base of her neck and pulled her close, nuzzling her ear before whispering something that made her stop short, fist his shirt then drag him in for a kiss that belonged in a bedroom.

I cringed and rubbed my wrinkled forehead, trying to push away images of what they were probably doing right now. The walls on the bus had been thin and those two knew how to make each other moan. It was painful, and no pillows were thick enough to block out the noise.

My feelings for Nessa had never been part of the plan, of course. They just kind of happened over time. But me, being the slow ass that I am, didn’t really figure it out until after I knew Nester was head over heels in love with Jimmy. I was then too shy to be anything more than her friend. Watching those two negotiate their feelings for each other became a nightmare, but I couldn’t get in the way. After she took off and lost her hand, I had the fleeting thought that maybe I’d get my chance, but by then Jimmy had figured out what we already knew. I couldn’t get in the way of true love, so I backed the hell off. I was surprised by how much it still bugged me. I should be over Nessa. It’s never going to happen between us. Maybe it’s because I haven’t found anyone to fill that gap in my life.

Shit, even Marcus had a girlfriend. That hot assistant of his, Kelly, moved in with him like four months ago. Thankfully, Jace was still single and Flick was still screwing nameless groupies. I couldn’t see a serious relationship on his horizon, which meant I wasn’t going to be the only single guy left in the house.

The thing that really pissed me off though? I was ready for one.

I wasn’t into banging chicks I didn’t know. I never had been. I’d fallen into bed with a few groupies over the past couple of years, but I’d always come away hollow and swore on the tour that I wouldn’t do that to myself.

So, I didn’t.

And the guy who’d probably had more women than all of us combined got to walk away with a girl I would have happily dated…a girl I could have easily fallen in love with. It was so fucking unfair, and I couldn’t do anything about it.

I blew out a breath and pulled my wagon into the street. I was so damn tired. All I wanted was a good feed and sleep. At least I was back in my own bed; I’d slept better the last two nights than I had since we left on the tour. We weren’t due to start recording our new album until the end of July. Marcus was giving us four weeks off. I figured I’d probably go up to Chicago and visit my family, but I hadn’t confirmed anything yet. A big part of me wanted to go to bed and sleep for the next three weeks, then maybe I’d be able to think straight.

I just needed some space—no girls, no screaming fans, no drama. Just simple, quiet, uncomplicated space.

A smile tugged at my lips as I nodded and turned the car into our driveway. I lurched to a stop outside the double gates when I noticed a pretty young thing standing by the pillar, looking lost and miserable.

Her back pinged straight as I swung the car in her direction and she caught me with her big, brown eyes. They drew me in, making me think of hot cocoa and warm comfort. Her pouty, full lips twitched.

She recognized me.

I held in my sigh, waiting for the flirty smile and hip dip. It was like the groupies had a code of conduct.

When you see a Chaos band member, make sure you flick your hair, smile like a slut and dip your hip. This will draw their eye to your skimpy attire and make them want you.

I snorted at the mocking voice in my head.

The thing was, the girl standing at our gate didn’t do any of those things. Her smile was one of relief. She blinked a few times like she was fighting tears and played with the hem of her pink plaid shirt. Her fingers were short and delicate. It made me think of Nessa. I rolled my eyes.

There was a lot about the girl that made me think of Nessa, and it pissed me off. I was trying to get her off my brain and I shouldn’t have been comparing every gorgeous girl I saw to my…best friend.

A breeze ruffled the girl’s hair, blowing a few locks across her round cheek. She brushed the dark strands away and tucked them behind her ear. She had a simple, gold stud in each lobe and was wearing a fine gold necklace with a heart pendant. It sat in between her collarbones. Her skin was a milky white color and she had long, thick lashes.

She was beautiful.

And it wasn’t just the shape of her legs or the small curve of her breasts that made me think that. There was something so modest and pretty about her. She radiated an innocence without even saying a word, and all I could do was sit in my car and stare at her.