"So how exactly does this work?" Liam asked.

We'd arrived at the club to find a drinking game already in full swing. The guys, minus Nathan, had secured a private room. Gael and Julian were halfway to being trashed, but Seth was driving us home after this so he was still sober.

Liam and I were in agreement about not telling the guys right away. This was still new to us. We were supposed to be concentrating on the tour. Gael was overprotective and might beat the shit out of Liam for touching his little sister. All were good reasons to keep it to ourselves, at least for now.

As we joined the others sitting around the table in the middle of the lounge, Liam questioned them when they told him what game they were playing.

"I've never heard of a game called Poker Face," he said. "Only the song."

"Don't worry, we're not going to make you sing it," Seth said. "The point of the game is to keep your face as expressionless as possible while each person takes their turn saying something to make you react. Anyone who so much as twitches a muscle has to take a shot."

"That's not too hard," Liam said.

"You think?" I asked, amused. "The drunker you get, the harder it is to keep a straight face."

"And we like to up the ante," Seth continued. "It's too easy if you're just taking a shot of vodka or rum. I like to create my own concoctions."

"Sounds interesting," Liam said.

"You have no idea what kind of shots Seth comes up with," I warned. "It's enough to sear the flesh from your tongue and make you puke all over the floor."

"Are you game?" Gael asked.

"I'm game," Liam replied. "I'm sure I can take whatever Seth throws at me."

"You say that now," I muttered.

"Wait," Gael said. "We can't start without Nate."

"He's probably busy dry-humping some chick on the dance floor," Seth said.

"And miss a chance to see the new guy keel over?" Nathan said as he walked up to us. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"So what you mean is, you already got your rocks off in a dark corner somewhere?" Gael asked.

A self-satisfied smirk crept across Nathan's face.

We took our places sitting around the table in a circle. Seth finished setting up dozens of shot glasses filled with whatever disgusting mix he'd instructed the bartenders to come up with this time, along with some non-alcoholic ones for himself since he was DD.

"Alright, let's start," Seth said once everything was ready. "Liam can go last so he can see how the game goes for the first round." He nodded to me. "That means you start and we go in a circle."

I didn't have to think for long. Last time we'd played this game, I'd been completely demolished. I'd spent the last several weeks coming up with some good ones I could use next time. I was determined to stay sober tonight.

"It was kind of hard concentrating on tonight's concert, since I'm on my period and bleeding out of my snatch—"

"Stop!" Nathan cut in as all the guys blanched. "Fuck, why do you always go for the gross female stuff?"

"Take your shot," was all I said in response.

The guys grumbled but each took up a shot glass.

"Here goes," Julian murmured.

They all knocked them back at the same time. Liam immediately started gagging.

"Shit," he choked out. "And you guys play this voluntarily?"

"This isn't even my worst," Seth said. "I'm going easy on you because it's your first time."

"What's in here?" Liam coughed.

"Alcohol," Seth said.

"I mean, aside from that?" Liam made a face. "It's like… raw eggs. And pickle juice. And what's that crunchy bit?" He shuddered. "This is godawful."

"Good," Seth said. "That's your incentive to win." He turned to Julian. "Your turn."

"Pineapples," Julian said flatly.

My eyebrow almost twitched, but I suppressed the urge. Liam's face was blank, although there was a hint of confusion in his eyes. He didn't know what Julian was talking about.

Seth, Gael and Nathan, however, all made various sounds of laughter, from a quick exhale through the nose, to a snorted chuckle at the back of the throat.

"You've been saving this one, haven't you?" Nathan accused as they knocked back their shots. "You knew it would get us and you want to make us look weak in front of the new guy."

"How long are you going to keep calling me new guy?" Liam asked.

"Until I come up with a better nickname," Nathan drawled. He took his time glancing at each one of us.

"I was hitting on this one groupie out on the dance floor," he started to say. "She was totally into me, but she was also one of those fangirls, you know?"

I wondered where Nate was going with this, knowing it couldn't be good.

He continued. "As much as she wanted to jump my bones, she also wanted to know more about the band. When I mentioned the new guy she said, Oh yeah, from that old band Forever Night? Isn't he some kind of washed up loser now?"

Liam's eyebrows immediately drew down into a frown with a grunt. Nathan snickered. Liam groaned.

"No fair," he said. "You targeted me on purpose."

"You need thicker skin," Nathan said as he handed Liam another shot glass.

Liam grimaced, but didn't choke or sputter.

"It goes down smoother the second time," he croaked.

"I'll need to make the next round even worse," Seth said.

"Great," Gael said. "You had to go and challenge him."

Seth rubbed his hands together with wicked glee, contemplating what he would come up with next. I didn't like the evil glint in his eyes. Thank god we still had another handful of shots to go with the current batch.

"My turn," Seth said. "I was just thinking yesterday that we should rename the band Hairy Tits."

None of us reacted. His face fell.

"Aw, come on," he said. "Nothing? Not even a single twitch?"

"Sorry kid," Gael said. "You'll have to try better next time." Gael looked to Liam. "He's great at coming up with drinks, but he's absolute shit when it comes to playing the game."

"Hey!" Seth protested.

Gael grinned. "You reacted. Take a shot."

"You didn't announce it was your turn yet," Seth retorted.

"Fine," Gael shrugged. "Now it's my turn and I think Seth's going to die a virgin."

Seth squawked. "I'm not a fucking virgin!"

Gael handed him a non-alcoholic shot glass. Seth continued glaring as he took his own shot. He sputtered, sending liquid splashing from his lips.

"He's also complete shit at taking his own medicine," Gael added.

"You guys suck," Seth complained as he wiped his chin with his hand.

"Liam's turn now," Nathan said. "Let's see what you got."

Liam went silent. He seemed to be studying the shot glasses intently. Without lifting his eyes, he spoke the next words in a hushed voice.

"Do you guys know what happens when two stars collide?"

I couldn't stop the sappy smile from sneaking across my face. The others looked confused. Liam shot me a look, an equally warm smile playing on his lips. That had been meant for me alone.

"I don't get it," Gael said, looking between the two of us.

"Inside joke," I said.

"You two already have inside jokes?" Nathan raised an eyebrow.

I mumbled something indistinct, not trying to explain. I took the shot glass, ready to toss it back.

Liam put a hand on mine, stopping me.

"What do you say we skip out?" he asked.

"And do what?"

"Let's dance," he suggested. "I'm still pumped up from the concert, aren't you? Let's work off some of that energy."

I shot a glance at the guys. Gael eyed us for a moment, but returned his attention back to the game, seemingly not thinking anything was unusual about the offer.

I took Liam's hand and let him lead me through the crowded club. He kept us to the edge of the the dance floor, away from the press of bodies.

"Don't want your legions of fans to see us and end up getting mobbed," he explained.

"You just want to feel me up in a dark corner," I said.

"That's a perk," he acknowledged with a wicked grin.

I wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders. He put one hand on my hip, his thumb rubbing small circles in the hollow. He put the other on the small of my back, pressing us close. I shivered, remembering what it had felt like to have those hands under my clothes, on my bare skin.

"What was with that pineapple comment?" Liam asked as we swayed together.

"Let's just say it involves a drunken party, a terrible dare, and a sore ass the next morning."

Liam raised an eyebrow.

"Trust me," I said. "You don't want to know more."

"That's a weird game," he replied. "Is it all supposed to be truthful statements?"

"You have first hand experience I'm not on my period," I chuckled. "Are you worried about what Nate said?"

Liam's lips pursed.

"You know you're not washed up," I scolded him. "You're supposed to have an ego to rival my own."

"Even egomaniacs sometimes have moments of self-doubt," he said.

"I've often thought the exact same thing."

"Whenever one of us gets down on ourselves, we'll have to remind each other how kick ass we are."

We smiled at each other. The room seemed to tilt, the floor turning wobbly beneath my feet — that familiar disorientation I always felt around Liam. This time, it didn't make me feel anxious or overwhelmed. It didn't make me feel like running away.

It made me want to stay wrapped in his arms, staring into those green eyes forever, until the stars went dark and the universe met its end.

We had stopped swaying. We stood in the middle of the club, dreamy expressions on both our faces. How embarrassing.

For once I didn't care.

We couldn't gaze into each other's eyes forever though. Eventually the real world intruded.

"I'm really thirsty," I told him. "I worked up a sweat on stage. Want me to grab you something from the bar while I'm there?"

"A beer is fine," Liam said.

With one last lingering look, I pushed my way to the bar. I leaned over the counter and waved to catch the bartender's attention. His eyes caught mine. His gaze immediately fell to my chest. He came over. I almost rolled my eyes. Of course my corset got his attention.

"One beer, one whiskey sour," I told him.

The bartender was at least professional enough to look me in the eyes while I ordered. He left to grab the drinks. I rested my back against the bar, waiting patiently. I was glad Liam had only wanted a beer. I certainly wouldn't have ordered him that twelve year high-class stuff he'd gotten last time, that was for damn sure.

I felt a nudge on my shoulder. I shifted away before a voice said my name.

“Hey, Cerise.”

Morris appeared beside me, his wide frame casting a shadow and blocking the club’s strobe lights from my eyes.

“Hey,” I returned. My chest squeezed, but it was only the barest hint of an ache. Seeing the proud look in Morris’s eyes made my heart swell. “Did we fucking rock out there or what?”

His lips tilted upward. “You fucking rocked,” he agreed. “I knew you would.”

“You want a drink?” I gestured to the bar.

He shook his head. “I don’t drink.”

“Since when?” Morris had always been, if not a heavy drinker, at least more than happy to chug back any beer that came his way.

“A while,” was all he said. "You guys were really great out there."

“I heard our fans compare us to Feral Silence,” I lied, hiding a smile. “Some even said we were better.”

“Don’t let Kell hear that,” Morris chuckled lightly.

“I can handle that raging narcissist,” I said. “After all, I’ve been putting up with my brother my whole life.”

“How is Gael?” Morris asked.

“He’s good,” I said. “Surprisingly good, actually. I didn’t think he’d ever settle down, but…” I shrugged and cast my eyes up to the second floor VIP room. I could see Gael and the guys through the glass walls. “Being in love suits him. He’s been acting out a lot less.”

“Not like he could have acted out worse,” Morris said dryly.

“Gael did go a bit too wild once the band got popular,” I said. “I was getting sick of bailing him and Nate out of jail or finding them in the middle of a trashed hotel room.”

“And what about you?” Morris asked quietly. “How have you been dealing with Gael’s new relationship?”

“I’m cool with it. I’m grateful to Jessie, actually. She’s keeping Gael out of trouble.”

“I’m glad.”

I studied Morris. “Were you worried I would feel left out or something?”

“I know how much you rely on Gael,” Morris said. “He’s part of your support system.”

Gael was my only support system. I didn’t have anyone else. I loved the guys in my band like they were my own brothers, but I had to be strong around them. Had to be a leader. I couldn’t afford to fall apart in front of them.

Morris must have sensed my thoughts, because he gave me a sympathetic look. He patted my upper arm with a large palm and left it resting on my shoulder.

“If you ever need anyone…” he trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.

I appreciated the offer. Morris was one of the very few people who knew what happened, who would understand.

I took his other hand in mine. “Thank you,” I said.

"What's going on?"

I turned my head to find Liam behind us.

“Hey,” I said. “Sorry, I ran into Morris and totally forgot about the drinks.”

There was a scowl on Liam’s face. He pinned Morris down with a stare. “Hey. What are you still doing here?” he said bluntly.

“Decided to stick around after the concert.” Morris eyed him carefully. “It was a good one,” he added.

“Thanks,” Liam said shortly. He put his arm around my waist and tugged me to his side. “You and Cerise talking about work?”

“Talking about a lot of things.” Morris turned his attention from Liam to me. He patted my shoulder again. “I’m here if you need me.”

I rested my hand on his briefly. “Thanks.”

With a nod at Liam, Morris took off. Liam tracked him with a shrewd eye as he disappeared into the crowd. His frown hadn't eased. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Okay," I started, pulling away. "What the hell was that?"

He shifted his gaze to me. "What?"

"That macho-caveman-possessive act," I said.

"You and Morris are close." He echoed his words from before.

“Yes,” I said. “We’re friends.”

“Were you always just friends?” Liam asked. Now I was sure there was a hint of accusation in his tone.

"There's nothing between me and Morris," I said. "We're friends. That's it." I looked Liam over and folded my arms over my chest. "Look, I don't do the jealousy thing," I told him. "If you've got trust issues, that's on you."

We stared at each other, both unwavering.

"I'm sorry," he finally conceded, although it sounded as if he were forcing the words out. "I guess I overreacted. I just saw you and him and—" Liam’s shoulders slumped. "We just had this amazing moment between us. I guess I'm still sort of in that clingy mindset. Kind of pathetic, right?"

I considered his explanation. "It's not pathetic," I told him. "I get it. I suppose I'd be pretty pissed if I saw some girl all up on you."

He threw me a relieved smile. "I'd hate to see a pissed off Cerise."

"You sure would," I agreed. "Just ask my brother."

The tense moment between us was over. We were back to our sappy smiles and easy laughs. Some guys were just overprotective like that, weren't they?

There wasn't really anything to worry about, after all.