Irresistible Refrain

roadies while pulling his black bandana lower over his beer goggled eyes.

“I don’t believe you, man.” I shook my head.

“Yeah, well.” War’s gaze cut to me, his stare surprisingly steady considering the intensity of the alcohol reek emanating from him. “I can’t believe you either, asshole.”

We glared at each other. The undercurrent of restrained violence between us saddened me more than I was willing to admit. Numbly, I nodded when Buzz Buster ordered me to keep an eye on War while he and Dizzy went to round up some Red Bull.

I drug a frustrated hand through my hair. The tour, the group, my friendships, my life, everything was going to hell. Maybe I should try to salvage some of it. “Listen,” I told War, taking a step closer. “I’m sorry. Sorry about busting you in the jaw. Sorry about you and Lace. I know how you must feel.”

“You don’t know anything,” War growled.

“I know what a low tolerance you have for rejection. I was there when your father…”

“Shut up!” War’s shouted eyes narrowed. “I don’t care about that bastard and I don’t give a fuck about that bitch Lace, either.” He spat the words out, a cruel grin twisting his lips. “The only reason I was ever with her was because I enjoyed watching what it did to you.” It appeared to amuse him to see how much his words affected me. “It used to be nice having you trail around after me like a puppy, always ready to do my bidding. But it got old after a while.” He waved his hand in the air. “In fact, all this shit’s gotten old.”

Buzz Buster returned and thrust a Red Bull into War’s hand. “Drink up,” he ordered. “And keep it down.”

War took a long swig and wipes his mouth. “Listen all,” he projected, loudly enough that everyone backstage turned in our direction. “I have a special announcement to make.” He pointed at me. “I’m not working with this mother fucker anymore. I’m quitting after tonight’s show.” He stumbled to the edge of the stage, brushing past Dizzy. “Now let’s get this shit over with.”

I didn’t move. Shock had frozen my feet in place.

32

I stood in the foyer, staring out the glass doors at the circular driveway, waiting for Dizzy to arrive, equal parts trepidation and excitement. I was ready as hell to get out of this place, to see my brother, to watch television, to surf the web, and to wear something besides a Second Chances’ track suit. But I was really worried how I’d handle things out there in the real world…on my own.

After paying the rehab bill, I still had ten thousand left from the signing bonus that Black Cat had given me. But I knew I wasn’t going to keep it. I was planning to give that back and work out some kind of repayment plan for what I’d already spent. I had taken that money under false pretenses. And being a cheat and a liar didn’t sit well with me anymore. Especially not with the person I had set my mind on becoming.

A dark blue sedan with tinted windows pulled up in front of the building. Dizzy jumped out of drivers’ side and jogged around the front of it. I threw open the front doors and dropped my bag just as he lifted me up and twirled me around in a circle.

“Lace,” he said, hugging me so enthusiastically that I could barely breathe.

“Diz,” I wheezed. “Too tight.”

“Sorry.” He loosened his grip and leaned back to look at me. I saw a look of relief pass through those eyes so similar to my own. “You look fantastic, but how are you feeling?”

“It’s not like I had a terminal disease,” I grumbled, though I guess I probably had. Anyway, I knew what he meant. Looking in the mirror this morning I’d seen that my skin and hair had regained their previous luster, my cheeks were attractively fuller, my eyes sparkled with awareness, and the jeans and t-shirt that had been loose when I checked in was actually a little snug now. Getting your life in order and eating three meals a day instead of shooting up will do that to you. “Where’d you get the car?”

“At the airport. We’re staying there tonight. I’ve got us an early flight out in the morning. I can’t believe they wouldn’t discharge you until five.”

“Yeah, well, Sawbones is a stickler for doing things by the book.” In response to his questioning look, I explained. “He’s the psychiatrist who runs the facility. I arrived in the evening twenty-one days ago so that’s when I get released.”

I bent down to get my bag when movement near the car caught my eye. As I straightened I saw him. He was leaning back against the hood of the sedan. His black shirt sleeves were rolled up, his arms folded over his chest, and his long legs were spread out in front of him. He was the last person I expected to see, but a welcome sight nonetheless. When he hadn’t gotten in touch with me before I’d been admitted, I’d assumed he’d finally written me off, just like everybody else.

His lips formed a seductive grin. “Lace,” he drawled in that special way of his, and the world tilted a little beneath my feet.

“Bryan,” I managed to reply even though my voice was noticeably breathy.

For several moments he held my gaze. Something in my eyes must have given me away because he sauntered toward me all swagger and verve.

I held onto the pretense of being unaffected by him until he leaned in and the warmth from his breath tickled my ear. “You look gorgeous.”

My stomach fluttered. “I’m surprised to see you here,” I admitted, trying to recover my equilibrium, always a struggle around him. “You didn’t return any of my phone calls. I thought you’d given up on me.”

“I thought the same about you.” He leaned back to looked at me, his tone filled with regret. “I’m sorry. I only overheard part of your conversation with War at the hospital. I bailed when you said you loved him. I understand from Dizzy that I should have stuck around for the rest. I wish I had called you. It’s been hell waiting.”

“Hey, are you guys gonna stand out here all day and stare at each other?” Dizzy raised an amused brow. “Or are you ready to go?”

I pursed my lips.

Bryan just laughed.

Mesmerized by the crinkles around his eyes, I just stood there, blinking up at him. It’d been a long time since I’d seen him look so happy, or that my own heart had felt so light. But then again Bryan always could make me feel that way.

Reluctantly, I released my fingers from his arm and climbed into the passenger seat. There was so much more I wanted to ask him. So much I wanted to believe his presence here meant. The chain from his belt loop jingled as he slid into the back. Our eyes met in the mirror. A heavy expectant vibe zapped across the space between us.

Was this finally going to be the beginning for us?

During the thirty minute drive to the airport, I felt Bryan’s heated gaze on me. My body prickled with awareness. To keep my mind off the predatory male lounging in the backseat, I tried to make small talk with Dizzy. My jaw dropped when he told me about War quitting the band.

“You’re kidding?” I shook my head, but I wasn’t going to feel guilty. That’s a burden the old Lace would’ve taken on. What War did was his own damn business. “What are you guys going to do?”

“I’m glad you asked,” Bryan answered without a pause as if they had this rehearsed. “Diz and I were hoping you would consider…”

“No.” I thought it best to put the cabash on that idea right away. “I’ve decided to leave that part of my life behind.”

“Why?” my brother asked his brow knitted together in confusion. “You’re so good at it, Lace.”

“And you have a contract with Black Cat,” Bryan added.

“I did a lot of thinking about it these past three weeks. That kind of lifestyle is too much of a temptation for an addictive personality like mine. Besides, I realized that being part of a group was what I really loved most about music, and I can get that in other ways. The singing, going solo, that was War’s idea. It’s not really what I want. I’ve decided to go back to school. Study fashion design. I’ve started sketching again.” I shrugged. “It makes me