Sam’s folks didn’t waste any time setting us up with a solicitor to begin processing my fiancé visa. Once I didn’t have to worry about getting kicked out of the country, time went by super-fast. I was caught off-guard when a calendar reminder popped up on my phone about LTZ’s Sydney show.
It hadn’t seemed relevant to tell Sam about my not-quite romance with Jace because, in all honesty, there wasn’t much to tell. When every media outlet began advertising the concert, I stupidly let it slip that I knew the band. And that my best friend had dated the lead singer. Sam lost his mind and begged me to try and get us into the show.
Even though I could find my way into any event in the world, something compelled me to reach out to Jace for passes.
He enthusiastically said yes.
Hand-in-hand, Sam and I picked up our tickets at will-call. Jace left us all-access laminates, which we hung around our necks and entered the stadium. It should have been a fun night, but my stomach churned with anxiety at the situation I’d put myself in.
All I could think about was seeing Jace and launching myself into his arms.
So inappropriate.
A bigger part of me was dreading seeing the sexy drummer. I hadn’t told him about Sam, let alone that we were engaged. I was a professional withholder of information.
Gawd.
My fiancé was so damn excited to meet the band, I didn’t have the heart to say no.
Did I mention how much the word “fiancé” bugged the crap out of me?
Fee-yawn-say. Ugh.
With all of my random thoughts, I did realize that it would be weird not to go, and at least say hi. After all, I did get the passes. Sucking it up, I pinged him.
Alex: Yo - I’m here.
Jace: Cool where ru, I’ll have security come get you.
Alex: I’m with a date.
Jace: Oh, ok.
Alex: Is it?
Jace: Of course.
Alex: I’m stage right.
Jace: ok sending someone
A big, burly, tribal-tattooed aborigine dude approached the security gate and motioned me over. Clutching Sam’s hand tightly, I followed him through the backstage area down a dark hallway into LTZ’s dressing room. The minute I was through the door, Jace, Connor, and Zane surrounded me and gave me full-body hugs.
“Hi, guys! This is my boyfriend, Sam.” I motioned to my guy, who looked shellshocked to be in the same room as his favorite band.
“Fiancé,” Sam said politely as he shook their hands. “We just got engaged.”
Ugh.
I couldn’t meet Jace’s eye for some reason, but Zane reached down and grabbed my hand to look at the ring.
“Nice one, Alex.” Zane threw his arms around me again. “It’s good to meet you, Sam, welcome to the family.”
Looking up from under my fisherman’s hat, I caught Jace’s eye. He was delicious. His cheekbones were more pronounced than usual. His green eyes were the same color as my ring. The front part of his dirty-blond hair was pulled back into a braid. All he had on were tight black bicycle shorts, an LTZ T-shirt, and sneakers. Keeping his expression blank, he subtly swept his eyes up and down my body.
“Congratulations.” He looked like he swallowed a watermelon, but he still held out his hand to Sam. “Nice to meet you, Sam. You better take good care of her.”
“Surely, I will mate!” Sam said too loudly in his distinct Aussie brogue. Which suddenly sounded cartoonish.
“Dude, we gotta get warmed up for the show.” Connor broke up the reunion up by herding the guys.
“Feel free to hang out here, you can go wherever you want.” Jace motioned to the spread before ripping off his shirt and tossing it onto the couch. His eyes never left mine.
I knew what he was doing.
“If you want to watch from the side stage, it’s pretty cool. The sound’s not as good, though.” Zane offered helpfully.
“Does Ty know I’m here?”
“Yeah. I told him. He’s warming up in his dressing room.” Jace grabbed a bandana and tied it around his hair, his pecs and biceps flexing with the effort. “I doubt he’ll make an appearance, don’t take it the wrong way.”
“Okay. Well, we’ll head out and stay out of your way.” I took Sam’s hand and headed for the door. “Great to see you all.”
“Come back after the show, Alex!” Zane called after me.
Rather than watching from the side of the stage, Sam and I stood right in front of the security gate. Out of some sort of loyalty to Sam, I positioned myself purposefully so that I didn’t have a good visual of Jace.
Even though he was the only member of LTZ I wanted to ogle.
The only band member I would ogle.
Which still wasn’t appropriate.
So it just seemed easier to resist temptation.
Shirtless Jace in the dressing room stirred up the most intense sexual longing I’d ever experienced. My life choices suddenly seemed stupid and meaningless. I felt like I was going to throw up. Sam was rocking out and oblivious to my distress, thank God.
The part of the show I managed to pay attention to was incredible. Ty was absolutely hypnotizing. Zane and Connor rocked. Jace probably did too. But, again, I couldn’t see him.
I was miserable. I had to get out of there.
Sam was disappointed when I pleaded with him to leave early after claiming that I was getting a migraine. In reality, just seeing Jace made me want to stowaway on their tour bus. I knew that if I wanted to give Sam half a chance, I had to immediately get away from LTZ and my past.
I also knew, without a shadow of doubt, that if Jace and I were to find ourselves alone somewhere backstage or at an afterparty, I wouldn’t be able to stop
