Ilove to perform. The screams. The lights. The music.
It’s perfection. Everything I’ve ever wanted, and playing this music gig day in and day out is a privilege. One that leaves me with a natural high each and every time I step from a successful show. But tonight ... tonight blew all others out of the park, or rather, amphitheater. Better than our first paid gig, or the time we sold out in our hometown. Better than opening for Justin Hill. Better than our first headline show. Even better than all the shows on this tour combined. Because knowing Lexi is offstage, watching and waiting, fuels an already manic high. After a two song encore I call the show, ready to go find my woman.
She’s not backstage, so my guess is she’s already in the friends and family room with Bedo. Before the show, he asked us to stop by and shmooze for at least an hour before heading out to dinner. Apparently, some higher-ups in the music world are here and want to be wowed. But if they aren’t impressed with the show we just put on, I seriously question their industry expertise. I get why they want to meet us, though, because we don’t only sell our music. We market Three Ugly Guys as a package—a brand—and when we do it right, everyone makes money.
Our bus doesn’t take off until three in the morning, which leaves plenty of time for me and Lexi to sneak back after dinner. That thought propels my feet forward and I step through the open doorway with a smile on my face. I scan the room packed full of people, but the only person I need to see is missing. The guys come in behind me and the room comes to life at our arrival. Austin slaps my back and pushes me forward, and even though my feet move, my eyes still search for her.
“Trent!” I do a double take as Cora lunges toward me with her open smile.
“Cora?” I haven’t heard from her since the overnighter in Charlotte, and her presence is more than a surprise. “What are you doing here?
“Can’t a girl catch a show with her favorite band?” She giggles and shakes her head at my narrowed gaze. “I’m booked for a part in a music video tomorrow. When I found out you guys were playing, I had to come up early.”
Oh. That’s cool, only I hope she didn’t come here expecting this to be one of our regular hookups. I glance around the room, still not finding Lexi. She’s not here, and Ineedto locate her. “Hey, by any chance have you seen Lexi?”
“She was watching the show with me backstage, but I don’t know what happened or when she took off. After you played Renegade, I turned around and she was just gone.” She imparts all this with an indifferent shrug.
“Gone. What do you mean, gone?” I reach out to grab her arm until she gives me her full attention.
Cora blinks and rolls her eyes. “I mean gone. Like she left.”
I drop her arm and step back, narrowing my gaze at this woman I’ve always trusted. Suspicion that she’s not being real about where Lexi is and why she took off settles in my gut. My voice grows hard with the tick of my clenched jaw. “What did you say to her?”
“What?” Cora tilts her head as if she’s confused, but she’s a fantastic actress. Is she putting on a performance? It was a mistake sleeping with her all those times. Because it meant nothing to me doesn’t mean she felt the same.
“You said something, didn’t you? I thought you were cool, Cora. I thought you weren’t one of those women who can’t stand to see others happy.”
Her beautiful smile transforms into a scowl. “What the hell are you talking about, Trent? I didn’t say anything mean to her. I was nice. If she’s good enough to catch and keep your attention, she’s a good woman in my book. Stop being a dick and go find her. Maybe she wasn’t feeling well. Not everything is about you.”
God, she’s right. I’m overreacting. That’s it. Nerves gather at my fingertips because something feels off. Lexi should have been here waiting. “I’m sorry, Cora. You’re right. I’m a dick. I’m really sorry. It’s just that ... She promised to come watch me and I was really looking forward to seeing her.”
“If you’re really worried, I can help you look.” She glances over my shoulder and her gaze lingers on Sean. Or at least, I assume it’s him, since the only other people nearby are the gray-haired investors from some clothing line Bedo’s trying to sign us to rep.
“No. That’s okay. Go. Good luck trying to catch that one.” I shake my head and let loose a chuckle.
“I’m not trying to catch anyone. Just looking to have a little fun. Bye, Trent.” Cora wraps me in a quick squeeze before she struts across the room.
I pull out my phone, disappointed when there’re no missed calls or texts. I shoot one off to Lexi, asking her to call me right away, and head toward the exit.
“Hey, Trent.” Bedo cuts off my retreat and I turn, forcing my expression from a scowl. “There’re some people I’d like you to meet before you take off.”
“Anything for you,” I grit out through my smile.
Bedo’s hand slaps across my back a little too hard. He drops his voice. “Give me an hour, T. One hour and then you can go.”
Time can’t go fast enough.
Finally free from the after party, I ask the guys to wait up before they head to dinner, and then jog back to the bus. Lexi better be there because I’m close to losing my freaking mind. I’ve checked everywhere backstage—her dressing room, the women’s restrooms, and Jax even confirmed she never made it out to sell merchandise tonight. She’s got to be here in the bus. Maybe with a headache or feeling sick. Maybe her mom called. My mind races with the possibilities, but when I bound up the steps into our bus and find her standing in the kitchen, her guitar and notebook on the table, my spine prickles with irritation. She appears to be fine. “Lex, what are you doing? I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
“I’ve been here,” she says ever so nonchalantly. As if it’s no big fucking deal. As if I didn’t ask her to stay. She turns and goes back to brewing a cup of coffee, her back straight, her movements stiff.What the hell?I don’t know what happened to the Lexi I kissed before the show, but this woman is throwing up fuck you vibes like a professional ice queen.
“You didn’t watch the show.” Disappointment floods my heart, knowing she didn’t want to stay, that I wasn’t important enough. I thought ... After what we shared ...
I’m an idiot.
She turns my way and the mug of warm liquid clouds her mouth with steam as she lifts it and blows out through pursed lips. Those lips. Strong. Sensual. Smart. Fuck, I’m getting hard just staring at her.
“I changed my mind.”
