However, I don’t give him the satisfaction.
Turning to Ryker, I ask, “How long have you been touring with Jax?”
Ryker takes a swig of his beer, then slowly exhales. Pointing to Finn, he says, “We’ve been with him from the start of his tour. It was supposed to be just for the contestant tour from winning the contest. But when Jax kept topping the charts with his singles, we made it official and became his band last week.”
Tonya arrives with their burgers and fries, interrupting our conversation, but the moment she leaves, Finn continues, “Thankfully, Jax was only obligated to his contract for one year after winning the contest at the festival. Now that it’s almost up, he can produce the songs we’ve been working on while on tour. He’s still with the label, because let’s face it, Smash Waves Records would be fools to lose talent like him. But thanks to his new kick-ass lawyer, he now has his own official band and more rights to how his songs are produced.”
“Sloane mentioned something about him finally having more say in which musicians he worked with. I know he’s eager to write more of his own music,” I add.
“We all are,” Finn adds unexpectedly. “By no longer just being a set musician, we can all have a say in the direction our music goes.”
“Do you write as well?” Sloane never mentioned anything about Jax forming a band, so this is all news to me. I’ll admit I haven’t actually asked, so I can’t entirely blame her.
Ryker chimes in, “We all do. Thank fuck we’re fire once we get in a room together, or we wouldn’t even have made it here this summer. Traveling between cities with a new band can either make or break you. We’ve got a good thing going between us.”
Fascinating. I’m clueless about the music industry, though I’m eager to learn more. “You both obviously write, but do you sing as well?”
They both nod, but Ryker says on a smirk, “Sure, we do. Who do you think sings backup?” Shaking his head, his expression turns stoic. “Seriously, Jax was born to be the front man. He just didn’t know it until our girl Sloane wagered him into taking that risk.”
Grinning, I laugh at the memory. “She told you about that, did she?”
Ryker shakes his head and grins. “I’m not sure how I’d feel about meeting a woman who’d change my entire life’s trajectory on a tiny little wager, all because I wanted to spend more time with her. But we wouldn’t be where we are today without that little ultimatum.” Taking a deep breath, he looks to the ceiling before shrugging on a slow exhale. “Though to be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if you saw one of us take a song now and then, if vocals call for it.” Looking to Finn, he smirks, and an unreadable expression passes between the two of them.
Clearly missing out on the inside story, “What?” rolls off my lips before I can think better of it.
“It’s nothing,” Finn quickly dismisses.
But Ryker must think otherwise because he adds, “Don’t let our boy Finn fool you. He’s equally talented as Jax. He’s a wicked wordsmith and has written a few well-known songs for other artists.”
Now my interest is piqued. “Would I know any?”
“You might. I’ve spent a few years working in Nashville and got to work with some amazing talent. But we’ve talked enough about work tonight.” Looking to Ryker, he adds, “I don’t know about you, but after touring steady for the last six months, I’m ready for a break.”
Okay. That was abrupt.
Before I can judge him too much, he turns to me and reaches out his hand. Tilting his head to the dance floor, he says, “What do you say I teach you some of those moves?”
“Wh… what?” I sputter, completely caught off guard.
Raising a brow, he stands with his hand expectedly outstretched. “What do you say,Raven? Are you ready for that dance?”
I may have lured her out on the dance floor by reminding her of the little wager I was certain to win. But in truth, I want to know her better. I love Ryker like my own brother, but if I want anyone knowing about me on a deeper level, it’ll be on my terms. I’d rather them know the real me, not my reputation. Don’t get me wrong, I’m damn proud of what I’ve accomplished in my twenty-seven years. I truly have nothing to hide, but the more we hang out with her, the more I realize I’d rather learn about Raven, without Ryker’s help.
I’ve quickly learned she’s willing to try almost anything—once. Or so she teased like a vixen when I asked if she was comfortable letting me spin her around the dance floor. Some moves are challenging, but she lets me walk her through them and the longer we dance, the more her body relaxes into mine. Within a couple of songs, Raven’s picking up moves I throw at her with ease. She spins and twirls in ways she swore she’d never manage.
We even attempt the neck dip she’d pointed out earlier. The moment I tell her she’s completely in control with this one, I get her to grip my forearm. Placing my hand on her neck, I dip herdown and back up with ease. We practice it a few times without a care in the world about who’s around us. When we finally get to the point where I try it in sync with the music, her eyes light up, and she squeals once she’s back on her feet.
“I had no idea that would be so much fun! What else can you teach me?”
She was hooked from there, insisting I keep showing her new moves.
Raven’s intriguing. She’s smart, and she keeps me on my toes. I’m relieved to know my instinct about her is spot on. She’s witty, constantly speaking in fluent sarcasm. After spending time with her sister, I can see their family influences run deep, but in some ways, she’s the polar opposite of Sloane.
Take her outfit alone. She’s wearing a pair of black ripped jeans and a graphic tee that says, “Salty or sweet, I’m still a treat.” That should’ve been my first clue she wasn’t her twin. As we dance around the floor, she pauses momentarily and throws her long hair into the sexiest messy bun. I doubt she’s wearing makeup, and I’m certain she couldn’t give two fucks about what anyone thinks of her.
It’s so refreshing. I’m sick of people putting on airs and only want to be with me as a step to fame or notoriety. We’ve managed to talk a little as we dance, but it’s mostly superficial. Though I love how she catches little things.
When I complimented her in learning these moves quickly, she asked, “You pick up that accent in Nashville?”
