He smiles, but I notice it’s not his usual cocky smirk. It’s a sad smile and I get the feeling that he’d let me just like he let Jax. Not that he’d stand much of a chance against Jax, but the Maddox I remember could hold his own.
“She’s awake,” I tell him.
I watch as he sags in relief. His shoulders look like he’s just lost a thousand-pound weight off his back. It looks like he’s been carrying a lot of guilt himself. “I know I should’ve called you,” he tells me sincerely.
I wave him off. “You did what you thought you needed to. I don’t like it, but I get it. We all fucked up with her. And she fucked up too. She should’ve come home with us instead of running.”
Maddox slides me a glass of Jack. “She – she’s been closed off, Zane. I’ve tried like hell to get her to call you or to get help. The more I pushed the more she shut me out.”
I take a sip of my drink. “What else went on with you and my sister?” I ask him casually.
He raises an eyebrow with a chuckle. “Nothing went on, Zane. Not with me.”
“I’m not blind, Masters. I’ve always seen how you look at her. Why the fuck do you think Jax always had such a problem with you?”
He shakes his head with a smile. “Yeah, but she’s only ever wanted him. It doesn’t matter who’s in between, Jax is all she sees. I’m not looking to be in anyone’s shadow.”
“Sorry, man. Had to ask.” I throw back the rest of the drink as he slides me another.
He waits on a few other customers as I sit there sipping on my drink. I’ve had a lot of – well let’s call it what it is – hate for him for a long time. After his little stunt with her when we were kids, I’ve never trusted him, but Jax is right. He has watched over her for the last year the best he could. He let her stay with him so he could do just that.
That had to be hard as fucking hell. The guy has had a thing for Zoey for a long damn time, but he’s known all along where her heart really lies. And he still gave her a place to stay. He still looked out for her. He wants her in his life in any capacity. I guess that says more about him than I ever realized.
He comes back to me after he’s finished with the other people. “About what I texted you earlier? The girl I was asking for? Well, she’s a friend of mine. She’s tried extremely hard to get to know Zoey, and she still wants to try.”
“Why? Zoey won’t be here much longer.”
“I know, but Tori doesn’t care. She just wants to help, and I thought Zoey could use a friend.”
“Yeah, she probably could,” I admit. “Thanks, Masters, for watching out for her.”
“You don’t have to thank me. It’s the least I could do for her. You gonna be here for a while longer?” I nod. “I have to get up there, but I’d like to talk some more when we’re done,” he nods towards the stage.
I lift a brow. “You’re in a band?”
He laughs at me. “Yeah, I’m in a band.”
And suddenly I remember what it was that Zoey liked about him all those years ago. I just figured it was a phase he was going through until his dad prepped him for the family business. Never really understood what his family business was but I knew it was something. The guy had every material thing you could ask for. He must've given it all up to be working in a bar.
Guess it wasn’t just a phase.
I watch them play through a set, and I have to admit that I’m impressed. They’re fucking good. I never in a million years expected Maddox to sound like that, but he definitely has a voice on him.
When they finish playing, I watch as women surround the stage. I give a little chuckle. I feel like I am seeing into Maddox’s future and I am seeing a star. I know what it’s like to have that kind of attention. I can’t help but wonder if Maddox, given his history, is prepared for the – stress of fame.
Then my eyes fall on a fucking hot blond that wraps her arms around the drummer. Her ultra-blond hair is nearly white and hangs around her waist. She’s wearing leggings and an off the shoulder cropped sweater that lets me see the amazing ass on her. She has tattoos on her shoulder, and I want to know if they go on under the sweater.
When she turns around, I have to make a conscious effort to keep my tongue in my mouth. The girl is a knockout. The cropped top shows off her well-defined stomach with lines of muscle on each side that make my mouth water. She has the biggest, darkest brown eyes I’ve ever seen. Full, pouty lips painted red and high cheek bones define her face. And her fucking legs go on for days.
When Maddox returns behind the bar, I gesture for him to come my way. “Who’s that?” I ask as she walks past me with the drummer.
Maddox gives me a knowing look. “That is Tori. And she would eat you alive.”
I laugh. "I don't mind being dinner."
Tori
“Are you going to be okay?” I ask Maddox as we step off the elevator on the third floor of the hospital.
