I’m not sure what about that strikes a nerve, but his already dark eyes turn to obsidian, cloudy with anger and…regret? A muscle in his cheek jerks, and his eye twitches. I half expect him to swing. It’s obvious hot heads run in the family.
Then he relaxes, blowing out a breath. Hot heads might be inherited, but control is not. Jagger wouldn’t be calm yet. “Casey still doesn’t know about you two, and while I don’t think she will care, the last thing we need is to give my dad something else to remark on. He might’ve looked calm to you, but my little brother is two seconds from losing his shit and it’s important that he’s here today.”
“Important for whom?”
“Important for him, Poppy. He needs to be here. Trust me.”
My mouth pulls to the side as I chew the inside of my mouth, staring at him. Studying him. “Don’t let him…” I hesitate, not having any idea what I’m trying to ask. Don’t let him get in his head? Don’t let him do drugs? I’m slammed with the sudden realization that I really don’t know him. But everything inside me screams that he’s on the edge of self-destruction. I have no reason to think that—to believe it, but I do. Something in those jade eyes just seemed scarily resigned. Like everything I heard him say about himself, he would prove to be true.
“Go on up.” His head tilts toward the stairs. “Fourth floor. Second door on the left.”
I do, following his instructions and trusting he will take care of his brother.
An hour later, I’m wearing a plum-colored cashmere sweater dress of Casey’s, black leggings, and black knee-high boots I wear at the club on occasion. My bun has been released into a ponytail down my back, and my makeup has been upgraded.
A few kids run around the house, laughing loudly, while others stay in the den that Graham and Jagger converted into an indoor playground. In the formal living room, everyone talks and mingles. Members of the biggest rock band in the world laugh as if it’s just another Sunday. Business titans chase kids around the place as if nothing but their joy is valuable. Women who aren’t intimidated in the least by the success of the men in their lives—many who’ve forged their own paths—toss warning glares when the adults become louder than the children, making me smile when a couple of them duck their heads like scolded kids while others toss flirtatious smirks in challenge.
I recognize most of them from social media or the news. Some I’ve never seen in my life. But while they all celebrate Graham and Casey’s little brother, I feel extremely out of place.
Not because there are rock stars and billionaires all over the place, but because I’m the only one not connected to the rest. My only connection here, as far as anyone knows, is Casey. I am the odd man out, despite every single person making a point to talk to me, asking me how I know Casey, and showing interest in what I do.
Being on the outside of things, I recognized fast that these people may all be at the top of their industry, whatever that may be, but this isn’t a house stuffed full of business associates and co-workers. The people all share something I never knew I was missing until this moment. A deep familial connection because that’s what this is, whether by blood or circumstance, thisis a family.
Jagger’s laughing now, but not a single smile reaches those translucent eyes. It seems like minutes ago he was ready to snap. Now he’s pretending, his mask fully in place.
And no one seems to notice.
And every time his eyes meet mine, the storm raging behind his beautiful gaze gets darker.
After what Graham said, along with Casey informing me how volatile Jagger’s relationship is with his father, alluding to something deep, dark, and broken, I decided it would be best to create space, but I can see it’s bothering him even as he pretends to enjoy himself.
“So, how long have you been sneaking around with Jagger?” My attention snaps toward the deep voice. Dark eyes dance with mischief as he brings a glass swirling with amber to his lips.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you mean.”
Something knowing, noticing spreads his lips across his face. He dips down, gets close enough that only I can hear. “Sweetheart, you two have been watching each other since I arrived. Is there a reason for the subterfuge? Because I’ve gotta say, you’re not being very discreet.” He leans back, his eyes raking me from head to toe. “Unless it’s not serious. In which case, I’m tossing my hat in the ring before anyone else can. I did see you first, after all.”
I roll my eyes, shaking my head. Casey and her friends warned me about Thad a few months ago when I joined them for girls’ night. Loyal, dependable, friendly…and a man whore. Honestly, perfect if I were looking for a hookup. A few weeks ago, I may have been interested.
“What’s going on here?” Maverick appears with a similar glint in his eyes, looking between Thad and me. “You’re not trying to move in on Jagger’s girl, are ya, Reynolds?”
“According to her, there is nothing going on, so I’m offering my services.” He winks unabashedly.
“There is nothing going on, and there is no ring. I’m too busy for fights or services.” I sip from my bottle of sparkling water, smiling at his boldness.
“So that wasn’t your ass in the air the other night at the club?”
I barely hide the fact that I just aspirated my water. Welcome pneumonia. Panic unfurls in my belly, but I push it down, maintaining my composure. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“This conversation feels very familiar, doesn’t it?”
“Mav, buddy, it definitely has been said before. Sorry if I mistook you for someone else. Must have been the hair.” He sips his drink, undeterred by my denial. “And the size. Those boots look familiar, too.”
My cheeks get warm, but I fight back the blush that threatens. “Sorry to disappoint you.”
“It’s a shame, really. I was just about to compliment your tits. The girl Thursday night had great tits.”
Scarlet erupts all over my body as an awkward laugh tumbles past my lips as I shake my head. “My guy, I think you need to get your filter changed. It doesn’t seem to be working.”
