Then why does it feel so wrong?
Twenty-Seven
Theo
Here’s a list of people I currently hate: Chris Pine, because I hate every movie I’ve ever seen him in—except Wonder Woman, but that’s because his character dies—and there’s something about the guy that annoys the fuck out of me when I look at him; Captain America, another Chris but it’s not the actor I have a problem with, it’s the character. He’s too wholesome, and just plain boring. Give me Iron Man any day; Marcus Bailey, the little brother I didn’t ask for and got anyway. He’s been given the world and I’ve stood there holding it up for him, and when the world isn’t enough, he takes a little more. He takes from me; Dan Stolle, lead singer and founder of Radio Silence. I hate him because he’s fucking rude, and he has ulterior motives. He’s a British version of Marcus, swooping in and stealing my chance—my dream—away from me the moment I was too rigid to go for it; Naomi Prendergast, because I just watched her get into a limo and drive away with a rock star, proving once again, that she isn’t the person I thought she was. I should have stuck with the impression I had of her after that stupid fucking party from years ago. She’s just chasing stars like the rest of them. Shallow; Theodore Bailey, because I’m fucking weak. I want her so much it’s like a searing pain in my soul, but I couldn’t bring myself to break my own goddamn rules. And now Marcus is taking a shot. Dan Stolle is taking a shot, and I’m just smoking in the dark, fucking watching it happen.
If I had a rock, I’d throw it through the back of that limo’s window.
“There you are.” Amy’s heeled boots crunch over the gravel. I drag my eyes away from the receding lights of the limousine with Naomi and Dan Stolle inside. I can’t even think about what’s happening in there. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“I needed some air,” I grunt, pulling out another cigarette and lighting it from the tip of the one I’m smoking. I hand it to her.
“Thanks.” She leans on the van next to me and inhales, blowing out the smoke before she speaks. “You guys killed it tonight. Social media is going mental.”
I offer a grunt. It’s all I have.
“You’re pissed about the impromptu ending?”
I don’t even grunt this time. I just give her a look that says, ‘What do you think,’ and she nods.
“He’s a good showman. He reads the room like a pro. You have to give him that.”
I’d like to give him my boot in his arse.
“But you’re not really pissed about the song choice, are you? You’re pissed about the kiss.” I suck air in through my nose as she pushes herself off the van and turns to face me, dropping her smoke in the gravel and stubbing it out. “My advice? Let it go. Let her go.”
“The band needs her.”
“I’m not saying that. I’m saying that you need to let her go in here.” She touches her fingers to my head. “And here.” She places her hand over my heart. “You’ll go crazy if you don’t.”
Releasing the air trapped in my lungs, I place my hand on top of hers, moving my thumb from side to side as I war with my mind. I know she’s making sense, but how do you let someone go when you’ve never actually had them?
“I don’t know if I can.”
“You want to know the first step?” She moves in a little closer and places her other hand on my chest to join the first one.
“Enlighten me. What’s the first step?”
She rises up on her toes and whispers. “Start acting like a rock star.”
I laugh. “I’m no rock star.”
“Survey says you are. And do you know what rock stars do? They party, and they fuck, and they lose themselves to the evocative power that comes with commanding an entire room of screaming women. They all want a piece of you, Theo.”
“They want Marcus.”
“And yet, I’m standing out here with your sorry arse.”
“What?” I barely get the word out before she grabs me by the back of the head and spear tackles me with her tongue. My first response is to pull away, but something inside me tells me not to. Something inside me says, fuck it. I grab her around the waist, twisting until she’s against the van. And I kiss her back.
Time for Theo to fucking party.
* * *
Naomi
“What drew you to the violin?” Dan sits across from me in a booth in the back of a late-night tavern. They serve burgers with wilted lettuce and chips cooked in too much oil while playing 80s and 90s rock music a little too loud for conversation to be easy. But the allure of this place to a guy like Dan Stolle is that no one bothers him, and we can eat alone. He leans forward and twists the ring in his eyebrow. “It’s not the easiest instrument to play while singing.”
“True.” I pick up a soggy stick of potato and swirl it through the pot of tomato sauce. “I guess I just like the different sounds it can produce compared to the other instruments I was playing.”
“How many instruments can you play?” He leans back, taking a swig from the bottle of Crown lager he’s been nursing.
“Um… well, I specialise in violin. I play a lot of piano and guitar. But I can play pretty much anything.”
“Wow. So, you’re one of those prodigies? Music flows in your blood.”
“Yeah.” This is where I get uncomfortable. I understand how hard it is to learn an instrument and become proficient in it, so I feel like a bragger when I talk about what I can do, but he seems interested, so I continue. “I can work instruments out by getting a feel for them. So I haven’t found one I can’t play yet.”
“That’s incredibly awesome.”
I grin. “Thanks. Some people really hate that I find music so easy. Although I hate how everyone else finds life so easy—I’m always feeling lost.”
He shrugs. “Life is hard. That’s why we sing about it. To feel better.”
“He’s wise,” I say, smiling as I lift my beer to him in salute.
“Possibly old and jaded. I’ve been in this industry a long time.” He tilts his head like he’s listening as the U2 song With or Without You starts to play. “How about a dance? I’ll bet you’re great at that too.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty rockin’ at that as well.” I laugh, sliding out of the booth and taking the hand he offers.
He raises our clasped hands and spins me onto the dance floor, taking the lead with great ease as we sway together to the music.
“Ah, seems like someone else is a pretty good dancer.” I smile up at him.
“Yeah well, I have a big family. Lots of weddings,” he explains.
“That makes a lot of sense.”
We dance together quietly for a while, and I take the time to scan the other people in the tavern. No one seems to care that a guy as famous as Dan is in here. They’re all just happy playing pool, drinking or dancing themselves.
“You made a good choice coming here,” I tell him. “Everyone is happy to leave you alone.”
He gives me another spin and pulls me back up against his body as he sings along to the lyrics. “It’s actually what I love about Australia. I can pretty much go anywhere I want and no one gives a shit.”
“Really? You don’t get fans harassing you for an autograph wherever you go?”
“No, I do. It’s just… different I guess. I can do a lot more while I’m here. It’s hard to explain. But I’m pretty sure you’ll find out all about it. A girl as beautiful and talented as you will end up with the world at her feet.”
“I don’t know about that.” I blush, dropping my head slightly to hide it.
“I do,” he murmurs, curling his finger under my chin to tilt my head up toward him. “Because I’m going to make it happen. You and I, Naomi Prendergast, are going to make beautiful music together.” He stops dancing and dips his head toward me, his lips brushing lightly over mine before he gently sucks on my bottom lip. At first I find myself responding, but as his tongue seeks entry, I drop my head again, effectively breaking the kiss.
�
�What about the band? What about Matiari?”
Twenty-Eight
Theo
“Rum.” I slap my hand on the bar then wave my hand when the bartender gets out a plastic tumbler and fills it with ice. “The fucking bottle.” I reach over the bar and yank it out of his hand.
He protests a little, but when I pull out the metal pourer and drop it on the bar in front of him, he just rolls his eyes and watches me take two mouthfuls of the tea-coloured spirit.
“Thanks,” I say, tipping the bottle toward him.
“Whatever, dude.”
Amy moves to my side and slides a hand over my shoulder, grinning as she hangs off me. “That’s how you party like a rock star. I’m proud of you.” She lifts her phone and takes a picture of us in selfie mode. She’s grinning—since when did she grin so much? —and I have my brows up with the bottle of rum held to my lips. “That one could get you an endorsement. The label is clear and everything.” She taps at her phone. “Tag and post. Cha-ching.” Giving me a wink, she pushes me to go mingle. Back when this band started gaining popularity, she was here telling us how to dress and who to talk to. And now that we’re taking off, she’s coaching me on how to party. She’s an interesting woman. I’m not sure how I feel about locking lips with her, but I’m too drunk to care, and too pissed to give a fuck.
Downing rum like water, I stumble towards the couch where Lachlan and Jack are entertaining a couple of girls. I drop between them, holding the bottle by the neck, taking big-burning gulps, appreciating the alcohol as it enters my veins. The numbness is coming. I can feel it.
“What are we supposed to do for fun at these things?” I elbow Jack, interrupting the wannabe orgy that’s going on either side of me.
Jack looks over at me as the girl keeps eating away at his neck and writhing on top of him. “In the mood to party for a change, huh?” he asks, nodding toward the bottle in my hand.
“Yep,” I state, taking another mouthful.
“I’m so fucking proud.” He grins. “Hey, Lach. Look who’s joining the party.”
Lachlan lifts his shaggy head, his eyes half-drunken slits and his lips swollen. “Theo. Fuck yeah, dude. Get in on this.”
“I’m tryin’.” Another slug should do it.
“The best things to do at these things is getting drunk and fucking,” Jack explains. “You’ve got the drunk part covered, and that brunette over there looks like she might be ready to fulfil the fuck part of the evening. Go and get her, mate.” He laughs as he nudges me in the gut?.
But I sit still and settle in, my eyes dragging over the luscious body of the brunette. “Fuck that,” I grunt. “I’m done chasing women. She can come and get me.”
Naomi
“Those are my terms,” I say as the limo pulls up in front of the hotel.
Dan sits opposite from me, twisting that eyebrow ring as he thinks. “You drive a hard bargain, Ms Prendergast, but I accept your conditions as long as you’re willing to work with mine.”
“I am,” I say, holding my hand out to shake his.
His mouth curves into a grin as he wraps his hand around mine. “They’re lucky to have you, Naomi. There aren’t a lot of people who’d be willing to do what you did tonight. But I have a hell of a lot of respect for you for standing your ground. I’ll get my people to draw up some paperwork and let you know when it’s ready.”
“Thank you, Dan.” I let go of his hand and move to get out of the car.
“He’s a lucky man,” he calls out when I step onto the curb.
“Let’s hope that he thinks so too.” I smile and lift my hand to wave. “I’ll see you on stage.”
“See you,” he says with a nod as he sits back. The driver closes the door before addressing me.
“Your things were taken to your room, miss. Reception has your key.”
“Oh, thank you.” After everything that happened tonight, I’d totally forgotten I didn’t have any of it. Stephanie will lose her mind when I tell her about this. But first, I need to talk to Theo and Marcus. If I’m right about everyone’s motivations, the deal I just struck with Dan will appease us all. I hope.
Once I have my key card, I make my way upstairs and walk up the dimly lit hallway. It’s late, but by the light shining out of their slightly open door, Theo and Marcus are still awake. Why would they leave their door open?
“Hello?” It feels too quiet. God, I hope nothing has happened to them. I place my hand on the door, and push, letting it open slowly as I peer through the widening space. “Holy shit.” I want to vomit. And cry. And scream. And stab someone.
Instead, I gasp and clutch at my chest, rooted to the spot as I take in a scene I never expected. Not in a million years. “I…” I shake my head. Not wanting to believe it.
Theo, standing against the wall, a girl knelt at his feet. Her head bobs back and forth as he fists her hair, his head tilted back as he moans in between swigs of his beer.
“I’m…I’m sorry. I… I…” I stammer, trying to force my eyes away while I grope for the handle of the door. I need to get out of here.
“Naomi?” His eyes find mine, glassy and unfocused.
“Pretend I wasn’t here,” I gasp, finally getting a hold of the door and backing away. Closing my eyes as click it shut, I cover my mouth and release a sob. “Stupid, naïve, desperate girl. What did you expect?” I mutter to myself as I fumble with my key card in my lock, wishing my hands would stop shaking. “Fuck.” I jam at the card in the slot, begging it to turn to green so I can get the fuck to safety and forget that I saw what I just saw. “Work!” The lock beeps and the door clicks, blessedly granting me entry. “Thank god.” Reefing down the handle I quickly push my way in, I can’t deal with this. Not Theo. Fuck.
“Naomi, wait.” Theo emerges from his room, still trying to do up the buttons on his jeans.
“Fuck you, Theo.” I try to get inside and push the door shut before he can reach me, but he’s too fast.
“I said wait.”
“Leave me alone,” I warn him.
“No.” The smell of liquor rolls off him as he pushes his way in.
I swipe at the tears on my cheeks. “Go back to your whore. I don’t want you.”
Slamming the door, he homes in on me, a predatory look in his eyes. I try to sidestep him and get to the door, but he steps in front of me each time, completely blocking my way.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m taking back what’s mine.”
“You’re drunk.”
His eye twitches, and he grunts. Fuck.
I turn and run for the bathroom, hoping to at least put a door and a lock between the two of us. I reach out for the door handle just as his strong arms wrap around my waist and pull me against his hard chest.
I kick my legs, beating my fists behind me, hitting at him wherever I can. “Let me go,” I screech. “Let me go!”
Suddenly he obliges, dropping me on my feet. A rage builds inside of me and I turn on him, pointing my finger at his face as I wish I was capable of spiting venom in his eyes.
“What the fuck, Theo?” I shriek, my teeth clenched as I growl at him.
His eyes move between mine and then drop to my mouth. I don’t get a moment to think before he crashes his mouth into mine. I stumble back, hitting up against the bathroom door as his fingers work their way into my hair and his mouth moves demandingly against mine.
I shove against his chest, giving me just enough space to lift my hand and slap his face. “Fuck you.”
He snatches his head back, his brow furrowing slightly as we glare at each other, gasping for breath. I lift my hand to slap him again, but this time he catches my hand, pinning me against the door.
“Stop, Theo. You’re drunk, and you’re scaring me.”
His eyes move over my face, brow tight as he studies my features. “Do you know what I realised tonight?” The slur in his words is gone. He’s eerily sober.
“What?” I whisper, pressing my swelling lips together as
a tear slides from my eye.
He inhales. “That I don’t care anymore.” His warm breath washes over me as he presses his body against mine and dips his head, brushing his lips along my jawline. My head swims.
“Theo.”
“I don’t care if you fuck Marcus.” His tongue snakes out and tastes the skin at my pulse point. “I don’t care if you fuck Stolle.” His mouth moves to fleshiness where my neck meets my shoulder. “I don’t care if you fuck the whole damn country.”
“I—”
His teeth press into my skin, sending a searing heat as he bites and sucks. I gasp and cry, fighting against him for the moment it takes for him to mark me then lift his head. “I don’t care because I want you, anyway.” He presses his forehead to mine. “I want you so much it burns.” He brings his mouth to mine and sucks on my lower lip. “I want you so much I’m willing to take you.”
I turn my head away and sob, my voice coming like gravel as I yell. “I didn’t sleep with him, you dick.”
He pulls back for a single moment, his dark eyes softening before his lips return to mine, demanding.
“Don’t you kiss me with that mouth.” I turn my head. “God only knows what you just did with it,” I cry, pressing myself into the door behind me. I may not have slept with Dan, but he was certainly busy while I was gone.
“My lips didn’t touch her,” he murmurs, taking a hold of my jaw and holding me steady.
“Just your dick did,” I spit.
“I’m not trying to touch you with my dick.” My nerve endings scream for attention as he brushes his lips across mine, confusing my mind because I want him, but he’s scaring me. “Let me in,” he whispers, his tongue sneaking out, and brushing over my bottom lip. “Let. Me. In.” He grinds his hips against me, showing me his arousal, proving to me that I’m weak when my body responds, my core throbbing. I want him anyway.
Beautiful Boxset: Beautiful Series, books 1-4 Page 105
