Carla looked gorgeous as usual, like she’d walked straight off the runway and into the club, which she probably had—she modeled on the side while pursuing her theatre major. She was half-Portuguese and half-African-American, and casting agencies went crazy for her smooth dark skin, head full of wild curls, and tall, thin frame. It was a shame Julie and I were the only ones who knew she’d rather fix old cars and play video games than do a photo shoot.
The glow of Carla’s phone lit up her face as she checked her texts yet again. Probably another string of annoying questions from her boyfriend.
“Is that Daryl?” I asked.
“He just wants to know where I am.”
“Don’t tell him,” Julie said, slapping the phone away. “He’ll show up uninvited.”
It wouldn’t be the first time he’d crashed our girls’ nights looking for Carla, convinced she was with some other guy. Probably because he knew she could do way better.
“He won’t. I told him we’re leaving right after the show.”
A cheer went through the crowd as the band walked onto the stage, and I stood on my toes to get a better look. Hector, a Latino guy with curly hair tucked under a baseball cap, sat in front of the drums. He was followed by Becca, a blue-haired pixie in a dress with safety pins all over it. She stumbled across the stage like she was drunk, but managed to pick up her bass and slip it over her neck. Next came Kyle, his black hair hanging in his eyes and the gauges in his ear flashing under the lights. He moved behind his keyboard, but my gaze left him as soon as his older brother Jared appeared.
The crowd’s cheering took on more of a screaming sound, and one girl even yelled, “Jared, I love you!” I rolled my eyes. Not that I blamed the girl. With dark hair that always stuck up like he’d just gotten out of bed, a perpetual five o’clock shadow, and blue eyes that could charm any girl into giving him his phone number, Jared was impossible to resist. I wanted to, believe me, but every time he opened his mouth and sang it was all over.
Jared gave the audience a wicked grin while he grabbed his guitar, a black Fender Stratocaster almost identical to my own except for the color. Like Kyle, he had tattoos running up and down his toned arms, and I couldn’t help but wonder if they continued under his shirt.
The entire club buzzed with excitement, every one of us poised on the edge, holding our breaths and waiting for the plunge. In this moment, right before the music started, it felt like anything could happen—and I was ready.
Hector yelled out, “One, two, three, four,” and the band launched into their first song. Jared’s hard guitar riffs filled the small club, matched with the deep pulse of the bass, the fierce beat of the drums, and the eerie moan from Kyle’s keyboard. The music ripped through me, touching the wild, dark part of my soul I kept locked away. My fingers itched to form the chords myself and play along, but I kept my hands in fists at my sides. Instead I nodded my head to the music, picking out each note Jared played and feeling it in a way only another musician could.
When Jared leaned into the mic and sang, his smooth voice washed over me like a soft caress. It was like the last, decadent bite of a chocolate-covered strawberry. The smoky burn of whiskey as it slipped down your throat. The final night of passion before your lover left forever. I sang along to the words, feeling each line strike me deep inside. I understood exactly what he was saying, like he’d written every word just for me, like somehow he understood me in a way no one else did. Of course, every other girl in the club probably felt the same way I did. And a few guys, too.
I tore my gaze from Jared to watch the rest of the band. Hector was a blur as his muscular arms flew across the drums. Becca swayed while she played bass, her movements sluggish and her eyes half-closed like she could barely keep herself awake. Lately Kyle had been complaining about how she kept coming to rehearsals wasted, but I couldn’t believe she’d do that tonight, not for their biggest performance ever.
Kyle was bent over his keyboard, head bobbing along while he played, and I loved seeing him in his element. We’d met as freshmen, and since we were both music majors who played piano, we always ended up in a lot of the same classes. We didn’t hang out much outside of school or anything, but whenever we had a group project or a duet to perform we always paired up. Over the years, we’d bonded over a shared love of movie scores, superheroes, and other geeky stuff, even though he was covered in tattoos and never wore anything other than black and I thought staying up past eleven was living on the edge. Somehow we’d just clicked—but never in a romantic way.
The song ended, and the audience cheered. Jared flashed the crowd a smile full of dark promises. “Thank you,” he said. “We’re Villain Complex.”
Julie whistled loudly beside me, and Carla covered her ears from the piercing sound. I blinked at them, coming out of a fog. I’d been so lost in the music I’d completely forgotten my friends were with me.
“They’re so good!” Carla yelled.
“And the guys are so hot!” Julie added.
“I told you!” I shouted back at them. And then the next song started and I was swept away, falling under Jared’s spell again.
Villain Complex had won the UCLA vs USC Battle of the Bands a month ago, securing the win for UCLA and making Kyle an instant celebrity around campus. Before that they’d only done a handful of small gigs and parties, playing both covers and songs from their own self-produced album. They were so talented it was only a matter of time until they really took off, and I’d be able to say I knew them before they were famous.
When the show ended, most of the audience crushed toward the exit like a herd of sheep. I was one of the few people crazy enough to move against the crowd and head for the stage, losing Julie and Carla somewhere in the fray. I finally made it to the front, next to a bunch of groupies gazing at Jared while he bent over to unplug something. I struggled not to stare along with them, but was saved when Kyle spotted me.
“Maddie, you came!” He jumped off the stage and grabbed me in a hug.
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything. You were amazing!”
“Yeah?” He brushed hair away from his face, the tattoos on his fingers spelling out LIVE LOUD. “I was so nervous. You have no idea.”
“It was a great show. Seriously. I was impressed.”
“Thanks. That means a lot, coming from you.” His face broke out into a grin. “Hey, I didn’t get a chance to tell you the news. We have a live audition for The Sound on Friday!”
“What? No freaking way!” The Sound was a reality TV show where different rock bands competed against each other while being mentored by a famous musician. The winning band got a recording contract with a major label, and the top four bands were sent on tour together across the country. Plus, the show had millions of viewers, so even the bands that didn’t win picked up a ton of new fans just from being on it.
“I know. Crazy, right?” He laughed like he couldn’t believe it himself. “Jared sent in a video of us performing, plus MP3s of all our songs and a bunch of other shit. I didn’t think anything would happen with it, but yesterday a producer called out of the blue and invited us to come on the show to audition.”
“Wow, this is huge! I’m so happy for you.” I gave him another hug and meant every word I said—but I was prickling with a touch of envy, too. I wanted Kyle and his band to win, of course. And it’s not like I wanted to go on The Sound or anything, hell no. It’s just that, for once in my life, I’d like to do something bold like that, too. No more standing in the crowd and cheering for others, no more hiding in an orchestra or behind a piano, but on stage, living the dream out loud and in front. But that wasn’t me.
A girl with hair the color of fruit punch slammed against Kyle, wrapping her inked arms around him. They kissed for the longest, most awkward moment ever while I stood next to them like a creepy voyeur. Finally they remembered I was there and broke away, grinning like two beautiful misfits in love.
“Hey, Maddie!” Alexis said with a big smile. “Wasn’t Kyle
incredible up there?”
“He really was,” I agreed.
“I’m so proud of you, babe.” She kissed his cheek, and he smiled at her like he was the luckiest guy in the world. They’d been high school sweethearts but had broken up when she’d gone to Princeton. Now that she’d transferred to USC, they’d reconnected at the Battle of the Bands and had been inseparable ever since.
“Hey, I got some killer photos of the show,” she said. “I can’t wait to get them on the website.”
“Cool. Send them to Jared so he can put them up.” He jerked his head toward his brother, who was talking with one of the groupies. “Jared!”
Uh oh. So far I’d managed to avoid all interactions with Jared for my own safety. Kyle had warned me that his brother had a new girl every week, and I knew they definitely weren’t geeky girls like me. If we never met, then Jared could remain the version in my head, the guy who wrote songs that made me feel less alone in the middle of the night and who grinned at the audience like he knew their darkest secrets. Once we met, he would be a real person. But I couldn’t exactly run off now, not with him walking over to us, even though the voice in my head yelled, Go, go, go!
“What’s up?” Jared asked, smiling at us. It was a different smile from the one he used on stage, a private smile for friends that made him look even more like Kyle. I saw the real him for the first time, and it was even better than I’d imagined. I was doomed.
“Kyle talks about you all the time,” Jared said to me, after we were introduced. “Great to finally meet you.”
He hopped off the stage and spread his arms, moving in like he wanted to hug me. This wasn’t all that shocking since Kyle was a hugger, too, but I stood there, frozen and tongue-tied for an excruciatingly long pause. It should be criminal for a man to be so good-looking. How were normal girls like myself supposed to touch the sun without getting burned?
“You too,” I finally said and stepped toward him.
As his strong arms circled me, a little tremor ran through my body, like a static shock jolting right through my chest. He was the perfect height for me to press my face into the curve of his neck and breathe him in, but I restrained myself. The hug was brief, but even that second of contact was enough to leave me breathless. I quickly pulled away and took a few steps back to a safe distance.
“We’re having a party at our place after this,” Kyle said. “You should come, Maddie.”
“Thanks, but I should get home.” I had that final in the morning, and Carla would kill me if I kept her out all night. Besides, Kyle and I didn’t exactly run in the same crowd, and I wouldn’t know anyone at this party other than him and Alexis. And Jared now, but he was dangerous to be around.
“At least stop by for a few minutes,” Jared said, giving me that warm smile again. I practically melted all over the floor, like a chocolate left in the sun. So unfair.
Alexis glanced between me and Jared with an amused smile, like she could tell how he affected me. “Yes, you have to come.”
Kyle nudged me with his elbow. “C’mon. You can check out our studio while you’re there.”
Well…I supposed it wasn’t that late yet, and I had been dying to check out the band’s studio. It would be a good friend-gesture if I made an appearance, and if the party was crowded, I’d probably be able to avoid Jared the entire time. A few minutes couldn’t hurt, right?
TWO
By the time I showed up with Carla and Julie in tow, the house the brothers shared in the Hollywood Hills was completely packed. We squeezed our way inside a room that smelled of pizza and beer while music pounded in the background. I immediately spotted Jared leaning over a stunning blonde in the corner, twirling her hair in his fingers. No surprise there.
I’d never been to Kyle’s place before, and even though he’d hinted about his family having money, it was still a shock to walk through the piece of prime LA real estate the brothers somehow managed to afford. Not that it was fancy or anything—it was actually pretty sparse, a typical bachelor pad with few personal touches. But it was two stories, with a pool and an amazing view of the city sparkling with a billion lights, and that didn’t come cheap.
“We really should head home soon,” Carla said as we stepped into the kitchen, where it was slightly quieter.
Julie grabbed some drinks from a cooler and passed one to each of us. “Relax. Have a beer.”
“Fine. One beer only.” But Carla promptly ignored it and started texting again.
“I’m fine with leaving in a few minutes,” I said. I didn’t know anyone here, the music was super loud, and I had no desire to watch Jared hooking up with one of his groupies. I’d say hi to Kyle, check out his studio, and then we could go. My duty as his friend would be done, and I’d still get enough sleep for my final tomorrow. Win-win.
“Speak for yourself,” Julie said. “I had my last final today, and I am a free woman for the summer. Tonight I plan to find a guy who will make me forget all about molecular biology.”
Julie was on the pre-med track with plans to apply to medical school next year, but it was no secret she hated it. Her true love was designing clothes, but she said that was just a hobby, not a career. Or maybe that was her parents speaking. I was never sure.
She nudged me with her elbow. “And you should talk to Jared.”
“What?” I nearly dropped my drink. “No!”
“Seriously, you’ve been undressing him with your eyes all night. Make a move already.”
“I have not been undressing him!” The words came out way too loud, and the people next to us glanced over. Even Carla looked up at me with raised eyebrows, like she didn’t believe my protest. I flushed and lowered my voice. “It doesn’t matter. He’s a total player, and besides he’d never go for someone like me anyway.”
“Why not?” Carla asked. “You’re beautiful and smart, and you play guitar, too. That already puts you ahead of these other girls.”
“I don’t really play guitar. I mean, I do, but only for you two…”
“Hey, you don’t have to marry the guy,” Julie added. “Just go talk to him. Have some fun.”
“Or ask Kyle to set you up,” Carla said.
“No. Definitely not.” There was no way I’d ask Kyle to hook me up with his older brother. Ick.
“Fine, but you have to do something about this,” Julie said. “You’re practically obsessed with the guy.”
Carla gave me a sympathetic smile. “You do listen to his music a lot…”
I hated when they ganged up on me like this. “Hang on, just because I think he’s talented—”
“And hot,” Julie butted in.
“And because I like his band’s music doesn’t mean I’m ‘obsessed’ with him.”
Julie rolled her eyes. “Fine, then let’s find you another guy to get your mind off him. How long has it been since you got laid?”
I rubbed a hand across my face, more than ready to go home now. “I don’t know.”
“When did you break up with Chad? Six months ago?”
“Something like that,” I muttered, hoping she’d drop it already. Chad was a communications major who said “dude” too much and spent most of his time at the beach. He’d been easy on the eyes and pretty good in bed, but he didn’t get me at all. The final straw had been when he’d bailed on one of my big recitals to go drinking with some friends. Music was my life, and if he couldn’t understand that, then there was no point dating him anymore.
Julie opened her mouth to push me again, but I held up a hand. “Fine, I’ll talk to Kyle, okay?”
“Yes! Go forth and conquer!” She raised her beer to me while Carla patted my arm and wished me luck before going back to her phone.
I returned to the living room and found Kyle in the crowd, dancing close with Alexis. “You made it!” Kyle said when he saw me. “Want to check out the studio now?”
“Sure.” I’d promised Julie I’d talk to Kyle, but I hadn’t actually agreed to bring up Jared, after all. “Or I
can find it myself. Just tell me where to go. I don’t want to interrupt.”
“Nah, I’ll take you. I locked it so no one can steal our gear.” He paused to smile at his girlfriend. “You coming?”
Alexis kissed Kyle on the cheek. “No, you two go ahead.”
“You sure?” He pulled her in by her waist and gave her a ridiculously long kiss while I stared pointedly at the floor.
“Go,” she said, laughing and shoving him away. “Get your music geek on.”
Kyle started to lead me through the crowd, but a bottle smashed near us, loud even with the music blasting. In the corner, beer and green fragments of glass dripped down the wall above Jared while Becca glared at him from a few feet away. Conversation died as everyone turned to watch the scene.
“Another girl, Jared?” she yelled, her words slurred. “How many tonight?” She reached for another bottle to throw, but Hector appeared at her side and yanked her back.
“What the fuck, Becca?” Hector asked. Jared slowly wiped beer off his face like he couldn’t believe she’d just done that.
“Don’t touch me!” She flailed her arms to fight him off. Hector immediately released her, but she stumbled into someone behind her. “Stay away from me!”
“Shit, not this again,” Kyle muttered. “Here—the studio’s at the end of that hallway.” He handed me a key and then darted over to grab Becca’s arm and help steady her. “Hey, let’s get you sobered up.”
“I’m fine,” she muttered. Her eyes closed as she swayed next to him.
Jared stepped forward, fists clenched at his side. “Becca, this has to stop.”
Kyle shot his brother a sharp look. “Let me handle this.”
“Then handle it! We can’t have her on The Sound like this. Either she gets her shit together, or she’s out of the band.”
Becca’s eyes snapped open, and she jerked away. “I’m done anyway! Done with you, done with your band, done with all this shit!”
BANGED: Rock Stars, Bad Boys & Dirty Deeds Page 63
