by Scott, S. L.
“Only if you stop rubbing your throat like that.” I glance at the table next to us where three guys who appear to have major hangovers, judging by their bloodshot eyes and clothes that are too flashy for eleven in the morning, sit.
One smiles, but I look away, pretending I wasn’t just busted. “Hey.” When my gaze flicks back their way, he says, “You’re that singer chick.” He turns back to his friends, snapping his finger. “You guys know her. We saw them last night . . . um. What was her name?”
Another guy asks, “What was the band’s name?”
Lauralee and I just watch as they ask each other instead of me. The third guy says, “Faris?”
Lauralee caves and corrects them, “Faris Wheel.”
The first guy points at me with a huge, goofy grin. “That’s right. Shit, you’re hotter in person than on stage.”
I want to roll my eyes so badly but go with the air quotes instead. “Here’s an insider secret: I’m actually ‘in person’ when I’m on stage too.”
“You know what I mean.”
Unfortunately, I do. “Yes, I do.” Even though the situation is all wrong, the “I do” I say reminds me of last night and the vows I exchanged with Tulsa, and I smile, my mood turning around just in time for the man next to us. “Thank you for the compliment.”
“Can I get an autograph?”
The other guy who knew Faris asks, “How about a picture?”
I glance at Lauralee, who’s smiling politely. She’s been in this situation before with me and knows the drill. “I can take the photo.”
The guys hop up from their table and surround me. The smell of tequila is strong wafting off them, twisting my stomach. I didn’t get drunk last night, but I had a few. Their hands cover my back and shoulders, and I start to feel a little uncomfortable. I still smile when Lauralee says to, and as they slowly pull away, one says, “You want to go out sometime?”
“No, thank you.” I don’t know why I say thank you other than it seemed like the thing I was supposed to say.
He leaves, but I swear he gives me a dirty look. Now I roll my eyes. “Let’s get out of here.”
I dig out cash from my purse and set it under the saltshaker. It’s more than enough to cover the bill with a good tip, but I don’t want to wait for change. The vibe from those guys isn’t friendly, and I don’t feel comfortable without Laird or Shane to back me up if something happens.
As we walk out, I realize that role now belongs to Tulsa. How would he react if he’d been here? Tulsa acts on instinct. Would he rush me out of the place or punch one of them? Yes. Of course, he would. He and Laird are so similar.
Oh, God.
“Did I marry my brother?”
A woman outside the restaurant looks up from her phone and gasps.
“I didn’t marry my brother,” I snap.
The woman double gasps and covers her mouth, offended, again, by my comment. Lauralee says, “She didn’t marry her brother. All right?”
The woman turns her back to us, and I grab Lauralee’s sleeve, tugging her toward the casino. “We need to go.”
“Why are you talking about marrying Laird?”
Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.
What do I say? What do I say? “I’m not talking about marrying Laird.”
“I’m so confused. What are you talking about?”
Marrying Tulsa, but I can’t tell her that. Not yet. Ugh. Cutting through the lobby, I see Tommy pulling his suitcase up ahead. “Shit! Tommy. We have to hide.” I’m tempted to duck, but I’m too late. He sees me.
He knows stuff. Too much. He and Rochelle are the ones who handled the situation last night. I just wonder if he knows everything.
When we approach, he greets us first. “Good morning.”
Why am I sweating? “Good morning.”
“You heading home soon? Or spending a few days here in Vegas?”
Such a simple question, the honest answer getting buried in the lies. “No,” I reply, shifting on my ankle. “Just . . . I . . . um . . .
Lauralee looks at me, furrowing her brow. “I thought you were coming back to LA with me?”
“There’s been a change in plans.”
Tommy looks from her to me, and his eyes widen. “You’re heading to Austin to do some recording, right?”
“Yes, that’s what I’m doing. Recording in Austin.”
She tilts her head, and from the look on her face, I know she’s onto me. “Where the Crow brothers live? That’s convenient.”
Tommy rolls his suitcase in front of him. “I should get going. I’ll see you in Chicago.” We hug. He whispers, “Congrats.”
I may not have had the chance to be an emotional bridezilla, but the depth of what did happen has caught up with me. Choking up, I can’t answer, so I nod instead. I’m married.
I married Tulsa Crow.
Like I told him, I haven’t felt any regret. Maybe I’m being naïve. We’re in extraordinary circumstances, not having to worry about bills or even what to make for dinner. I do have suitcases full of dirty clothes, and I’m sick of eating out, so I look forward to our downtime together in Austin. I can’t wait to feed him and love him without eyes on us or having to look over our shoulders. After seeing Tulsa with his nephew, a part of me has even been thinking about kids.
That’s insanity. Am I ready to have kids? If I had to answer now, I’m not so sure I would say no. That tells me more about where I am in my journey than anything else. I’m happy, and that’s good enough for me to know I made the right decision.
Tommy’s grin is genuine as he keeps our secret. “Nice meeting you, Lauralee.”
“Same. Safe travels.”
When we walk to the elevators, she says, “You didn’t tell me you were going to Austin.”
“Spur of the moment.”
“So, a little sex with Tulsa convinced you to spend your days off in Austin?”
I bump into her playfully. “Absolutely.” Punching the up button, I add, “But, let’s be clear. There’s nothing little when it comes to Tulsa.” Nothing. I can feel him between my thighs even now, which is turning me on. I’m a harlot. A sex addict. But seriously, who would blame me? Think Liam Hemsworth’s eyes, Jared Padalecki’s dimples, and Stephen Amell’s body. Yeah. Swoon. Hate me.
Snort laughing, she shakes her head. “Oh, girl. You are in so deep.”
As is he. If she only knew.
Lauralee catches a two o’clock flight to San Diego, and I finish packing. Fortunately, I extended my checkout time, considering my clothes have somehow been strewn around the small suite in the two nights I’ve been here.
There’s a knock on my door, and without answering it, I already know who it is. Laird’s texted me twice, telling me to be ready. I’m not, so I run to answer it before shoving everything in my suitcases. “Hey. Come on in.”
“You’re not packed? We need to leave in fifteen minutes, or we’ll miss our flight.”
“Actually, I’ve changed my ticket. I’m not going back to LA this break. I’m going to Austin instead.”
“Why?” He sits on the end of the bed that Lauralee slept in while I pack my stuff on the other.
I go with Tommy’s brilliant excuse. “We’re recording a song.”
“For their album or ours?”
“Theirs. Ours. I’m not sure. He has a song. I have a song.”
“He who? Jet?”
Shoot. Without looking his way, I focus on fitting my shoes in one-half of the case. “No, um, Tulsa.”
“When did you start talking to Tulsa about songs?”
“Just came up when we went jogging the other day.”
“Since when do you jog?”
“Laird?”
“What?” He shrugs. “You’ve always hated running.” His mouth falls open. “Wait a minute. Are they poaching you?”
“No. It’s just a song.”
Laird studies me for a second before he says, “We’re making a name for ourselves.”
“You don�
��t have to worry.”
“I always worry about you.”
“I’m not leaving the band, Laird.” I turn my attention back to my cosmetics bag, shoving it into the suitcase. I don’t have to see him to know he’s watching me. I can feel it.
“Okay.”
I’m so shocked by his acceptance without more questions that I reply too quickly, “Okay?”
“Yeah. Okay.” He stands when I shut the one case and takes it by the handle.
What the hell? Where’s the brother who always gives me a hard time? “That’s it? I thought you’d freak out.”
He laughs when he turns back. “Me too, but I guess I figure you’ll always be my baby sister, but you’re also a grown woman. If you want to go to Austin, you don’t need my permission.”
“What about the band?”
“I believe you when you say you’re staying. Should I not?”
“No, you should. I love our band.”
He’s being so accepting, so casual about it that I’m tempted to tell him about the marriage. The only reason I don’t is that I should talk to Tulsa first. I couldn’t hold it in last night with Dex and Rochelle, but he hasn’t told his brothers, so I shouldn’t tell mine without him being present.
“I’m glad, Nik, because it’s not Faris Wheel without you.” He leaves my suitcase by the door and comes back to me. “You’ll be okay.” He hugs me.
How did he know I needed to hear that? Closing my eyes, I feel the love he’s always had for me. I feel protected in his arms just like I always have. Some of that may shift to Tulsa’s shoulders, but I know my brother will still be there for me just like he’s always been. “I love you, big brother.”
“I love you, little sis. Good luck with the song.”
Watching him walk to the door, I say, “Thanks. See you in Chicago.”
“Yep.” He looks back at me. “Take care of yourself.”
“You too.”
He gives me a nod before the door closes. As much as I love how that played out, I kind of feel like he let me off too easy. I don’t want to jinx how well it went by overthinking it . . . or think about him getting lucky at all. I have a flight to catch and a date with destiny.
27
Tulsa
Every time I see my woman walking toward me, Tom Petty’s “Here Comes My Girl” plays on a loop. Derrick mentioned that that song plays in his head when he sees his wife, and now I’m caught in the same trap.
Is this what married people do? Sing ’80s love songs in their head? I shake it off and meet Nikki halfway. “You’re more beautiful every day.”
She twirls for me. “I think it’s the wedded bliss.”
“Wedded bliss, huh?”
“Okay, maybe it’s just seeing you that brings it out in me.” Her arms fall around my neck as she reaches up and kisses me. “Sorry. I was just happy to see you. I’ll be more careful.”
“I don’t ever want you to hold yourself back from sharing your love. I get that we’re in public, but,” I say, looking around, “no one’s paying attention to us.”
We start walking toward airport security. “Did everything go all right?”
“It did. Lauralee suspects nothing, and Laird was somehow okay with the Austin plan.”
“You told him?”
She scoffs. “Hell, no. I told him we were working on a song together.”
I’m tempted to take her hand, but I don’t, holding myself back now. I don’t like it. “Um, not to be difficult, but don’t you think we need to have a song if that’s our cover?”
“Do you have a song lying around?” She laughs.
“I do.”
Her laughter stops as we step into line. “You do?”
“Yeah. I have a few. We could actually record a song if you want to. I have extra guitars since yours were sent on the truck.”
“I’ve never heard you play the guitar. Will you play some of your songs for me?”
“Sure,” I reply.
“I’ve been tinkering with something. I haven’t played it for the band yet.”
“Will you play for me?”
She smiles, and a sweet pink brightens her cheeks. I love that innocence she tries to hide. She nods as we step into line.
After we pass through security, we stop for coffee and then head to the gate where we find Jet and Rivers sitting. Jet’s got his phone to his ear, leaning down, talking to Hannah, I’m sure. Rivers has his earbuds in and is scrolling on his phone.
Taking the seats across from them, I say, “Look who’s coming to Austin.”
They both look up and shock flickers across their faces before Rivers pulls his buds from his ears. “Hey, Nikki.”
“Hi, Rivers.” She gives a little wave.
Jet speaks into the phone, “Not long until I see you. I’ve gotta go, though. Love you, Alfie.” When he hangs up with his son, he looks from Nikki to me and back to her. “Change of scenery?”
“Yes.” Grinning, she replies, “Tulsa’s been nice enough to give me a place to crash.”
Rivers is scratching his jaw. “Can’t promise the apartment’s in good condition.”
“It’s okay.” Nikki bumps me with her knee. “I’m just happy for three days off.”
Jet says, “What about you staying with us, and Nikki using your room?”
“You shouldn’t sleep on the couch.” Rivers slumps in his chair. “You can use my room if you want. I can stay at Jet’s.”
“It’s okay. Tulsa’s letting me take over his bed.”
“Stay at Jet’s house,” I add without explanation, nodding to Rivers.
Leave it to Rivers to put me in the hot seat. “What about all those broken-hearted women waiting for you to return to Austin? Where you going to take them?”
Chuckling, I wink at Nikki. “I didn’t bring hookups back to my place.”
“Didn’t?” Nikki and I look at Jet, who repeats himself, “You said didn’t. Past tense.”
My brother doesn’t realize he’s about to get my ass whooped if he keeps talking about my “philandering before I met Nikki” days. To play along with our plan, I have to correct him when I really don’t want to. “Don’t. Still don’t.” Glaring at him, I add, “Happy?”
He shrugs and sits back, eyeing us. Fuck him and his suspicions. I rarely get away with shit for long because my brothers know me too well and harass me every step of the way. “What do I care if you bring hookups to your place? I don’t live there.”
Talking to Nikki, I say, “We all used to live together and had one rule: don’t bring girls home. No one wants to hear their brother getting laid. But ever since he got married, he likes to give us a hard time.”
With a tray of sodas, Dave gripes, “The lines were a fucking nightmare.” Saved by Dave. He glances at Nikki, trying to work out why she’s sitting here. “Um. What’s going on?”
My brothers take their drinks, and then Jet says, “Nikki’s coming to Austin with us.”
“Oh.” That simple. After Nikki, Dave’s just become my new favorite bandmate.
* * *
Nikki drops on my bed, spreading her arms and legs wide. “I like your bed.”
“I like you in my bed.”
Shifting around, she rests on her elbows, and asks, “What you said earlier at the airport about not having other women in your bed, is that true?”
Pushing my suitcase to the corner, I kick off my shoes and then join her. With my body weight half on her, I slide my hand under her shirt and squeeze her fabulous right tit. “It is.”
She relaxes back, putting her hands behind her head. “Why?”
I like the full access and shift to give her other perfect breast equal attention. “I thought you’d heard the rumors. I’m a love ’em and leave ’em kind of guy.”
“Rumors.” Taking my face in her hands, she says, “You’re not leaving me.”
“No, never. I love you too much.”
“Too much? There’s no such thing as too much love in the world.”
“I want to kiss you.”
“I want you to kiss me.” She glances at the door, which is not locked.
Fuck. Rookie mistake.
She lowers her voice, and says, “Rivers is here.”
My dick hurts it’s so hard. I push against her, hoping for some relief, preferably of the sinking inside my wife kind. I’ve had her near me for four hours since our flight left Vegas, and I’m desperate to be inside her. “Our trucks are at Jet’s house. He’s driving my Bronco over in a little while. Rivers will drive Jet back with him. Then we can be alone.”
“Are you going to make it?”
“I think you’re enjoying my pain a little too much.”
“Too much. Sooo much!”
“Yeah, yeah. But blue balls isn’t the same thing as love.”
Pushing me off her, she sits up laughing. “You will survive a few more hours.”
“Maybe.”
She’s a professional eye roller. She’s also cute when she does it. Opening the door, she says, “Can we grab something to eat when we get the car? I’m starved.”
“Tacos?”
“We’re in Austin. Of course, I need tacos.”
She disappears down the hallway. I hear Rivers in the living room ask her if she wants anything to drink, something I should have done. I’m about to get up to take care of her when I hear him ask, “How long have you and Tulsa been together?”
Shit.
Well, at least he didn’t say fucking. I rush out there and pull the fridge door open. “We have bottled water and Coke. A few beers and tea. What sounds good?”
When I look back, she holds up a bottle of water. “All good. Your brother took care of me.”
I know she doesn’t mean anything by that comment, but why does it bother me? Rivers sits on the couch and says, “Nice try, bro.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Just trying to get my wom—” Damn it. “Nikki. I was just offering Nikki something to drink.”
Nikki starts to laugh, but when I shoot her a look, she puts the bottle to her luscious lips, distracting me from everything else. My mind goes blank when her tongue glides over her lips licking every lost drop of water. Fuck. I shift my dick and shake my head.
