Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Adam

Listen to Save Me a Place

by Mono Minds

I texted the group to check who was going to my gig tonight, and I was surprised when they all said yes. It was a gritty downtown bar, but bookings were hard to score. Kind of like those old-school country bars in Nashville, where only the queens and kings of country went to sing, or an up-and-coming performer with raw talent.

Knowing JJ had gotten us a spot only solidified our climbing rankings on the music scene. LA was getting closer, and I had a feeling when I returned, shit would be getting real.

As long as I could get my songs into the world, it was a win.

And if Landon came with me? That would be a double score. The idea of having her to myself, and building our relationship on our own terms tempted me. Sure, I’d be causing her to say no the television show and taking a leave of absence from Red. And yeah, to an outsider, it seemed like a chauvinistic, selfish move, but hell, if I could follow her sweet ass upstate and be with her as she shot Dumped , I’d go that route, I just wanted to be near her. Give us a chance to bond away from the group. Especially Max.

I thought of our last convo when I’d met the guys for breakfast. Max had been in a great mood, and when I asked if he was getting laid, he gave me a smirk that set my blood cold. “Not yet. But I’m still working on things. What about you and Gabby? Still hitting that?”

I’d shaken my head, reaffirming we weren’t having sex. Max never believed me and got annoyed with my denials. I circled back to my original question. “Someone at Red?” I asked casually, pretending I didn’t care. “New or an ex?”

Coop hit his shoulder and snorted. “You know he’s trying to get back in Landon’s panties, right? Dude’s got a plan but I’m not sure it’ll work.”

“You mean the one where you’re super nice and her friend?” I asked with a slight sneer.

Max lifted a brow as if catching my irritation. “I’m still going that route, sure. But I’ve arranged something else. Something to remind her we’re perfect together.”

“What is it?”

Max shrugged. “I’ll tell you when it’s over. Then we’ll know whether it worked.”

I tried not to curse the bastard for chasing after her and forced a grin. “Sounds fun.”

“It’s not. But that’s what I get for being greedy. I won’t fuck up anymore.”

Noah sipped his coffee and stared thoughtfully at Coop. “Hey, is Elle working at Red today? I wanted to see if she could cut a new demo with me. I want to play it at Inferno next week when I DJ.”

“Yeah, she’s off. I’m glad she’s finally concentrating on music. Probably blow up faster, like Adam did. She’s hot enough to catch everyone’s attention.”

“She’s talented,” Noah said mildly. “Her voice is killer.”

“Sure. You both should create some songs and see what happens. Next time Adam heads to LA, maybe we can all go.”

“The band loves Elle,” I said. “Once we release the album, we’ll see how the song hits.”

“Good, cause the jobs I’ve had lately are shit,” Coop complained. “I’m thinking of getting a job in house at a studio rather than freelance. The Red shoot helped with networking, but I’m getting tired of chasing jobs and piecing them together. I need steady clients.”

“Seems we’re all having some issues,” Max commented.

I tuned out the rest of the morning and kept chewing at Max’s last comments regarding Landon. What the hell was his plan? I didn’t want to tell Landon and get her upset, or let her believe I was behaving like a jealous asshole. I hated him trying to manipulate her.

The rest of the day flew by as I met with Unison and had a meeting with JJ about our tour schedule. When I mentioned the possibility of bringing someone with me, the guys all hooted and teased me, asking for a name. I begged off, saying I wasn’t sure but wanted to know if we had the space, and confirmed we did.

Now it was up to Landon.

She was meeting me later at the club. I couldn’t stop thinking of her naked in the tub, those big blue eyes asking me about love. I didn’t know what love was, but if it existed, Landon would be the closest thing I’ve experienced to it.

I caught a ride with the band and we did a practice run at Inferno. “Hey, Adam, you should leave your shirt open, dude. I think we need a bit more grunge for this place,” Xavier said with a dirty grin.

I rolled my eyes. “You kidding me?”

Lance and Seb cracked up. “Hell, yeah. You need to channel your Magic Mike for the good of all of us,” Xavier teased. “They’ll love the tats. Got any good piercings, too?”

“Fuck you.”

“Hopefully, they’ll want to fuck you,” Lance joined in, high fiving the guys.

“Seriously, dude, JJ agreed. If we’re going to do this, let’s do it right. You need to give the crowd what they want,” Xavier said.

Ah, fuck. They didn’t know about the scars and I sure as hell wasn’t in a confessional mode to share my past. But I also didn’t want them thinking I was too good for it or not a team player. I looked down at my black t-shirt and jeans, my usual uniform, and wondered what to do. Maybe I should’ve given JJ a head’s up that I wasn’t comfortable showing skin and tell him shit had gone down I didn’t want to discuss.

But for now? I needed to appease the group. “I got an idea,” I grunted. Heading to the bathroom, I took off my shirt and ripped off the sleeves. Then with my pocket knife, I hacked at the hem so it hung above my belt. Looking in the mirror, I decided to take off the leather belt and undo the top snap of my jeans.

Yeah. Better. It was edgier and when I moved, it looked like I was flashing my crotch. After all, I didn’t wear underwear.

I walked back out. “Better?”

They whistled and clapped and I rolled my eyes. “Assholes. Let’s do this shit.”

We finished prepping, throwing back some shots and getting worked up and rowdy for the set. By the time they announced us, I was riding high, and only wanted to give my best. The reality of my songs finally being sung to large crowds was a turn-on. My adrenalin spiked and I got on stage, grabbing the mic and guitar.

“Hey. We’re Unison. I’m Adam. Let’s play some good shit.”

The guys liked my opening so it was becoming more standard. Thank God they didn’t realize my intro came from not giving a shit. I hated catering to an audience. It was hard to separate the need I had to create good music, and the rage I felt with the unfairness of having to kiss people’s asses to give me a fair shot.

My gaze swept over the crowd as I looked for Landon and the rest of the group. I finally spotted them to the right side of the stage, all pressed together, whooping and dancing as I morphed into a hard opening number with a lot of bass and a killer octave. It was a fuck-you song to an ex, and I had fun with it, enjoying Landon’s sexy dancing with her halter top exposing her gorgeous breasts. As she leaned forward, I caught Max’s hand on her ass, leaning in to whisper in her ear. I looked away. I refused to let the guy get in my head. Landon could take care of herself and I trusted her.

I fell into each song, solidifying a love affair with the screaming crowd. Halfway through the set, I realized I was actually enjoying myself, jumping to each of the guys for their solos, moving around the stage with the mic as if it was an extension of my limbs rather than equipment. I let the music take me where it should, and poured myself into the lyrics. When I got to the song I’d written for Landon, I ached to sing directly to her, but didn’t want anyone to suspect. We weren’t ready. I watched as a tiny smile play on her lush lips and knew she was thinking the same.

The set ended. I was dripping sweat and flying high like I’d smoked weed, chased pills, and drank a bottle of whiskey. “It’s only getting better, man,” Xavier shouted. The screams from the audience kept going, even though we’d done our final call. “Fucking better than coke.”

“Fucking better than sex,” Lance shouted back.

I laughed, buzzing hard from the whole experience. Xavier was right, though. Each time I got on stage, it got easier, and I got more addicted. I wondered what would happen if we really took off. I’d never intended being in the spotlight, but if I had no choice, would this be a bad life to live?

Before, I’d say hell no. Now? Things were getting foggy.

I texted the group that I’d meet them at the back table when I done. After everyone had changed and chased more shots, I hung back, hoping Landon would come see me. I heard the door open and turned, a grin on my face. “’Bout time you?—”

“Hey, baby.” A curvy brunette with green eyes, big breasts, and an ass like a Kardashian stood in front of me. “Waiting for me?” she drawled.

I stared, taken aback for a few seconds. Ballsy to just walk in here, but maybe I’d need to get used to this, and learn to handle it. I smiled politely. “Waiting for someone else,” I said firmly.

“I’m Meg. Great show.” Her tongue licked her bottom lip. “You’re pretty hot.”

I almost laughed. Any guy would be grateful but I only wanted to see Landon. “Thanks. I have to meet some people if you’ll excuse me.”

Her lips quirked. “Wow, you’re polite, too. I looked you up. Heard you’re hitting LA. You’re gonna get big.” Her gaze dropped. “Bet you already are, though.”

Holy shit, she had some moves. “Yeah, I am. But I’m saving myself.”

She gave a startled laugh and strolled seductively toward me. Before I could step back, she’d plastered herself against me, her breasts lifted in pure invitation, her fuck-me eyes practically devouring me like a she-wolf.

Meg was a little scary. “Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle,” she growled, stabbing her claw-like fingernails into my hair and grabbing on tight.

Oh, hell no.

I firmly took her wandering hands, grasped them in my wrist, and twisted them behind her back. Her eyes widened. “I’m meeting someone,” I said again. “Next time, ask before you touch. Be polite.”

She gasped.

I began to push her back, but a low noise rose to my ears and I looked up.

Ah, fuck.

Landon was standing in the doorway.