Chapter 30

30

One month later

JAXON

We now have twenty-three concerts under our belt. All up and down the East Coast. We’re now in Detroit and Aria will be arriving anytime now. Bill went to pick her up at the airport, and I just got word that her plane landed. Fuck, I wanted to go so bad, but we just wrapped up sound check, so it was absolutely impossible. I’ve already warned the guys to use their noise-canceling headphones if they don’t want to hear all the bedroom shenanigans happening tonight.

They all threw their empty water bottles at my head.

How rude.

“Jax, for fuck’s sake, sit still. She’ll be here when she gets here.” So much for my bestie having my back.

“Fuck off, Zander. If Mel was coming, I’d be happy for you guys.”

“Sorry, bro. I just miss her and Hadley so fucking much that I’m losing my mind. This is harder than I ever imagined. My heart breaks every time we video chat and my daughter reaches for me through the screen and I can’t fucking touch her.” Well, fuck. I miss my niece, too, but it’s got to be killing him. She’s such a daddy’s girl.

Micah’s feeling it too, because he gets all choked up when he slaps him on the back. “We got this, bro. We just need to hold on for a little longer and they’ll be here. Leaving our wives is one thing, but our babies,” now he’s getting all choked up, “it’s wrecking us. Excuse me.”

You could hear a pin drop, and I feel guilty as fuck. I shouldn’t have to hide my joy, but I should learn to tone it down since they’re lonely and missing their families.

The road is a dark and lonely place unless you like to party, do drugs, and sleep with every female who drops to their knees.

Not my thing. Never was. In truth, theirs either.

One by one they walk back to the bus. I drag my feet because I know when I see my girl, I won’t be able to hide how happy I am. That we are. And, somehow, I’d feel like I’m rubbing it in their faces. Just sucks that I want to be inside her tonight, but I might need to refrain for the sake of the guys.

I’ll let you know how that goes because my willpower is at a breaking point. Not sure if I can rein it in.

I’m lost in thought when I hear a little shriek. When I glance up, I have a second to brace myself before she comes flying into my arms. Immediately she wraps her legs around me and fuses her mouth to mine. Stealing my very breath.

“Baby, I’m so fucking happy you’re here.” I dive in for another taste and she doesn’t disappoint. I missed this girl so much.

“Get a fucking room, will ya.” Busted.

“Hi, Micah. I promised Lyric and Gunnar I’d give you a great big hug. Hope you’re not too embarrassed, but a promise is a promise.” I miss her warmth the second she jumps to the ground.

Thank fuck he’s a friend, or I’d be losing my shit when she wraps her arms around him. Holding him tight. Aria gives the best hugs ever, and Micah just melts into her embrace. It’s not his wife, but he’s comforted knowing it’s from Lyric.

“Okay, you got your hug, now knock it off.” He chuckles but he can’t hide the fact he brushed a tear away.

Drew shouts from the doorway. “Sorry to break up the reunion, but I just came by to let you know they delivered the food. Glad you’re here, Aria. Maybe now this asshole will relax.”

“Come here, baby. All the guys are missing their families so much that we might need to tone things down. I hate it but if the roles were reversed, I’d be missing you like crazy.” I feel terrible because she deflates. Just like I burst her bubble. One of the downfalls of being on a tour bus. Sometimes we need to be discreet when we’re not feeling it.

“It’s okay, Jax. It stinks but I understand. The girls are having a rough time, too. It’s not just the guys.” Enveloping me in her arms, she leans her cheek against my chest.

She’s the perfect fit.

She smells amazing. Kissing the top of her head, I ask, “You hungry? Food’s here so we should grab it before those morons eat it all.”

“I’m actually starving, but I was hoping I could start with dessert.” Ah, she’s killing me.

“I promise I’ll make it up to you as soon as I can, poppet.”

When she steals a look, I kiss the tip of her nose. I don’t dare go any further because she’d be up against the back wall, and I’d be inside her wet heat.

“Welcome aboard the crazy train, Aria.” Zander strides over and gives my girl a hug. No worries, he’s no threat.

“How’s it going, Aria? Glad you’re here.” Ace does the same, and for whatever reason, I’m jealous. Might be because he’s dating Harmony and not married. No idea but I know my girl loves me bunches.

“Rumor has it that you’ve been hanging with our girls,” Zander says. “Time to spill the tea.” Aria throws her head back and laughs, and we crack up since Zander’s so damn serious.

ARIA

If those silly men thought I was going to rat out my besties, they’re sadly mistaken. I told them the girls and I talked about my wedding plans and got piss drunk. The look on their faces was priceless. I retracted the last statement and mentioned I had a ton of questions about touring, and they answered them all. Less is best. Safe to say, their wives and girlfriends didn’t go into detail either.

Now I’m backstage and waiting for the show to start. I can’t wait to watch them play and see Jax in action. So excited I’m backstage and have a panoramic view. Wicked Immortal is killing it and I’m having a ball dancing and singing backstage.

Love a free concert with perks.

I’m startled when it sounds like a tornado just tore through the concert. Glancing behind me, I look for Jax. Needing reassurance that everything’s fine. None of the guys are anywhere to be found. Since no one else is freaking out, I take a few deep breaths to calm myself down. Then I scream when someone grabs me from behind.

“Baby, it’s just me. Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Leaning down, Jax kisses my shoulder, exposed in my off the shoulder blouse. When his hands splay across my stomach, the heat blooms inside of me. Desperate for his hands to explore every inch of my body. It’s apparent that my vibrator is not doing its job since just his touch sets me on fire.

“What the hell was that noise, Jax? It sounded like a tornado.”

“When the band plays a certain song, it sets off the pyrotechnics at the end. It’s loud, right?”

“Scared the bejesus out of me.” Hey, in all fairness it’s my first time being backstage during a live concert.

There’s another roar from the crowd and then the band rushes backstage. All hot and sweaty and oh sweet baby Jesus. They’re all gorgeous. Like they stepped out of a magazine. I can’t stop staring at the guy with the long dark hair. Oh shit. When he starts walking in my direction, I want to run, but Jax holds me tighter.

“Gavin, back the fuck off. She’s my fiancée and if you lay a finger on her, you’ll be splayed out on this floor. You won’t be singing for a month.”

The guy holds up his hands in surrender. “I come in peace, Jax. Just wanted to introduce the guys to Aria, is all.” Do we know each other? No way. I’d remember a face like that. Gorgeous blue eyes and a chiseled jaw like a Greek god.

“Whatever. Make it quick since I don’t want you anywhere near her when I’m on that fucking stage. Got it?” Wow, I’ve never seen him so jealous before.

“Chill, I got it. Guys get over here.” When the guys amble over, I blush like a schoolgirl. Could I be fangirling? Maybe. That’s got to be why I’m feeling like this. I’ve heard their songs a million times before but never gave them a second thought. My bad.

“This is Aria Mitchell, Jax’s fiancée. I’m Gavin.” He slaps his chest for emphasis. “This is Beck, Zion. and Holden.” All the guys look awkward when they say hi and I do the same.

“Introductions are over, now get the fuck out.” Whoa, what has Gavin ever done to Jax to make him loathe him the way he does?

“Bro, take a fucking chill pill,” Zander warns when heading this way.

Ace’s hand lands on his shoulder and gently squeezes. “Dude, he was just introducing himself and the band to Aria. He knows better than to mess with our women. He’s just being friendly.”

Remind me to ask Jax who pissed in his cereal this morning because I’ve never witnessed this kind of behavior before. Micah looks confused when Gavin makes a comment as he walks by.

“Jax, what the hell did you do?” Micah’s right in his face but Jax doesn’t flinch. I can’t help thinking I made a mistake by coming here. The last thing I want is to interfere with the tour in any way.

“Brian, can you come over here please?” Zander beckons him with a crook of his finger.

“What’s up, boss?” I’ve never met this Brian before, but he looks all business. Does he work for the venue?

“Do me a solid and stay with Aria while we’re on stage. And don’t let any other guy get within five feet of her.” Is he serious?

“Absolutely. Anything I need to know?” he asks.

“Gavin introduced Aria to the band and apparently Jax feels threatened by him.” What I can’t believe is that Jax is just standing there, mute. Not fighting back. Until Brian chuckles.

“You got a fucking problem with me now, Brian?” Jax growls. When he takes a step towards him, Ace grabs his arm.

“Just doing my job, boss.” Crossing his arms, Brian glares at my man.

“Jax, take a walk. Now.” When Jax goes to grab my hand, Zander shakes his head. So my man storms off without me.

“Bro, you know he’s heading straight for Gavin’s dressing room.” I’m afraid Micah might be right.

“Heads up, ladies, you’re up in five.” The guys give Drew the finger when he ducks back inside.

“Fuck, someone needs to go after him, otherwise the show’s going to start late. Guess it’s going to be me.” When I try following Zander, Brian lays a gentle hand on my arm.

Why didn’t the girls warn me about all of this drama beforehand?