Halo (Fallen Angel, #1)(15)

“Potato, potah-to. But to answer your original question on whether I flirt with everyone, then yeah, I guess. It’s easy to make someone feel good by paying a little attention to them. But do I fuck ’em all? Hmm…the media likes to think so. That doesn’t mean it’s true, though, does it?”

Halo contemplated me in silence, as though trying to decide what the real answer to that was. But when he said nothing else, I glanced around Li’s at the eyes still on us and said, “For example. At least half the people in this restaurant are wondering who you are to me right now. Are you my friend? Are you my latest fuck? And considering my ‘reputation,’ what conclusion do you think they’re coming up with?”

The color drained from Halo’s face in an instant.

“Exactly. Just because they think it, doesn’t mean it’s true…does it?”

Halo’s back stiffened, and I chuckled as I pointed to the bottle of alcohol, but this time he shook his head—probably smart.

“So,” I said, running my eyes over his suddenly rigid posture, “since we both know you aren’t sleeping with me. You got some girlfriend at home waiting for you?” When Halo just looked at me blankly, I said, “You dating anyone?”

“Why? Is that not allowed?”

“It’s allowed. But the fans, they can get pretty intense. Just trying to work out if we’re gonna have to keep an eye out for any crazy jealous shit.”

Halo’s mouth parted as though he were going to say something, but then he snapped it shut and ran a hand through his hair. “I didn’t think about that.”

“You think people are looking at me right now? Wait until you hit the stage with that face and voice. Shit, people are going to be throwing themselves at your feet.”

A flush, much like the one that had crept up his neck in rehearsal earlier today, flooded Halo’s cheeks, and I couldn’t stop the rumble of laughter that left my throat.

“Oh yeah, Angel. With that innocent face of yours and the songs you’re going to sing, you’re gonna have your choice of the women and the men.”

That finally seemed to get a reaction out of Halo. His lips quirked at the sides. “Worried I’m going to horn in on your territory? Don’t be—I’ll leave the men to you.”

“I see.” I rubbed my thumb and forefinger over the stubble on my chin. “And that doesn’t bother you?”

When Halo’s eyes filled with confusion, I elaborated.

“That Kill and I aren’t into the ladies.”

Halo’s nose screwed up and he shook his head. “No. As long as you don’t care that I am.”

I did, but not for the reasons he thought. “Doesn’t bother me. In this business, you see everything. Men who like men. Men who like women. Men who like both…I’m just making sure you’re cool.”

“I’m cool. Doesn’t bother me at all.”

And because I couldn’t fucking help myself, and the liquor—yeah, I’d blame that too—I added, “Good. So you’ve never looked at a guy before like that? Not even once?”

When Halo shook his head, I thought back to earlier and the way he’d been eyeing me during the first few songs, and the devil that I’d managed to keep at bay most of the night decided to come out and play. “You sure about that?”

“Yeah, I think I’d remember checking out a guy.” Halo chuckled, and I shifted in my chair to lean forward and put my arms on the table.

When I had closed the distance between us, I lowered my voice so only he would hear and said, “So you’ve never looked at a man’s mouth? His lips? And thought, what if…?”

Halo’s eyes locked on mine, and as we sat there in Li’s run-down restaurant, his light eyes darkened. “Have you ever looked at a woman and thought…what if?”

“Yes,” I answered immediately. “Fucked her, too. It’s the reason I know I prefer cock.”

When Halo’s eyes widened to the size of saucers, a low laugh escaped my lips.

“Relax, Angel. I’m just screwing with you. Or not, in this case.” I shifted back to my side and reached into my back pocket for my wallet, and when Halo didn’t say anything, I gestured to the table with a tilt of my head. “You done?”

Halo glanced down at his empty basket and nodded. “Oh, yeah.”

I pulled several bills free and threw them on the table as Halo reached for his wallet. “I got it tonight.”

“No. You don’t have to—”

“Don’t worry. I don’t expect a kiss or anything before you leave.”

As I got to my feet, Halo did also, throwing his napkin on the table. “You’re a real shit, you know that?”

“So people tell me. It’s part of my charm.”

As I headed toward the door with Halo following, I was more aware than I had been in years of the eyes on me, and I hadn’t been lying when I said some would be speculating over who Halo was. Little did they know they were all looking at the new lead singer of TBD, but they would soon enough.

When we got outside and Halo told me where he lived—on the opposite side of the city to me—it became apparent we wouldn’t be sharing a cab ride home. As one pulled up at the curb, I shoved my hands into my pockets and said, “You take it. You’ve got more stuff you’re lugging around. I’ll get the next one.”