Melody of the Heart (Runaway Train, #4)(55)

I slapped him.

Hard.

“That’s for all the times I sat back and let you treat me like shit! And don’t you ever demean Brayden’s and my relationship again! I’m sorry that you’re so self-absorbed that you’ve never been able to give yourself to somebody else. Maybe one day you’ll wake up and see what an egotistical * you really are!”

When I finished my tirade, silence echoed around me. I could even hear the sound of the maid vacuuming down the hall. I cut my eyes over to AJ and Rhys, taking in their wide-eyed, open-mouthed expressions. I’d really done it now.

As I braced myself for Jake’s retaliation, he merely nodded. “I think you pretty much nailed it, Lils.” He turned and walked to the door of the suite. When he got there, he paused. “I really was just teasing you before. You really aren’t Yoko Ono. You’re way more Paul’s Linda. She kept him together, just like you keep Brayden. Hope you guys don’t f*ck things up again.”

And then he was gone. “Well, that was intense,” AJ said, breaking the silence.

Covering my face with my hands, I groaned. “I can’t believe I did that.” When I peeked through my fingers at the guys, they were all still staring at me in surprise. “I’m sorry. That was wrong of me.”

Rhys shook his head. “No, Lils. After the way he treated you, he deserved that.”

“I agree,” AJ replied.

“Really?” I asked.

AJ nodded. “He needed a strong woman to put him in his place. I guarantee you gave him something to think about.”

“Well, I could have gone about it differently. I’ve never hit a man in my life.”

With a snort, Brayden said, “That is so not true. You’ve hit me plenty…especially in bed.”

While AJ and Rhys thought his comment was hysterical, I merely proved Brayden’s point by smacking his arm. “Easy killer, I have to play with this arm tonight.”

Eyeing his expensive looking watch, Rhys said, “Yeah, we better get over to the MGM Grand for rehearsals.”

Before I could argue that I would stay here in the hotel and relax, Brayden was dragging me along behind him. Jake appeared to have left without them, so I piled in the limo behind AJ and Rhys.

“So how long are you guys in Vegas?”

“Three nights and three shows.”

“Wow, that’s intense.”

AJ flashed me a wicked grin. “Yeah, well, that’s what happens when you become famous rock stars.”

I laughed. “I’m glad to see it hasn’t changed you.”

With a wink, he replied, “Nope, I’m still the same guy I was when we were traveling around on the old clunker bus.”

“I hope so.” Glancing between him and Rhys, I said, “I don’t think I could have bared it if you guys had changed.”

Realizing that all the talk of change was a bit of a sensitive subject, Brayden quickly steered the conversation in another direction by rolling the window down and showing me more of the sights along the strip.

When we arrived at the MGM Grand, I was surprised that he didn’t pawn me off on some of the handlers. Instead, he kept his arm around my waist and led me inside. “While we’re rehearsing, you can sit down in the front row.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I am.” He gave me a beaming smile. “I can’t wait for you to see the show tonight.”

I returned his smile. “Me too.”

A roadie in a headset came up to us then. “Bray, we need you out on stage.”

He nodded. “Can you please take Lily down to the first row?”

“Sure.”

Brayden leaned over and gave me a kiss before he headed off. I was happily surprised by how attentive he was being to me now that we were back in his world. Once I took my seat, I bounced my leg anxiously as I awaited the guys to take the stage. When Jake came out, his gaze instantly went to mine. Instead of a sneer or smirk, he just merely nodded his head at me. The next thing I knew the guys had taken their places and began to warm up.

I don’t think I moved during the next half hour. I was that mesmerized. After all the bars and small venues Runaway Train had performed in, it was really amazing seeing them on a huge stage. I could only imagine what it would be like later tonight with all the lights and then the screaming fans.

When he was done, Brayden immediately came down to find me. “What did you think?”

“Amazing. Seriously amazing. I can’t imagine how much better it will be tonight.”

A wide grin stretched across his cheeks. “Really?”

“Yeah, really.” I gave him a lingering kiss. “You make me very proud.”

“Thank you, babe.” He pulled me against him and gave me a kiss that had my toes curling. When he finally pulled away, we were both panting.

“Anywhere around here where we can be alone?” I questioned, wagging my eyebrows.

He laughed. “I think I can find someplace.”

“Then let’s go.”

***

After a storage closet quickie, Brayden and I emerged to find the band looking for us. When we got into the main dressing room, the guy’s eyes widened at the sight of us. My face immediately felt like it was in flames as I tried to smooth down my hair and clothes.