The Wrong Right Man(42)

I stand at the back of the room, still holding Samantha’s hand, and wait for them to notice us. And then I clear my throat when it takes a while for anyone to pull their attention away from the game. Lozz, the lead guitarist, is the first to turn around, and when he does, he smiles his too-charming smile then slaps Jamie on his chest with the back of his hand.

My brother looks over his shoulder, and I wiggle my fingers. “I don’t mean to interrupt.”

“Took you long enough to get here.” Jamie pushes off the couch and swaggers toward us then lifts me off my feet in a hug. Once he drops me back on solid ground, his eyes go to Samantha. “Who’s this?”

I roll my eyes as he blatantly checks her out.

“Jamie, Samantha. Samantha, my brother Jamie.” I look around the room at each of the men who seem to be fascinated with her. “Samantha is my friend, which means she’s off-limits.”

Jinx, the drummer, smiles and shows off a dimple. Lozz smirks like he knows I’ll kick his ass but otherwise doesn’t look like he gives a fuck. And Freddie, who plays bass, and has always been the more laid back one of the bunch just laughs.

“We work together, so be on your best behavior.”

“I need a friend.” Jinx winks at her, but before I have a chance to tell him not to be an asshole, Lozz knocks him upside his head. “What the fuck?” He glares at his bandmate while rubbing the back of his head.

“Show some respect. She’s Dakota’s friend,” Lozz mumbles, coming over to give me a hug and to kiss Samantha’s hand and introduce himself, a move that makes me frown. I’ve seen Lozz basically drag women out of a room to go do God knows what with them. I’ve never once seen him kiss a woman’s hand or act like he has even a bit of gentleman in him.

When Jinx and Freddie come over, I make introductions then look at my friend. At one glance, I can tell she’s been struck by the bad-boy bug. I get it; these guys are all tall, broad, and good-looking with that tattooed look that tends to fascinate good girls who want to see if they can change their wicked ways.

“Are you okay?”

My brother’s question drags my attention away from Samantha, and I focus on him.

“Yeah.” I grab his upper arm in a reassuring gesture, but I’m not sure if I’m reassuring him or myself. He eyes me warily, and I wonder what that’s about, wonder if he’s talked to Braxton over the last few days. I don’t ask. I don’t want to know—or that’s what I tell myself. “Are you ready for your show?”

“I’m always ready to hit the stage,” he says, and I study him and can tell he’s already pumped up. His pupils are slightly dilated, his body buzzing. He’s excited, anxious to share himself with the crowd who has gathered to see him perform.

“There’s a lot of people out there, and even more waiting to get in.”

“Maggie will be happy about that. She’s worried about losing us when we go on tour,” he explains, and I realize then that I haven’t spoken to Maggie in a while. Not that we were great friends, but we did text every now and then before I accidentally stood up her friend and got wrapped up in Braxton.

“Is she here tonight?”

“If she’s not yet, she will be,” he replies, looking at the door when someone knocks softly.

I turn at that time and see a cute girl with oversized glasses on poke her head into the room. “Maggie told me to let you guys know you’re on in five,” she says quietly, her cheeks turning pink.

“Thanks, Ally,” Jamie replies, his voice gentle, and her face becomes an even deeper shade of pink before she nods and shuts the door.

“She’s got it bad for you, dude,” Jinx says, looking at Jamie, and I narrow my eyes on my brother.

“What?” he asks me.

“I just got a glimpse of her and know she is way too sweet for a guy like you. Don’t even think about going there.”

“It hasn’t even crossed my mind.” He holds up his hands when I raise a brow. “She’s Maggie’s niece and not my speed.”

“You mean she’s not easy.” I roll my eyes, finishing my drink and setting the cup down.

“She’s sweet, but like you pointed out, she’s not for me.”

“She might not be for him, but it’s funny as shit to watch the two of them together, her stumbling all over herself, him trying not to scare her off.” Jinx laughs.

“Shut the fuck up, man,” Jamie grumbles then looks at me. “Are you planning on hanging after the show?”

“Maybe, it depends on what Samantha wants to do.” I glance over to where she and Lozz are sitting on the couch, talking.

“I’d guess she’d be cool with hanging out after.”

I smack his arm. “She’s not one of your groupies.”

He grins. “It only takes seeing us perform once to become a groupie.”

“Maybe you should get that printed on a T-shirt to sell at your concerts,” I say, taking his bottle of Jack and putting it to my lips, coughing as the heat hits my throat.

He laughs, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “I’m glad you came.” He kisses the side of my head then lets me go and shouts, “Let’s go!”

A minute later, the guys are heading toward the stage, with me and Samantha going back the way we came. As we exit backstage, the crowd roars at the first cords of their hit song, “Drink with Me.” I look at Samantha and grin then lead her to the front of the stage.