The Wrong Right Man(44)

My face softens. “I can understand that.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “Men really do fuck us up.”

“Yeah, they do, but hopefully a good one will un-fuck us.”

“Hopefully.” I laugh.

“Dakota.” My eyes widen when my name is called, not from the crowd but from the stage. I look at my brother, my face getting red as he motions for me to come up to him, and I shake my head. “Come on, sis.”

I’m going to kill you, I mouth, walking to the stairs and climbing them slowly. When I reach him, he hands me the bottle of Jack.

“A little liquid encouragement,” he says, and the crowd cheers and laughs. I put the bottle to my lips and fight the burn as I swallow. “Now, not many people know my sister can sing. I tried to get her to join my band, but instead, she went to college.” He chuckles when the crowd boos. “Come on. Getting an education is important. Anyway, my sister and I didn’t have it easy growing up, but we always had each other, and that’s all we needed. This is a song we wrote together one night when we needed the power of music to get us through. So I think it’s only right that she performs this one with me.” He looks over at me. “Are you ready?”

“Are you giving me a choice?”

“No.”

“Then, I guess I’m ready.” I down another swig of Jack then lean into him when he wraps his arm around my shoulders and shoves the mic between us. The bass, guitar, and drums start, and I close my eyes, getting lost as I sing a sad song about two kids who lost everything but still had something to cling to. When the song comes to an end, I give him a hug then hustle off the stage and through the back doors while the crowd cheers. Needing a minute alone, I go to the bathroom and push into one of the stalls, closing the door behind me. I breathe deep through the pain in my chest, pain I somehow forgot about, pain that is almost unbearable even now.

“Dakota,” a deep, familiar voice calls, making my heart pound.

It can’t be Braxton. He’s not supposed to be home until Sunday.

I wipe the wetness from my cheeks, expecting to find my mind is playing tricks on me when I open the door. I step out and lock eyes with the man I’ve been missing like crazy standing with his back to the door, his arms crossed over his chest and a look of pain in his eyes. “You’re back.”

“Come here,” he orders, opening his arms, and I don’t hesitate to go to him, wrap my arms around his waist, and rest the side of my head against his chest as a fresh wave of tears fill my eyes.

“I miss my parents,” I whimper as his hand smooths over my hair and comes to rest on the back of my neck, his scent and warmth seeping into me. “Before the accident, before my dad died we we’re happy, I grew up happy.”

“I’m sorry, baby.”

“Me too.” I hold onto him and breathe through the tears soaking up his strength. “I missed this.”

His hand tightens and he holds me closer. “I missed this too.”

I nod and close my eyes, feeling like I could just fall asleep right here.

“I thought you weren’t coming home until Sunday.”

“My plans changed,” he mutters, tugging my hair and forcing my head back to look at me. “I don’t like not being able to talk to you.”

I swallow. “Then I guess there are things both of us don’t like.”

“Hmm.” He uses his free hand to capture my throat then slides it up to my jaw as his eyes search mine. “You make me insane, Dakota.”

“Ditto, Braxton,” I pant as he lowers his mouth to mine. My eyes slide closed at the first touch of his lips, and I open for him, greedy for his taste. He licks into my mouth, and I latch onto him a little tighter, the buzz of alcohol and his attention making me feel lightheaded.

“Dakota?” Samantha knocks on the bathroom door, and Braxton pulls away, groaning.

“That’s Samantha,” I tell him, then call out, “Just a second.”

“Come away with me tonight,” Braxton says, gaining my attention.

“I’m here with Samantha.”

“Spend time with her then come away with me,” he urges, and I study him and the look of longing in his eyes and nod. When he opens the door and Samantha sees him, her eyes widen.

“Braxton is here,” I point out the obvious.

“Ms. Shelton,” he says, and I elbow him then shake my head.

“We’re not at work. You don’t have to be so formal.”

He smiles at me then looks at her. “Sorry, Samantha.”

“It’s okay.” She laughs then looks between the two of us. “If you two want to take off you guys don’t have to stick around for me. I can catch a cab home.”

“Sounds good,” Braxton murmurs.

“I’m not ditching you.” I glare at the man behind me and she laughs.

“Really, it’s okay. I think I’ve had enough fun for one night, probably more fun than I’ve had in forever.”

“It was fun. We will have to do it again.”

“Yes we will,” she agrees and then looks down the hall, as there is a commotion. I look that way and see my brother and the guys coming our way. Nervousness settles in my stomach, and I hold my breath as they approach.

“Let me guess—you’re Braxton,” Jamie says, looking at the man who has moved to my side, and then the two of them shake hands and do that guy pat on the back thing. “Did you catch any of the show?”