Drive(57)

I slept alone.





10,000 Emerald Pools

Borns



It’s crazy how a small stroke of luck can turn things around. And I knew without a doubt that Reid needed something more to keep him going, and that something more turned out to be an invitation to play weekly at a couple of clubs and get paid for it.

“It’s starting,” I said with a smile as he gave me my phone back. Ben had called me because Reid’s had been disconnected a few days before.

“It’s not much at all.”

“It’s money to play drums!” I said with a broad smile. “You are a paid musician now, Crowne,” I said, traying an order of enchiladas as he stood next to me, loading up his own. He couldn’t hide his smile, and that time I caught the full dimple.

“Let’s go out tonight and celebrate,” I suggested, hopeful.

“Yeah,” he said. “We made plans to meet up later.”

“Oh, well, if it’s a group thing, I get it. I can get a ride from Leslie.”

“No, you can’t.” Leslie popped her head out of her office. “I’m your boss, not a taxi service, Stella. And, Reid, you better make damn sure you clear those nights with me.”

He gave Linebacker Leslie a salute then walked his tray out of the door.

“I’ll work all those shifts to cover him,” I offered. “Every one. Even if it means doubles.”

“I would take you up on that, except you’re a horrible waitress.”

I drew my brows together. “What? I am not!”

Leslie nodded toward my tray. “That order went in ten minutes after you took it. I watched you, and now those enchiladas are freezing.”

“I’ll do better.”

“I doubt it,” Leslie said as I made a face at her turned back. “I have a rearview mirror in here.”




I’d always romanticized being around a rock ‘n’ roll band. What could be more rewarding than hearing creative conversations fly in a cloud of smoke, tattoos, and cheap beer? It’s not every woman’s fantasy, but as Reid slung his arm around me, his fingers lightly brushing my shoulder as he spoke, I couldn’t help but to feel the exhilaration that came with sitting in the dark black booth as one of them. A silent cheerleader. For once, I just sat back and watched, and kept the questions to myself. And that’s when I saw the true magic. The starlit eyes of four guys who were on the same edge of something. Even Reid’s prominent skepticism was on the back burner. I melted into his hold, his fingers never stopping. I caught Ben’s eyes on his fingers once or twice before he winked at me.

“Fuck, man, if we can get a few more gigs, we can quit our jobs,” Rye said enthusiastically.

“Says the guy who just needs enough money to play video games on his mother’s couch. This isn’t real money,” Ben said with an eye roll. “But, damn,” he said, raising his glass, “I’ll take the steady gigs.” They all toasted, and I raised my glass. They got busy talking about new songs, the energy around the table flowing through all of us. I texted Lexi and saw Reid frown at me. “Lexi.”

He nodded and laughed at something Adam said before he turned back to me while I put my phone away.

“Hey,” he whispered. “You feeling okay?”

“Yeah, of course. Why?”

He grinned wide. Beautiful. “I didn’t think you were capable of being quiet.”

I shrugged. “Just watching you shine, Reid Crowne.”

He shook his head. “Stella, it’s just a gig.”

“It’s two gigs, and soon it will be three and then more. Reid, you guys are filling up clubs. This isn’t small shit anymore.”

“Hell yes, we are,” Ben said as he motioned to the waitress. “Hey, beautiful, a round of shots.”

She gave him a shy smile and a nod. Ben’s charm was disarming. I couldn’t wait to watch him work his magic on Lexi.

I smiled at the thought and then felt fingertips brush my jaw before persuasive fingers turned my face. There was a brief flash in Reid’s eyes as he dipped in and took my lips. I knew it was supposed to be a brief kiss. I felt his intent to withdraw before he gripped the back of my head, the hand on my shoulder now fisting in my hair. He molded us together, fire chasing fire. I felt the groan in his mouth but couldn’t hear it as he ignored the objection of Adam and Rye, and the peanut shells tossed at us. Reid made it last, and I clutched him to me, feeding, feeling, flying while he gave me my Sissy/Grenade kiss. The one I’d been hoping for my whole life. He slowed it and pulled away as I stared up at him in a daze. Duran Duran’s “Ordinary World” filtered the noise of the bar as he pressed in once more—his decision of us—against my lips. But my heart had declared it long before his own.

Ben sat on the other side of the booth with his arms folded and a huge shit-eating grin covering his face, while Rye and Adam sat shocked at Reid’s public display. No one was more surprised than me, and I was sure it showed on my face. I cleared my throat and braved a look at Ben, who had his head tilted with a believe it, woman look on his face. I giggled like a giddy idiot and buried my head in Reid’s chest.

“Looks like we’ve just earned ourselves a Yoko, boys,” Adam said, as Reid glared in his direction right along with Ben.