Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars(20)

A waiter walked by with a tray of glasses and she grabbed one, trying to be discreet as she gulped down the contents. She felt like a fish out of water and needed a little more liquid courage to calm down.

While Travis talked to Callum about Ireland, he slipped his hand from the small of her back to take her hand, intertwining their fingers naturally. Gemma smiled at Travis, and the heat in his eyes caused her breath to catch in her throat.

“So, what are y’all talking about?”

Gemma glanced over at a thin blonde who had her eyes trained on Travis.

“Hello, Chelsey,” Travis said coldly, and the bottom of Gemma’s stomach dropped.

Chelsey Cooper was a newer country singer who catered to the crossover pop/country that the younger generation seemed to enjoy. Gemma liked a few of her songs, but some of her whinier stuff was grating.

“Who’s your friend, Travis?” Chelsey’s dark eyes narrowed as they fell on Travis and Gemma’s clasped hands. She looked amazing in a strapless black dress that ended just above her knees and fit like a second skin. Gemma had to bite back a wave of jealousy.


She’s probably one of those girls who can eat whatever she wants and not gain a pound.

Travis squeezed her hand. “This is my old friend, Gemma. Gemma, this is my opener, Chelsey Cooper.”

“Oh, come on, you make it sound like we don’t even like each other,” Chelsey said, her tone warm and suggestive. It was obvious something was going on between the two of them. “I have to say, that’s a very pretty dress,” she said to Gemma, taking a sip from her glass. “So, old friend, how well do you know Travis?”

Gemma tried to keep her hackles from rising at the woman’s snide tone. “We were friends in high school.”

Chelsey leaned close to Gemma and lowered her voice. “We’re not talking just friends, are we, honey?”

Gemma could smell the alcohol on Chelsey’s breath and decided to try to excuse her behavior. “Just between us girls, your mascara is running.”

Chelsey opened her mouth to say something else, but Jake Warren jumped in and took her hand. “Why don’t we move over to the bar and get a drink? We can see where things take us.”

Gemma noticed Chelsey’s eyes straying to Travis again, but he had already turned back to his conversation with Callum. Gemma almost felt sorry for the woman, remembering what it was like to be in love with Travis but never think she had a chance with him. Chelsey caught Gemma watching her and, with a glare, let Jake lead her toward the bar. Gemma’s compassion dissolved.

“So, what do you think of Redfish Lake? Good camping up there?”

Jesse’s voice broke into Gemma’s dark thoughts, and she smiled as she answered. “It’s beautiful. You definitely want to stay there a few days and explore, but I would take some bear mace.”

Jesse laughed, and Gemma tried not to think about what might have happened between Chelsey and Travis. Grabbing another glass of champagne, she tipped it back, emptying its contents. She wasn’t a big drinker, but she didn’t have a problem slamming a few back when out with friends. It was amazing the affects alcohol could have on a person; some became belligerent *s, others giggly clingers, and—

“Excuse me, gentleman, but I believe I owe this lady a dance,” Travis said, taking her glass and setting it on a passing tray before leading her over to the stage, where a band was playing. When the singer leaned over, Travis whispered to him, too low for her to hear.

“What are you up to?” Gemma asked as he twirled her onto the wooden dance floor.

“Nothing. You just looked like you could use a dance, and I wanted to hold you close.”

Snorting, she almost asked Travis about Chelsey but decided it was none of her business and let it go. He slowly swayed her back and forth to the band’s version of “Amazed” by Lonestar, and Gemma smiled. “This reminds me of prom.”

“Really? Funny, I remember prom differently. First of all, I don’t see multicolored streamers or Mrs. Andrew’s marching around with her ruler, prying everyone apart.”

“Hmm, I just mean this: holding you. Dancing with you. It was one of the best nights of my life,” she said.

His breath was warm against her hair as he said, “Mine, too.”

Lifting her face, their gazes locked. “Sometimes I lay awake at night and think about you, just holding me while we dance.”

“When I think of you, we’re doing a lot more than dancing,” he said, waggling his eyebrows.

“Gutter brain,” she said, but she couldn’t seem to wipe the smile from her face.

His hands swept up into her hair, cupping the back of her head. “I’ve never been able to shake you, Gemma. No matter whom I was dating, or what I was doing, something always reminded me of you.”

Heart pounding, she whispered, “I can’t shake you either, Trav.”

Travis dipped his head, kissing her, and for a moment she forgot about the cameras, the past, and every reason why what they were doing spelled nothing but heartache and trouble. She gave herself over to Travis’s kiss as the music changed. The melody to “Hazel Eyes” played over the speakers, slow and hauntingly familiar, and Gemma was transported back in time again, to sitting in her bedroom on a hot July day, watching Travis strum on his guitar. Any time Travis played for her, she felt like she was the only girl in the world, and the lyrics brought tears to her eyes. When he’d finished, he’d set down the guitar against the bed and whispered, “I love you, Gem.”