More Than Music (Chasing The Dream, #1)(3)

“Hey, I got some killer photos of the show,” she said. “I can’t wait to get them on the website.”



“Cool. Send them to Jared so he can put them up.” He jerked his head toward his brother, who was talking with one of the groupies. “Jared!”



Uh oh. So far I’d managed to avoid all interactions with Jared for my own safety. Kyle had warned me that his brother had a new girl every week, and I knew they definitely weren’t geeky girls like me. If we never met, then Jared could remain the version in my head, the guy who wrote songs that made me feel less alone in the middle of the night and who grinned at the audience like he knew their darkest secrets. Once we met, he would be a real person. But I couldn’t exactly run off now, not with him walking over to us, even though the voice in my head yelled, Go, go, go!

“What’s up?” Jared asked, smiling at us. It was a different smile from the one he used on stage, a private smile for friends that made him look even more like Kyle. I saw the real him for the first time, and it was even better than I’d imagined. I was doomed.



“Kyle talks about you all the time,” Jared said to me, after we were introduced. “Great to finally meet you.”



He hopped off the stage and spread his arms, moving in like he wanted to hug me. This wasn’t all that shocking since Kyle was a hugger, too, but I stood there, frozen and tongue-tied for an excruciatingly long pause. It should be criminal for a man to be so good-looking. How were normal girls like myself supposed to touch the sun without getting burned?

“You too,” I finally said and stepped toward him.



As his strong arms circled me, a little tremor ran through my body, like a static shock jolting right through my chest. He was the perfect height for me to press my face into the curve of his neck and breathe him in, but I restrained myself. The hug was brief, but even that second of contact was enough to leave me breathless. I quickly pulled away and took a few steps back to a safe distance.

“We’re having a party at our place after this,” Kyle said. “You should come, Maddie.”



“Thanks, but I should get home.” I had that final in the morning, and Carla would kill me if I kept her out all night. Besides, Kyle and I didn’t exactly run in the same crowd, and I wouldn’t know anyone at this party other than him and Alexis. And Jared now, but he was dangerous to be around.



“At least stop by for a few minutes,” Jared said, giving me that warm smile again. I practically melted all over the floor, like a chocolate left in the sun. So unfair.



Alexis glanced between me and Jared with an amused smile, like she could tell how he affected me. “Yes, you have to come.”

Kyle nudged me with his elbow. “C’mon. You can check out our studio while you’re there.”

Well… I supposed it wasn’t that late yet, and I had been dying to check out the band’s studio. It would be a good friend-gesture if I made an appearance, and if the party was crowded, I’d probably be able to avoid Jared the entire time. A few minutes couldn’t hurt, right?





CHAPTER TWO





By the time I showed up with Carla and Julie in tow, the house the brothers shared in the Hollywood Hills was completely packed. We squeezed our way inside a room that smelled of pizza and beer while music pounded in the background. I immediately spotted Jared leaning over a stunning blonde in the corner, twirling her hair in his fingers. No surprise there.

I’d never been to Kyle’s place before, and even though he’d hinted about his family having money, it was still a shock to walk through the piece of prime LA real estate the brothers somehow managed to afford. Not that it was fancy or anything—it was actually pretty sparse, a typical bachelor pad with few personal touches. But it was two stories, with a pool and an amazing view of the city sparkling with a billion lights, and that didn’t come cheap.

“We really should head home soon,” Carla said as we stepped into the kitchen, where it was slightly quieter.



Julie grabbed some drinks from a cooler and passed one to each of us. “Relax. Have a beer.”

“Fine. One beer only.” But Carla promptly ignored it and started texting again.



“I’m fine with leaving in a few minutes,” I said. I didn’t know anyone here, the music was super loud, and I had no desire to watch Jared hooking up with one of his groupies. I’d say hi to Kyle, check out his studio, and then we could go. My duty as his friend would be done, and I’d still get enough sleep for my final tomorrow. Win-win.



“Speak for yourself,” Julie said. “I had my last final today, and I am a free woman for the summer. Tonight I plan to find a guy who will make me forget all about molecular biology.”



Julie was on the pre-med track with plans to apply to medical school next year, but it was no secret she hated it. Her true love was designing clothes, but she said that was just a hobby, not a career. Or maybe that was her parents speaking. I was never sure.

She nudged me with her elbow. “And you should talk to Jared.”

“What?” I nearly dropped my drink. “No!”



“Seriously, you’ve been undressing him with your eyes all night. Make a move already.”