The Girl's Got Secrets (Forbidden Men #7)(129)

Not knowing when to keep his mouth shut, Gally swaggered forward, licking his lips as he eyed Remy’s dress. “That’s actually not a bad idea. You’re looking a lot better than you did a few days ago...Remy. Why don’t you show Holden and me the inside of your bedroom now?”

When he took one more step toward her, I growled and shoved him back. “Back the f*ck off.”

His eyes narrowed, and I knew he would’ve charged, so I turned to him fully to take him on. But Remy popped between us, pushing a hand against my chest, and holding up one in Gally’s direction to ward him off.

“Okay, enough,” she commanded. When Gally and I both stopped, she blew out a breath, cursed something in Spanish, and muttered, “Why are guys so freaking punchy?”

I kind of liked that she’d yet to take the flat of her hand off my chest. So I said, “Because it’s a hell of a lot faster stress reliever than eating ice cream or talking smack about another chick like you girls do.”

She glanced at me, her brown eyes wide with so many emotions. I detected humor in there before she scowled and then shuttered it all up with grief. “So not the time to be sexist and cute,” she finally muttered.

When I whispered, “Sorry,” her gaze fell to her fingers spread over my heartbeat.

I watched her lashes flutter as she pressed just a touch harder against me as if trying to imprint herself inside me before pulling her hand away. What I could’ve told her was that she’d already imprinted herself quite solidly to my heart.

But Gally snickered. “Oh, so you two have turned into f*ckbuddies, huh? Tell me, Hart. You try to get into her pants before or after you found out she was really a chick?”

I curled my lip into a snarl, and Remy immediately stepped up against me, stopping me from getting punchy again. Blowing out a calming breath, I narrowed my eyes and told Gally, “You need to talk about our drummer with a little more respect than that, *.”

With a gasp, Remy whirled to face me, her hair swishing out over her shoulder as she did.

Gally scowled and shook his head, then exchanged a glance with Holden before turning back to me. “Our drummer? I thought she was out of the band. You texted, calling off the gig Friday, saying she was a chick.”

I clenched my teeth, because I had meant for her to be out of the band when I’d texted them those messages, but now I’d changed my mind. “I was just letting you know her change of status. And we had to cancel Friday because of...other reasons.”

Remy didn’t correct me, thank God. She merely zipped her gaze around to the three of us, her gaze wide and eager to hear how this conversation would end.

“So, you seriously want a f*cking bitch in the band?” Gally exploded incredulously, motioning toward Remy as he glared at me. “But we’re named Non-Castrato because—”

“I don’t care why we’re named Non-Castrato. And don’t call her a bitch. The fact of the matter is she’s already been in the band for over a month. What difference does—”

“Because I don’t want a damn chick in the band!” Gally roared.

Scowling at him, I curled my hands into fists. When I glanced Holden’s way, he’d yet to give his input, but I could see from his expression, he would follow Gally’s wishes. Bracing my legs a couple more inches apart, I made my stand. “If she doesn’t stay, then I don’t stay.” Beside me, Remy sucked in a surprised breath, but I kept my gaze steady on the other two members. “Remy is the best damn drummer I’ve ever met, and I’m going to be a part of whatever band she’s in.”

Gally glared at me a second longer before hissing out a curse and throwing up his hands. “Fine. What the f*ck ever. She makes any drama for us, though, and I’m out.” As he stormed off, wafting off more drama with his pouty little exit than I’d ever seen Remy exude, Holden nodded his compliance once and trailed after Gally.

I watched them go, remembering what they’d just been doing—together—with Jodi, and shook my head, perplexed.

From Remy’s apartment, Jodi cleared her throat. “So, um...yeah. Once again, I’m left standing here awkwardly between you two. So...I’m just going to let you talk...again.” And she disappeared inside, shutting the door to leave me alone with Remy.

I glanced at her, suddenly at a loss for words. I’d come here to get her back, but then...all this had happened, so I ended up sighing and running my hands through my hair. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

Hugging herself, she nodded. “So you already said.”

“My head’s still all over the place this morning,” I tried to explain because it didn’t look like she was going to forgive me for assuming such a thing about her and our two bandmates. “I forgot to take anything for my hangover and I was preoccupied, trying to decide what to say to you. When he opened the door...I don’t know. I just...I completely lost the ability to think rationally.”

I’d gone into caveman mode, ready to fight for my woman.

But Remy still wouldn’t look at me.

I ground my teeth. “Damn it. I’m not used to this. Women who actually know me don’t just go telling me they love me.”

Finally, she looked up, her brown eyes wide with surprise.

After a deep breath, I added, “It didn’t seem real. It was easier to believe you didn’t mean it, that you’d already moved on. Thinking you and they had...it was just an instant, kneejerk reaction that was really stupid and—”