Destroyed (Lost in Oblivion, #3)(67)

“Snake’s trying to get money out of us.”

“No freaking way.”

“Not if we have anything to say about it,” Nick said.

Lila held out an arm. “Everybody back inside. I’ll tell everyone what I know.”

Simon followed everyone back in until he spotted Margo heading to the bus.





* * *



Margo hiked up the hill to the path that lead to the far side of the park. She needed to walk. It wasn’t like she’d specifically kept the news of her work with Oblivion a secret, but she definitely hadn’t gone around screaming it.

But a national news show? There was no hiding it now.

Her pocket vibrated, but she ignored it. She was definitely not prepared to talk to anyone. Being swept up into the fun and intensity of a summer tour was one thing, but actually having to explain that to her parents was another thing entirely.

And they didn’t even know about that. It was unspoken that she was staying on, but the minute she did the fan club show, it would be common knowledge.

If her parents wanted to know, they’d know.

Hell, Juliet was probably the one texting or calling her right now. She didn’t want to share this. Everything about this was just for her. From the unbelievable money to the tingles under her skin when she was up there with these people—that was just for her.

No one, not even her judgmental mother, could take that away.

“Violin Girl, wait up.”

She crossed her arms. “Not now, Simon.”

She definitely didn’t have it in her to figure out what was going on between her and Simon. Whenever she got near him, she lost her damn mind.

What had she been thinking yesterday? She’d seen just how wound up he was, how the alcohol had made him volatile.

And she’d gone after him.

And it had been amazing.

Her insides still throbbed and each move on stage reminded her just how hard he’d f*cked her. There was no other word for what they’d done. The ache between her thighs was the proof.

And he’d been the one to walk away that time.

The intensity aside, she was still reeling from the loss of him. Because every other time had felt like she was connecting with someone for the first time, but that…

Against the bus had been animalistic and amazing, but had left her so empty.

She wasn’t sure what to do about the empty. That didn’t seem to fit what they were to each other.

“Damn long legs,” he muttered from behind her.

“What do you want? Looking for another angry bang?”

He caught her arm and turned her around. “You were the one that came at me for that one, sweetheart. I warned you that I was in no mood for anyone touching me, even you.” He drew her closer. “You were the one that pushed me.” His gaze dipped to her mouth then back to her eyes.

“So, what? A repeat performance because of Snake?”

“No.” He let her go and stepped back. “Of course not. You seemed upset, so I was checking on you.” He held up his hands. “Heaven forbid we have a conversation that doesn’t surround us both coming our brains out. Fuck ya later, Violin Girl.” He made it halfway down the hill before she called his name. He turned back around, his silvery blue eyes blazing.

She stared at her ballerina flats. “I wasn’t expecting to be included in the special.”

He climbed the hill again until they were face-to-face. “Is that a problem?”

She shrugged. “Not exactly.” She blew out a shaky breath. “My parents aren’t exactly welcoming of anything that isn’t under their purview of acceptable projects.”

“And their baby girl working for a rock band is probably not under that purview.”

“No.”

“And you care about what they think that much?”

Did she? Or was it just easier to fall in line? The idea of examining that dynamic right now was too daunting.

He rubbed her arms then cupped her jaw to bring her eyes to his. “I don’t get the parent thing. I wish I did, but I don’t. My old man didn’t care. Unless I didn’t bring beer home to him at night. Then it was usually a belt to the ribs.”

Horrified, she unlocked her arms and laid a hand on his chest.

“Don’t feel sorry for me. It is what it is. He didn’t want to have anything to do with me so I got out. Music saved me, Margo.”

She pressed her cheek into his hand. It had saved her, too. Once upon a time, it had been Vivaldi and Beethoven to keep her happy and whole. But everything was changing now.

Collaborating with Deacon and Gray, and even Nick to a certain extent, had made music exciting again. The fact that she had a say in arrangements and changes to a song was heady.

She’d never allowed herself to think about composing, but now her head was full of it at all times.

“And if I’m reading that beautiful face correctly, this is what’s making you happy. We can’t live for our parents. Then everyone’s doomed to disappointment.”

“You’re pretty intuitive for a—”

His eyebrow winged up. “A…”

“Man.”

“Uh-huh.”

And because it felt right, she stepped into his arms and laid her cheek against his chest. He froze, then his arms came up around her shoulders until she was completely surrounded.