Hat Trick (Fake Boyfriend 5)

The riff is “He’s Mine.” Jet glances at me and winks.

The room has a living room setup with couches and a coffee table full of snacks and drinks.

I grab a water and take the seat closest to Jet. Freya and Benji cuddle up on the love seat, Luce disappears and says something about stage time, and Marty scrolls through his phone.

Roadies and stagehands come and go, and when someone new enters the room, Jet’s song freezes. It’s for less than a split second, but it’s every single time.

I grip his thigh and squeeze. He throws me a smile.

A voice comes from the doorway. “Couldn’t stay away, could you?”

I take a deep breath. Here we go.

But Jet’s face lights up at whoever it is.

I turn to find one of the other guys from Eleven.

Jet jumps out of his seat. “Ryder.”

“Ride her? I barely even know her!” Ryder smirks. His light-blue eyes shine in mischief.

He and Jet hug. Guess they’re close.

“So, what’s this about leaving the tour then not leaving the tour? You’re sick and now you’re not sick …”

Jet turns serious as he says, “What can I say? Apparently, your whole tour was fallin’ apart without the best fuckin’ opening act in the world. Had to come save your asses.”

Ryder laughs. “Well, I’m happy you’re back even if others might not be.”

“Others?”

Ryder avoids Jet’s gaze. “I’m guessing Harley cutting out of soundcheck early had something to do with you guys turning up?”

“He left?” Jet asks.

Ryder nods.

The tension seeps out of Jet’s shoulders as he relaxes.

Ryder sees it too because he scoffs. “Typical Harley.”

“Typical?” Jet asks.

“You know him when he doesn’t get his way. And I think forcing you to come back instead of letting you go was the ultimate temper tantrum.” Ryder glances at me. “Bringing that with you was the perfect counter move.”

“That is Soren.” Jet playfully shoves him.

I shrug. “I’m cool with being treated like a plaything.”

Everyone laughs at me, and then Jet’s right there, climbing into my lap.

“Let’s get one thing straight. You’re not just a plaything.”

“Aww, thanks.”

“Let me finish. You’re not just a plaything. You’re my plaything.”

“I’m here to look pretty,” I say.

“Good boy.” He pats my head like I’m a golden retriever, and I don’t even care.

I lower my voice. “I would say isn’t that my line, but then all the Daddy jokes will start again.”

Jet pats my cheek. “Oh, babe. That implies they stopped.”

“You’re lucky you’re adorable.” I pull his face down to mine and kiss him, ignoring the groans from everyone in the room about PDA.

Jet’s tongue teases my lips before he pulls away.

“When you’re done with all the kissy face, soundcheck,” Luce says from the doorway.

“I’d rather stay here,” Jet says.

I kiss his cheek. “Go. Get to work.”

Marty stands. “Come on, Soren. I’ll take you to where you can watch.”

I follow him back through a million corridors, and then we come out a door beside the stage.

“You’ll be able to watch the show from here tonight too,” Marty says. “It’s a better view than from the side of the stage, but it’s up to you.”

“I don’t care either way. I just love watching him.”

Like right now. All that’s happening is he’s being fitted with earpieces, and I can’t tear my eyes away.

“Aww, you guys are so cute.”

“Thanks.” I side-eye him. “You and Luce make a good team.”

“We just know how to handle Jay. The job itself is brainless.”

Luce appears behind us, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend. “Brainless for you.” He glances at me. “Marty was a molecular engineer in a past life.”

“Whoa, no way.”

“I’ll go back and finish my PhD one day, but until then, I’ll pretend to be Luce’s assistant instead of the real brains behind this band.”

Luce kisses the top of Marty’s head in the same way I would do to Jet if Jet said something similarly egotistical.

“You gave up your PhD to follow the band around the world?” I ask.

“Yep.” Marty doesn’t appear at all upset over that. “I mean, if we want to get technical, I did it so I could be with Luce, but the band is a huge part of my life. Has been since before I even met Luce or Jay.”

“Marty played ‘He’s Mine’ for me, and it made me want to rep the band.”

I can’t help smiling. “That’s the song that made me fall for Jet—er, Jay before I even met him.”

Marty’s whole face lights up. “Me too!”

“Marty had a huge crush on your man.” Luce grins.

“Until I met Luce.” Marty winces and holds his hands up. “Please don’t hit me.”

I laugh. “I’m not a violent guy. Or all that jealous.” Well, not a lot jealous.

“You play hockey, though,” Luce says.

“Okay, I’m a little violent, but only on the ice. And barely even then. We have enforcers for a reason—they know how to fight.”

Marty assesses me. “Note to self. Don’t leave the hockey player in a room where Harley can get to him. He doesn’t know how to fight.”