They burst into the dressing room seconds later, noisy as fuck, giant smiles on their faces as they greet me. They all embrace me, even Ava, who gives me a big hug and calls me a sexy rock star.
“Hey, don’t call him sexy,” Eli protests, yanking her into his arms. He glares at me as if I’m going to try something with her.
I just bark out a laugh. He’s crazy.
“I’d say about two thirds of that crowd were creaming their panties over you,” Caleb says to me as we perform a complicated handshake we made up recently. “Though that band before you was a tough act to follow.”
“It was my idea for them to open for me,” I say. Cupid’s Bow are all barely out of high school, like me, and they’re trying to make it big. Also like me. They’re all a bunch of pretty boys who are playing up their looks over their talent, but I get it. They’re not bad, but they look way better than they sound.
“You’re fucking crazy. They about stole the spotlight,” Caleb says truthfully.
I’m not worried about it, but I appreciate his concern. So I just slap him on the back, my gaze snagging on Ellie, who is currently chatting with Gracie and Hayden, glancing over at me what feels like every five seconds.
I don’t stop looking at her either, and when her gaze finally meets mine, I crook my finger at her, silently calling her over.
She doesn’t even hesitate. Just glides right on over to me, her expression wary, though her eyes are clear as she studies me.
“What did you think?” I ask as I grab a towel from the counter and wipe the sweat off my forehead. I’m still amped up. A little shaky even. Adrenaline coursing through my veins after such an epic performance. I need a shower. Wouldn’t mind fucking all of this energy out of me either.
Wonder if Ellie’s game, because she’s the only one I currently want to fuck.
Her smile is small. As if she’s trying to contain it. “You were—good.”
“That’s it? That’s all I get?” I raise my brows, wanting more.
I always want more when it comes to her.
“I’m supposed to be mad at you, Jackson,” she says, though she doesn’t sound that mad at all.
“Yeah, I know,” I say like a smug dick, but fuck it. “What did you think of your song?”
“My song?”
“Pink,” I tell her with a dirty grin. “That was all about you.”
She’s quiet. Everyone else is talking, laughing. They’re loud. Obnoxious. Happy. But the sounds fade, and all I can do is focus on Ellie and what she’s about to say to me. I’m in suspense, worried she might’ve hated it.
“Were you actually referring to my—” She waves a hand in the direction of her lower body.
Unable to resist, I sneak my arm around her waist and pull her in close, dropping a kiss on her surprised lips. “Yes,” I murmur against her mouth. “All of those words were true. I’m a dumbass, El.”
“Oh, I know you are.” She gently sets her hands on my chest, as if she’s going to push me away.
I can feel her touch right down to my bones. Deeper. I want those hands all over me. Taking off my clothes. Stroking me. Guiding me home. To the spot between her legs where I know I’ll fit perfectly.
She doesn’t push me away. She pulls me in instead, slipping her arms around my neck, her fingers toying with the hair at my nape. “You’re a pain in my ass, Jackson Rivers.”
“I know. I’m a stupid fuck. But come home with me tonight and I’ll show you how much you mean to me,” I murmur, just before I steal a kiss.
“What the fuck? Now you two are together?”
This comes from Caleb.
Ellie pulls away from me, her cheeks flushed as she laughs. “We don’t know what we are, Caleb.”
“I know what we are.” I slink my arm around her shoulders, pulling her into my side. “She’s mine.”
They all say “ooooh” at the same time, the fuckers. Every single one of them.