No one hesitated as he draped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into the hard warmth of his body.
“New rule,” he spoke firmly but gruffly, “if you continue doing this, you never go anywhere alone. Those people were animals.”
“I know,” I mumbled, trying to regain my composure.
“Are you okay?” he asked gently, hearing the unease and panic in my voice.
I dropped a kiss in the middle of his chest and said, “Better now, thanks Goliath,” I murmured, knowing I meant it. In in his presence you couldn’t help but feel protected.
“First a Mack truck, now a giant, your endearments make me feel all warm and fuzzy,” he spoke in my ear as he navigated me through the crowd.
“So happy to oblige, I figured you would need a little warmth and comfort in your life,” I teased him.
We finally reached the table and even though there was an open seat Remy still insisted on pulling me down on his lap. Everyone told me I did great.
“They were savages,” Jemmy said as she grinned at me. “Imagine if you really were famous, famous. The chemistry you have on the stage with Ben is sick.”
“Thanks,” I smiled. “I’m not too sure if I would want to ever be…famous,” I shuddered at the thought.
“You could make a killing selling records,” Jax reached out and tugged one of my curls.
“You could hear her nerves,” Stacey said disdainfully.
“Jealous much?” Rachel rolled her eyes. “You were fantastic. Is there anything you can’t do?” she joked.
“I can think of quite a few things,” I demurred.
“Hungry?” Drake asked as he pushed some loaded nachos and hummus with flat bread my way. He also slid me a steaming mug.
I took a sip and smiled in appreciation at him. It was hot tea with honey and lemon. It felt great on my raw vocal chords.
“Oh yes,” I turned my attention back to the food. “Thanks!” I began eating with gusto.
“Got another gig,” Ben said as he plopped down in the empty seat beside us. “There was another manager in the crowd that likes our sound. Are you free next Friday?”
I looked back at Remy. “I have to help Remy at the restaurant.” I stated.
Remy shook his head and his hands found their way into my hair. Delicious goosebumps spread on my skin. “It’s not like you have a set schedule yet. You can go.” He shrugged. “In fact, I want to hire you guys on opening night in thirteen days. If you’re interested.”
Ben couldn’t look more ecstatic. “Seriously, man?! That would be so awesome. I knew you were a lucky charm,” Ben winked at me.
I rolled my eyes. “You would do fine without me,” I mumbled around a mouth full of hummus with feta cheese and artichoke.
“Nah,” Jax joked. “I mean he sounded great and the girls got all hot and bothered, but with you on stage with him, you’re now appealing to us men,” he leered jokingly at me.
I giggled. “You’re a hot mess!”
“I know,” Jax grinned unrepentantly.
On Sunday, I originally reluctantly agreed to have another band session at the house, since Ben insisted he wanted to add some original music to the mix. It was only going to be Rick and Ben though. They both had a knack for writing lyrics, Rick more so than Ben, but Ben was better at the music side. They just needed a little guidance blending the two.
I didn’t mind this brainstorming at all. Especially since my friends were surrounding me. Ben, Rick and I were sitting on the floor with papers and our guitars surrounding us. Jax was laying down watching a movie, with his head was in my lap. Drake was behind me stretched out on the couch and occasionally, I could feel his discreet touch as he read a book. Remy was being a pillow for both Jemmy and Rachel. He was too wise to allow them to goad him like they did Jax. Noah had left with Stacey somewhere, which pleased and annoyed me at the same time. I was glad Stacey was gone, but I wish Noah was here.
As Rick fed me lyrics, I strummed the music I heard with the lyrics. Ben would add his own cords and together we revised some of the wording, so it flowed more freely. By the time the afternoon rolled around we had two new songs to introduce to Taylor and Mike, come Tuesday. We invited the guys to stay for dinner and they eagerly agreed to stay.
I made my way into the kitchen to help Drake make us some baked ham, au gratin potatoes, and green beans. Drake decided to make a carrot cake for dessert as well. I liked cooking with Drake, it made me feel like I was contributing to the house more. We worked well together, and I knew he appreciated my hel
p, although he didn’t necessarily need it. He was so used to cooking for multiple people, that he had it down to a science now.