The Promotion (Contemporary Reverse Harem 3)

But I was a big believer in shaking things up. So I said yes.

On top of that, I couldn’t believe I was going over Braden Darby’s house. I didn’t even know he lived in Manhattan. And on top of that, he and Maizy were dating?

I had to admit that, in spit

e of my puzzlement with the entire situation, I was psyched to meet him. And of course, to see Maizy.

I didn’t blame Maizy for playing the field. She had a lot going for her.

The beautiful, sexy, Maizy.

She was amazed by the painting I’d surprised her with, which thrilled me to no end. As soon as I’d spotted her checking it out, I mentioned to my gallery buddy to set it aside. Yeah, he’d given me shit for being pussy whipped, but hell, he was always thrilled to see art go to a happy home. And to make his commission, of course.

And most importantly, Maizy was pleased as punch.

My Uber ride dropped me in front of a massive brownstone row house. Damn, I’d thought I was doing pretty well for myself thanks to the world of finance, but it would seem being a rocker was far more lucrative. Well, good for him. I remember when Braden’s band was nothing, playing college campuses and crappy little bars. I’d been following them way back then. He’d worked his ass off and now played Madison Square Garden and huge arenas like that.

A heavy wooden door swung open when I rang the bell. “You must be Anson,” Braden said. There he was, in the flesh. A little taller and thinner than I’d expected.

“Hey,” I said, extending my hand. “I already know who you are. Good to meet you, Braden.”

There were little crinkles around his eyes when he smiled, but otherwise, he looked like the star I’d expected. Life on the road, touring all over the world, might have been a lucrative gig—but I could see it could take its toll, too.

“Feel free to call me Brade. All my friends do,” he offered.

“Will do.”

I followed him up some stairs. “We’re heading to the game room. There will be some nice adult beverages for us there,” he said over his shoulder.

And what a game room it was. There was a pool table, of course, and a sizeable poker table. There were also several leather sofas facing what looked to be a large movie screen. In the opposite corner was a nice wet bar, complete with a wall of shelves behind it holding every imaginable liquor and several I’d probably never even heard of. I settled into a stool at the bar while Brade walked behind it.

“What can I get you, my friend?” he asked, leaning on the bar.

“You got beer? I could go for a nice cold one.”

“Coming right up.” He popped the cap off a couple Stella Artois. We clinked bottles and each took a big swig.

“Great place you got here,” I said.

Brade looked around, nodding. “Thank you. I like it, too. It’s my sanctuary.”

“Do your fans bother you here? Do they know you live here?” I asked.

“So far, it’s been pretty quiet. I do have security, though. Cameras out front and shit.”

“Wow. That’s intense.”

He nodded. “Yeah, it’s kind of a drag, but there are crazies out there. You gotta be careful.”

“So, what’s our gathering all about tonight, do you know?” I asked when I noticed Maizy wasn’t there yet

“Maizy told me she’s been getting to know a few different guys, you and me included. She seemed not to know how to choose one out of the bunch, so I encouraged her to bring us all together.”

“Okay. That’s a unique approach.”

“It is,” he said, shrugging. “I thought it’d be cool to meet her other guys. I like her. I want her to be happy.”

“Cheers to that,” I said as we got started on our second round of beers.