She only had eyes for Loren.
“I’m guessing the cat is out of the bag since you can’t even look at me,” she said to him. Loren wore dark shades to shield his eyes from the sun, but his head was slightly turned, making it obvious he was ignoring her. “I’m sorry.”
His head swiveled forward, and then he was pushing up his shades. “You’re sorry?” he echoed in a deceptively pleasant tone. Braxton shifted nervously under Loren’s piercing gaze. “Whatever for, baby fawn? You’re not my bitch.” Tilting his head toward Houston, he held her stare. “You’re his.” Needing to punish her further, he shoved past her as if she weren’t there.
Braxton didn’t lash out at him, though.
No, she turned her rage on Houston.
“Is this why you fucked me?” she asked as if she didn’t already know the answer. Her eyes were red, telling me she’d been crying and on the verge of doing it again. Knowing Braxton, she’d hold it in until she was alone. She hated anyone seeing her weak more than she hated weakness itself.
Houston’s gaze held no remorse as he regarded her. “A lot of good it did me. You’re the perfect muse, Bambi. If I ever write a song about how shit can get worse, I’ll be sure to think of you.”
Seeing the look in Braxton’s eyes, I took a step away from Houston. I watched her debate for a moment, and after several deep breaths through her nose, the anger left her gaze.
“Stay away from me.”
“Sure,” Houston readily agreed. I knew better, though, and so did Braxton. Hooking his finger under her chin, Houston tilted her head back. “But can you stay away from me?” Too quickly for Braxton to dodge, he placed a kiss on her plump lips and walked away.
I watched her innocent brown eyes turn vengeful and then frantically search the ground. I didn’t catch on until she’d already snatched up the largest rock she could find.
“Stop kissing me, asshole!”
Shit.
I barely got my arms around her before she could chuck the rock at the back of Houston’s skull. Losing her grip, it fell to the ground with a heavy thud.
She would have knocked him out cold.
God forbid he’d end up with a concussion. It was too early in the tour to have to cancel a show. I could already hear Carl’s mouth, and it put me in a foul mood.
“Take it easy,” I snapped when she struggled against me.
“I’m going to kill him. Let me go.”
“All the more reason not to.” Hell, I believed her. Braxton’s temper was unmatched. When she kept fighting to get away, I gave up trying to detain her and hauled her over my shoulder.
“Put me down, Jericho!” Gripping my shirt with one hand, she pummeled my back with the other. I’d never let her fall, but I understood why she didn’t trust me. Houston and Loren had done a number on her, and it had only been a week. “Where are you taking me?”
Ignoring her, I boarded the bus Houston vacated for her. The driver didn’t blink an eye when I passed him. I carried her through the living and bunk area and into the bedroom where she’d slept alone the night before. After putting her to bed myself and forcing Loren back to our bus, I made sure of it. I could still hear that sweet sigh she released after I’d kissed her forehead.
It seemed like it happened a lifetime ago.
Setting her down on the bed, I turned to go.
“Wait.”
I paused at the door, but I couldn’t face her. I didn’t want her to see my anger when I had no right to be.
“Don’t go.”
“We’re leaving soon,” I announced as if it explained why I was so eager to go. Every second I spent with her was like barbed wire around my heart. She was bleeding me dry, and she didn’t even notice.
“It’s still a few hours to Denver.” She paused, and I knew she was weighing the chance of me saying yes to the question on her mind. “Keep me company?”
I could no longer hold my thoughts in when I whirled around to face her. I’d have plenty of time to be disappointed in myself later. “Why would I do that?”
Twenty-four hours ago, I would have never told her no.
Braxton paused as if realizing this before drawing her knees to her chest and hugging her legs. “You’re mad at me.”
What was your first clue?
“No,” I lied and shook my head as if that would convince us both. “I have no reason to be.”
That part was true, at least. Braxton was free to fuck who she wanted. I just didn’t realize how deep it would cut when she didn’t choose me.
“Yes, you are,” she called me out. “Tell me why.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I turned to go, but my feet felt too heavy to carry me forward.