"Joel Young." He shakes my hand. "You really Mal's fuck buddy? He doesn't have hometown fuck buddies."
"Baby, she's right there." A pretty brunette slides her arm around Joel. She adjusts her dark frames. "Sorry, my husband doesn't know how to stop himself." She offers her hand. "Bella Chase."
I shake. "Nice to meet you." Though honestly, I recognize her. I know too much about her, really. Joel and Bella made tabloid headlines when they got married in Vegas last December. People were taking bets on how long their quickie marriage would last.
It's been eight months now.
They seem happy.
Really happy.
That really is a fairytale. A one-night stand turned Vegas wedding turned Happily Ever After.
"Actually, I'm here to talk to all four of you." I try to put some distance between me and Mal. Even though it's sticky hot backstage, I feel cold without his arm around me.
"Sorry, you're cute, but I don't do threesomes anymore." Joel pulls Bella into a tight embrace. "And I don't share, either. Well, maybe you can watch." He stares into his wife's eyes. His voice drops to something equal parts teasing and seductive. "You want them to watch, angel?"
"I'm not asking to watch," I jump in.
Bella and Joel are already off in their own little world. She twirls a strand of his wavy hair with her finger.
Her eyes get dreamy. Her smile too. "I'm not turning it down."
"Fuck, angel…" He brings his hands to her ass and pulls her body into his. He kisses her, hard. Really hard. They're still kissing. He sighs as he pulls back. "Fuck, I need to stop wearing skinny jeans around you, angel."
"Over my dead body." She smiles.
He leans in to whisper something in her ear.
She blushes.
"Yeah, you're adorable." Ethan waves them away. "Guy's never been in a relationship before. Feels the need to mark his territory every time he can."
"Cause you and Vi never make out in front of us." Joel shakes his head with mock incredulity. "Or have sex in the other room. With the door open. And you certainly never get her screaming loud enough to burst eardrums on the tour bus at three in the morning."
Ethan shrugs, but the pride on his face is obvious. "Where is Kit?"
"Don't make me imply he's fucking your sister," Joel says.
Bella laughs. "Baby, you really are incorrigible."
"Fuck, I love when you say smart shit." Joel pulls her into another deep kiss.
They're both moaning loud enough to drown out the speakers.
"Why don't you tie him up and read off SAT words," Mal suggests, half-joking.
I think. He's hard to read.
"I hope it's not a quiz. Joel wouldn't get any." Ethan laughs. He pulls out his cell. "I'll find Kit."
"Where's Vi?" Mal asks.
"She's in the VIP section." Ethan smiles, this mischievous twinkle in his eyes. He looks to his phone. "With Piper. Kit's heading over here."
"I should get out of your way." Bella pulls from Joel's arms. "You have business."
"You're industry. Stay." He squeezes her hand.