Diamond in the Dust (Lost Kings MC 18)

“Ah, so we’re Deadbranch clubhouse virgins together,” I tease.

She blinks. “Well, there’s a word that hasn’t been associated with me in a long time,” she says with a dry sarcasm that speaks to my soul.

“Girl, same.”

She grins at me. “How’s the tour been?”

“I hate saying it, but I’m exhausted. Thank God, there’s only one show left.”

“We should celebrate. How long are you guys sticking around?”

“I’m not sure. I’m supposed to head to Nashville to record right after.”

“Busy, busy,” she teases.

“You should come to the show,” I suggest. “It’s the last one of the tour so it’ll be huge. Dawson’s throwing a big party after.”

Anya drops her gaze to the side. “Ah, are you sure you want me there?”

Shoot, I thought she liked country music. Maybe I’m being too pushy. “If you don’t want to, I understand—”

“No, I mean, are you sure you want to put the porn girl on your guest list? I thought country music leans conservative? I don’t want to make you look bad or something.”

“Oh.” I hadn’t thought of that. Her faraway eyes and turned-down mouth remind me of a lost little girl. I rest my hand over hers, not sure how to respond. Worried I’ll say the wrong thing and hurt her feelings. “I’m inviting you as my friend, not planning to announce your job to everyone.”

“Well, I saw the stuff that got posted about you from the strip club. I’d hate to make it worse.” She hunches over and pretends to clack away at a keyboard. “Shelby Morgan graduates from stripper poles to skin flicks.”

“Those creeps would love that,” I grumble. “I’m allowed to have friends who do other stuff. You really think people would recognize you that easily?”

She tilts her head. Shoot, maybe that was rude. She’s probably a more recognizable “celebrity” than I am, especially to a certain male demographic.

“I get recognized in lots of places I don’t expect to.”

“That must be awkward.” There’s no other way to say it. I feel vulnerable having people listen to the lyrics I write. It would freak me the hell out if I ran into people who’d seen me naked in the most intimate of ways.

“Yeah.” She exhales a long, slow breath. “That’s pretty much why I stick to the clubhouse or my house anymore.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re here.”

“Thanks.” She laughs. “I’m safe with Ice. He can freeze a creep with the power of his eyes alone.”

My gaze slides sideways. No kidding. Even though he and Rooster are involved in a pretty intense conversation, they both glance our way with reassuring frequency.

“That’ll come in handy backstage. Plenty of creeps lurking about.”

“Oooo,” she squeals and claps her hands together. “I’ve never been to a concert before.” Her smile fades a bit. “I better ask Ice if it’s okay.”

Something about that rubs me wrong, but I nod.

“I mean, I don’t know if he had other plans or whatever. He’d be worried—”

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me.” I squint at her. “I thought you two weren’t together, though?”

“We’re not, but he still looks out for me.” She grabs my hand and drags me toward Ice and Rooster.

Ice dips his chin in a welcoming nod as we approach. Rooster curls his arm around my shoulders when I reach his side.

Anya twists her hands together in front of her. “Ice? Shelby invited me to her last show. You think we can go?”

“Yeah, babe. Of course.” He glances at Rooster, then me. “Thanks.”

That was easy enough.

“Oh, goody! Thank you.” Anya pounces on him and kisses his cheek. “I’ve never been to a concert before. I really, really want to go.”

“Okay. Easy.” Ice raises and lowers his hand in a ‘calm down’ gesture. “No problem.” He tugs on the ends of her hair. “We’ll find you one of them ten-gallon hats or somethin’. Make sure no one recognizes you.”

“Totally,” she agrees, even though I think he was teasing about the hat.

“Good.” Ice smirks at Rooster. “I’ll finally get to see just how hard Pants has been working.”

“He’s been a huge help,” I say, worried poor Pants is gonna get in trouble for not being around his club lately. “Thank you for letting us borrow him.”

Ice studies me like I’m a butterfly under his microscope. Maybe he’s not used to ol’ ladies speaking up or talking to him directly. “Happy to hear it, sweetheart.”

“We’ll let you guys go back to your conversation.” Anya tugs on my hand.

Rooster kisses my temple before releasing me. “Thank you,” he whispers in my ear.

Not sure what I said or did that was so great, but I nod and follow Anya. We stop at the concession stand. No one’s behind it but she scoots into the narrow space and opens the fridge. “Want anything?”

“Uh, Sprite, I guess.” I glance around, wondering if someone’s going to scold us for stealing snacks. But no one besides Rooster and Ice are paying attention to us. Rooster nods at me, so I guess that means raiding the fridge is allowed.