Surviving (Surrender 2)

“Because I thought I was getting laid before we got here.” he grumbles.

I slap his arm and lead us to the bar. Once we have our drinks, we mingle around. I see Kendall at the door talking to Mark with a very good looking man holding her hand. He’s at least six feet tall with black hair. His skin is tanned, and his eyes are crystal blue. She leads the way over to us and leans in for a hug.

“Hey guys. This is Brian Mason. Brian this my best friend, Raven and her fiancé, Declan Collins.” she motions between us.

We all shake hands and a crowd forms around us. Kendall introduces Brian to everyone, and he tells us he’s a CPA with a firm in Nashville. He and Jimi actually know a few of the same people.

“Harper! We need to talk now.” Gabe yells at her from the doorway.

She rolls her eyes at him as he stalks to her. Kendall, Abbi, Ella, and I watch as he grabs her hand and leads her behind the stage. I give Declan a questioning look, and he shrugs.

“I guess he found out about that date next week.”

“What aren’t you telling me?”

“Nothing really to tell. Let’s see how this plays out.” I want to question him further but my phone dings.

Unknown number: Raven, it’s Ember from the Clyde’s. Um, I took you up on your offer and came to hear your fiancé’s band. Let me know when you get here. I’m at the main bar by the pool tables.

Squee! She came. I shoot her a quick reply.

Me: Don’t move. I’m on my way. We are in the back so I’ll come get you.

I drag Abbi with me and tell Declan I’ll be back. When I get to the area she described, I don’t see her anywhere. I briefly filled Abbi in about her on the way here. I get my phone to text her back when I spot her. Wow! I have to do a double take to make sure it’s the same girl.

Her auburn hair is piled on top of her head in some sort of twist with tiny braids on the side. She’s wearing a kick ass black dress with amazing spiked boots. This is not the same conservative girl I met this morning. She catches me looking and waves hesitantly.

“That’s the mumbling, shy woman you met this morning? She looks like a sex kitten.” Abbi says quietly.

I shake my head as we walk up to her.

“Ember! I didn’t think you’d come.”

“It was really nice of you to invite me and when you left I realized I didn’t ask any questions. So I googled your fiancé and learned about Sayge. Then I decided to come out since I don’t work tomorrow.” She says it so fast, I almost don’t catch all of it.

“I’m glad you’re here. This is Abbi Collins. She’s a good friend of mine and also Declan’s sister.”

They greet each other, and I talk her into coming to the back with us. She is really shy but once she meets my girlfriends, she opens up a little.

I find Declan behind the stage working with his guitar. When he sees me, he sets it down and pulls me into him. He plays with the Tiffany bracelet on my wrist he gave me last year. Besides my engagement ring, it is my favorite piece of jewelry.

“Babe, I know you want to be in the crowd tonight but I would prefer you stay back here. I’m not sure Mark can keep a good watch on you with all these people.”

“Dec, I’ll be okay. If I get groped or anyone tries to hit on me, I’ll come back here. But it’s much more fun to dance out there.”

“I’ll ask Finn to stay close.”

“No, thanks! I’m not sure I want Finn around if this morning’s trash is any indication of who he’s started hanging around.”

His body tightens underneath me, and his hands stop rubbing my arms.

“Did that bother you Rave? Knowing he fucked that chick last night?”

“Not for the reasons you think. I’m not jealous of her. I see what’s going on around us with our friends pairing up and finding good relationships. I want that for him. I’m not stupid, I know the guys that are single in our group still have sex. I hoped Finn had better taste.”

“I know you don’t want to hear it, but sometimes our dicks think for us. She wasn’t exactly the worst I’ve ever seen.”

“I don’t even want to hear about the worst you’ve seen.”