Lilac

Braxton had that effect.

“The collection is huge,” I heard Rich recite. “They have over fifteen thousand from all these different places.”

“Sounds amazing,” Braxton gushed. “I can’t believe I’ve never heard of it.”

“I think you’d like it.”

Neither of them said anything more, and it wasn’t because they noticed me standing there. I couldn’t see Braxton’s face, but Rich practically had hearts in his eyes.

I couldn’t catch a goddamn break.

First Loren, and now it looked like Rich would be a problem too. I shouldn’t have been surprised.

History was simply repeating itself.

Clearing her throat, Braxton broke the silence before I could trample on their little moment. “Do you think we’d have time to see it? If you don’t already have plans, I mean.”

“No, I don’t have plans,” Rich rushed to say.

Instantly, I wracked my brain for some shit to keep him busy until the show. I had a goddamn mutiny on my hands, and Braxton was the cause. She had me wanting to go against myself most days, and she wasn’t even my type. I liked something I could bend.

Seeing enough, I made my presence known. Rich had the good sense to look guilty. Braxton watched me with those big round eyes like she saw into my soul and couldn’t look away.

“Good morning, Houston.” Sensing my mood, her tone was wary. Maybe she’d survive us after all.

Ignoring her good-natured greeting, I got down to business. “The show takes priority over whatever you two have planned today. We’re on stage at nine and not a minute later.”

“Of course.”

I laughed to myself, knowing that I’d pissed her off, but she didn’t want me to know.

“You could join us,” Rich invited. I was surprised he’d want me tagging along while he followed Brax around like a love-sick poodle. “We’re hitting up the museum.”

I knew without him elaborating which museum he referred to. The Musical Instrument Museum was by far the most interesting sight Phoenix had to offer, and it was still a snooze fest. They had a zoo and hiking trails with amazing views, but I doubt Braxton would be interested.

“I just hope you’re a better tour guide than Loren,” Braxton teased Rich. There was still tension between her and Loren. After witnessing that little scene they made in the bathroom three days ago, I expected no less. “He offered to show me Vegas and then took me to some reincarnated version of Molly’s Game.”

Rich and I made eye contact when she described The Palace. Loren was an idiot. I wondered how much money he’d thrown away this time. It’s been six years since his father disowned him, and Loren was still flipping him off any chance he could.

“Loren only understands what serves him.” Leaning against the small kitchen counter, I crossed my arms as I looked her over. She still wore the clothes she’d worn to bed. Thankfully, I hadn’t caught her walking around in her fucking underwear again. “If you’re smart, he won’t have to show you twice.”

Of course, she was quick to catch on.

“What do you mean if I’m smart?”

“It remains to be seen.”

“Only if you think I give a shit what you think of me.”

“You’re not special, Bambi. It’s understood that you do. Everyone does.”

She let out a laugh that was entirely humorless. “It must be exhausting to be so in love with yourself.”

“Why am I not surprised that you wouldn’t know, little girl? Let me guess…you respond to every little slight so everyone will assume you’re strong, and no one will know how insecure you really are.”

She regarded me with no emotion, nothing to give her away. “Little girl?” she repeated pointedly.

“Are you even old enough to drink?” I knew she was, but I wasn’t missing the opportunity to ignite her fire.

“I’m twenty-two, asshole.”

She called me that so much it was starting to sound like an endearment to my ears.

“Wow,” I returned, feigning awe. “Old enough to drink for one entire year. Clearly, I had you all wrong.”

“I’m only interested in your respect. You can keep your understanding.”

“Stop throwing yourself at my bassist, and maybe you’ll earn it.”

Braxton shot out of her seat, and I thought she’d take a swing at me. She had the intent in her eyes but no real conviction. It would have solved all my problems. I could choke the life from her, claim self-defense, and find a new guitarist—definitely someone who didn’t tempt me at every turn.

Rich, who’d been silent, seemed to read my mind. Standing to shield Braxton from me if he had to, he begged me with his eyes.

“I was not throwing myself at him.”

“Uh-huh.”

I didn’t want to talk about the two of them anymore. I didn’t even want to think of them fucking as a possibility. If one of us claimed her, she’d be off-limits forever. Knowing this made me want to put my fist through a wall. Braxton spoke before I could.