Cadence (Ruby Riot Book 1) (4 page)

Chapter Four

JAX

Shit, I’m drunk.

The lighting in this place doesn’t help – the pink, violets and blues spin around as the strobes flash across the crowds, illuminating people like we’re in some psychedelic kids TV programme. Bright. Blinding. Nauseating.

Sofia gyrates against me and I hold her ass as much to steady myself as put my hands on her. Not like I’d have to be sneaky about it, she’s all over me anyway with her hands on my backside too, lips against my neck. Her mouth keeps heading towards mine; but until I can orientate myself and find somewhere quiet, she’ll have to wait.

The DJ playing tonight works the Euro club circuits. I’ve heard of him, but I don’t often come to clubs like this. Will and Nate happily hold court in the centre of the dance floor, girls around. If fun is on the agenda, they’ll be there, whatever the music. I’m more specific about genres. I’d rather spend a sweaty night with a poorly tuned rock band than a full night of clubbing. Still, free flowing booze and girls, I’m not complaining.

Tegan likes the music and ambience, enthusiastically dancing with a group she’s befriended. Tegan’s on the edge, but under scrutiny; a couple of the group are guys and I keep an eye on whether either of them touch her. Amused, I watch as Tegan skillfully dodges any attempt by the taller guy who’s intent on taking hold of her hands. Where the hell is Bryn? Surely, I’m not the only one he wants keeping away from his sister?

As the lights play across her body, I’m distracted by the movement of her ass in the clinging dress, and the way the material moves up her thighs as she dances. I have a girl with me who I’m positive would do anything I asked, but all I want is my hands on Tegan. Why the fuck does she have to be out of bounds?

“Jax…” Sofia licks my neck and as her teeth close around my earlobe, I’m pulled away from Tegan daydreams.

I slide my hand down into Sofia’s, and indicate I’m leaving the dance floor and tug her back to the table.

“Not here,” she whispers. “Come.” Sofia pulls me in the direction of a quieter spot. “So we can talk.”

We both know talking isn’t on the agenda.

TEGAN

Why did Bryn come tonight? He said he hates this kind of music and always has. Liam’s displeasure was clear as the pair of them skulked off to the quiet tables near the bar. Was this all to supervise me?

Escaping his unwanted scrutiny, I chat to a group of people, friends and colleagues from a local ad agency. We soon switch from swapping stories to dancing; the music too loud for conversation. Unlike the student nights at my local clubs, there’s no immediate hitting on each other, just the enjoyment of the music and atmosphere. This is refreshing after my last few nights out in London where every guy I met started the will-she-won’t-she bullshit and ruined the evening. I never understood the idea that a successful night out includes picking someone up; the time should be fun with friends.

I position myself away from the Ruby Riot guys as I dance with the group, and keep my back to Jax and his hook up. I tell one of the guys, Tomas, that I’m taking a break from dancing, and he gives me the thumbs up. I head off the dance floor. Jax is no longer around.

Pulling my damp hair from my neck and twisting it into a high ponytail, I locate the bathrooms. The queue stretches back further than I’d like and as I only want to cool down, I decide to check out the balcony area outside. The club overlooks the river and despite the late January cool, I love the idea of the night time view across Lisbon.

Giggling alerts me as I head along the darker hallway to the stairs, and in the shadows, a guy rests against the wall, hands beneath the dress of the girl pressed against him. Right, maybe not so different to the clubs back home. Averting my eyes, I continue, but when the giggling is followed by the girl saying “Jax” I halt.

Jax and random pick-up devour each other, although amusingly, she seems to be doing most of the devouring. He’s slumped against the wall, not at full height, a look I’ve seen in clubs the world over. He’s drunk.

They continue their passionate clinch, and I grimace. Dry humping in public is tacky. At least I hope that’s what they’re doing. Deciding I don’t want to see the girl’s ass if he pushes her dress any higher, I look away.

With the disgust, edges in the unwarranted jealousy. I wouldn’t want to swap places with her, not in the darkened hallway of a club, but I’m still pissed off he went straight for another girl. Couldn’t Jax at least use the opportunity to show Bryn he’s wrong about him?

Why should he? He’s a twenty-one year old rock god in training ruled by his dick. Ugh.

I agree with Bryn, if Jax tries to hit on me, he’ll get a shock because I’m not falling for the crap that puts girls into the position she’s in. Some girls need to learn the meaning of self-respect.

I clear my throat loudly and walk to the stairs, not looking back to see if I alerted them.

On the balcony, the wind blowing in from the river bites and I rub my arms. Although the temperature is higher than it would be in London, I’m cool in my dress. Tomas, from the ad agency group, told me there’s a great view of the sunrise up here and I’m disappointed it’s the wrong time of year, because sunrise happens after the club closes. Settling onto a metal chair next to a table, I take in the view of the dark river and lights twinkling along the bank. Summer here, sitting with friends and a few drinks, must be amazing. Winter not so much, no surprise the other tables are vacant.

The heavy bass thumps from below, mingling with the voices of people leaving the club and heading to the car park. My ears ring from spending time immersed in the music and I don’t notice the door close and a different couple approach. We all smile in greeting through the shadows, and they sit on a nearby chair, the girl on the guy’s lap. Sensible people, they have coats.

A third person arrives, closing the door heavily. I look over and to my amusement, a confused looking Jax stares around, pushing his hand through his blond fringe.

“It’s outside,” he says. “Why are we outside?”

I ignore him and turn back to my river view.

“It’s fucking cold. Did I go the wrong way?”

The couple laughs at him and I fight the smile as he unsteadily walks to the table nearby. He stops when he sees me, and approaches. “Tegan?”

“Jaxon.”

Without an invitation, he drags the chair across the floor and sits heavily. “Hey, Tegan.”

I crane my neck and look to the door. “Where’s your special friend?”

“Huh?”

“The girl?”

For a moment, Jax stares past me and I’m unsure if he’s ignoring me or didn’t hear. “Oh. Right. Yeah. Changed my mind.”

“That was mean of you. She was very enthusiastic.”

Jax’s drunken eyes meet mine. “Who was?”

“The girl.”

“Right. The girl. Did you see where she went?”

I bite my lip against laughing at him. “You lost her? Careless.”

“Wait. How do you know she was enthusiastic?” he slurs.

“You weren’t exactly in private.”

“Hmm.” Jax slumps back and runs a hand across his face. “Yeah.”

A few hours ago, sitting with Jax filled my insides with butterflies, but there’s nothing sexy about drunk guys. Sure, Jax is still the most attractive guy I’ve met in a long time, and probably in the whole place, but the seductiveness of his looks are lost in hazy confusion. I am going to have fun reminding him of this tomorrow.

“Are you usually such a great conversationalist, Jax?”

Again with the staring past my head. “Is that the sea?”

“No, it’s a river.”

“It’s big.” Unable to hide my amusement any longer, I suppress a giggle. Jax frowns at me. “What?”

“Maybe you should go back to the hotel.” A thought hits. “Wait, is that why you’re looking for the girl? Taking her back for a hot night with the equally hot Jax Lewis?”

He clutches his chest. “You think the worst of me.”

“Think? You were putting on quite a show when I saw you before.”

Jax grazes his teeth over his bottom lip, his perfect brow creasing. “Not taking her back, no. No point.”

“Why? Did she say no?”

Shaking hair from his face, Jax drags his chair closer to me. “I’m too drunk.” Was that supposed to be a whisper? Because the volume was enough to elicit another laugh from the couple nearby.

“Too drunk?” I ask and he gives me a lopsided smile. “Ah, I get it! Do you mean you’re too drunk to come up with the goods?” I snort in amusement. “Imagine the story: ‘
My night of passion with Jax Lewis
.’” I make the headline in the air with my hand. “That would be a short article. Not very flattering either.”

My humour sails over his head. “Are you staying with Bryn for long?” he asks.

“The whole tour.”

Jax rubs his nose. “Shit.”

“Pardon?”

“You’re distracting.” He sighs. “You’re beautiful.”

“Oh, dear.” I shake my head at him. “I think you should call a cab and go sleep this off.”

“But you are and I want to… and I can’t ‘cause you’re his sister.”

I slide my chair back. “Wrong. You can’t because I don’t sleep with guys like you.”

Weirdest thing. Jax looks shocked. “Like me? But I’m a rock star.”

“Omigod, you’re hilarious!”

“What?”

This guy is genuinely confused why I wouldn’t throw myself naked at him. “I don’t want to have sex with you. Ever. So keep that in your pretty little head.”

“Huh.” Jax sits back again. “But you think I’m hot.”

“Jesus, Jax, give it a rest.”

“I saw how you looked at me when we met. I know when girls want me. Plenty do, you know.”

I splutter. “You’re attractive, yes, but I don’t ‘want’ you.”

Slumped in his seat still, Jax looks up at the sky. “I’m a rock star.”

“Apparently, so you keep telling me.”

“Yeah, but it’s fucking weird, right? Like, six months ago I was a wannabe rock star. Didn’t like him much but he’s okay, I s’pose. I mean, without him I wouldn’t be here.”

“Didn’t like who?”

“Jem Jones. Stole my girl.”

I straighten with interest. “Your girl? Ruby? Were you together?”

“No, but should’ve been.” He pauses. “I’m over her now. We’d never work.”

“It certainly looked like you were half an hour ago.”

The conversation lulls and Jax slips further in his chair, head nodding to one side, eyes closed.

“Jax, you need to leave before you pass out.” I poke him in the stomach, not surprised by how solid his abs are.

Jax blinks back to his inebriated consciousness, steadies himself on the table, and stands. This guy is a hilarious drunk, swaying slightly as he grips the back of the chair. Scared he’s about to collapse, I stand too.

He turns his drunken eyes to me again. “You’re beautiful, Tegan why-the-Hell-did-you-have-to-be Hughes.”

“You’re drunk.”

“But in the morning I’ll be sober and you’ll… Wait. How does that thing go again?”

“What thing?”

“The thing the guy said. Remember?”

With no clue what he’s saying, I indicate the door. “Let’s go.”

Unsteadily, Jax heads across the balcony with me. “I’m a rock star,” he repeats.

“Yes, Jax, you’re a rock star.”

A slow grin spreads across his face as he stops and throws his arms in the air. “I’m a fucking rock star!” The movement destabilises Jax and he trips sideways; missing the chair, he attempts to steady himself on.

The drunk rock star falls to the floor and laughs, and lies back and stares at the sky.

“I think I need to find somebody to take you back to the hotel.”

Jax doesn’t respond, and I walk away laughing to myself. I’ll find somebody else to sort him out, my night isn’t finished yet.

Chapter Five

JAX

Somebody hammers nearby, banging into my dreams. I squint open an eye. Unfamiliar bed, mattress hard against my aching back, the detergent scent of the sheets strange. Hotel room. The banging intensifies. I grope around for my phone on the table next to the bed, and remember I threw it across the room because the damn thing wouldn’t stop ringing.

I sit.

Jesus, my head
.

The rhythmic thud on the hotel door continues. Spilling out of bed, I head over to answer.

“What?” I snap as I yank open the door.

Will, far too perky for a guy who I swear drank as much as me last night, steps back, appraises me in my boxers and shakes his head with a small smile. “Dude, you look like shit.”

“I’m tired. What do you want?” Unimpressed, I head to the mini-bar and pull out a bottle of water.

Will follows and crosses his arms over his chest, bright green eyes meeting mine. He matched me in drinking last night; why doesn’t he look like crap too? Although I’m pretty sure that’s bite marks on his neck.

“Jax, it’s one p.m. You’re late for the sound check.”

I freeze. “Shit. Really?”

“First gig on a European tour with Phoenix and you’re in bed! We have shit to do, man.”

I spot my jeans by the end of the bed and grab them. “Fuck. Sorry.”

“What the hell happened to you? Since when can’t you handle your booze?” Will sinks onto the end of the bed. “Or your women.”

Before we went to the club, at the hotel bar, I knocked back more beers than I realised, distracted by Tegan and later by the prospect of a celebratory night. The night before Ruby Riot opens for Blue Phoenix on their European tour.
Blue Phoenix
. Unreal. Must’ve been the champagne. I never drink champagne. Yep, definitely that. I rub my head.

“Where’re Nate and Ruby?” I ask.

“They’ve gone ahead to the venue. I’ve spent half an hour calling you and gave up, came here to haul your ass out of bed.”

“And the Phoenix guys?”

Will pulls his lip piercing in his mouth and glances around the room. “Dunno. Haven’t seen them. No chick with you?”

“No.”

“That’s right you couldn’t stand up.” He laughs and claps me on my bare shoulder.

I shrug him off; pleased it wasn’t Ruby outside the door. At least Will’s laid back about my shit start to the first day of the tour. “Give me ten. I’ll grab a shower and meet you in the lobby.”

Will heads off, unperturbed. Often, I’m glad the twins are chilled guys. Reckon I’ve seen them fully stressed once and can’t remember why. Life rolls over them and they grasp at the fun parts, letting the crap sail by. I guess Ruby holds enough tension for the four of us.

The warm water flows over my aching head as I replay last night. I remember dancing with a chick, then she wasn’t there, and I spoke to Tegan. No clue what I spoke to Tegan about. Shit, I hope I didn’t make an arsehole of myself in front of her.

Months I’ve waited for this day. I’m playing a stadium gig tonight with the biggest band in the fucking world. Thousands of people. This is huge and what do I do to prepare? Get wasted and wake up half-dead. Ruby’s going to lose her shit if I’m below par for our final rehearsal and sound check.

****

TEGAN

“Morning!” I call to Bryn as I approach him in the hallway between our hotel rooms. I head back to mine as he leaves his.

He stops. “Where’ve you been?”

“Where does it look like I’ve been?” I indicate my sweaty self, yoga pants, and gym vest.

“Working out? You didn’t go to bed until three a.m.!”

“And?” I wipe a lose strand of hair from my damp forehead. “I usually get up early.”

“I doubt you’ll find anybody else does. Weirdo.”

I flick Bryn’s ear. “Funny. Did you find someone to take Jax back to the hotel?”

Bryn makes a derisive sound. “Yeah. What a joke.”

True. I smile at the memory of Jax’s performance. “Sure, you never got wasted when you were on your first tour,” I say sarcastically.

“There’s a time and a place, Tegan.”

I giggle at him. “You seriously are an old man, big brother.”

“I’m stressed about the fucking tour, okay?”

Whoa
. The tightly wound Bryn from yesterday remains; this has to be about more than me and my arrival. “Are you all right?”

“Fine. Sorry.” He wipes a hand across his brow. “Dealing with some shit; I need things running smoothly on tour at least. Call me when you’ve showered, or whatever. I want to talk to you.”

Before I can respond, Bryn stomps to the elevator, his heavy footsteps muffled by the carpet. Jeez, I hope nobody gets in Bryn’s way today.

Half an hour later, refreshed and ready for the world, I grab my phone and shove some cash in the back pocket of my jeans. First day of touring with Blue Phoenix, and I bounce down the corridor with excitement over what the day could hold. I’ve waited years to spend time in the thick of everything and watch how their world works. Playing the fan girl, I chose a Blue Phoenix sleeveless tee this morning. Will Bryn finally tell everybody who I am? My mind floods with ideas and possibilities. I can’t wait to show pictures to people, I know that Phoebe is jealous as hell. When we hit the UK leg, I’ll find her some backstage passes.

One small cloud on the horizon - what does Bryn want to talk to me about? He’s agreed I can stay. As I wait for the elevator, I picture him giving me a list of dos and don’ts with that sulky look he’s had since I arrived. Something’s wrong with Bryn, he’s not normally this uptight. Maybe once he’s in his natural environment backstage he’ll cheer up.

Distracted, I don’t notice another person appear besides me.

JAX

Shit. No.

I stop.

Tegan, standing by the elevator, makes jeans and a sloppy Blue Phoenix t-shirt look like the sexiest outfit on the planet. I am not nervous of chicks these days but she ties my tongue in knots. This reaction is because I’m unsure if I made a dick of myself in front of Tegan last night, not because she stuns me.

Sure it is.

Tegan’s full lips are pursed, a troubled line between her brows so I keep my distance and say nothing. She notices me almost immediately.

“Good morning, Jaxon,” she says with a knowing smile.

“Don’t call me Jaxon. Only my mum and gran call me that.”

“When you’re misbehaving?” Tegan pulls her teeth over her lip to disguise amusement.

I really bloody hate alcohol memory blanks when the person who saw, and remembers all, clearly wants to tease.

“You forgot your sunglasses,” she says staring straight ahead.

Her words jolt me from the distracting sight of where the vest tee she’s wearing scoops low beneath her arms to reveal the edge of a black bra and smooth, tanned skin. “What do you mean?”

“You’re a rock star after a wild night. You should be wearing sunglasses.”

“Wasn’t wild, I just drank too much.”

“Uh huh.”

I ignore her. I have enough to worry about with facing the wrath of Ruby when I arrive at the venue.

Tegan continues to fight her smile and hits the button on the elevator again, muttering about how long it’s taking. So far, she met my eyes briefly and now focuses on the elevator door. I train my gaze on the side of her face and I’m positive her cheeks are pinker than when I arrived.

“I hope I didn’t say anything rude to you last night,” I say.

“Nope.”

“Okay.” I pause, irritated by her lack of information. “What did I say?”

Finally, she looks around at me; deep brown eyes beneath long lashes capture my breath. We lock eyes for the longest since we first met, and I swear something’s there; something I haven’t seen in anybody before, even Ruby. Apart from the desire for Tegan that hits each time I’m sharing oxygen with her, I feel like I already know her, but I’m sure we’ve never met before.

“You’re a rock star.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“No, that’s what you told me. Repeatedly.” The elevator doors slide open and Tegan steps into the small space.

I follow and because Tegan chooses to stand right in the middle of the elevator, I have to edge around her. I swear she laughs under her breath at me. She reaches across to press the button for the ground floor, a scent of citrus from her hair as it touches my arm briefly. I high five myself for not looking down her top when it drops forward with the movement.

The doors close and I’m engulfed by Tegan’s presence. Even in my delicate, hungover state, all I’m aware of is the girl standing too close. I stare at my feet as the elevator lurches; if I look back into her eyes, I’m lost. This is wrong. I don’t do the unsure, teen-boy bullshit anymore. I’m not him.

“You were very complimentary, Jax, don’t worry. Also, you didn’t try to grope me, so that’s a bonus.”

“Complimentary?” I look back to Tegan.

Eyes focused on my mouth, she rubs a finger along her bottom lip before lifting her eyes to mine. A simple gesture but loaded with promise I doubt she intends to keep.

“Are you teasing me?” I ask in a low voice.

“Teasing? No. Why would I do that?”

Tegan is tall, almost matching my height, and my refusal to shift away from her leaves our faces close, bodies almost touching. Her subtle scent is stronger, as is my desire to push Tegan against the wall of the elevator and kiss her hard. This is wrong and bad for my health. Bryn would break my arms and Tegan’s firing an arousal she won’t satisfy any time soon.

I move my face closer, nose almost touching her cheek. “I don’t know, Tegan Hughes, but whether you’re teasing or not, you can’t hide what I can see in your eyes.”

Tegan doesn’t respond or move her head at all, so I shift back from her.

Something close to a staring match follows, no more words exchanged. Neither of us backs down, until the elevator lurches to a stop. The movement jostles Tegan and her bare arm brushes mine. A jolt like a bad static shock joins the sensation of her soft skin. Tegan steps back and breaks eye contact, touching her arm where we connected.

The doors slide open and Tegan steps out, placing a hand on the edge to hold them. “I guess I’ll see you later, Jaxon,” she says with a smile.

Tegan attempts nonchalance, but her eyes tell a different story. Pulling her phone from her back pocket, Tegan heads away. Great, now she has me focusing on her ass again.

I’m annoyed my hungover state prevents me matching Tegan’s game, because if I were myself, things wouldn’t stop there. I can play too, and she’ll discover I don’t play by her rules.