Slow Body Rock (Rockstar Romance) Read Free

“Alright. I'll keep that in mind.”
    “You sure you're alright, Lola?” Turning, my brother studied me from toe to scalp.
    I pushed my shoulders into my ears. Just trying to handle a guy who scares me while also turning my insides to jello. I rubbed my elbows self-consciously, glad my arms were covered. Sean didn't need to know anything about last night... Drezden or otherwise. “I'm fine. I should get back though, Brenda said—” I trailed off. Mentioning Brenda had forced something else up. A piece I'd left drowning in alcohol last night. “Hey. Sean?”
    He tilted his head, waiting.
    In my hands, the coffee felt colder. “How come you never told me that you auditioned for Drez's band years ago?”
    I knew my brother very well. The instant his face fell, I was sure something was wrong. “Oh. That.”
    “Sean, talk to me. Why was that worth omitting?”
    “Look, it's not that.” Fiddling with his neck, he eyed the sky. “Lola, that was a long time ago. You had... other things to worry about. It was a dumb audition.”
    A dumb audition that I nailed yesterday. What he'd said, though, it made me think. He was right that two years ago I was busy with some important things. Helplessly, my fingers wandered to the inside of my right arm. Nails itched at where the tattoo hid. “You didn't tell me because you... what? Didn't want to worry me?”
    “I didn't want to depress you more, yeah.” His tongue held an edge. “Fucking—Lola, listen. Two years ago things were hectic. But you're fine now, and I'm fine now. We've both dealt with our demons. The only thing that matters right now is literally right now.”
    Inside, I wanted to agree. No one wants to be suspicious of their sibling. “Okay. Okay, don't worry. It's not important anymore.”
    His face smoothed with relief. “Good. Now, what were you going to say before that tangent?”
    “Oh.” I almost dropped my coffee. “Oh, shit. I need to go! Brenda scheduled a photo shoot today and I—I'll talk to you soon!” Waving, I ran at full power back to the parking lot.
    My lungs roared, screaming as I jumped up the stairs on the bus. Inside, I found Drezden and Porter waiting for me. They looked up, both surprised.
    The bassist grinned, showing every tooth. “So! You're ready to practice?” Gasping, I clutched my chest, not able to speak. “Fantastic! Colt drank enough that there's no way he doesn't have a huge fucking hangover.” His arm draped over my shoulders, pulling me close. I saw Drezden's narrowed stare.
    “How about,” Porter chuckled in my ear, “we wake him up in style.”

Chapter One.
Drezden
    ––––––––
    B y the time the bus rolled out, we were all awake and in the practice room. Lola had tuned her guitar, then at Porter's suggestion, strummed with the amp turned up until Colt stormed in clutching his skull. It was what they needed; a moment that broke the tension.
    I wished it worked for me.
    My night had been plagued with visions of Lola. Her pouting lips, the curve of her neck, the way her dark hair fell so wild over her shoulders. Even her smell had been in my dream. Worse, when I awoke, I swore it was hanging around me.
    When it faded, I'd actually felt sad.
    Seeing her that morning had only soothed me briefly. I was luckily wrapped up in my fight with Brenda. It made dealing with Lola's appearance less of an all encompassing event. Seeing her flushed cheeks, I'd craved to grab her pale skin in my hands until she bruised.
    I didn't think I was dangerous. Now, with a beast coming to life in my bones, I had to wonder. If I was left alone with Lola, no one around to judge me, to stop me... what would I do to her? The thought of her mewling mouth, plaintive cries, sent my heart pumping. My blood careened through me chaotically.
    I was chaotic.
    Fuck.
    Leaning on the wall, I wrapped the wire from my mic in my fingers. I pretended it was her hair; my tugging became firmer. “Yo,” Colt said, downing another palm full of pain