Cadence (Ruby Riot Book 1), page 3
The slender girl with the body I’d kill to get my hands on remains at the bar with her brother, no longer looking in my direction.
Forget about her? Hell, no.
Not without a lot of distraction. “Good idea. Come on.”
Chapter Three
TEGAN
Who needs bodyguards when Bryn and a coerced Liam flank me as I approach the club? The Blue Phoenix bassist grumbles at Bryn as we approach the crowd. The press caught wind of where the band members intend to go tonight and when we arrive at Nova, Lisbon’s most exclusive venue, a barrage of questions and camera flashes await.
Housed in an old building in the old docks at the edge of the city, Nova overlooks the river, the setting drab compared to the beauty of Lisbon’s historic buildings. Tomorrow I’ll explore the city, use my spare time doing something other than trail around after the band, or waste the day in a hotel room. One of the reasons I came on tour was to explore the places we stay, not just the bars.
Ignoring the press, I lift my chin and stride through the cordoned-off area toward the venue entrance, until I catch a question thrown at me from the shadows.
“Does Bryn Hughes have a new girl? What happened to the other one?”
I halt, make a hundred eighty degree turn, and move so I’m practically nose to nose with a girl around my age, short brown hair and a sly smile on her face. On the other side of the rope, her phone is at the ready, waiting to record my response. Journalist.
“I’m his sister, you moron!”
Bryn appears and grips my elbow. “Jesus, Tegan. You can’t talk to these people! Especially not like that!” With a sharp look, he pulls me toward the open doors of the club.
“I don’t want people thinking we’re together!” I retort and drag my arm from his. “Too many of the tour crew already think I’m your girlfriend, thanks to you.”
The volume of the crowd around rises and I glance back at the other members of our party heading from the car park. The reason for the commotion, Jax, pauses for photos, signing posters and books waved in his direction, and poses with girls who enthusiastically take selfies with him on their phones. I watch with a mixture of amusement and disdain. The girls clamour for his attention and I cringe. Why do girls embarrass themselves over famous guys?
When Jax moves away from the girls, he saunters in our direction with a smug look on his face; and for the first time, there’s a hint to why Bryn is warning me off him.
We haven’t spoken since the awkward moment with Bryn in the hotel bar. Following a few minutes of exchanging glances, Jax switched his full attention back to Will and Nate and were joined by a couple of roadies who blocked my view of him anyway. When the entourage left the hotel to catch taxis to the club, no word or look was shared between us.
“Hey,” Jax says, barely registering me as he reaches us. “Are the other guys coming tonight?”
“Liam, he’s inside already,” replies Bryn.
“Right. Will and Nate inside?”
“Yeah.”
Jax’s behaviour around Bryn has calmed since earlier, more confident and less terrified of recrimination.
He nods his head at me. “Tegan.”
“Jaxon,” I reply. Jax screws up his face at me using his full name and I meet his bright, blue eyes momentarily, before he looks away quickly.
Am I more pissed off with his dismissive attitude, or is his lack of interest what bothers me?
“Are any of these lovely ladies allowed in?” Jax asks the security guard closest.
The burly man holds up a tablet. “We have a guest list.”
“Right. But can I invite people?”
“Like who?” asks Bryn.
“You know, girls.”
I tense, stomach turning over. An evening watching Jax and other girls wasn’t my intention. I don’t care if Bryn is over-reacting; I’m intrigued by Jax and want to talk to him. Secretly, I love that Jax was tongue-tied over me and I thought I glimpsed something else under the persona he’s parading now. Perhaps not.
Bryn’s reaction is completely predictable. “Sure!” he says with a grin. “The more the merrier!”
“Cool!”
Not cool.
Jax turns and heads back along the gauntlet of press, to a trio of girls he spoke to on his way through. After a couple of minutes he returns, his new, starry-eyed friends in tow. They’re wearing rock star catching clothes - small dresses and big heels and a crap load of make-up. Two brunettes, one blonde with matching grins plastered on their faces. Not looking at Jax as he passes, I grit my teeth and watch the three girls hang onto each other’s arms excitedly chattering in Portuguese.
As they head through the doors, Bryn steps between the view and me. “This is why I warned you about Jax.”
“Yeah, I told you, I know exactly what he’d be like and I had no intention of doing anything with him!” Why is my stupid heart beating fast? I convince myself I’m pissed off because Jax has dismissed me this quickly. Seriously, do I want to be one of those girls?
I don’t think so, not if this is who he is.
We step inside to a huge room lit by dark pink chandeliers casting a violet glow over the large open space. Chairs and tables are positioned around the room, people littered across the floor and crowding the bar. Music thuds through the venue, and I recognise the name of a famous DJ on a nearby poster. Wow. My irritation is washed away by excitement; this place is awesome, much better than the dives I usually frequent. Forget about pretty-boy rock stars, I’m determined to make the most of a rare opportunity.
Bryn, however, looks less impressed.
I follow Bryn to where Liam sits with his arm slung across the back of the blue leather bench. I’m struck by how out of place the two band members look in a place like this. Liam’s long red ponytail and boring jeans and t-shirt mix match Bryn’s unruly curls and the same clothes he wore when I arrived at the hotel earlier. I don’t think this night out was on their agenda.
They nod at each other as we sit and a guy immediately approaches to ask what we want to drink. I’m surprised by the lack of lecture from Bryn over my choice of vodka and Red Bull. Not that I’ll have many, water’s my preference if I’m dancing all night. Nobody else approaches our table. The Ruby Riot boys and their attached girls sit opposite, and I refuse to look over at them.
****
JAX
The amount of beer I downed at the hotel swims around my system. The intoxication ramps up my confidence, add this to the surprise welcoming committee outside the venue and I have a solution to the Tegan issue. Girls.
I learned years ago not to waste my time chasing chicks I have no chance with. It took a couple of years of unrequited lust over a girl at school, but I finally gave up and wrote bad love songs about her instead. Caroline’s stuck in a boring job, living in my home village in Oxfordshire. I bet she’s sorry she turned me down now. So, if Tegan’s unavailable, there’re plenty who are.
Will and Nate straighten with interest when I approach with the girls; Nate arches an eyebrow at me.
“This is Sofia, Paula, and…Lucia,” I say. “I hope I got that right?”
“Yes,” says Sofia. “Hey, guys.”
Round One. Success. I remembered their names.
“Sit down!” says Nate and shifts along, patting the leather seat next to him.
At this point, I’m unsure if the girls are choosing which one of us to go for, or the other way around as they whisper in their native language. The tall girl, Sofia, with long, brown hair caught my eye originally. Fortunately, she has friends.
“I always wanted to come here!” Sofia exclaims. “Thank you.”
“No problem.”
Since I’m a flashy bastard when I want to be, I order champagne. May as well make the most of the free drinks. Like the movies, I’m the rock star with chicks and this is what I do.
Will and Nate begin their usual performance, playing up the ‘twin thing’. Paula has the measure of them. When they lie over who they are, she persuades Nate to lift his t-shirt, revealing the large eagle and skull tattoo on his chest that sets him apart from his brother.
Sofia relaxes, body against mine as she flirts, attempting to keep my attention. The cut of her dress catches my attention, low cut and squeezing her tits together. She twists her fingers around the gold necklaces she’s wearing to indicate she knows I’m looking.
“Pretty necklace,” I say and as she releases the chain, I catch the cross pendant in my fingers. My fingers brush her soft skin and she coyly bites her lip, closing her hand over mine.
This chick is up for it.
“Wanna dance?” I ask.
TEGAN
I have no right to be pissed off about this. I swore to Bryn and myself, I had no interest in Jax; but only my brain was involved in that decision. My body, not so much. I watch as Jax puts his hands on the dark-haired girl, and pulls her onto the dance floor. A surprise jealousy creeps in. I expected him to want to spend time with me, despite Bryn’s warnings. The illicitness obviously put any possibility of him and me into Jax’s ‘too hard’ basket.
Or maybe Jax prefers a different girl every night, and is telling me in a roundabout way.
“How’s Cerys?” I ask Liam, turning my back to the dancers.
Liam scowls and drinks his beer.
“He misses her,” puts in Bryn. “I think he’s too old and married to enjoy touring anymore.”
“I’ve only been married a month! ‘Course I bloody miss her!”
“Couldn’t Cerys come with you? Sky came with Dylan,” I ask.
“Ella,” he says. “School and shit. They’re coming to join us at weekends.”
“So stop pouting and have another drink!” Bryn turns and beckons over the nearby barman, stationed to bring drinks when we need.
“Don’t know why you had to drag me out tonight,” Liam mutters. “You never said they’d play this shit music here when you press-ganged me into coming!”
“I told you why,” replies Bryn and inclines his head to me. “I’m not a fan either.”
“Nobody made you come!” I retort. “Go back to the hotel.”
“Next time, I choose where we’re going.”
Next time? “Sure, we’ll find somewhere more subdued. Reckon there’s a bingo hall nearby?” I ask.
Bryn scowls. “No, I mean a live music venue with real music, not this crap.”
“We can sit in the next room. I’m sure they’ll have a corner for us,” I say. “Y’know, with the other boring, old people in the quiet area. Have a nap if you like.”
“She’s still cheeky, your baby sister?” Liam shakes his head.
“Oh, yeah, never changes,” replies Bryn. “I’m heading through there though. You coming, Tegan?”
“You mean I have the choice? Does that mean I’m allowed to move more than ten metres away from you?”
“Yeah, whatever you want.”
The fact Bryn has loosened up since Jax found girls to pick up pisses me off and his ‘I told you so’ expression doesn’t help.
Bryn and Liam head off to the opposite end of the club and I debate whether to follow. Jax and the girl are in direct view from my table. I follow Bryn.
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.”
