Stupid is the right word.
“We’ve had this conversation before Sax. Lexi is like a sister to me, so it’s a little weird for me,” I try and explain. “You’re f**king hot, don’t get me wrong, but I’m sorry, I don’t think going out with you is a good idea. We can try to be friends though?”
His eyes flare at the word friends, as if it is offensive to him. “Friends?”
“Yep, friends,” I reply.
“I’ll take what I can get, so friends it is then,” he finally replies, his gaze lingering on my lips and betraying his words.
“Sounds good to me,” I reply, looking away from him and pulling out my keys. “I guess I’ll see you around then?”
Time to make my escape.
I freeze when his hand comes out and gently touches a lock of my hair. “I like the shorter hair on you, it’s sexy.”
I had recently cut my hair into a bob, shorter at the back, longer at the front. It was severe but sexy, especially when I wore my dress suits for work. I also carried around a briefcase to finish the look, even though there was never anything important in there.
“Thanks,” I whisper, then clear my throat. He steps even closer, so close I can smell a hint of his cologne.
He smells delicious.
The closer he gets to me, the more I have to fight the urge to kiss him.
Those soft lips were made for kissing. Just not me apparently.
“Asking as a friend, you are single right now, aren’t you?” he asks softly, his eyes not leaving my face.
“I am single,” I reply, bobbing my head.
“Good,” he whispers, tracing a finger down my cheek. “I’ll call you. Friends do that, right?”
I nod again, stunned silent by his touch and the electricity shooting through me. He takes my keys from my hand, and opens the car door for me before giving them back. He kisses me on my cheek as I’m just about to get in.
“Drive safely,” he says, then turns away and walks to Ryder’s door.
What the hell just happened?
*****
I drive back home in a daze. I don’t like the fact that a man has so much power over me, even if he hasn’t realised it just yet.
Why him?
It’s something I’ve said a million times before. He is the drummer for Morning Alliance, has groupies, plus his history with Lexi. He has her initials tattooed on his knuckles! I wonder why Ryder hasn’t demanded he remove them. Why does he still have them? As a reminder? Or does he still have feelings for Lexi? Maybe it’s one of those loves that never goes away. Your first love usually is, isn’t it?
Either way, I can’t go there with him.
I can’t—and I won’t.
I know Lexi doesn’t care, because she has spoken about it to me before.
“Saxon is always staring at you Tee, he’s enthralled. Maybe you should give him a chance?”
I look at her like she is f**king crazy.
If Saxon wants to be friends, then fine. I can do friends.
I smirk at that.
I definitely can’t do this friend. No, no, there will be no doing. But I can stop with the bitchiness. I probably shouldn’t have done that to his car either. If he knew it was me, why didn’t he call me out on it? Ryder would have kicked my ass. My other two cousins Trey and Jet would have as well. At least they would have tried. Not physically, of course, but they would have given me lecture after lecture. I really don’t like seeing their disappointed faces. They know it and use it against me. I walk into my house when my phone beeps with a message.
Still thinking about you, friend.
I sigh heavily and hit delete.
Chapter Two
Saxon
I bring the glass to my lips, then put it down on the table. “So…”
Ryder’s eyes narrow. “What’s going on?”
“I’m going to ask your cousin out,” I tell him, waiting for his reaction. I don’t need anyone’s permission, but he’s a part of the band, and I don’t need any drama while we’re touring. I also respect Ryder and don’t want to be in his shit any more than I already have in the past.
“Which cousin?” he asks, looking confused and a little annoyed.
“Tenielle,” I say, like it should be obvious. I’m pretty sure his other cousins are too young for me, but then again he has a huge ass family so you never know.
Ryder stares at me for a moment then starts laughing.
In my face.
“What the f**k is so funny?” I growl, losing my patience.
“Tee can handle herself, you don’t need to even run that shit by me,” he says, pride in his tone. “In fact, I might pay you to take her off my hands.”
“Very f**kin’ funny,” I mutter. Everyone always talks about what a handful Tenielle is, and that may be true, but I know that there’s more to her than that. I’ve seen it lurking behind those dark wide eyes. Yes she’s strong, independent, and no-nonsense, but she’s also loyal, hilarious, and loving.
“I’ve seen you checking her out anyway,” Ryder continues. “Looking all wistful and shit.”
Am I that obvious? “I don’t know what it is about her… she’s different.”
Lexi and I had dated when we were younger, before she was friends with Tee. It was a young, puppy love, my first love I guess you could say. Back then I thought she was the love of my life, but I was wrong. I was young and didn’t really know any better. What I feel for Tee is on a whole different playing field, and I don’t even understand it.