“Do you sing, too?” I ask, curious. She blushes, but I have no idea why. “I guess I’m alright, but I don’t like to sing in public.”
I nod, remembering my own first time on stage. I was nervous as hell but that only lasted for the first song. “Stage fright?”
She shrugs. “Something like that. I’d rather be in the background, playing an instrument. I get nervous as hell singing in public. I did it once, and never again.” She shudders like she’s remembering the moment.
“I’d love to hear you sing, if you’re not too shy. I’m only one man,” I say with a grin. She rolls her eyes and scrunches her nose, which I find completely adorable.
“I’ll think about it,” she says thoughtfully.
“I’m very patient, Lexi,” I say, my eyes not leaving hers.
We both just stare at each other in silence for a few moments. I notice her amber gaze stray to my nipple ring and her breath hitches. Oh yeah, she definitely likes that. I unconsciously take a step closer to her and I watch as she does the same.
“This is going to sound weird, but…” she starts to say, but a knock on my door interrupts her. I throw a scowl in the direction of my door, annoyed by the interruption.
“Hold that thought,” I say quickly. She nods. I walk the few steps to the door and pull it open, hoping to get rid of whoever it is. I take a step back when a scantily clad blonde jumps into my arms and fuses her lips to mine. I detach her from me as soon as I can, but by then the damage is done. Shit. I totally forgot about the girl coming over. I glance behind me to find Lexi gone. Fuck.
“What are we waiting for, Ryder?” Shania or whatever her name is purrs in my ear. Instead of getting me excited, the sound makes me cringe.
“Change of plans, my cousin is over, so you need to leave,” I tell her in a whisper, gently pushing her towards the door, and closing it shut after she’s past the threshold.
*****
Chapter 2
Lexi
I sit on the guest room bed and watch my friend unpack all of her things like she’ll be staying here for a couple of months rather than just a week.
“We need to start looking for a place ASAP, Tee,” I tell her. After seeing Ryder with that mysterious blond, clearly we’re in the way by being here. I should’ve known he wouldn’t be single. He’s too gorgeous to be anything but taken. But seriously, I haven’t been this attracted to a man in a long time. Not that it matters, since he’s clearly unavailable. I inhale deeply and relax on the bed.
“Yeah, Lexi, we’ll start looking tomorrow. Today I just want to relax, I’m tired as hell.” I nod in agreement, exhaustion finally catching up to me. We'd flown to Perth after spending a week in Melbourne. Before that we were backpacking in Europe. Now we're back for good or until Tee’s wanderlust gets a hold of her again.
I met Tee in Greece and we bonded instantly. She was the new girl at the bar I was working in and I had to show her the ropes. I couldn’t believe she was from Perth, too, because most of the Australians I had met over there were from Sydney or Melbourne. The rest is history. I can’t really explain it, but we just get each other. She told me she wasn’t going to Perth without me, so here I am.
I’ve heard a lot about Ryder from Tee. From what she said, he's loyal, protective, loving, and incredibly talented. He's a family man, but also a player; he gets around. Apparently, he's a talented musician, well known locally as a bad ass guitarist and front man for his band ‘Morning Alliance’. Naturally, that makes him a favourite with the ladies. Whatever moment I thought we had was obviously a figment of my imagination. A girl can dream though, right?
I put my guitar case safely under the bed where Tee won’t accidentally step on it. That guitar is the only thing I have from my father, who left us for another woman when I was five. My mother passed away three years ago and I’ve been nomad ever since. I’m alone. I’ve been travelling for the last three years, playing music, and taking random bar jobs wherever I go. My mother’s insurance money is still sitting in my bank account; I only use it when I really need to.
Truth be told, I haven’t missed Perth much in the last three years. I can only hope that I don’t run into my ex-boyfriend. If I never see him again, it would be none too soon.
“I’m gonna jump in the shower, Lex. You can put your stuff in these drawers, and I left half the cupboard for you. Make yourself at home, okay?” Tee says, motioning to the drawers.
“Okay,” I say, opening my suitcase and starting to put all my things out. A quiet knock on the door causes me to raise my head. “Yeah?” I call out.
“Can I come in?” It’s Ryder.
“Sure. It’s your house,” I reply dryly. He opens the door and hesitantly walks in, taking a quick glance around before bringing his gaze to me.
“Sorry about before, darlin’, it was…”
“You don’t need to apologize, Ryder,” I say, cutting him off. I pick up a handful of clothes and start to fold them.
“I know. It’s just…” He drums his fingers on his thigh, and sighs. I decide to put him out of his misery.
“Ryder, it’s fine,” I assure him.
“We’re cool?” he asks, searching my eyes. I have no idea why we wouldn’t be, so I nod. I’m graced with an easy smile. Tee walks in, dressed in a plush white towel, and nudges Ryder with her hip.