Irreversible Damage (Irreparable) (7 page)

I feel Brady’s lips on the side of my head. “I didn’t sleep with her,” he whispers in my ear. Of course he knows exactly what I’ve been thinking.  I can’t help the small smile that comes in relief. Not only relief that he didn’t sleep with her, but also because I actually like her, and now I can put the claws away and play nice.

I crane my neck to look at him, deciding to tease him. “But you wanted to.”

He laughs in my ear. “She was our babysitter. We all wanted to.”

I shove an elbow into his side, but I’m not mad. Mercedes is beautiful. I can’t blame the lot of them for crushing on her.

“I bet Chad loved that.”

He smiles and nods. “He wanted to kick all our asses.”

Jesse picks me up in a hug, his excitement for tonight evident on his scruffy face. I reach up and scratch his cheek. “How long has it been?”

“Two weeks,” he states proudly. “I think I can do it this time.”

“Good luck, then.” Jesse’s been trying to grow a beard for as long as I’ve known him. Generally after about two weeks the itching makes him so crazy, he shaves it.

Chad gives me a quick hug. I hear him ask Brady to speak to him in private. I watch them walk away as Jessica brings me in for a hug. She squeals. “How are you? I can’t believe how awesome you look.”

“Oh, thanks.” I try to sound interested, but my mind is trying to sort out why Chad needed to speak with Brady alone.

Jessica’s hand moves over my belly, circling gently as my gaze stays with Brady and Chad. I don’t mind her touching me. I’ve grown used to it. Even complete strangers ask if they can rub my belly. “Seriously, I hope I look as good as you when I’m about to pop.”

I bring my eyes back around to her, glancing at her stomach. “Are you pregnant?” I’m actually a little excited that one of our friends might have a baby around the same age as ours.

“Oh, no.” She shakes her head, laughing at the idea. “That didn’t come out right. I just meant, when I am, I hope I look as good as you.”

“Awe, you’re sweet, Jessica.” My eyes find Brady and Chad again. Jesse has joined them.  “Do you know what they’re talking about?”

Jessica sighs, holding up her index finger, her dark eyebrows reaching toward the sky. “I’ll give you one guess.”

The way she says it makes it quite obvious. Davey is missing. “Oh, shit. Where is he?”

“No idea.” She shakes her head. “We swung by his place to pick him up, but he wasn’t there.”

***

The band is about to go on to a full house, and there is still no sign of Davey. Their first gig, and the lead singer is nowhere to be found. All the guys are on their cell phones, trying to track down Davey, when Tug walks in through the front doors. His dazzling smile fills the room. He’s in a charcoal-gray suit with a deep blue tie. I can’t get used to seeing him in suits. The Tug I grew up with is a board shorts and T-shirt kind of guy. I have to admit that he rocks the look. I notice every female head in the place turn toward him. He nods as he strolls confidently toward me and slips his arm around my waist before kissing me on the cheek.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Hey.”

“I thought I was late.” He glances around. “Shouldn’t they be playing already?”

“Davey is MIA,” I inform him without bothering to hide the annoyance in my tone.

“I see.” He doesn’t look at all surprised.

Why is that everyone cuts Davey a break? 

“Where are Liv and Harrison?”

“They should be here soon. She texted to tell me they were running late.”

I introduce Tug to Mercedes and Scott, along with the rest of the guys from her band. Brady, Jesse, and Chad approach the table wearing defeated expressions. They obviously have not found their lead vocalist. I happen to know they have one standing right next to them. He slips in between Tug and me, looking a little sad and a ton pissed. I can’t blame him.

“It looks like we have to cancel.” I hear the disappointment in Brady’s voice. I know how much he was looking forward to this. It makes my dislike for Davey grow stronger. I hear Chad and Jesse grumbling about how much it sucks.

“Brady knows the words,” I blurt to the group. Turning on my stool, I stare up into Brady’s eyes. They crease with nerves. “Why don’t you sing? At least until he shows up.”

Brady shakes his head frantically. I’ve heard him sing. He’s twice the singer Davey is.

“You can do this,” I coax him.

“I don’t want to.” Brady leans in close when he realizes the others are listening. “You know that about me.”

I reach up, rubbing my fingers over his cheek. “Maybe it’s time, Brady.”

He knows I’m not talking about singing. I want him to quit hiding from his past and from his fears. He’s too talented to hang out in the background.

The other guys look up, hopeful that I can convince Brady to do this.

Brady leans in next to my ear again. “I told you, I don’t want to do this.”

“Why?”

“I just don’t.” His eyebrows knit together as he studies me. He presses his palm to my cheek. “I don’t want the attention. Not for me…and not for you.”

Oh. I suddenly understand his hesitation. I’m not sure I want it, either. Things have finally settled down for the two of us. The media attention that followed Sheila’s suicide nearly broke us. It’s what led us to buy our place in Mexico. The press hounded us relentlessly and printed stories about Brady that made him out to be an alcoholic playboy on a self-destructive path. It didn’t last long, but it was brutal. This time I know it’s not the media he’s worried about. I trust him, though, and nothing will change that. Not even sex-starved groupies who will try to get in his pants. They don’t stand a chance.  Brady deserves this. He loves music, and despite what he says, he loves to sing. He wrote most of their songs. This is his chance, and I’m not standing in the way.

“I think you should do it,” I say, encouraging him, then lean forward and place my lips over his. “I know you’re all mine, baby.”

He speaks, keeping his lips on mine. “You don’t understand what it will be like.”

“Sure I do.” I pull away, laughing.  “A bunch of horny desperate women throwing themselves at you. I can handle it. I’m your baby mama.”

He grins and rubs my belly.

“You’re so much more than that.”

“I know.” I plant a kiss on his cheek, giving his butt a firm squeeze. “You deserve this.”

Brady reluctantly agrees to sing for one show, much to the delight of Chad and Jesse. The guys head backstage to prepare for the show minus one irresponsible front man. My nerves are even more on the attack. I can’t imagine how Brady must feel.

“Is Brady really going to sing?” Jessica asks, hopping up on the stool next to me and yanking an olive off the end of a toothpick.

What I wouldn’t give to down a martini right now. I shake my head, biting back the biggest grin. “He’s going to rock your socks off.”

She laughs just as Mercedes and Scott join us at the table. I smile, watching the two of them cuddle in close to each other.

It’s been awhile since I’ve seen Tug.  I glance over to the bar to find him engaged in a conversation with a leggy brunette. He makes eye contact and smiles. I smile back and take a drink of my ice water.  He’s quite the ladies’ man these days.

Moments later, Second Chances takes the stage. Screaming from the crowd rings out loudly, causing my ears to vibrate. Women swarm the stage, squealing like hyenas. As I look up, my man approaches the microphone with a self-assured ease I recognize. The sexy confident Brady I grew up admiring stands on stage, gripping the mic and adjusting the strap on his guitar. God, I’ve missed that dark arrogance. As long as it’s not directed at me, it’s sexy as hell. His dark hair hangs just above his eyes. He’s wearing a T-shirt tight enough that every ripple of muscle from his pecs to his abs is clearly recognizable. It’s the cocky swagger he exudes that has me really worked up, so much so that I want to drag him off-stage and take him home where I can beg him to take me back to ecstasy island. He looks like a sex lollipop, and I need a lick. His green eyes scour the crowd, landing on mine. He flashes a full-on rock star smile and winks.

“Oh, my God. He winked at me,” a girl that I assume is barely legal squeals next to me.

And so it begins. I’ll be sharing Brady with other women, and plenty of them, very soon. Jesse taps out a beat, and a song begins to play. I don’t recognize it. Not surprising, since I’ve avoided most of the rehearsals.

Brady’s voice pierces the microphone. It’s different. Passionate. “I’m Brady, and we’re Second Chances.”

 “Oh, my God!” Barely Legal wails in my ear. “He’s so hot!”

I’d like to bare my claws and stab her eyes out. I smile at her as she starts jumping up and down. Her boobs practically smack her in the face.

“I love you!” a female voice shouts from the crowd.

Brady’s laugh escapes the speakers, followed by, “We love you, too.”

“This first song is one I wrote.” More screaming ensues. When it quiets down, Brady continues, “We weren’t going to play it tonight, but I decided to change it up a bit. I hope you like it. It’s called ‘Only You.’”

Brady’s eyes find me again, and the room narrows to a point where it feels as if only the two of us remain. And then he begins. Holy shit! He’s going to sing to me.

My life was dark and it was cold

On a road to nowhere moving fast

You stepped up, strong and bold

Despite the flaws of my past

Only you

I’m trembling, filled with his love as he continues belting out the lyrics, his eyes staying fixed on mine.

Only you were there for me

Now it’s only you I see

Only you

Only you believed in what we had

You lift me up when I am sad

Oh, my God! The crowd at the base of the stage is mostly women, and every single one of them is swooning.

I hear Mercedes’ voice in my ear. “Wow! That boy has it bad for you, girl.”

I turn and shrug, then give her a small smile before quickly looking back up at Brady, who is now working the crowd like he’s been performing forever. In a way he has. He’s spent his entire life pretending to be someone he wasn’t.

Watching him, I realize why he would never be happy running Gibson Capital or working in a law firm. He’s a performer and always has been. Only now, he’s performing on his terms and doing something he’s passionate about.

He’s in love.

His eyes have found me again as the song beings to wind down.

It’s only me for you

Your touch, my needed spark

It’s only you for me

A ray of sunshine to fill the dark

The drums die out, and all that remains is the final strum of guitar filtering through the speaker with Brady’s last slow verse.

It’s only you.

Brady flashes a grin, and his sultry voice thanks the crowd. Girls begin to scream as they reach up on the stage, trying to grab at his feet, shouting, “It’s
only you
for me, too.” Some are fanning themselves. Am I actually ready for this? To share him? I thought I was, but now I’m not sure. My heart pounds in my ears.

Before I can think too long about it, a new song begins. This one I recognize. It’s faster, and Brady doesn’t watch me this time. He’s all about working the stage and the women. He owns it.  He loves this, and there is no turning back. He’s hooked. I can see it in his eyes. Second Chances has a new lead singer. I couldn’t be happier for him.

Mercedes and her band head backstage to prepare for their set, leaving me alone with Tug, who has apparently ditched the brunette. Liv texts me to let me know that she and Harrison aren’t going to make it. After several more songs, Second Chances completes their set and thanks the crowd. The women erupt with pleas for more.

Brady smiles politely, at the same time raking his fingers through the overgrown mop of hair hanging in his eyes, which earns him another round of screaming. “We’d love to play more for you, but we’re here as Mercedes’ guest tonight. Besides, I have to get back to my girl.” His smoldering eyes find me as he leaps from the stage.

The room fills with “awwwws” as Brady heads right for me with heated determination. His arms are instantly around me, sweeping me off my feet and holding me tight to his chest.  I feel his heart racing though his shirt at an insanely quick pace. His lips smash against mine as he kisses me deeply. After a few seconds, I release the kiss, suddenly aware that everyone is watching us.

“Did you like it?”

“It was amazing! I’m so proud of you, Brady.”

Brady’s smile widens at my praise. I know neither Sheila nor Nate ever used the words “proud” and “Brady” in the same sentence. He laughs nervously and squeezes me tight one more time before he sets me down. As he pulls back, his face turns serious, and his unbearably green eyes gleam with happiness. He grips my hand and walks straight toward the exit with me in tow.

Chapter 9

Tori

Once we’re outside, Brady spins me around to face him.

“Let’s get married.”

“What?” That was out of nowhere. We discussed it when I first got pregnant, but we both agreed it was just a piece of paper and that we could wait.

“Tonight,” he insists. “Right now.”

What? Tonight? Obviously his performance has rendered him crazy. “What about our family?”

He shrugs. “We can plan a real wedding later. I don’t want to wait. I want you to be my wife, Sunshine, not my baby mama.”

Oh. I swallow back the cotton in my throat. “Is that what this is about? Because I’m okay with being your baby mama.” I smirk at him.

His eyes narrow before he curls a hand behind my neck and brings me close. Our faces nearly touch. After a annoyed sigh, he says, “I’m not.”

“Brady.” What do I say? Am I actually considering this?

“Shhh.” Brady’s hands fly up to hold both sides of my face. “I know I said we could wait. But I can’t. I want it to be official. I want you to be Mrs. Brady Hunter when Mona is born.”