Chapter Nine
EFFA
My mind is still on Mercs, on watching him walk away from me.
I should have gone after him, but he said to wait for the after-party, so I let him go.
We’re just two ships in the night, brushing past each other with every crashing wave.
I don’t even know what part of my conversation he overheard to make him say something about drama.
I was only telling the girls that Jett wants to meet after the show to talk more about extending Swift Division’s set time.
All through the concert, I kept wondering if Mercs was up in the rafters, watching me from above, tracking every movement, every note. But thinking like that only distracted me, so I shut it out and poured everything into Phoenix. We gave the crowd another killer performance.
But now, the lights are low, the crowd’s gone, and the energy has shifted. The after-party is in full swing, and I finally have time to think, to breathe, and to wonder what Mercs is going to say when we talk.
“Effa… the music’s thumping, the drinks are flowing, the cocks are loud and proud and readily available. So, what’s with the mopey face?” Casey slides into the booth across from me in the VIP lounge, a wicked smirk on her lips. Andi follows, grinning as she flops in beside her.
“Did you see that chick with the barely-there skirt?” Andi asks, eyes wide. “Fuck! I’d kill for those legs. She’s hot as. Fuck me.”
Casey reaches over and slaps her cousin on the boob. “Stop wishing you had a more feminine body and pay attention. We’re having an existential crisis over here.”
Andi immediately shifts gears. “Right, got it. Girl code. What’s the issue?” She looks between Casey and me, totally serious now.
“Effa, the Effervescent, is mopey,” Casey says dramatically.
Andi’s mouth forms a perfect ‘O.’ “Ah, I see the crisis. Effa is never mopey. If she’s quiet, something’s up. We need our Miss Bubbles back.”
“Did someone say bubbles?” Kristy calls out as she rushes over, breathless, and slides into the booth beside me. Don’t ask me why she’s panting. Probably ran from the bar for dramatic flair.
“Guys, really, I’m okay. I need to open my chakra, let calming energy wash over me, be one with the free spirits in the room—”
The way they all stare at me pulls me up.
Kristy bursts into laughter. “Effa, I love you. You’re my best friend, but sometimes, opening your hoo-ha does more than opening your chakra.”
I giggle. “Firstly, it’s chakra, not hoo-ha—”
“Opening your hoo-ha couldn’t hurt either,” Casey mutters with a smirk.
I ignore that and tilt my head. “Guess I’m just a little rattled by Mercs.”
“Ooohhh,” they all chorus, like they knew that was coming.
“What?” I ask, eyeing them suspiciously as they trade glances.
Casey leans in. “Word is he’s just as rattled as you. What happened the other night?”
I sigh. “I don’t know. He kissed me, we fell asleep together, then the next morning he basically said he wanted to forget it ever happened.”
They all wince.
“I mean, I’m supposed to talk to him tonight, so maybe he didn’t mean it like that, but still… it stung.”
“Tank says he really likes you,” Andi says. “But he’s worried about job security.”
“Which is wild, considering we personally recruited him. His job’s more secure than half the crew. But maybe he doesn’t know that.”
Casey shrugs. “Maybe overhearing you mention Jett right after your night together messed with his head a bit.”
“Yeah,” I nod slowly. “You’re probably right. I need to fix this. Now.”
“Go get him, girl. Light up his world.” Casey grins.
“Seriously?” Andi deadpans.
Casey cackles. “Because he’s a lighting director—”
“Yeah, we got it. It was just… really bad,” Andi says with a smirk.
“Eff, play it cool, okay? His job means a lot to him. So think about what this… thing is between you two before diving in. Remember the pact? No screwing around with him. We don’t want to mess up his spot on the tour just because one of us got caught up in a vibe. ”
“I hear you.” And I do. “I don’t want to mess things up either. If the tour lost Mercs because of me, it’d suck. He’s good at what he does, and I like having him around.” I slide out of the booth. “Don’t worry, Andi. I won’t screw this up. I won’t be the reason he walks.”
Andi gives a tight nod, not totally convinced.
Kristy hugs me tightly. “I love you, Miss Bubbles. Go talk to your man.”
I smile, kiss her cheek. “Love you too.”
I glance back to thank Casey and Andi, but they’re already bickering over something, probably Mercs and me, so I leave them to it and head off to find Alana.
She’s in a booth with Luke, both of them deep in conversation.
As I approach, they are both looking down at Luke’s phone.
He’s scrolling through photographs while Alana leans into his side, laughing.
The closeness between them makes my stomach twist a little.
I slow my pace, trying not to read too much into it.
Alana’s eyes light up when she sees me. She waves me over without moving away from Luke or acting like she’s been caught doing something she shouldn’t.
There’s no guilt in her body language—just excitement.
“Effa! Come look. Luke got some amazing shots from the show for the website,” she says, grabbing his phone and holding it up to me.
I swipe through the images. The first few are of Alana, which tightens something in my chest. But then come shots of Casey, more of Casey, then Kristy. I breathe a little easier. He’s taken pictures of all of us. I just happened to walk up during Alana’s turn in the slideshow.
“Wow, Luke. These are fantastic,” I say with genuine warmth.
He smiles. “Thanks.”
“He’s really good, right?” Alana beams. “I told him he should take photos at every concert. We could do a whole tour gallery on the site. What do you think?”
“That’s not a bad idea. Would you be willing, Luke?”
“Yeah, I could do that.”
“Cool, we’ll add it to the very long list of things you already do for us,” I tease.
He smirks. “Hmm… yeah. You lot certainly know how to keep me busy.”
“Effa. Just the girl I wanted to see.” A deep, sensual voice carries over from behind, and I turn to find Jett stalking toward me. His trademark swagger is fully intact.
I smile and lean in for a quick hug. His tall frame folds around me, and I’m instantly wrapped in a wave of heavy cologne and stale tobacco. It’s overwhelming, and not in a good way.
As I pull back, I glance up to see that familiar mischievous smile on his face while he slings an arm over my shoulders and glances down at Alana and Luke.
Suddenly, my eyes widen as a rush of guilt hits me. “Oh shit, I haven’t even had a chance to ask him yet, Jett. I’m sorry.”
Jett shrugs casually, but Luke’s brow lifts, and he leans in slightly. “Ask me what, Effa?”
I take a steadying breath and turn to face Luke.
“I think it’d be cool to extend Swift Division’s set by fifteen minutes.
Take them to a forty-five-minute slot instead of the usual half-hour.
I know it’ll make the show run longer overall, but honestly, fans are paying good money to be here.
Giving them a little more is good vibes, you know? ”
Jett gives me a small squeeze, and Luke nods once. “Okay,” he replies simply.
“Okay?” I echo, blinking.
“Yes, Effa. They can have the extra time. I’m not a tyrant,” Luke replies with a grin. “The fans will love it. Plus, I’m in a good mood today. So yes. But Jett, remember, in Denver, you’re not on at all, right?”
“Yes, sir. We know that one’s a specialty show. But we’ll be ready to go for Montana with the extended set,” Jett confirms.
“Good.” Luke nods. “Great idea, Effa.”
“Oh, no, it wasn—”
“Yeah, it was a brilliant idea on her behalf,” Jett cuts in smoothly, tightening his arm around me again. “She really is an amazing gal, our Effa.”
Luke and Alana smile wide as Jett starts leading me away, still half-draped over my shoulders.
Once we’re out of earshot, I glance up at him and frown, pulling slightly out of his grip. “Why did you say that?”
“What?”
“That it was my idea.”
He shrugs. “Let them think it was?”
My brows knit. “Are you trying to sugar me up again?”
“No,” he says quickly. “Shit, I don’t want you thinking that.
I just didn’t want it to seem like I went running to you to ask Luke for a favor.
I figured if it looked like your idea, you’d get the praise, and I wouldn’t look like a loser.
So yeah, I did it for me, not to butter you up.
I’m sorry if that makes me more of an arsehole than just straight-up flattering you would’ve.
” He pauses, then adds, “I like you, Effa. I want to be your friend. I don’t want to bullshit you or play games.
So yeah, full honesty, I used the moment for my own gain, but I didn’t mean it maliciously. ”
I take that in, weighing his words.
“I figured if they thought it was your idea, you’d get the credit, and I wouldn’t look like the pathetic guy who couldn’t go to Luke himself.”
A half-laugh escapes me. “Why is everyone so afraid of Luke? He’s really just a big softy under all that bravado.”
Jett snorts. “Really? ’Cause all I see is a mean-looking surfer dude who vibes more like a circling shark.”
A very unladylike snort bursts from me, followed by a giggle. “Naw, he’s all right once you figure him out. I’ve had four years at this, you’ve only had two months. Trust me, you’ll get there.”
“Thanks, Effa,” he beams, then wraps his arm around me again and leans in to kiss my forehead. I smile, slipping my arm around his waist to return the hug.
It’s great that we get along so well, but my head’s not in the game. My thoughts are with someone else, wondering, where is he, and how the hell I’m going to find him.
A sudden shiver runs down my spine, and my breath hitches. I glance up at Jett, who’s now busy making eyes at the bar staff, trying to order us drinks. But something pulls at me. I spin around, and there he is.
Mercs.
His eyes lock on mine, freezing me to the spot. A gasp slips from my lips as time stands still for just a few heartbeats. Then, just as quickly, he looks away.
Swallowing hard, I follow his gaze to what he saw.
Me, in Jett’s arms.
Shit.
I pull free from Jett’s grip, ducking out from beneath his arm.
“Effa?” he calls after me, confused.
But I don’t stop. I don’t have time to explain. That can come later. Right now, there’s someone I need to talk to, someone who actually matters.
I rush toward Mercs, my heart pounding, as he stands with Tank and Jay.
Tank spots me first. “Hey, Effa. Jay and I were just leaving,” he blurts, not-so-subtly dragging a bewildered Jay along with him.
Mercs turns to face me, and my stomach flips. Damn, he’s hot. He’s standing there with his arms crossed, all broody and intense, and it completely stalls me for a second. I almost forgot why I came over.
He exhales slowly. “Effa, I’m sorry about what I said the other morning. I don’t want to forget what happened. I don’t think you do either, do you?”
I shake my head. “I really don’t.”
His hand reaches out, fingers brushing my arm. The second he touches me, sparks shoot through my skin. A bolt of heat licks across my chest, stealing my breath. It’s been missing all day—that buzz, that fire—but with just a touch, he lights me up again.
My eyes close, and I gasp softly, soaking in the feeling.
“Effa,” he murmurs, voice low and rough. “Please. Let’s talk.”