Chapter 14
Joseline
I considered a lot of things before flying across the country to follow Rhage on tour, but being borderline ill from anxiety was not one of them.
After two weeks of watching Niki faint more times than I can count, saving her from cracking her head on the counter when she passed out once, and a million other close calls, I’m exhausted.
Stressed to the point of tears, but I do my damndest not to let my best friend know how much it’s affecting me.
She needs me to be strong, so strong I will be, despite my frazzled nervous system.
I want a break.
I want to go somewhere besides my hotel room or Niki’s tour bus.
And wherever I end up, I want to be able to throw my ass in a circle. Preferably after some tequila shots.
When we stop in Denver, I decide to do just that—search for a local club that I won’t mind hitting up alone. It’s not like I can take Niki with me. There’s an EDM show happening a few miles away, and they have a ladies’ night special on drinks.
Music, liquor, and dancing. Sounds like just the thing I need.
After working out the logistics and deciding to take an Uber from the concert venue, I find myself getting ready on Niki and Sebastian’s tour bus. Since I didn’t have time to take my camera back to the hotel, I’ll crash on their couch again, but at least I brought pajamas this time.
When I step out of the bathroom doused in floral body spray, Niki is laying in bed watching TV. I walk to the doorway, my wedges clicking on the floor.
“Hey, I’m about to head out,” I say, peering into her room. “Should I wait for Sebastian?”
“No, that’s okay. He has his phone; I can call him if I need anything.” She lifts her head to look at me and wolf whistles. “Look at you, you sexy bitch! The guys are gonna be tripping over themselves trying to get a piece of that.”
I glance down at my red dress that looks painted on and smirk, flipping my sleek ponytail over my shoulder.
“You think so?” It’s been a long time since I went to the club—years, in fact—and the dress is probably overkill, but I don’t care. After all, we’re only in Denver for a weekend. Might as well make it memorable.
“Umm, duh. You look fantastic.” She grins wide before laying back down. “Tear up the dance floor for me, okay?”
“Can do,” I assure her. “I’ll try to be quiet when I get back.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just be safe.”
The air is a little chilly but not too bad as I head across the parking lot toward the convention center.
I brought a small over the shoulder bag to hold my phone, money, and a few other things, but there was no comfortable way to bring a jacket.
I know once I get to the club I’ll be sweating my ass off, so I can tough out the crisp air for the few minutes I’ll be outside.
“Just a few minutes,” I mutter to myself, picking up the pace.
“Hey! Hey, where are you going?” A familiar, deep voice calls from somewhere nearby, shaking me out of my thoughts. I whip around to see Tobias standing a few feet away, his eyes locked on me through the holes in his sleek black mask.
Annoyance ripples through me and I roll my eyes. What the hell does he want?
He’s still wearing his navy performance suit, perfectly tailored to hug his muscular form. I blink, watching him slowly make his way over.
Where the hell did he come from anyway?
I swear he wasn’t there a few seconds ago…
“Out.” Not that it’s any of his business.
“Alone?” He sounds surprised as he stops a few feet away.
“Yes.” I narrow my eyes on him, not sure why it matters. “Is that not allowed?”
He doesn’t move, but I can see the wheels turning behind his eyes. “To like a movie or something?”
I laugh. It’s almost cute that the theater is his first thought. “Not even close. An EDM artist is playing at a nightclub nearby.”
“A nightclub,” he repeats, like he’s never heard the word before. “What the fuck is EDM?”
“You know… like techno?” I scoff. “Dance music?”
His head cants to the side. “You can’t go to a nightclub by yourself. What if something happens? What if you get in trouble?”
“What’s it to you?” I ask, turning to walk away.
I’ve already spent too much time talking to him; I need to get a move on if I’m going to make it to the club at a decent time. It’s late as hell. Besides, these shoes are already pinching my feet. If I want to get any real non-hobble dancing in, I need to go.
To my surprise—and horror—Tobias’ footsteps follow behind me.
“Are you walking there?” he asks.
“No. If you must know, I called for an Uber,” I answer without looking back. “They should be here in a few minutes.”
Silence follows, and I think he’s given up his pursuit.
Then I hear his voice again.
“Why don’t I ride with you?” he grits out, like I’m the one getting on his nerves.
I laugh again. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m a big girl; I can handle myself.”
Holding my breath, I hope he turns and walks away, but again, he doesn’t. He stays on my heels.
“I’m sure you can.” His voice is dripping with sarcasm. “But I’d feel better if you let me walk with you. At least let me ride with you to the venue; I can get my own ride back.”
I whip around on the spot. What is this guy’s deal? He hates me, but he wants to make sure I’m okay? He hasn’t even spoken to me since the night he knocked me out in my hotel room, and I was kind of enjoying the silent treatment.
“Did you hit your head? Should I call 9-1-1?” I ask, glaring at him.
His eyes squint behind the mask. “What are you talking about?”
“Why the hell do you care all of a sudden where I go or what I do? You barely acknowledge my existence when I’m around.” My brows knit together as I stare at him.
He doesn’t answer.
“That’s what I thought.” I roll my eyes. “So, maybe you should cross your fingers that I get kidnapped instead. I’m sure you’d like that.”
I turn to keep walking, but I barely make it a step before he’s in front of me, staring me down. How the fuck did he move so fast?
“I made a promise to look out for you.” The rumble of his voice sends chills down my back. Something about the deep, powerful timbre of his voice makes my insides melt, but I keep the emotion off my face. “I’m just doing my job, but you’re making it very fucking difficult.” He spits the last word.
“If you weren’t such a pain in the ass, maybe I’d be more inclined to be in your presence.” I glare back. “But you’re fucking unbearable.”
If looks could kill, Tobias would strike me dead here and now.
We’re at a stalemate, neither of us willing to stand down. I don’t even know why I’m wasting my breath. I have somewhere to be and he’s wasting my time. If he were any other man, I would have told him to get completely fucked and ignored him from the start.
But Tobias is impossible to ignore. He’s like a disease, worming its way through my bloodstream. A fungus clinging to my bones that won’t let go.
A car rolls up and honks the horn, tearing me from my stare-down. It matches the description of my Uber.
Since when do they honk?
Maybe the driver thinks I’m in trouble, and he’s not entirely wrong. I am in trouble, but not because I’m being harassed. It’s because I can’t just turn and walk away, pretending Tobias is dirt beneath my feet.
“If you’ll excuse me, I have somewhere to be,” I say, stepping around the demon and marching toward the blue sedan. I swing my ponytail and my hips as I go, hoping he gets a good look as I’m walking away.
I check the car’s license plate before sliding into the backseat, mumbling a greeting to the driver who just saved me from more tense conversation. But as I reach for the door to close it, Tobias is there.
He’s in my way. Again.
“Move,” he demands, and the force of his voice makes my stomach backflip.
“You keep ordering me around like I’m your pet,” I snap without moving.
“Well, someone has to put you in your place.”
Anger burns beneath my skin, and I bite back a fiery retort. However, something tells me he’d happily drag me out of the car kicking and screaming if I keep fighting him. I don’t mind making a scene, normally, but not that kind.
Jaw hardening, I slide to the other side of the seat. My cheeks warm as he slips into the car and shuts the door.
Fuck. Now I’m stuck with him until we get to the nightclub.
I sigh, admitting defeat.
Whatever. At least it’s only a few miles away.
I click my seatbelt and cross my arms over my chest, staring out the window to avoid looking at Tobias. His delicious, musky cologne slowly creeps into my nostrils as it fills the car, and I opt to breathe through my mouth.
“You two having a good night tonight?” the young driver asks, shooting me a worried look in the rearview mirror.
“Peachy,” I reply.
Tobias says nothing, and the driver doesn’t attempt more small talk. He puts the car in gear, and we head off toward the club.