Chapter 4 The Stealer of Apartments, Disturber of Peace & Ruiner of Relaxing Baths
THE STEALER OF APARTMENTS, DISTURBER OF PEACE & RUINER OF RELAXING BATHS
Addie
Addie longed for her pajamas and her television, which had a recently released true-crime drama already downloaded onto her home screen.
Her club phase had come and ended over a decade ago, proven by the curious looks tossed her, Bailey, and Maxi’s way as they approached the bouncer at the front of Club Olympus, a new venue on the outskirts of Queens.
At Bailey’s demand, they’d honed their inner Charlie’s Angels—Maxi in a short, waist-hugging dress that flared out into a full skirt, and Addie in her favorite slightly-heeled knee-high leather boots, tight torture jeans found in the far back corner of her closet, and a skimpy, sequined, spaghetti-strapped tank top that required two rolls of boob tape to keep the girls from drooping to her waist.
“Remind me why I’m not sitting on my couch with a bowl of popcorn and watching a documentary?
” Addie eyed Bailey’s outfit longingly, her cousin stunning in a fitted red suit that hugged the body, and a long, dangling, vintage bronze necklace that showcased the shirtless plunge pointing straight to the navel.
“Because it’s sad, and a little unnerving, how much you like documentaries,” Bailey answered. “You’re thirty-two, Addie. Not three hundred and two.”
“It’s not sad if I’m happy while I’m watching them,” Addie grumbled. “Sometimes I learn a lot of cool things.”
Next to her, Max chuckled. “The documentary will still be there waiting for you when you get home.”
“But it was actually blessedly quiet at my apartment for once. No neighbor playing loud music that shakes my walls and ruins my relaxing baths. Instead, the ones ruining my evening plans are my two formerly favorite people.”
Bailey smirked. “We need a company bonding excursion and this is it, babe. Besides, I won these tickets—complete with backstage passes to meet the bands—and I never win anything. It’s a sign we were meant to come tonight.”
“Some people would think that the two closed subway stations, broken-down bus, and unexpected four-block detour were signs that maybe we weren’t meant to show up,” Addie challenged with a single look.
“You’re so lucky I love you, Miss Curmudgeon.
” Bailey glared playfully. “But even your exceptionally curmudgeonly ways will not kill my happy buzz. And before you go on about this not being your ‘type’ of music, there is literally something for everyone here tonight. If one band isn’t your jam, the next one might be. ”
Maxi chuckled mischievously. “Not to mention hot musicians.”
“See!” Bailey pointed at her sister. “This one gets it! Hot rockers, Addie. Musicians who literally make musical magic with their hands.”
“And mouths,” Maxi added.
Addie whipped her head to her sister. “Who are you and who has body-snatched you?”
Maxi’s lips tilted into a grin. “Guess there’s just something in the air.”
“That would be all the body odor from the sardine-packed venue,” Addie muttered.
“Actually, that’s why this place is so awesome.” Bailey bounced with excitement. “It not only has a massive indoor space with a live DJ, but a backyard music garden with a stage for live performances, not to mention multiple kick-ass dance floors. There’s nothing else like it in the tristate area.”
Addie and Max followed as Bailey danced up to the security guard manning the door and flashed their all-access passes.
Inside, the club played up the factory-like interior with dimmed lighting and strobe lights while the DJ blasted music in front of an already large crowd. They grabbed drinks at the far bar and headed toward a bronze glowing sign that read MUSIC GARDEN.
Bailey was right. The outdoor area, although crowded, was a hell of a lot more tolerable.
Spread throughout the massive yard, small fires lit up the night sky, creating a cozy atmosphere along with the thousands of little white twinkling lights artistically wrapped around a few trees.
The focal point—by far—was the all-girl pop group belting out harmonious chords on a massive outdoor stage.
“Tell me this isn’t great!” Bailey beamed wide, glancing around.
Honestly, Addie couldn’t. Although a certified couch enthusiast, this was a night out that she could get behind. Despite all the people, it didn’t feel crowded, and while the music was loud, the open stage gave it a magical backyard feel.
“Let’s hear it again for Babes in the Wood!” An emcee jogged onto the stage and led a cheer as the all-girl group headed off. “How’s everyone feeling after that great warm-up? Is everyone ready for more?”
The crowd roared.
“I can’t hear you!”
The crowd yelled louder.
The emcee laughed. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Well, there’s an incredible lineup for you tonight, including a special musical guest that’s sure to … sink their talons into you.”
The crowd went wild.
Less than three feet away, a woman released an eardrum-piercing squeal before swaying on her feet. Her friend, standing next to her, looped an arm around her waist and prevented her from a full-on collapse.
Addie leaned toward her sister. “What is everyone freaking out about?”
Max shrugged.
“No fucking way.” Bailey’s mouth dropped as they stood on their toes, peering up at the stage. “There was a rumor they’d show up tonight, but no way did I think it was true! See! Miracles really do happen!”
“You’ll need to decipher all of this for me,” Addie pleaded.
Bails rolled their eyes. “Seriously. Crawl out of your safe work bubble and into the real world every once in a while, Ads.”
“I’ll get right on that once you tell me why everyone is freaking out about getting mauled by talons.”
“Because he was alluding to the fact that the Stone Talons are part of tonight’s lineup.”
“Oh-kay.”
“The. Stone. Talons,” Bailey elaborated slowly.
“Turning your words into one-word sentences won’t do anything for my comprehension here, Bails.”
“I deserve an award for surviving our bestie cousinship. Not to mention, a raise.” Bailey pinched the bridge of their nose.
“The Stone Talons is the hottest rock band on the rise right now. They haven’t even released their first full album yet, and their songs are breaking records left, right, and center.
Anyone who’s ever laid eyes on them—or ears on their music—either wants to be best friends with them or fuck them. There is no in-between.”
“Right,” Addie scoffed.
“You’ll see. If you don’t fall into one of those categories after meeting them, I’ll eat my underwear.”
“Are you even wearing any underwear?”
Bailey smirked. “You won’t find out because there’s no way in hell I’m wrong.”
“Everyone still going strong?” The emcee scanned the garden before glancing offstage. “Good! Because the Club Olympus Music Fest is about to sink their talons into you with our very special guest!”
“This is it! Let’s go!” Bailey grabbed their hands and body-checked people off to the side until they stood pressed against the stage.
The emcee paused dramatically. “Let’s welcome Xavier Knight, Easton Knox, Gavin Hastings, and everyone’s favorite naughty drummer boy, Nix Cross! Let’s hear it for the Stone Talons!”
The crowd erupted, Bailey adding to their screams as the rock band ran onto the stage. Bails wasn’t wrong. Each one gorgeous, the four guys worked up the crowd with winks and waves. A pair of lacy red panties flew past Addie’s head and landed by the lead singer’s feet.
“How are you doing tonight, Queens?” the lead singer belted into the microphone. He laughed at the answered shouts, turning back toward where the drummer took his seat. “I don’t know, Nix. It kinda sounded like they were sleeping, didn’t it? How did it sound back there?”
The floppy-haired drummer leaned forward and a low, familiar chuckle echoed through the microphone. “Pretty sure all I heard was snoring, man. I think you’re right. Is this a music festival or a sleep-study lab?”
Addie froze.
That voice.
That sarcasm.
The Stone Talons’s drummer stood, his drumsticks waving in the air, and Addie sucked in a breath.
It couldn’t be …
She wasn’t that unlucky …
Wearing low-slung, well-loved jeans, a buttoned shirt left open to reveal the wide expanse of a tattooed chest and chiseled abs, was the man who had starred in her dreams for the past few nights.
The Stealer of Apartments, Disturber of Peace, and Ruiner of Relaxing Baths …
Mr. Sarcasm smirked from behind the massive drum set, his gaze scanning over the crowd as he and his bandmates exchanged humorous banter.
Addie glanced around nervously, contemplating escape routes before that sexy hazel gaze landed on her. That delicious chuckle echoed through the mic again and the sound instantly sent a butterfly attack to her stomach.
The second he spotted her, Addie knew.
The butterflies turned into pterodactyls, and her hair lifted off her nape as a slight shiver rippled through her body.
As if pulled by a magnetic force, Addie slowly glanced up at the stage and … fuck.
Familiar hazel eyes glued her to the spot, widening slightly in a brief flicker of surprise before he smirked and the dimple popped into existence.
Nix Cross winked and her face heated hot enough to cook an egg as she wished for a hole to open beneath her feet, sending her to the Underworld. Hell, she was due for a visit to see her uncle Hades and aunt Persy.
Which Fate did she piss off? Addie really wanted to know so she could send some apology flowers or a box of chocolates.
Bailey, standing next to her, and oblivious to the exchange happening from the stage, floated on cloud nine. “I can’t wait to meet them backstage. This is fucking awesome.”
Addie snapped her attention to her cousin as a big ball of dread solidified in the pit of her stomach. “Say what now? Backstage?”
Bailey shushed her as the Stone Talons played their first song, and soon after, a second. With every minute that passed, it became crystal clear that neither flowers nor a box of chocolates would cut it as apology gifts.