Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Cadence
Icouldn’t explain the simmering heat that grazed my body from Damien’s stare as we approached. He took me in from head to toe, an intense look as he assessed me. Walking around the table to greet us, he smirked.
“Hey, Jade. It’s good to see you again.” He pulled her into a quick hug before turning back to me. “And you are?”
I lifted my chin, pulling my shoulders back and standing tall. “Cadence.” I stuck out my hand. “Jade’s sister. Nice to meet you…” I purposely left my sentence hanging, trying to pretend Jade hadn’t already told me his name and everything else she knew about him.
“Damien Walker.”
The moment his fingers clasped mine, I sensed it.
A jolt.
A bond.
An electric attraction.
His warm hand in mine sent a wave of goosebumps through my body. I was acutely aware of him, and in that instance, it was as if everyone around us disappeared. Leaving only him and I, his soft skin pressed to mine.
I pulled away, frowning.
Damien recovered quickly, stepping closer and acting as if he’d felt nothing. “This is your first show, isn’t it? I’d remember if I’d met you before.”
He smiled at me, but something shone more profound behind those cool blue eyes. Something fierce. I could tell he was intrigued by our little exchange as he analyzed every tiny detail.
“Ha. Yeah. Cadence’s boyfriend doesn’t let her out much.”
My head snapped toward Jade. “Gee, thanks.”
“Boyfriend, huh?” Damien paused. “He sounds like a real winner.”
I looked at Damien, but the heat in his eyes had disappeared, replaced with a note of indifference as he moved away from us.
“Are you excited about tonight’s show?” Jade asked, not picking up on the change in his attitude as he turned to face her again.
“Of course. I love what I do. Meeting new people and being on stage. I have the best job in the world.” He crossed his arms, and without his piercing gaze on me, I noticed all the pieces of jewelry that decorated his body: small gauges set in his ears, a stud in his bottom lip, and another in his nose.
His accessories matched, with beaded and leather bands wrapped around his wrists, and a string of beads around his neck.
I could see colorful ink on his wrist, peeking out from under his sleeve.
“I can only imagine.” Jade smiled wistfully.
As children, Jade and I thought we’d become famous singers when we made it to adulthood.
In those days, we’d been positive we would find our big break and sing the songs we wrote with our choreographed dances.
We even came up with stage names and picked which cities to tour as the amazing duet of Kodi and Rhyan.
But as we grew up, we stopped planning for our big gigs and stopped writing those songs.
Eventually, those dreams became nothing more than part of a child’s vivid imagination.
“Speaking of which,” Damien said, his face expressionless. “I should get back to the bus. I need to get ready. Warms ups and all that.” He turned toward his bandmates. “You know where to find me.”
And without a moment of hesitation, he vanished and took all the warmth in my body with him.
Colton threw his arm around my shoulder as a gust of cold air made me shiver. “Don’t let our lead singer’s hot and cold attitude get under your skin. He’s always like that.”
“Why would it bother me? I just met him.”
And I meant every word. Damien’s actions, or lack thereof, didn’t affect me at all.
Whatever tension or weird energy had passed between us, it meant nothing.
I would go home tonight to Elijah and never think about Damien Walker again.
“We’re gonna head to the bus and get ready for the show, too.” Hudson turned his head to Colton. “You comin’?”
Colton nodded and looked at Jade and me with a grin. “See you from the stage.”
“Let’s find a table until the show starts,” Jade said as we watched the guys walk out of the vendor’s entrance.
I followed her like a lost puppy to a table near the bar.
I hated to admit it, but being here felt entirely out of my element. The hem of my shirt had risen up my back, so I pulled it down before I wrapped my arms around myself to stave off the chill from the AC.
Now that the climactic event of ‘meeting the band’ was over, I looked around, wondering if I could sneak out and call an Uber.
Oh my God. I let my shoulders sag, and my eyes flutter closed. Idiot. Was I seriously trying to leave? After Jade had practically begged me to come and share this with her. This is exactly why I needed to get out more. I needed to live a little.
Jade was right. I rarely went out as it was, and even less without Elijah. Clearly, I needed to change that. Surviving a night on my own would be easy peasy lemon squeezy. Besides, I was here with my best friend. I didn’t need anyone else.
I finished my drink, hoping the small amount of alcohol would help me relax. Unfortunately, Malibu Rum wasn’t exactly potent, so I felt nothing.
The first band of the night made their appearance on stage and music soon filled the small space. I winced as a thunderous sound enveloped us. Beside me, Jade moved to the music, loosening up with each beat.
The noise overwhelmed me. The pounding of the drum and the cry of the electric guitar agitated my nerves.
I took a deep breath and tried to enjoy it as much as Jade did.
The rock band was called Twisted Elements, and their intense sound was so different from what I usually listened to.
Something about the tune didn’t sit well with me.
It was harsh in my ears, lacking the melodies I craved to hear.
“I’m going to get another drink. Want anything?” I yelled over the music.
“Yeah, I’ll have one more.”
I grabbed her empty glass and walked to the bar.
“Can I get a vodka cranberry and a Sex on the Beach, please?”
“No problem. Anything else?” the bartender asked.
“Yeah, a shot of tequila.”
“Sure thing, sweetie.” A twinkle sparkled in his eye as he looked me up and down.
Rolling my eyes, I turned sideways and leaned against the light chestnut wood, watching the band on stage giving everything they had. I only wished I enjoyed their performance more.
I held onto the hope that Rebel Rebellion would give a better show. Jade wouldn’t be here if they sucked. There was no way I could suffer through this much longer.
The bartender placed the shot and our drinks in front of me. I grabbed the shot glass and tipped my head back. The warmth ran down my throat and into my belly, quickly soothing my restless nerves. I smiled as I set the glass back down, and the bartender pushed another shot across the bar.
“This one is on the house.”
My gaze dropped from the bartender to the glass, and back up again. He was kind of cute, kind of not. He looked like he prioritized arm day at the gym over leg day and he was shorter than I preferred. With spiked-up dark brown hair and matching eyes, he wasn’t anyone I’d write home about.
“Thanks,” I said with a grin, playing my part. I downed the shot with a wink before placing a few bills on the bar, grabbed my drinks, and walked away.
The alcohol made its way through my veins, the signs unmistakable. My limbs grew heavy, but I welcomed the lightness in my mind that came with it—a perfect contradiction. The aggressive rumbling music no longer bothered me, and I let myself relax.
It seemed I was more distracted than I’d realized. I returned to the table as Twisted Elements finished and the members of Rebel Rebellion were climbing on stage to set up their equipment.
“Great timing. Let’s head toward the stage.”
I handed Jade her drink and raised an eyebrow. “We aren’t going to sit here?”
“Now, where’s the fun in that?”
Once again, eagerness radiated off her in waves. Her attitude was so infectious that I couldn’t stop my mouth from curving into a grin to mirror hers.
I gestured. “Lead the way.”
I followed her as we walked through the crowd, allowing my own spark to tingle within. I had a new pep in my step. Was it from the alcohol or actual excitement? I wasn’t sure. But it didn’t matter. I was finally having fun.
My gaze bounced between the band members I’d just met, watching Colton set up the amps, and Hudson perfect the position of his drums.
And then he appeared.
He strolled onto the stage as if it were just another ordinary night, unaware he would bare his soul to the entire establishment.
Damien.
Immediately, his gaze locked onto mine, causing my breath to catch in my throat. Once again, he fascinated me with the passion behind his gorgeous eyes.
He had transformed his attire, now cloaked entirely in black and leather, his hair sculpted and standing on his head in a faux hawk.
It should be a crime how, with every stride he took, he exuded a blend of unshakable confidence and smoldering sex appeal, mesmerizing everyone in the room.
With his shirt sleeves rolled up I could see the intricate tattoos that lined his arm, and I loved the way the color contrasted against his dark clothes.
“I’m so excited!” Jade squealed beside me, and I let my gaze fall to her.
When I turned back to the stage, Damien was bent over plugging in his microphone.
The spell was broken.
I lifted the corner of my mouth. “Me too.”
I took a large gulp of my drink, trying even harder to chase away the unsettled feeling that burrowed in the pit of my stomach whenever I saw Damien. A feeling that grew stronger each minute.
It felt like a premonition, like this one night would irrevocably change my life forever.
While they ran through sound check, the crowd gathered around the stage.
A palpable sense of anticipation and exhilaration buzzed through the air.
Damien looked out into the audience, enjoying every second he was in that spotlight, before his gaze settled on me with a mischievous grin.
And then they played.