Rockin' the Heart (Hot Wired) (31 page)

“
I hear chicks dig scars.”

Sam laughed
. “I have hope for your recovery if you’ve got it in you to crack jokes.”

The doctor and a flock of nurses joined them and shooed them out of the way. He and Sam
huddled together out of the way, hugging one another, neither able to tear their gaze off Jase.

“My personal opinion… the accident improved your ugly mug,” Keys said deadpan, motioning to Jase’s head. “Hopefully it knocked some sense into you too. Consider yourself lucky you might get laid more than me now because of it.”

Jase’s chuckle was aborted mid-way through.

“You bastard.” He coughed and wheezed from the pain. “It hurts to laugh.”

“My job is complete.” All humor gone, seriousness shadowed the N
ew York heir’s features. His father’s influence, along with Omega Starr’s, had gotten Jase transferred to a new facility four days ago. The best surgeon in the field micromanaged the injury to his left arm, and the best doctors in the world monitored everything else. What mattered… he’d be drumming again in no time. And the tour could resume. “You gave Sam a fright. She worried you wouldn’t pull through so you two could put your argument behind you. She blamed herself for your accident. That pisses me off. You’re to blame for your shitty actions not her.”

A
t odds with his only surviving family member wasn’t the most ideal time to engage in a life threatening accident, but Keys made it seem as if he’d had a choice. Derringer made a point in letting him know Sam had beaten herself up over that very same thing as well. And she’d never left his side, had given the doctor hell, and watched out for him when a fan had sneaked past security.

Hot Wired’s motley crew of misfits always
guarded his baby sister. Just the way he liked it.

“I wasn’t driving recklessly
, and I didn’t comp a vehicle because of my disagreement with Sam and Fang.” He clutched at his ribs. The aches reminded him what he’d survived and how short life could be. Also reminded him how important Sam and Fang were to him. “The piece of ass I’d had the night before was on my mind or I would’ve probably avoided the collision.”

“Yeah?” Keys came away from the wall he leaned against
, his eyes going bright at this new piece of info. “That good, huh?”

Good? No. She’d been the best
in a virtuous manner, but hardly knowledgeable. Who knew he’d get off on claiming the territory no other man had known?

“I don’t know her name. Think you can find out for me?” Once he had that information he co
uld get his attorney to track her down.

Keys angled his head and considered him. “That’s some high quality pussy.”

Jase grimaced over the description, which made no sense. Any other time he’d have agreed or referred to her in the same derogatory manner. As far as options went, changing the subject was the most prudent recourse. “For the record, Sam and I made amends.”

Blond eyebrows spiked upward in a clear sign of suspicion.
“You give Sam and Fang your blessing?”

On the tip of his tongue was to tell him to mind his own business. The trouble with
their close-knit relationship meant they often butted their nose in where it didn’t belong. And he loved them all the more for it.

He’d watched Fang and Sam since he’d come out of his coma. His best friend doted on his baby sister like she was a prize catch. And she was. Goddamn it
, she was better than the entire lot of them. No one would ever be good enough for her.

Jase jammed his fingers through his hair and winced when
they skimmed the knot on his head. “Saying nothing is blessing enough.”

“Hmm…
.” The man had a way of calling bullshit without uttering a word. Sometimes Jase wanted to pound on him with his sticks… or his fists.

“Look
, giving them a verbal blessing is like giving Fang permission to fuck my sister. That’ll never be cool.” Not that Sam shouldn’t enjoy sex or even have it, but Fang wasn’t up to par for the standards Jase set for her. But then he reminded himself no one ever would be.

“Right…nothing double standard about that
logic. We can enjoy sweet pussy, but not Fang?” Keys made a gagging motion. “Forget I said that. Pardon me while I find some bleach to rinse my mouth out with.”

Jase just barely managed to
check the chuckle. “Glad to know someone else is feeling my disgust.” Admitting he was wrong about their relationship was a bitter pill to swallow, but asking him to give his consent—not like they truly needed it—that might be more than he could give. Goddamn his fucking pride! He exhaled and gazed out the window, the high-rise buildings surrounding the facility noted but not in focus. “I know she’s not a virgin, but I know the things Fang likes. I don’t want to think about them doing—”

“Then
don’t
.” His focus shifted to the lead guitarist. “Do
not
go there, man. What they do together in private is their business.”

“They’re conse
nting adults.” Derr busted into the scene bearing forbidden fruit. “I hope. Who are we talking about?” He offered Keys a beer and placed a juice box on Jase’s rolling table. “Apple juice for the invalid.”

“Fang and Sam.” Keys broke the seal and swigged.
“Ah!
That
hit the spot,” he bragged about his beverage and wiped his mouth with his palm.

“You two are the worst fucking friends!” What he would
n’t do for a cold one at the moment. To express his displeasure, he chucked the juice box at Derringer’s head. Missing wide of his mark, he regretted the sulky display when his ribs protested the abrupt movement.

“Now…now…
.” Keys pat him on the head like he would a puppy, and Jase breathed through the pain cursing them both in his head. “Liquor and pain meds don’t mix, little drummer-boy.”

Jase swat
ted his touch aside. “You’re an asshole.”

“
Sounds like the only company I keep.” Derr tipped his drink to his mouth.

With one finger wrapped around the glass neck, Keys swirled his bottle. “
I’d say you get the Pulitzer prize for being an ass.”

“You’re like a woman
that won’t quit her bitching.”

Derringer peered between them. “I think I’m mostly caught up.” Jase had no idea how since neither
took the time to explain their conversation. “I repeat… they’re both consenting adults. What’s between them, it’s not what my mom and pop had. Nope. They have the forever kind of shit.”

Keys knocked bottles with Derringer as if he toasted to that, but it was Jase he
scrutinized. “He’s right. You and I have seen long-term relationships. My parents and yours. You can’t deny them that.”

“I don’t want to deny
them anything.” He dropped his head back against the pillows, and regretted the movement when his skull protested with brain-numbing pounding. Best he figured, he’d remember his injuries and gauge his movements about the time he started getting better. “Their relationship changes everything.”

“That little drummer-boy makes you a selfish bastard.”

The biggest selfish bastard in known history in his opinion, and he despised himself for the weakness. “Don’t call me ‘little drummer-boy’.”

“I’ll call you whatever I want for two reasons.” Keys held up a finger. “You’re too weak to stop me. And two”
—he added a second finger to the first—“my dad’s influence helped get you this plush crib.”

He closed his eyes
. What’d he do to deserve Keys’ blunt candor? He’d like to pretend if he ignored the situation, it’d resolve itself and… “Go. Away.”

“He needs his sleep,” Derr said in a stage whisper.

“I hear convalescents and old people sleep a lot.” When Jase didn’t rise to their baiting, he heard their footsteps retreat. “Oh, and Jase?” He opened a single eye to let Keys know he had his attention. “The nurse digs you.”

Which nurse? Not that it mattered. He wasn’t interested. “Thanks for the info.”

The only woman he had an itch for was the one who got away.

Jason Collins spent the next hour pretending sleep while contemplating his sister and best friend.
The dynamics of their relationship baffled and intrigued him. And he’d be less than honest if he didn’t admit he was a tad envious of their romance. The way Sam gazed at Fang, with adoration and love. Even knowing all his faults, she accepted him, wanted
him
and not the man the press or stage presented. If Jase were lucky someone would feel the same way about him one day, but he wouldn’t be foolish enough to hold his breath.

Fang respected his sister, took care of her when she didn’t bother herself with her welfare. As her brother he required a man that would protect her, put her needs first
, and he could already tell she had that with Fang. His best friend. Who would’ve ever guessed those two would hook up? Certainly not him. That they could have a romance with one another had never crossed his mind. And he’d never seen either of them happier.

I can
adjust
. He owed it to the both of them to honor their decision.

His hospital door opened and balloons burst through, reaching toward the ceiling and floating in helter-skelter fashion. A couple of them said, “Get Well Soon”
. A pinup girl was on one and big tits on another, gaudy inflatables that teased a chuckle from him. All were attached via strings to a stuffed electronic monkey that rocked its head from side to side as it banged on a set of mini-drums. Sam carried the arrangement wearing a wide grin. Fang followed her, taking special care that all the balloons were inside the room before shutting the door.

At what felt like a snail’s pace, Jase elevated his right arm and anchored his
wrist behind his head. It stretched and pulled at his broken ribs, but if he didn’t push his limits he feared he’d never get out of this fucking bed. He hated feeling like an invalid.

“Thanks
.” He returned her grin as she settled the gift on his table.

Fang leaned against the wall at the foot of Jase’s bed and crossed his arms over his chest. “
Sam’s style of a pick-me-up. I told her getting laid would improve your grouchiness.”

“I think getting out of this hospital will help
the best.” He studied his friend, but couldn’t get a clear read on his thoughts. “I’m fine, sis.”

“You almost died. Be gracious
, and allow me to pamper you,” Sam said, giving him the maternal-eye.

Unable to
take any more of the stretch and burn he lowered his arm and rested his hand on his abdomen.
Much better and easier to breathe
. “How is a man supposed to surrender to that request and still keep his man card?”

“
Resistance is futile. Save yourself the embarrassment and give up your man card.” Fang made a come-here motion with his hand.

“Haha…
.” Sam rolled her eyes. “You know you like the attention, Jase. And Heath, you’re jealous I’m not pampering you.”

Just in time he caught the fiery look Fang settled on his sister before
he turned his head aside to stare out the window. A substantial breath inflated his chest before he released the air through his teeth with a soft hiss.

“Sam, stop.” He caught her hand. “I’m fine, I don’t need your care. Not right now. I’m good.” He squeezed her hand
, and she nodded, pulled away from him. “But your man
does
require your attention.”

Her shocked gape locked on his
, and he nodded toward Fang. Mouth parting as if she’d say something, not a single syllable surfaced. He kept his focus on Sam, but suspected he had garnered Fang’s attention also.