Roman: Book 2 (The Hunter Brothers Series) (29 page)

“Honesty, always,”
I said as he nodded.

“I thought you’d
say that,” he smiled and it looked like he was killing time and searching for
the right words as my heart flipped in my chest.

“When I’m not with
you I really miss you, Chas. I’m fucking someone else who thinks she’s my
girlfriend and I don’t know how to tell her I need to take things slowly in a
way that she’ll listen. You’re my best friend, and I have everything with you
that I’ve never had with anyone else. With you it’s a relationship without sex,
with her its sex without a relationship, or at least one I’m not entirely
certain I want. I’m fucked off that you screwed my brother, Chas. It’s none of
my business, I know that, but I am. It hurt more than I ever expected, but I
had a choice. Forty minutes in a plane, or four hours in a car. I have very
nearly screwed things up with you too many times and put our friendship at risk.
I don’t intend to do it again, it’s too important to me, baby.”

He was deadly
serious and I swallowed hard, knowing we’d both messed up. He was in as deep as
I was; only I’d muddied the waters irrevocably. Both of us needed to find the
right path through this to ensure our friendship and connection survived.

“Thank you. I’m
glad you chose the car and the eight hour round trip, Charlie,” I said as he
flashed his eyebrows mischievously.

“Tyler wants us at
the after party. I thought maybe I’d blow out the drive back and book us in
somewhere,” he said as I bit my lip to stifle my ecstatic smile. “Separate
rooms obviously,” he said as I smiled through my disappointment.

“Obviously, Sugar
Pie,” I grinned, rolling my tongue sarcastically over the words as he flashed
me a warning glance. “Seriously, Charlie?” I laughed as he joined me and we
chatted happily all the way up to Manchester.

Chapter Twenty Three

The concert was
incredible and Tyler Hunter live was a revelation. I felt ecstatic that I’d
seen him jam with his band, knowing that I was on the cusp of something huge.
It was in the air, an aura and a vibe and I just knew this was the tipping
point for Heat. The crowd were insatiable and excitable, and the reaction to
every song was immense. The manager said they could have sold out the venue
three times over, which would tally with the scrum as we’d forced our way
through the crowd, heading for the back door where we were ushered in amidst
deafening screams and borderline violent shoving.

I was dancing to
every song, smiling at Charlie who looked relaxed, happy and proud, grinning at
my sister and Lucas who could barely keep their hands off one another. I was so
happy he was giving her the life she so richly deserved, throwing back the
vodka’s and getting more and more emotional with every song they sang, pulling
her to one side when Lucas finally released his grip.

“Are you okay?”
she smiled as I put my arm around her waist and we swayed to the sounds of
Brighten the night.

 
“Yeah, I’m great! I just wanted to say that
I’m so, so, happy for you, Jess. I feel like finally you’ve got the life you
should have, and I don’t mean the money and all the trappings. It’s just so
good to see you out, dancing, knowing that Dexter is taken care of and having a
social life as well as a love life. Lucas is awesome,” I grinned as she hugged
me hard.

“So is Charlie.
Has he ditched that bitch yet?” she laughed as I shook my head. “He’s only with
her out of guilt, it’s obvious it’s you that he wants,” she said as I smiled. I
didn’t need any more encouragement when it came to Charlie. I was already close
to overstepping the mark as it was and I didn’t go near men with girlfriends.
“You know it is, Chas,” she said as Heat started playing a song so familiar to
me.

I stopped
immediately, turning and looking backwards into the bouncing crowd. I couldn’t
be certain what it was, a feeling, a pull, or just the vodka playing tricks
with my mind as my eyes scanned the crowd; landing on the beautiful face of
Roman.

I gasped out loud,
blinking for a second, transfixed by that captivating and dangerous gaze, still
and piercing among the faceless fans who were bouncing around him. I felt like
I’d stopped breathing, forcing my way forward through the crowds who were
shoving and pushing in the opposite direction, like a swaying, impenetrable
human wall.

I was focused on
him like a mirage in the distance, glued by that mesmerising gaze, wanting to
speak to him, but I couldn’t get through the unforgiving swell of heaving
bodies. “Get out of my way,” I said, pushed by a giant of a man as I reeled
backwards, opening my eyes to search once again for Roman, but he was gone.
There was no sign of him as my eyes darted around quickly, scanning the faces
and the entire place to see if he’d moved. He couldn’t have, the density of the
crowd was just too thick.

I turned around
and my stomach knotted, knowing instantly my mind was playing tricks on me. If
Roman was here he’d be standing with us. It was the song evoking memories and I
shook my head, trying to clear it and grabbed a bottle of water from Charlie’s
hand, glugging it down. I was obviously already way too pissed.

“You having fun?”
he grinned as I nodded over the noise. He wrapped his arms around my waist,
pulling me in for a close dance, grinding his hips against me. I followed his
lead, looking up at him as he smiled down at me, knowing I couldn’t keep this
up.

I was
hallucinating about Roman, yet the need to kiss Charlie was almost
overwhelming. I’d fallen for my best friend, but those visuals were taunting
me, reminding me what I couldn’t have and why. I took a deep breath, moving
away and dancing in a space on my own, trying to avoid thoughts of either of
them. I was close to doing something reckless, zoning out instead and concentrating
on the incredible voice of Tyler Hunter.
 
I felt the strong arms winding around my waist
from behind, the hard hot body pulling me tight and swaying with me in time to
the music. Jesus Christ, he wasn’t making this easy, but it felt divine and there
was no way I was moving.

There were more
and more encores, and by the time Heat finished I was aching, exhausted and
totally rocked out. Charlie held me tightly, tucked protectively under his arm
as we jostled through the hollering crowds who were still screaming for more.

As we made our way
backstage, Charlie turned and smiled, an incredible panty-dropping white grin
as my stomach exploded in a flurry of excitement. I was just staring, unable to
smile back as he chuckled softly and I wondered if he knew just how hard he was
making things.

We were following
Lucas and Jess and they couldn’t wait to see Tyler to congratulate him. He’d
wowed the crowd like he was born to do it, laughing with his band mates as we
made our way through the record company management, friends, girlfriends,
general VIP’s and groupies that were milling around him.

Lucas was the
first to hug Tyler, spinning him around in a loving gesture that made my heart
clench. “You were fucking awesome,” he grinned as Tyler smiled, high on
adrenaline and still buzzing from that incredible performance.

Charlie was next,
patting him on the back as Tyler whispered in his ear and Charlie shook his
head. He looked stunned for a moment, glancing at Lucas and muttering something.
Lucas had the same reaction, whispering something to Tyler who looked instantly
relieved at whatever his brother had told him. Jess and I moved to congratulate
him.

“You’re made for
this,” I grinned broadly. “Honestly, Tyler, I’ve never had so much fun at a gig.
You were amazing, all of you,” I smiled.

“You look like you
had a good time,” he grinned, looking me over. I knew I had to find the ladies
room, to wipe away the sheen of sweat that had covered my body as I danced
amongst the crowd all night and dry off my hair. I wasn’t sure basher was as
wet as me and he’d been playing drums. I leant across as he caught my eye.

“Where are the
bathrooms, I need to dry myself off,” I asked as he pointed towards a door in
the corner.

“Above or below?” he
laughed as I flicked him the bird. Leery drummers I could do without.

I left the
bathroom feeling significantly sexier, wanting to see Charlie’s face, but he
was nowhere to be found.

Jess was still
with Tyler, gesticulating wildly and they were laughing loudly as I eased the
exit door open to find him standing in the corridor, talking quietly with Lucas
and I knew instantly that something was amiss.

“There you both
are,” I smiled, still swigging vodka and swaying slightly as Charlie tried to
steady me. “What’s going on?” I asked as Lucas shook his head and I pulled a
petulant face, giggling as he stared down at me, his mouth set in a firm line.

“Always so
serious,” I said in a low voice, pouting my lips as Charlie laughed and Lucas’s
smile eventually broke.

“Chas had a bit of
a shock tonight as well,” Charlie said, looking at Lucas as I stared at him
blankly. Did I? I couldn’t remember.

“You quit your
job,” Charlie smiled, straightening me up as Lucas frowned down at me.

“Oh Yeah,” I
laughed as he held my gaze.

“Why?” he asked
and I assumed my sister would have told him. That said, they only had forty
minutes on that plane and I wouldn’t have wasted it chatting either.

“Scarlett fucking
Everett bought Elite,” I said as Lucas stared at Charlie, momentarily stunned
before turning his gaze back on me. I didn’t know what he expected. I couldn’t
tell him anything else.

“Oh, and I work
for you now, well, Jess,” I laughed as he smiled, shaking his head and looking
back at Charlie. I was desperate to know what had gone on here.

“What am I
missing?” I asked as Lucas looked me straight in the eye.

“Scarlett’s
undercut us and bought the record company,” he said seriously as I turned my
gaze on Charlie.

“Holy shit. Did
you know?” I asked, turning my gaze up to an infuriated looking Charlie. That
question had really pissed him off.

“Of course I
didn’t know.
 
I wanted this label as much
as Lucas, if not more. We don’t discuss business. Ever.” He turned an angry
glare on his brother and I knew that answer was as much for him as for me.

“Besides, Lucas,
you need to speak to Roberta. Apparently she’s a silent partner in Delaport and
the one who stands to gain whichever of us wins that contract. I’ve always
defended her because you assured me her loyalty was unwavering. Now it seems
that’s under question. If she’s out to fuck us over she has way too much
knowledge about Hunter Industries. If this is personal because of Jess, you
need to sort it out quickly. We could lose millions.”

“If we lose
millions, so does she, and I seriously doubt she would put her own investments
on the line over the fact that I’m now in a relationship,” Lucas replied,
staring hard at Charlie.

“Well she’s not
above lying, we all know that. She lied to you about your own damn child, for
fuck’s sake. Sort it out, Lucas, because right now I don’t know who the hell we
can trust,” Charlie said firmly as Lucas held his gaze. It was like some kind
of Mexican stand-off and I was captivated.

“Leave Roberta to
me, you have enough to deal with, starting with how your girlfriend knew
exactly what price to pitch. That deal was ours,” he spat as Charlie’s whole
body tensed.

“She is not my
fucking girlfriend.”

I had a million
questions, but by the look of things, so did Lucas and it was none of my
business. It was getting too heated and I decided that dancing would be more
fun, rejoining the party and searching out another glass of vodka. It was
probably a bad idea, but what the hell. I was buzzed and I wanted a good time.

It was a while
before they came back in. They were sitting in the corner and Jess was on
Lucas’s lap looking dumbfounded. I was just trying to manage upright, my legs
aching from dancing with Tyler’s groupies as I ambled over to them, more used
to serving alcohol than consuming it. I looked back to see Tyler kissing the
blonde I’d just been busting my moves with, laughing as I glanced up at
Charlie.

“So, do you still
think I’m paranoid?” I grinned as he smiled at me, kissing my forehead gently
and I fell against his chest.

“No, baby, I think
you’re pissed,” he laughed, muttering something to the others about getting me
back to the hotel and all but carrying me to a taxi. My head was lolling on his
shoulder and I remembered little else until I was in the room he’d booked
somewhere between London and now. I was ecstatic. The thought of a long drive
back was the last thing I could handle.

I don’t know what
came over me, but I decided I wanted to do a sexy dance for Charlie by way of a
thank you, notwithstanding the fact that I could barely walk. I had lost all
inhibitions, ignoring the three percent of my brain that was telling me this
was a bad idea. Ninety seven percent convinced me I was Queen of the world and
the sexiest thing since Marilyn Monroe. I was obviously wrong. What I was; was
a steaming horrible mess with no co-ordination.

Charlie was in the
bathroom and seemed to be taking forever. I resisted the urge to shout for him,
removing my skirt and top instead, so I was dressed only in red lace underwear
and a pair of boots.

He was fixing me a
glass of water which he very nearly dropped.

“What are you
doing, Chas?” he frowned as I pulled my sexiest smile. It didn’t work.

“Come on, baby,
let me get you into bed,” he said, pulling back the covers and I knew he was
being gentlemanly.

“I just want to
dance first; then you can take me to bed,” I smiled as darkness enveloped his
features and it looked like Charlie was getting mad.

“Chas, come on,
gorgeous, you’re pissed and you don’t know what you’re saying,” he said firmly,
taking my hand as I swayed to the imaginary music in my head.

“I know exactly
what I’m saying, Charlie Hunter. I want to dance and then I want you to take me
to bed.”

He ran his fingers
through his hair in exasperation before grabbing my arms tightly. “Jesus, Chas,
you’re not being fair. I’m screwing Scarlett. You’re standing here in your
underwear looking incredible, having just fucked Roman. What do you want?” he
asked. His words were hostile and serious, but his tone was the exact opposite
as he pulled me close, stroking my hair. Even now, in the blurry haze of vodka
heaven, I had to know, unsure whether I could bear to hear that outright
rejection in so many words.

“Was Roman a deal
breaker?” I asked as he leant his forehead softly against mine. He was holding
me tightly, breathing hard. The atmosphere was crackling with sexual energy,
but the underlying tension in his face made my breath hitch. I knew the answer
before he opened his mouth, wishing I had never asked.

“Yes,” he
whispered, almost inaudibly as my brain shut down and I crawled into bed.