***
I spent the rest of the afternoon back at Brayden’s loft, going through the guys’ closets. When it came down to it, they were almost as bad as a girl trying to decide what to wear on a first date. After we’d settled their outfits, I finally had a moment to slip into the shower myself. I’d brought a swanky red and black dress to wear in case Brayden and I went out to dinner somewhere nice for my birthday. Instead, I was going to be wearing it to Eastman’s. I didn’t care if I was a little overdressed. Tonight was about celebrating.
Just as I was putting the finishing touches on my makeup, AJ knocked on the door. “Come on, Lils, some of the rest of us need to get ready.”
I laughed. “Last time I checked there was another bathroom in this place.”
“Yeah, your boyfriend’s been in there the last twenty minutes working on his hair.”
“Whatever,” I mumbled. When I opened the door for him, his eyes bulged at the sight of my dress.
“Damn, girl, you’re looking hot as hell tonight!”
“Why, thank you.”
As he squeezed by me to get to the counter, AJ mused, “Man, Brayden is one lucky man.”
“You’re such a flatterer, AJ,” I replied, as I headed out into the living room.
Brayden came out of the bathroom a few moments later. “Mmm, don’t you look handsome,” I said, as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
He grinned. “Thank you. I must say that you are looking sexy as hell. I’m not sure I’ll be able to concentrate on anything tonight but you.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll muddle through somehow.” I gave him a light kiss, so he wouldn’t end up wearing my lipstick. “Tonight after all the girls have screamed your name and mentally undressed you a thousand times, you just remember that you’re only going home with me.”
Throwing back his head, Brayden laughed. “I don’t think that will be a problem.”
“I’m sure it’s going to be a problem. You should have seen the way the waitresses were sizing you up today.”
“Really?”
“Mmm, hmm.” I fixed the collar of his button down shirt. “With you guys taking this gig, things are going to change for you. You’re going to have women falling all over you.”
“That might be interesting to see, but it’s sure as hell not something I will be acting on.” When I didn’t immediately reply, his fingers reached out to grip my chin, tipping my head to meet his eyes. “You do know that, Lils? There won’t ever be anyone for me but you.”
Feeling overly emotional, I shrugged. “I’m sure for a guy it would be tempting to see what sex was like with someone else.”
Brayden shook his head emphatically. “I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize what we have, and that includes cheating.” Leaning his forehead against mine, Brayden said, “You’re it for me, Lily. I couldn’t imagine even kissing another woman.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
With a tentative smile, Brayden said, “I guess our roles are changing.”
“What do you mean?”
“Remember how in high school I was always afraid you would find some other guy? I couldn’t imagine such a beautiful, popular, and sweet girl like you would want me.”
“Yes, I remember you being stupid about that,” I replied.
Brayden laughed. “Well, it’s kinda reversed. Now you’re the one worrying about me.”
“I guess that’s true.”
“So there’s nothing really to worry about. Right?”
“Right.” Then I brought my mouth to his for a long, lingering kiss where I didn’t care about lipstick.
“Jesus, do you guys ever stop?” AJ questioned behind us.
When we pulled away, Brayden replied, “Two weeks, man. We’ve not seen each other for two weeks.”
Shaking his head, AJ said, “I think that’s just an excuse. You’d probably be all over each other no matter when you saw her last.”
I giggled. “You might be right.”
“Come on, let’s go,” Jake said, as he motioned to us from the loft’s doorway. While Jake, AJ, and Teague all piled in a car together, Brayden and I went in his. We made the short drive over to Eastman’s and then parked.
I don’t know if Brayden was nervous or not. I could barely contain both my excitement and anxiousness. When we got inside, Sean met us. “You guys go on and get set up,” he said. Brayden gave me a final kiss. “Wish me luck.”
“Luck times infinity,” I replied.
He grinned and then followed the guys through the bar to the stage. Just when I wondered where I might sit in the packed house, Sean took my hand. “I reserved a place for you.”
“Really?” I asked, as I followed him through the crowd.
“Yes, right here,” Sean said, motioning to a small, two-person table almost up on the stage.
“You’re so sweet. Thank you.”
He winked. “I figured I would go a long way with the band if I was good to their girlfriends.”
I laughed. “That’s a really good plan.”
After I took my seat, I didn’t have to wait long for the guys to take the stage. A roar went up over the crowd. I knew some of the people in the audience knew the guys from school. “Hey everybody, how you doin’ tonight?” Jake bellowed into the microphone. A few whistles went up around me when he flashed them his most come hither smile. “We’re Runaway Train, and we’re the new house band. Are you ready to rock tonight?”
A resounding yell of approval came from the crowd. “Then let’s get started!”
With my seat close to the stage, I could see and hear everything almost too well. My ears rang from the noise, but I kept right on singing along and clapping my hands as the guys went through their set. Jake was a natural at working the crowd. Where Brayden was too shy, Jake knew exactly what to say and do. Even behind the drum set, AJ threw a few jokes out.
After finishing up a cover of The Rolling Stones Start Me Up, which Jake received a pair of panties thrown in his face as his reward, Jake’s amused expression grew serious.
“So, we’re going to excuse one of our members for a moment.” I furrowed my brows in confusion as I watched Brayden put his guitar up. I couldn’t imagine what he was doing. Pointing to Brayden, Jake said, “You see this guy here?” At the whistles and applause, Jake continued on. “He’s not only one hell of a guitar player, but he wrote most of the songs we just sang. But besides his talent, ladies and gentleman, he is the biggest romantic sap in the world. He’s been with the same woman since he was sixteen years old.”