Harper, looking bored with the whole thing—the conversation and the television show―skimmed through a copy of The New Yorker. Three pair of eyes turned their full attention on me as I pulled Shane into the apartment. I saw Linc’s blue eyes light up, and I narrowed my own at him.
“Hey, look who I found!”
Dallas gave Shane a once over then another one just for good measure. I glanced at Shane who had his eyes narrowed on Linc, not even noticing the interest in the ex-top model’s eyes. “You’re Linc?” he demanded.
“Yep. That’s me.” Linc grinned, liking the attention.
“Well, there’s something we can talk about later,” Shane muttered to me. “Drake is going to shit a brick.”
I stiffened. “This is none of Drake’s business.”
“Oh, I think it is.” He pushed his sun glasses on top of his head. “But whatever, sis, we can talk about it later.”
I gave him a hard glare and pushed him toward the couch. “Guys, this is Shane. Shane, these are my roommates. Linc, of course. Dallas, who seems to be eye-fucking you...” I shot her a wink, knowing that I would get bitched at later “...and this is my bestie, Harper.”
Harper waved but went back to reading. She wasn’t fazed in the least by Shane’s complete hotness. My friend had a big self-esteem problem. She had no idea that she was drop dead gorgeous and never suspected when guys were interested. I shot Shane a warning look and went to change clothes.
Ten minutes later, I came out of the bedroom I shared with Harper to find everyone laughing in the living room. I stopped, taking them all in before they could notice me. Shane had the ability to put anyone at ease. It surprised me that he had picked the part of the couch closest to Harper, when Dallas had been giving him the green light with her eyes from the moment she had seen him.
He said something that I didn’t hear, and Harper snorted with laughter. It was then that I saw it, the way his eyes danced when he looked at her. Shane had been presented with a challenge when Harper had showed disinterest. He was used to every woman he came across giving in, and now he had found one that didn’t really give a fuck about falling into his bed.
Muttering a curse under my breath, I made a mental note to kick Shane Stevenson’s ass while I was out with him today.
--
The best burger in the world was in my stomach, and I felt like I had gained fifteen pounds. I was stuffed to the point of pain, and it was all Shane’s fault.
As we left the little Mom and Pop place, I groaned, trying to figure out how to make this full feeling go away. The rock star beside me probably wasn’t enduring the same pain as me. He had finished his burger, and half of my own, as well as two orders of fries and some onion rings. With all the junk he had put away during our meal, which had included Shane ordering a huge hot fudge ice cream dessert that I hadn’t been able to even look at because I was so full, I couldn’t help but wonder if he ate like that normally. Emmie probably attempted to keep the saturated fat to a minimum, but now that he was three thousand miles away from her, he was taking advantage. I would have to keep an eye on that and let Emmie know if he kept it up. I took an evil delight in possibly tattling on him.
“You look miserable.” Shane laughed as he pulled me close. He turned right and I didn’t even question him as we started walking. I needed the exercise after all.
“I am, but it was worth it. That was the best burger I have ever had. Thanks. I’ll have to let Linc know about that place.”
“About Linc…” Shane grimaced. “Is he really gay, Lana? I mean, really?”
I couldn’t help but snicker. “I didn’t believe it at first either, but yes, he is very gay. I guess you would say he’s butch?” I shrugged. “I’m not sure what the correct term for him is.” My grin was wicked. “If it helps, you’re his type. Linc loves a man with a pretty face.”
His big hand swatted against my ass, making me squeal. “You mean little bitch!”
My laugh was soul deep. “Just thought you would want to know.”
“Gee, thanks, but I’m going to have to say it’s a definite no this time around.” We stopped to wait for the light to turn so we could cross the street. “Although, if you could help me out with your friend Harper…”
I pushed him away. “No way! Stay away from Harper. She’s not your type.”
“Sis, I don’t have a type,” he said with a smirk.
“That’s the problem. Harper isn’t the kind of girl to come running when you cock your sexy finger.” The light turned and we started across the street. “She’s a good girl. Not one of those groupie skanks that you and your brother are used to. Especially what you are used to.”
“That’s harsh, sis.” He gripped his heart, a pout on his lips. “You wound me.”
“Oh, please. You have loved maybe one girl in your whole life, and she’s going to marry your best friend.”
“Not true.” He wrapped his arm around my waist again, holding me protectively to his side as we walked with and against the evening crowd. “I actually love five girls. Emmie, Mia, Lucy, Layla, and you.”
Chapter 12
Drake
I was supposed to be at the network’s studio by eight. I got there on time with the help of the car and driver that the network had sent, but the line outside the studio made me ten minutes late because it was wrapped all the way around the building and two blocks past it. Fans, tryout hopefuls, and their friends and family that had come to support said hopefuls made it slow going for a while as the driver attempted to get through the masses without running anyone over.
By the time I got inside, the producers were already bitching, but I was used to that shit from Emmie after so many years, so I tuned it out and fell into my designated chair next to Axton. My friend was sucking down scalding coffee like it was nothing while he eye-fucked the producer’s assistant. Apparently he was over the big and final―thank fuck—breakup from Gabriella Moreitti.
The chair on Axton’s left was still vacant, and I wondered who the top secret third judge was for this stupid reality show. Not even Axton knew who the network had gotten, and he had been signed on to do this thing since February.
Someone set a huge mug of coffee down in front of me, and I nodded my head in thanks without giving the girl so much as a glance. I had already downed an entire pot of coffee since six o’clock that morning. Which was about the time I had heard Shane leave for his run…