Taming the Storm (The Storm #3)(39)
Author: Samantha Towle

I am looking forward to getting to know Robbi a little better, though. The geeky fan in me is excited to talk music with him.

Tonight, we’re in Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh is my non-date drink with Robbi.

I’m onstage, singing my anger out before finishing up our set.

I haven’t seen Robbi yet. The Turnstiles played earlier, and then another band went on between our sets, so I’m guessing I’ll see him when I go offstage.

Pressing my lips to the mic, I sing the last line of “Better Than You.”

A few days ago, Tom decided that it should be our closing song. The single has been doing really well on the airwaves, and the number of downloads are looking great. He said if it keeps going this way, we stand to chart well, which is awesome.

I just wish I felt awesome.

When Sonny’s sticks hit the drums for the last time tonight, I yell into the mic, “Thank you, Pittsburgh! You’ve been amazing!”

With a wave of my hand, I exit the stage, easing the strap of my guitar over my head. The moment I’m offstage, I hand my guitar to Jon, one of our roadies, with a, “Thanks.”

I come down the steps and see Tom waiting for us, like he always does. He looks deliciously hot in low-slung jeans and a vintage David Bowie, Live Santa Monica ’72 T-shirt.

Unfortunately, Ashlee is here and standing close beside him.

She’s wearing a tight, short red dress that displays all her assets. She looks good.

But I don’t feel inferior tonight because I know I look really good. Shannon gave me the full works earlier since I told her I would be meeting Robbi for a drink tonight, and she took that to mean this is a date. No matter how many times I told her it isn’t, she wasn’t listening, so she went to town on me. Which I’m glad for now.

My lips are red, nails painted to match, and I’m wearing a kick-ass dress. It’s short and black with full sleeves, but the best part about this dress is the cut to the navel. This is a no-bra, boobs-taped-in-place, shit-hot dress. And to round it off, I’m wearing a pair of high-heeled black suede ankle boots.

I look good—no, I look hot, and my girls look amazing.

Head up, I stick my best assets out, the assets I know Tom is fixated on, and I strut my way over to them.

“Hey.” I smile.

Ashlee looks me up and down. “Shannon asked me to give you your purse.” She holds it out to me.

So much for pleasantries. “Thanks,” I say, taking it from her.

She gives me a fake smile.

Tom aside, I really dislike this girl.

“Great set as always,” Tom says, eyes on my face. “Your vocals were on fire tonight.” Then, he smiles his polite smile at me. He doesn’t even look at my boobs.

Well, he might as well have just kicked me in my virginia.

I have to contain the scream of frustration crawling up my throat. Even more so when I see the smug look on Ashlee’s face.

Pissed off and feeling stupid for trying to get his attention with my breasts, I give him a sharp nod. “Cool. Well, I’ll be at the bar if anyone wants me.”

I spin on my stiletto heels, not even bothering to wait for Cale, Sonny, and Van, and I stomp away.

I’m vexed, and I’m pretty sure it’s showing in every step I take.

Not that Tom will notice. He’ll be too busy looking at Ashlee’s fake tits.

Meow.

Reaching the bar, I slam my credit card down and drop my purse next to it. “Shot of tequila, and keep them coming.”

The cute bartender raises an eyebrow at me and smiles. He takes my card and puts it by the cash register. Then, he puts a shot glass on the bar and pours the tequila.

“I thought you weren’t letting anyone buy you a drink, except for me?” Robbi’s smooth voice comes in my ear.

I turn to him.

Jesus, he looks hotter than I remember. At the sight of Robbi, some of the Tom tension in my body starts to head for the door marked Exit.

I smile at Robbi, my eyes making a quick journey over his body. I might be on a man hiatus, but I’m not blind. Robbi is lean and toned, but he isn’t ripped like Tom.

I really like the way his torn black jeans hang on his trim hips. The fitted black T-shirt he’s wearing has a skull surrounded by flames on it with Hellraiser written underneath. It shows off his defined chest and arms perfectly.

I hope Robbi is a hellraiser. That’s exactly what I’m in the mood for tonight—raising some hell.

I pick the shot up and throw it back, relishing the burn from the alcohol.

I turn back to Robbi and look at him from under my lashes, giving him a coy smile. “I bought this one myself.”

His eyes darken on me, and I like the way it makes me feel.

“A girl like you shouldn’t be buying herself drinks,” he says, leaning a little closer to me.

“Smooth.”

He throws his head back and laughs that contagious sound of his.

I imagine that sound has women dropping their panties left, right, and center.

“So, can I finally buy you that drink?” He gives me a panty-dropping grin.

“You can.” I smile.

Leaning over the bar, he lifts a hand, catching the bartender’s attention.

“Another shot?” Robbi asks me.

I shake my head. Probably not a good idea for me to do shots and get shitfaced. “A beer, please.”

“Two beers,” he says to the bartender.

I turn and lean against the bar, looking around. I see Van chatting with some girl and Sonny with his tongue down another girl’s throat. Cale is not in sight.

I scan the crowd for Tom, and I see him across the room. My stomach ties into a thousand knots, and I feel like I’m going to throw up. He’s sitting on the edge of a stool, his long legs spread out, and standing between his legs is Ashlee. She has her hand on his chest, saying something into his ear.

His eyes meet mine across the room, and the burn I feel is painful.

Finding it odd that Cale isn’t around and not wanting to watch Tom with Ashlee, I get my cell from my purse, and I check to see if Cale has texted his whereabouts.

Sure enough he has.

Taking that chick from earlier back to the hotel. Tom said he’ll make sure you get back safely. I would have come over before I left, but I saw you talking to Robbi. I didn’t want to interrupt. ? Love ya. x

We’re staying at a hotel tonight since we have two shows at two different clubs in Pittsburgh. One was tonight’s show, and the next is tomorrow night. So, Tom decided we could do with a night off from sleeping on the bus, and this was the ideal time while we’re not in transit.