My stomach rumbles because I’ve forgotten to eat during the midst of this crazy day. I step over to the kitchen area and open a couple of top cabinet doors. No food. What do these guys live on? Beer? I bend down to check the bottom shelves.

“I knew you’d be here.” I slam the door shut and stand to face Riff. “The ladies never turn down the golden ticket.”

Riff’s arm stretches above his head as he balances his weight against a top cabinet. He’s shirtless, and I can clearly see the tattoos across his arms and chest. Both of his nipples are pierced along with his bottom lip and his hair still stands in his trademark Mohawk.

A slow grin pulls across his face as I pull at the legs of my shorts, hoping to cover some more skin. His eyes trace the curves of my body as he pulls his arm down and takes a step.

I hold out my hand palm up. “Stop right there.”

Riff reaches out for my hand, but I snatch it away from his grasp. “Baby, I told you. No need to play hard to get. I won’t tell anyone that you fucked me.”

My eyes widen at his audacity. “You’re really full of yourself, you know that?”

He smirks. “Only when it comes to women.”

I roll my eyes. “I hate to be the one to break it to you, but not every woman on the planet is willing to sleep with you, Riff.”

“Maybe.” He shrugs. “But I can tell that you want me.” He takes another step toward me and I try to back away from his advance only to bump against the cabinets behind me.

I shove my hand into his chest and shake my head. “No, I don’t want you. I’m here with—”

“Shhhhhhhhhhhhh.” Riff strokes the skin on my shoulder. “No more talking.”

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Riff?” Noel growls from the hallway, wearing a low-slung towel around his hips, while water beads speckle his chest. Riff jumps at the sound of Noel’s voice.

Riff releases me and takes a step back. His eyes lock on my face. “You’re Lanie?”

I nod and glance at Noel. “I’ve tried to tell you. I told you I was with someone when you first tried to shove that ticket thing in my hand.”

Noel’s eyes narrow at Riff. “You gave her one of your fucking Golden Tickets? I’m going to fucking kill you.”

Noel lunges at Riff, but he reacts just quick enough to stay out of Noel’s grasp and shove his hands away.

I throw my hands against Noel’s chest. “It’s okay. Let it go. He made a mistake.” I point my stare at Riff. “Right?”

Riff stares Noel down. “Yeah, we wouldn’t want to accidently steal each other’s woman, would we?”

Riff’s tone makes me flinch.

The muscle in Noel’s jaw clenches. “You stay away from her. Or so help me God, Riff, I will end you.”

I swallow hard. I’ve never seen a look of pure malice until now. Noel expression and body language clearly says he wants to rip Riff’s head off and spit down his throat. This tension between them can’t honestly be about me, can it? It feels more personal than just a case of mistaken identity.

Riff and Noel continue to stare each other down. There’s obviously some bad history between these two, and I’ve just added fuel to the fire. Something has to give. I can’t let the band struggle because of me. This situation needs to be diffused.

I pull on Noel’s arm and he tilts his head and gazes down at me. “Come on, Noel. I want to show you something.” I grab his hand in mine and tug him toward the bedroom.

Noel stares at Riff, like he’s debating on if he should just pummel him now and get it over with. Finally, he nods and follows me down the hallway, leaving Riff alone in the front of the bus.

He sits on the edge of the bed while I close the door. He drops his head down and combs his hand through this thick, dark hair. The bed gives a little under my weight when I sit beside him. His back is smooth and clean as I run my fingers along it in attempts to comfort him. The smell soap lingers on his skin. He doesn’t respond to my touch—his gaze points toward the floor.

I stare at the star tattoo he has on his right shoulder. “It’s going to be okay. He didn’t realize who I am and I doubt he’ll do it again.”

Noel rubs the palms of his hands together. “You don’t know him like I do. Riff doesn’t stop until he gets what he wants, which includes women. I won’t let him use you like that.”

I want to laugh. Doesn’t he know me at all? “He’s not going to get me, Noel. I’m not like the random sluts he’s used to seeing you with.”

Blue eyes meet mine. “No, you’re not.” He searches my face and his brow pulls in. He opens his mouth to say something, then closes it quickly and turns away. “You better get ready. One hell of a party is about to go down.”

CHAPTER NINE

I wiggle a bit between Noel and Riff in the back of the SUV on the way to this humongous afterparty for all the bands who performed at Rock on the Range this weekend. The A&R Music Bar here in Columbus hosts the bash to millionaire bad-boy rock stars, roadies, and of course, their groupies.

It takes forever to get close to the building. Hoards of people surround the building hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite rock stars, and are blocking traffic half way down the street.

When the vehicle finally stops near the back entrance, Mike, Noel’s bodyguard from the restaurant, hops out and opens the door for us. Trip and Tyke grin at each other before emerging into the mass of fans. They love the attention. They hug several of the screaming female fans and even stop to sign a couple bare boobs thrusting in their direction.