One More Romeo Scene

This one is from early in the story. It’s the scene of Riley’s first practice. From her point of view, she wanted to whack Romeo with her sticks several times. You can still see why from his POV.

Hope you enjoy!

Riley has fucked up Paint It Black by the Stones twice now, which gives me the perfect opportunity to be a dick. With a hand choking my guitar strap, I turn to her. “Do I need to get you a metronome?”

Her eyes narrow to slits and her knuckles turn white, clenching her sticks, but she somehow says in an even tone. “Ah, no.”

Damn it’s hard to get her riled up. I let go of my strap. “Really? Because so far you can’t seem to count.”

“Back off, Romeo,” Justin says. “She’s not going to be perfect the first practice.”

“Thought she was super drummer?” I say snidely.

“She is.” Sam winks at her. “Cute too.”

I’d like to chuck my guitar at Sam’s head.

“I’ll get it this time,” she says in a calm tone. She wipes her brow. It is hot up here and I’ve noticed the sheen on her cleavage. Worked my ass off on not looking, but I’ve noticed.

We do another round of Paint it Black. She finally nails it. I’m clenching my jaw while Sam offers compliments and Justin a fist pump.

We roll through two more songs. She plays them near perfect, but there’s just not enough time to get ready for our next gig, no matter how good she is.

After a few more cover songs, Sam yanks off his bass and sets it against the boxes lining the wall. “I need a smoke.” Disappearing down the stairs that lead out to the street, he yells, “Be back in ten.”

I run my hands through my hair and clap the back of my neck. “We’re not going to be ready for U-Palooza.”

“Why? Riley’s doing great.” Justin tosses the sheet of music he’d been reading from on one of the chairs across from us.

“With six songs,” I say tightly.

He shrugs. “So we’ll do a shortened set. Who cares?”

Obviously irritated that we’re talking about her like she’s not here, Riley rolls her sticks on her thigh.

I drop my arms. “I care. We’re not some garage band.”

Justin rolls his eyes. “Don’t get your perfectionist panties in a twist. We should be able to get three more done.”

“It’s still not enough.” I turn to Riley. “Can you read music?”

Her lips push together in a tight line, but she nods.

“Take the sheet music home and be ready for next practice.”

“Will you fucking stop?” Justin pulls his phone out. “We’re going to be far more ready than we would have with that ass wipe you wanted.” He turns her with a softened expression. “Just ignore him and take a quick break, Riley. You’re doing great. Looking good too,” he says with a wink.

My jaw clenches tighter. I’d like to smash his stupid winking face.

He starts walking to the far side of the room. “Hey Jessica, you busy tonight?”

“What is your problem?” Riley asks when Justin leans against a dirty window on the far end of the practice room.

I turn to her. She looks cute and sexy and hot. Lethal combination. At least for me. “I think it’s pretty obvious.”

Her forehead wrinkles. “Just because I’m a girl?”

No. Because you’re you. “Mostly…”

She smacks her sticks against the stool. “That’s a bunch of bullshit.”

She’s even hotter angry. This girl has to go. Soon I’ll be winking at her like a fucking idiot. “It’s not what you think.”

Her eyes narrow and her lips curl, revealing pretty white teeth. “I think you’re a chauvinist pig.”

I can’t help a smirk escaping at that. Me a chauvinist pig. My mother would whip my ass up and down the block even at the age of twenty-one if that were true. “Think whatever you want, but a little more aggravation and I’m sure you’ll break then your little ass will be gone.”

Her brows lower. “Don’t ever refer to my ass again, asshole.”

The last thing I need to be talking about with her is her ass. “What a dirty little mind you have, Miss M. I’d like to say I’m delighted with the knowledge, but I’m not.”

She smiles sweetly. “I can guarantee I won’t quit. Obviously, me in the band pisses you off. And I’m finding that I like to piss you off.”

I can’t help a scowl from escaping. I’m about to tell the last thing she wants to do is piss me off, but Justin’s back between us.

She rolls her sticks between her palms and gives me the evil eye.

Damn, she even looks good doing that.

Double damn.

I’d like to kiss that look of her face.

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