Face the Music (A Brothers of Rock - GONE BY AUTUMN - Novel) by Karolyn James Read Free Book Online Page B

band so he split outside for some air. He wanted some space to reflect on what he’d done. The insanity of getting on stage and playing long before a doctor would logically clear him. He knew that meant it would be a hell of a fight to do it again.
    But Asher always did what his heart told him to do. So when he heard a yell from around the corner of the building, his heart reacted. Finding Jocelyn pinned against a wall with that asshole about to attack, was not something he ever thought he’d see.
    Asher loved a good fight. It was actually how he met the guys in Gone by Autumn and ended up in the band. That was a whole other story though. Point being, Asher saw someone in need and he wanted to help. The fact that it was the stunning woman from the other night - those wild eyes, man - it sent him into overdrive.
    And now he was driving his car, silently nursing his left hand while his right hand was on the steering wheel. His middle and ring finger knuckles were bloody and swollen. Jocelyn was quiet. From what he could see when he glanced over at her, she was biting on her hand, staring out the window.
    “Where to?” Asher asked.
    Jocelyn finally looked at him. “I told myself it was just once. You know? Probably like most do.”
    “What’s that, love?” Asher asked.
    He stopped at a red light and looked at Jocelyn. Her eyes, even in the mostly dark car, were still beautiful. They were deep and penetrating. The kind of eyes that could make an honest man out of him.
    “What the hell am I doing?” Jocelyn whispered. “Jesus Christ, I'm so sorry. I dragged you into that. Chad is…”
    “That guy? His name is Chad?”
    Jocelyn nodded.
    “Look at me, love,” Asher said. “Look me right in my eyes.”
    Jocelyn did. Asher felt a flutter in his chest.
    “Chad is never going to do that again. He’s never going to touch you again.”
    “That’s what you think,” Jocelyn said. “It’s not that easy. We’re too involved.”
    “What? Married? Engaged? Have a kid together or something?”
    “Nothing like that,” Jocelyn said. “Far from all that. It’s all business…”
    A car horn beeped. Asher looked in his mirror and saw someone behind him waving their hands. He rolled down his window and waved for them to pass by. They did. Along with a second car. But a car stopped at green light attracted attention that Asher hadn't considered.
    “Love, you can’t…”
    From the corner of his eye, Asher saw a group of people. When he looked, he saw people were starting to come near his car.
    “Oh, shit,” he growled. “Hold on. I have to get out of this.”
    “Who are they?” Jocelyn asked.
    “Fans. Press. Hoping for the next Asher nightmare to share with the world.” He looked at Jocelyn again. “I’m sorry to do this… but you might want to cover your face. So you don't end up in the middle of a tabloid…”
    Jocelyn turned her head.
    Asher forced his left hand to work as he gripped the wheel with both hands. He gently eased forward and kept moving, making sure he didn’t run anyone over.
    When people were close enough, it was a mix of yells.
    I love you, Asher!
    Great show, man!
    You fucking rock!
    Asher, how’s your hand?
    Whose fault was the accident?
    Do you plan on suing?
    Asher, will you sign my shirt?
    Who’s the woman in the car?
    Can I get a ride, man?
    Asher smiled and waved a few times, keeping the car moving. When he found a small opening, he took a right turn and then sped up. A few seconds later, the people were out of sight and he and Jocelyn were alone again.
    “Hey, sorry about that,” Asher said.
    Jocelyn nodded. “That’s okay. I’m sorry I put you in this situation.”
    “You didn’t put me in anything. Just give me a destination.”
    “I don’t know,” she whispered.
    It cut right through Asher. He nodded. “Okay, not a problem. We’ll keep driving.” Asher licked his lips. “Any chance you want to call the police?”
    “Why?”
    “Well, he hit you, right?”
    “Oh,