My Only Exception by Erika Trevathan Read Free Book Online

me and sat down in the chair next to me. I couldn’t stop my eyes from taking in his muscular, tattooed biceps and working up to his chiseled face with the sexy five o’clock shadow. Of course, when I got to his face he was looking at me with a hint of amusement, but mostly lust.
    I swallowed and tore my eyes away to look at Bree. She was smiling from ear to ear. I could almost see the wheels turning in her head. She could read me like a book. There was no hiding my feelings for Braden from her.
    “So, Braden,” Bree turned to him with a look I knew all too well. She was up to something. “What are you doing tomorrow night?”
    My eyes widened. She was up to something, alright.
    Braden glanced at me before responding. “We have one last gig at the bar downtown before we leave for L.A.” He winked at me before saying, “You guys should come. We can hang out after.”
    Oh yeah, I knew what kind of hanging out he wanted to do.
    Bree answered without waiting for me to respond. “Count us in. We’ll be there.”
    It wouldn’t have mattered anyway. I couldn’t stay away from Braden no matter how bad he would be for my heart. I needed to get him out of my system somehow or things would be bad for me when he left. Something told me it would by bad either way.
    *  *  *
    The next night I was dressed in a white strapless mini-dress and long, nude-colored sequined cardigan. I had slipped on some nude heels that made my tan legs look miles long. I’d added a smoky eyeshadow and some nude lipstick. Thankfully, it was one of those nights where I actually felt hot. Something told me I would need the extra boost of confidence tonight. I tried to push back the thought that I had been dressing for Braden —right down to the lacy panties and bra. There would be plenty of females there with the same intention, but I wanted to be the one to hold his attention.
    My subconscious reminded me that it was me he’d written a song about. Supposedly. At least that’s what he’d told me, but I was having a hard time believing it. Whatever feelings he said he had for me didn’t stop him from constantly having a girl or two hanging onto him.
    Maybe, he was trying to maintain his rock star image. Or maybe I’d end up calling bull on his claim. Maybe it was all an elaborate attempt to get me under him.
    I took a deep breath. I was sounding more and more like my mother now, always so pessimistic and doubtful when it came to men. I made a promise to myself right then and there that I was not going to harbor the same attitude as her. I was going to go see Braden and the band play tonight and be more open to what could develop between Braden and I.
    Anticipation whirled in my stomach at the thought of seeing Braden without my usual defenses up. There was really no telling where that could lead.
    *  *  *
    The band was in the middle of a set by the time I’d pried Bree away from the flat iron she was attempting to tame her mass of curly hair with. That was one thing about the two of us. We were always fashionably late.
    And of course the place was packed. Chronic Need was extremely popular with the Wilmington crowd as well as in the surrounding areas. They’d been traveling and performing for the past several years and were only just now getting the mainstream attention they deserved.
    My heart sank at the thought that they’d probably be too busy to play around here for a while. And who knew if Braden would even remember who I was after all of the women he’d meet on tour. That thought renewed my determination to give it a chance with him now. I had never wanted anyone so much in my life. What if I never did again and it was too late?
    *  *  *
    Bree and I sat down with bass guitarist Jack’s girlfriend, Katie, who was sitting with a couple of other girls we knew near the stage. It was a more intimate location than the venue the band had played at a few weeks ago and I had a feeling I would enjoy this one much better.
    Bree ordered a rum