Release Me by Melanie Walker Read Free Book Online Page B

table. I looked like a damn jack ass. I had told them all about the free bird singing and her various reactions and now we all sat shocked. I was so sure she would give me time I sent Axe to my folks for the night. What? Wishful thinking or being prepared, don’t hate.
    “You guys kicked ass man.” Sam says and he is looking at me and I want to tell him to fuck off.
    “That was fun.” Chad says and fist bumps Noah. “It’s been forever since we have played that, seven maybe eight years.”
    I nod and look off to the rest of the bar with a lack of interest. My night was in the shitter from here on out. All my hard work was a waste with the exception of jamming with Noah again. That was priceless.
    “You guys have been doing that song for eight years?” Tayla asks and I hear the genuine tone she is using.
    “We used to but it feels like it’s been forever since we played it together.” Chad looks at me pointedly. “Whatever made you want to play it tonight Cal?”
    He’s putting me on the spot and I want to kick him in the chin. Why the hell is it that as nosy as they are they can’t read the obvious shit before them? To put me on blast right now will only backfire.
    “Just love the nostalgic shit.” I say and stare at him to shut him up.
    No luck. “I thought it was personal?” He says and I want the fucking bar to catch fire just so I can bail.
    I drink from my beer and let my stare land on Tayla and I stare her down long enough to make her squirm. I let every emotion I have felt from the moment we met until this very second, cross my face before I answer Chad. “It means nothing to me.”
    I excuse myself from the booth and head to the bar because I need some stronger fuel to get through this disaster.
    I feel the guys before I turn to answer to them because I know they are probably gonna chew my ass for that fucked up show that just took place.
    I am a jack ass to think we are going to get any privacy though. We don’t have that luxury and women and men alike are screaming and rushing to the bar for a glimpse. We’d learned a long time ago how to go about life even when you were never alone.
    “What was that?” Chad asks me. He is wearing his God of the Stage mask but his tone tells me he thinks I’m a fucker.
    “Dude she sat down and started kissing Sam. It's hard to give in and show her when she doesn’t want to see it.” I say with a fake smile on my face. 
    We all pause for a few selfies with some fans and a shit ton of autographs when Noah leans in. “I’m sorry Cal. Don’t give up yet.” For Noah nothing is that simple. There was no lecture, no words of consolation or advice. It was simple and to the point. I try to remember that my boys have all been here and fought for the woman they loved. I am trying to honor that and do the same.
    They head back to the table and I continue to sit at the bar, for once annoyed with the fangirls that refuse to give me a moment’s peace.
    I sit there, ignoring countless women and I just look at her. She is breathtaking my Tay. She moves with delicate purpose, and every shift or shiver she makes is erotic. 
    I feel bile rise in my throat and an unhealthy hatred for Sam when I watch his fingers stroke along the back of her exposed neck. I want to scream knowing he is touching her. I watch her and wait for a response from her but there is no laughter, no longing looks.
    I go on instinct alone and type out a text and send it to her.
    Me: Does he make you tremble? 
    I watch her and wait. She slips her phone under the table and pulls the message up. Her spine goes stiff immediately; she sits up and starts rubbing her neck, clearly uncomfortable. I watch as Sam leans in, I assume to ask if everything is okay. I watch her nod yes, then slowly, so slowly she looks over that delicate shoulder and stares me down.
    I tip my bottle back, my eyes never leaving hers. I drop a twenty on the bar and tap it before sending one more text once I’m in my Jeep.
    Me: