Say You're Mine (The Gallaghers Book 1) by Layla Hagen (comprehension books .txt) 📕

you right away. Otherwise, there would have been no convincing the others.”

“I kind of got that. They listen to him.”

“He’s always been in charge. At least for as long as I’ve been with them. Thomas is easier to deal with since he’s gotten married. He was a bit of a wild card before, but now he’s calmed down and is settling into family life. I only wish the rest of the boys would find someone, but I don’t think that’s going to happen any time soon.”

“Why is that?” I tried not to sound too curious.

“They’re all enjoying bachelorhood too much. And Brayden especially is wary after how his last serious relationship turned out.”

I bit my lip to keep from asking more. I didn’t want Sasha to get suspicious.

“He’s been very private ever since. I don’t even know where he lives, outside of their cottage, that is. I’ve never been to his place.”

We spoke a little about our families while devouring the cheese. She was a born and bred New Yorker, and her entire family was here. I became melancholic as I told her about Mom and Dad back in Montana.

At around nine o’clock, she kept checking her watch. I pestered her until she told me that her husband had promised to pick her up on his way home.

“Go, really. It’s no problem.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m going to stay here a while longer, enjoy the view. And finish my wine.” I was on my second glass and feeling rested.

“Okay. But we have to do this again soon.”

“Sure.”

A smile played on my lips after she left. I hoped she couldn’t tell that I’d been thrilled she was cutting our date short, because I had a phone date with a certain sexy rock star in half an hour. I’d already wondered how I could slip away from her before she told me of her plans. I hadn’t wanted to postpone the call—I longed to hear his voice.

Damn, damn, damn. I really thought we were going to get the flirting out of our system? That was going to be impossible.

***

Brayden

Late-night shows were my favorite. The hosts were  looking to entertain audiences with a mix of humor and music. They rarely put us on the spot with annoying questions, and I appreciated it. A car picked us up from the studio once the show was over.

“Let’s get drinks at our usual place,” Lars suggested. It was a bar close to the hotel with a generous back room they rented to us when we were in Nashville. Usually I was all for drinks after a show, but the phone call with Isabelle was coming up in fifteen minutes, and I’d be damned if I was going to miss it.

“You all go. Drop me off at the hotel.”

Lars cocked a brow. “Are you sick?”

“Fuck off.”

He held up his hands in mock defense. “You’ve never said no to going out for drinks and picking up women.”

“I’m not interested,” I said.

Harvey tilted his head, narrowing his eyes. “Something’s definitely up with him. But what?”

Thomas smirked. “I know the signs. No desire for late-night drinks or picking up women. You’re seeing someone and haven’t told us about it.”

Lars groaned. “Hell no. We don’t need to lose more band members to marital bliss. No offense, man. I’m happy for you, but I hope Harvey and Brayden don’t want to follow in your footsteps.”

“Lars, stop giving me crap,” I said calmly.

He ran a hand through his hair, looking perplexed. “Shit, Thomas is right, isn’t he? Who is it?”

I slid down the partition to the driver, instructing him to stop by the hotel before taking the group to the bar.

Lars was still looking at me expectantly. I said nothing. I didn’t want them to treat Isabelle any differently, and besides, I had no idea what was going on between us anyway. The only thing I knew was I’d been looking forward to this call all day.

Lars was still looking a bit lost as I got out of the car at the back entrance of the hotel. It was almost comical.

I’d grown up with parents who’d always been loyal to each other. They were the perfect example of marital bliss and insisted life was better when you had a partner by your side. But it wasn’t my experience. It was easier to keep a wall between myself and the rest of the world. I’d never wanted to let anyone close, until I met Isabelle.

She was real. Talking with her was like talking with an old friend who I liked a lot. She was normal, didn’t care I was famous or any of that crap—she legitimately liked me for me. She was beautiful, her red hair was gorgeous, and her smile did something to me. The woman was special, and I couldn’t wait to find out more about her, to be with her.

The back entrance was empty, though it was late enough that I probably could have used the main one. The lobby wouldn’t be crowded at this time of night, but I didn’t want to risk it. The chance of being recognized was higher here in Nashville, where everyone and their grandmother were involved in the music industry.

I arrived in my room with a few minutes to spare. Sitting in the brown leather armchair next to the window, I called Isabelle five minutes before our set time.

“Hello, handsome,” she answered.

I smiled right away at the sound of her voice.

“Isabelle.”

“Just so you know, I’m in public, so don’t make me blush or anything.”

“I’ll do my best.”

She laughed. “No you won’t. I can tell from your voice.”

“Why are you in public?”

“I met with Sasha for drinks, and it lasted longer than I thought it would.”

“She’s there now?”

“No, she’s gone already. I didn’t want to leave and risk not getting home in time.”

It pleased me that she’d been looking forward to our call as much as I had.

“I didn’t know you two were meeting tonight.”

“It was spontaneous. We talked a bit about the response to the Facebook