Worthy of the Harmony (Mountains & Men Book 2) (22 page)

I grin, staring down at my feet as I fight my amusement. I’ve been pretty tight-lipped about what’s been going on between Millie and me around my sisters. The guys know, and I’ve gotten just as much playful grief as I have encouragement from all of them. They’re happy for me, but they can’t help but mess with me, too.

My sisters, on the other hand? I know they’ll lose their shit when they find out Millie and I are officially together. Hell, Rosy was begging to meet her the first time I ever mentioned her. I know my girl doesn’t really come from a lot of family and the thought of meeting mine is a bit daunting—she doesn’t have to say it; just remembering our Giuseppe’s fiasco is enough to remind me we have to take this slow. But with the show tomorrow night, there really is no getting around it. I suppose it’s time they knew.

“Yeah. She’ll be there.”

Pepper gasps. “Your
girlfriend
will be there? Really?
Girlfriend?
”

“Yes, Pepper,” I say with a laugh. “My girlfriend will be at The Brew.”

“
Yes!
Oh, my god! Sage!”

My smile is so wide, my face actually hurts. It feels good hearing her excitement. When I hear her sniffle on the other end of the line, I shake my head at her. “Pep, are you
crying?
”

“Oh, shut up. It’s been a really long time since you’ve had a girl in your life that you’ve cared about. I’m just really happy for you. I know how much you wanted her to work out.”

“Thanks, sis. That means a lot,” I tell her, every word sincere.

“Alright, I should go. Sophia will be waking up any minute and I’ll need to feed her, but I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“Bands start at eight, we’re on at ten. Text me when you get there if you can’t find me.”

“I will. Love you!”

“Love you, too.”

IT’S JUST AFTER
nine when I arrive at the bar and it is
packed
. There’s a band up on stage and the dance floor is overflowing with bodies, not to mention all the tables full of drinking patrons. It feels like the entire place is alive and my awareness of the energy makes me nervous. I can’t explain why, but it all seems so overwhelming.

As I make my way further into the establishment, my eyes are everywhere, looking for anyone that I know. I’m halfway to the bar when I feel a small hand clasp around my elbow. I look over my shoulder and see that it’s Violet who is trying to snag my attention. She grins at me when our eyes meet. She looks amazing. She’s wearing a faded gray Mountains & Men t-shirt that appears to have been altered, the neck wide and more flattering to her feminine physique. The fitted blue blazer she wears over it is rolled up at the sleeves, and her legs are tucked into a pair of leather leggings. Her red Toms round out her ensemble and I’ll admit, she looks to be one, hot, M&M roadie.

“Knew it was you,” she says. “Don’t tell Sage I said this, but I’d recognize your long legs anywhere, girl.”

I chuckle, looking down at myself. I’ve got on a fitted, short-sleeved, plain white collared shirt—buttoned only high enough to keep my boobs covered. The shirt is tucked into my black, high-waisted shorts, and my legs are adorned with sheer, black, polka-dot tights. My feet are tucked into a pair of red, stiletto, ankle boots for a little splash of color. I’m not roadie chic, but it’ll have to do.

“We haven’t been here long,” she explains, talking loudly over the music. “We just got finished unloading the trailer a minute ago. Harry, Pepper, and Rose have a table. The guys are getting drinks. Come on.”

Before I can utter a single word, she starts tugging me into one of the far corners of the room. Her tug is strong and I can’t resist, even though everything in me wants to. Realizing that I’m getting ready to meet Sage’s older sister—
his older sister who is
younger
than me—
along with her husband, freaks me the fuck out. Add Rosemary to the equation and I feel as though my sweaty palms are pretty self-explanatory. I’ve yet to have an encounter with Rose that
isn’t
drenched in awkward. Not having Sage here with me as a buffer just makes it all worse.

“Wait!” I manage, pulling my arm away from Violet. She stops and looks back at me, her blue eyes expressing her curious confusion. “Maybe I should find Sage first.”

When she smiles at me kindly, I curse her for being so damn warm and understanding all the time. She links her arm through mine and hip-checks me. “You’ve met Rose before, haven’t you? And Pepper is probably the nicest person I’ve ever met. You have nothing to worry about, I swear.”

I open my mouth to protest some more, but I lose my words when she starts guiding me through the crowd again. I spot Rosemary first. She’s in jeans and a sequined top—her long hair pulled up into a high, curly ponytail. She’s sitting beside an attractive woman who looks almost nothing like her, the two of them caught up in conversation. Watching them smile and laugh together sends an unidentifiable pang through my chest. The nerves I felt upon entering The Brew now shift into full-on anxiety.

There are so many parts of Sage’s world in which I don’t belong, and his family—the relationship he has with his sisters—it’s just one more place that I don’t fit. Though, it’s not that knowledge that has me starting to panic; it’s the knowledge that I know they’ll invite me in, anyway—just like Violet and the guys have. I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that I’ve fallen for Sage, still getting used to the reality of my girlfriend status, and the possibility of being welcomed by his family is just too much.

If he ever leaves—they’ll all leave with him.

I feel my body acting before I can catch up to my thoughts. I plant my feet at the exact moment that I hear someone call my name.

Thank fuck!

Violet and I both turn in the direction of the voice and I see Sarah, Brandon, Aria, and Josh headed our way.

“Hey. I wasn’t sure if you’d be here. It’s good to see you,” Sarah says in greeting. She looks tired, which isn’t at all surprising. I’m sure taking care of her parents post-accident is exhausting; plus, her drive up here probably didn’t help. Yet, in spite of all of the above, she’s still
glowing
. There is a happiness inside of Sarah that is endearing, charming, and sweet all at once. It’s kind of disgusting, but I cannot deny that I appreciate it. Especially now. Her timing is perfect.

“Sarah, hi. How are your parents doing?”

“They’re on the mend,” she replies with a nod. “Thank you for asking. I’m excited to have a night off, though. I’ll be heading back down tomorrow morning.”

“I’m glad you were able to get away for a bit.”

“Is Sage with you?” asks Brandon.

“No. Uh,” I pause, scanning the crowd for his face. It only takes me a second to come to the conclusion that the bar is far too crowded to be able to spot him at a glance. “He’s around here somewhere. I haven’t seen him yet.”

“We have a table if your crew wants to join us,” pipes in Violet.

“Oh. Sorry—guys, this is Violet. Violet—Sarah, Brandon, Aria, and Josh.”

“Hey,” she says with a blanket wave. “Any friends of Millie are friends of mine.”

I fight the urge to grumble. I wouldn’t exactly call this group my
friends.
I’m far from a social butterfly, and it’s only been a few weeks since Sarah and I have been on speaking terms. We didn’t exactly get off on the right foot. Nevertheless, none of them protest the title.

“Are you with the band?” asks Aria, pointing to Violet’s shirt.

“I am. Well,
sort of
. JJ—on the keys—he’s my guy,” she replies with a shrug and a proud grin.

“Oh, my god, Millie! I found you!” cries Lindsey. She comes up from behind me, joining our growing circle. “I tried texting you, but it’s so crazy in here, I figured you wouldn't hear your phone.” I start to say hello but, in true
Lindsey
fashion, she takes it upon herself to introduce herself around the group. Once she’s met everyone, she focuses her attention back on me. “So, where’s that hot boyfriend of yours?”

“Boyfriend?” asks Sarah with a growing smile. “You and Sage?”

“Uh—” Just as I begin to answer her, I
feel
him.

Without a word, he slips his tattooed arm around my waist, pulling me back against his chest. Violet lets me go as he dips his head, nuzzling my neck with his nose before he presses his cool lips against my warm skin. Immediately, I begin to relax. I lean into him, needing him to give me more of whatever it is about him that makes me feel calm in the midst of this crowd of people who seem to be directing all of their attention on me.

“Hey, gorgeous,” he mutters in my ear.

I tilt my head back, my eyes seeking out his, and smile when his icy blue irises dance around my face. “Hi.”

He presses a kiss to my lips and smirks at me before kissing me one more time. “Have you been here long?”

“No,” I say, shaking my head slightly.

“Good. Have some people I want you to meet.” I inhale deeply and exhale slowly, trying to mentally prepare myself to meet some of the most important people in his life. With him by my side, it doesn’t feel so daunting; but that doesn’t mean I’m not nervous.

As if he can read my thoughts, he kisses me once more before he shifts his focus to our quiet audience. He greets everyone enthusiastically, thanking them for coming out to support him and the band. He seems completely unfazed by the fact that our entire exchange was being watched, and it dawns on me that he’s used to the spotlight in ways that I never will be.

The nerves I felt upon entering tonight, they were for him. In that moment, I wondered how he would fair up on that stage, in front of the packed bar. It was silly of me to worry. The energy in the room? The massive amount of people that makes this place feel alive? It’s like
fuel
for him. This is Sage in his element. He was meant to be the center of attention.

“Come on,” he tells everyone with a nod. “We’ve got a table.” He takes my hand, lacing his fingers with mine, and offers me a wink as he leads the way. “Come ‘ere, doll face. It’s time I show you off.”

M
ILLICENT ABOUT SQUEEZES
the life out of my hand as we approach the table. JJ and Derrick are shootin’ the shit with my sisters and Harry, and I know the Bradley brothers opted to hang at the bar until it’s time to head backstage. Pepper’s eyes drift in our direction, and when she see’s Millie, I can tell she’s no longer listening to what Rosy is saying. Instead, I watch as she discreetly taps Harry’s leg underneath the table, catching his attention. He looks to my sister before he looks our way. A sly smirk tugs at my lips as he raises his eyebrows at me, seemingly impressed.

Damn straight. My girl is a fox.

I introduce Millie to Pepper first, and then Harry. She seems to relax a little bit upon making his acquaintance. I never told her how much older than us he is, and I think it surprises and satisfies her that she’s not the oldest one in our bunch. Not that Harry is old. At thirty-two, he’s got that
boy-next-door
,
good-guy-jock
thing going for him. I’m sure his blonde hair, blue eyes, and chronic five o’clock shadow make all the ladies that walk into his office want to drop their panties.