Worthy of the Harmony (Mountains & Men Book 2) (24 page)

When he gets to the chorus, he sings it one time through before he holds out the mic, instructing us to sing along. He sings the next line and then holds the mic out once more, cupping his hand around his ear as he eggs on the bar full of fans. I find myself singing along with everyone else at the top of my lungs. I can’t help it. He’s got me. I’m a fan-girl and there’s no sense in denying it.

For the next forty minutes, Mountains & Men rock the house. By the time they are finished, they’re all coated in sweat. We’re
all
covered in sweat—the room buzzing with the energy their music has left behind. Now, there’s only one thing I want. One thing I
need
. And when Violet grabs my hand, I don’t fight her as she drags me through the crowd.

My lips are
more
than ready—my body aching from the inside out in anticipation of what I know is coming…

Sage.

My dreamer.

My fucking rock star.

THE ADRENALINE THAT’S
coursing through my veins is the most welcome high I’ve ever felt. As I say goodnight to the crowd, I bid farewell to another great show. Big venue or small, large crowd or intimate, it doesn’t matter—it’s all about the music. Singing it. Playing it. Sharing it. Reveling in it.
Living
it. This is the dream, and tonight, we fought for it. Tonight, we live to see another day.

“Thatta girl!” cries Knox. I turn just in time to see him bend down and throw Alex over his shoulder. She grunts as she bends, her long, dark, purple hair hanging to Knox’s knees. “Way to rock, Zip,” he says, slapping her ass. “You’re officially one of us.”

“Yeah. You killed it,” says Derrick with a grin, clapping a hand against the same cheek as he heads off stage.

“Fuck yeah, church mouse. You’re a badass,” Maddox pipes in. I chuckle when he gives her a smack in passing, too.

“Um, am I the only one who thinks this is an extraordinarily sexist pat on the back?” She squeaks when JJ answers with a slap and a laugh. “Seriously, guys! What the hell? Put me down, Knox.”

“Aww, we’re just messin’,” I assure her, lifting her hair to look into her eyes. Her face is red from all the blood that has rushed to her head, which only makes me chuckle more. “We’re a bunch of dudes, remember?”

“
Right
—so, you guys smack each other’s asses after a great show. Is that it?” Both Derrick and JJ look back over their shoulders and the four of us share a smirk, knowing good and well we don’t go near each other’s asses.

“You got a pussy, babe, we get it,” says Mad Lips. “If you
really
want to be treated like the fellas and you’d rather a titty-twist—”

“My ass is yours, guys. Have at it!” she says, throwing her hands out in surrender.

We all burst into laughter, Alex included, as we make our way backstage. As soon as I reach the top of the stairs, I see her. I know right away, and without an introduction, who she is. She’s a slim little thing; but if her clothing says anything about her, she’s got an edge about her and she knows how to use it.

Her leopard print slacks are tight, stopping just above her ankle, highlighting her red Converse.
I like her already…
She’s got on a form-fitting white T underneath her snug, black leather jacket, and her blonde hair is piled on top of her head in a messy bun. She’s busy typing away on her phone as we come off the stage, but when she hears us, she looks up and smiles.

“Hey, guys.
Great
show. Travis told me I needed to get my ass up here, but
damn
.”

“You must be Stefany,” I say, stepping forward and offering her my hand.

She returns the gesture with a firm shake. “Yeah. And
you
are my new favorite up-and-coming band. Seriously, you guys are phenomenal. The atmosphere you create—
electric.
How has no one picked you up, yet?”

“Timing is everything,” says Derrick, coming up beside me to shake her hand as well.

We all introduce ourselves, and as every second ticks by, my patience chips away little by little. I’m dying to know what all of her compliments mean—I’m more than anxious to get confirmation that our big break is finally fucking here.

“Speaking of timing,” she says, letting go of Alex’s hand. “This tour with Lawful Sinners is right around the corner. Busses roll out in a little over a month. I’ve got an in and I sure as shit want to take you with me. How does that sound?”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” cries Maddox.

Knox smacks him against the chest, a knowing smile tugging at his lips before he says, “We want in. No doubt about it.”

“Fantastic,” she says, clapping her hands together. “I really think you guys have the potential to make a name for yourselves. It’s time to get you out there. There are a few logistical things that we need to work out on the business side—I’d like to sit down with you guys and talk contracts. Plus, I want to get you boys—and girl,” she adds with a wink toward Alex, “into the studio.”

“Sounds good. When and where?” I ask.

“Monday. Ten a.m. Denver. My office—here’s my card,” she pauses, handing it to me. “I know it’s short notice, but I’m not one to just sit on a gold mine. Can you make that happen?”

“We’ll be there,” Derrick promises.

“I look forward to it. Thanks again for a good show—I’ll see you Monday.” She offers us a wave, pulling out her phone as she disappears into the bar. For a moment, we all just stare at her as she departs.

That just happened.

Holy. Fucking. Hell—we’re going on tour.

With Lawful Sinners.

“We’re going on tour with Lawful Sinners,” I mutter under my breath. Saying the words out loud makes it feel a little bit more real, so I decide to say it again. “We’re going on tour with Lawful Sinners.” I look around at the guys, my brothers, the men who have been with me through thick and thin, playing from the heart, rockin’ from the soul. “We’re fucking going on tour with Lawful Sinners!” I cry.

Maddox lets out a roar before he pounces on me. Derrick tackles the both of us next. Soon, all of us are laughing and yelling as we jump around—pushing, hugging, slapping. When I look over and see Alex standing alone, laughing at us, I reach out my hand.

“Get the fuck over here, Alex.” The guys pause, making a space for her, and then we all huddle up around our little badass bass player. “We did it, guys. This is it. I can feel it.”

“Hell, yeah!” cries JJ.

“It’s time to fucking party!” says Maddox.

We all chime in a hearty agreement.

“Um,
hello!
What’s going on back here?” Each of us turns at the sound of Violet’s voice.

I barely notice her before my eyes find Millie. My girl. My sexy as shit woman. For the first time in a very long time, I have someone other than the guys to share this moment with; I have someone I actually
want
to share this moment with. I want to tell her everything, and I plan to. I know she’ll listen; she’ll
hear
me because she
sees
me.

But first—
I need a taste
.

I don’t hear the guys as they address Violet. As soon as my gaze aligns with Millicent’s, I can only think of one thing. I close the distance between us and then bend down to wrap my arms just below her hips, pinning her against my chest as I lift her off of her feet. She circles her arms around my shoulders as she smiles down at me, and I feel like the luckiest motherfucker on the planet.

“We did it, baby,” I murmur.

“Seriously? Sage!”

“Kiss me. Need a taste, doll face.”

Her smile stretches a little wider before she leans down and presses her lips against mine. I immediately open my mouth, running my tongue along the seam of hers. As she allows my tongue entrance, she cups her hands around the back of my neck, slipping her fingers into the hair at the nape of my neck.

God, she feels so good. Anywhere she touches me, every time, it only makes me want more
.

She kisses me long and slow, and in spite of my amped up state, I like her tempo. It doesn’t calm me down in the slightest. Instead, it sends my blood rushing to its favorite place. When I pull her bottom lip between my teeth and suck, she whimpers. The sound makes my dick twitch and I squeeze her tighter. I kiss her one more time before I tell myself to pull away. “We’re going to celebrate and then I’m taking you home and fucking you every which way until Sunday.”

“Sunday is in less than an hour,” she says with a giggle, resting her forehead against mine.

“Then I guess I’ll just have to keep you in bed all day.” When she doesn’t protest, a smirk pulls at the side of my mouth before I reach for another quick kiss. By the time I set her down on her feet, we’re alone backstage. I take her hand, locking my fingers between hers, and lead the way out front.

Two steps into the main room, a familiar body smashes into mine. Pepper wraps her arms around me in a tight embrace and I can’t help but laugh as I let go of Millie in order to return her affection. “You were so great. God, Sage, it’s been too long since I’ve seen you perform. I love you so much! You’re my favorite rocker!” She pulls away just enough to beam up at me. “Well, you and Adam Levine. His voice…” She shivers and I cock an eyebrow at her. “Seriously, though,” she continues, reaching up to cup her hands around my cheeks. “I’m so damn proud of you, it hurts.”

“Thanks, Pepper. It means a lot to me that you’re here.”

“Any time, baby bro,” she promises with a wink.

“Are you sticking around?”

“No, we’ve got to go. I’m
exhausted
and I’ve taken all the excitement I can for one night.”

“Alright,” I say with a chuckle.

“You’re a real talent, Sage. You kicked ass up there tonight,” says Harry, shaking my hand before pulling me in for a hug. We pat each other on the back and then say our goodbyes.

As they turn to leave, my baby sister steps in front of me with a huge grin on her face. I open my arms and she throws herself at me. “Tell me I’ll be staying and playing DD tonight because you’re gonna get shit-faced as you celebrate good news!”

“Rosy, we’ll
definitely
need a ride home.”

“She loved you, didn’t she?”

I smirk down at her, offering her a nonchalant shrug. She smacks my chest as she pulls away from me. “I want to know every
single
detail!”

“Can I get a drink, first?”

She rolls her eyes teasingly. “I
guess
.”

When I look back at Millie, I find her watching our exchange. I can’t tell what the expression on her face means, but I know I’d rather see her smile. I snake my arm around her waist and pull her against me, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Hey, gorgeous. How ‘bout I buy you a drink?”

The smile I was hoping for pulls at her lips as she nods her agreement. We’re halfway to the bar when we’re stopped again, this time by our friends. Brandon and Josh both shake my hand and Aria gushes about how much she loved our set. I’ll never tire of hearing our fans sing our praises. I sure as hell will never take it for granted, either.

Sarah catches my attention, tapping my arm before opening hers. I accept her invitation and give her a quick hug. She congratulates me on a great night and I offer my thanks. Just as I begin to pull away, she tightens her grip.

“She’s different,” she speaks softly—loud enough to be heard over the music and hum of conversation that fills the room, soft enough that no one else can make out what she’s saying. “With you, she’s different. It’s good. Really good. Don’t hurt her, Sage. Okay?”

I bob my head in acknowledgement as I pull away from her. Our eyes lock and her warning is reiterated in her stare. I don’t respond with words. Instead, I reach for Millie’s hand and bring it to my lips.

If only Sarah really knew.

There’s no way I’d ever intentionally hurt my girl.

I worked my ass off to get her.

I’ll work my ass off to keep her.

She’s the harmony to my melody, and our song has just begun.