The Hardest Set (Willow Son #4/Brothers of Rock #19) Read Online Free Page B

wanted each other. We made it happen. It wasn ’ t easy. It ’ s
still not easy when I ’ m
away. I hate to say this because you ’ re
heartbroken right now … but
if it ’ s meant to be, it
will. ”
    “ And
that ’ s my point, ” Van said. He patted Colby ’ s cheek. “ I thought it was meant to be. That ’ s why she kept the ring. That ’ s why she said she was waiting. ”
    “ You
knew she had someone. ”
    “ She
had my fucking ring, bro. ”
    The rest of band piled into the
room. Everyone almost looked about the same. The attempted dressed up look with
a touch of rockstar.
    “ You
look like you ’ re about to
kiss Colby, ” Brantley said.
    “ I ’ m actually closer to knocking
his teeth out, ” Van said.
He then whispered to Colby. “ Don ’ t put yourself in my shoes right
now. Don ’ t put me in your
shoes. ”
    “ Okay,
brother, ” Colby said. “ Do what you need to do. ”
    Van turned and tugged on his suit
jacket. He whacked Jett in the shoulder. “ You
ready for this? Kick some ass at this catered affair? ”
    “ What
are the chances that we end up playing a song? ” Ryker asked.
    “ Pretty
good, ” Van said. “ You know Portis. And Harry. Hey,
all I need is you guys to let me the hell down and the cycle is complete. ”
    “ You
need to find someone else, ” Jett said. “ I ’ m not going to hide it, man. You ’ re so hung up on a damn ring.
And a damn woman that doesn ’ t
want you. Get over it. ”
    Van turned and let out a sigh. A
second later he lunged at Jett, taking him to the ground.
    So much for looking nice.
     
    4.
     
    The band arrived with some sense of
style. Someone opened the car door and they all got out. Fans were there
screaming. People were taking pictures. People reached out, looking for an
autograph. Van looked around and wasn ’ t
sure what to think. This was far beyond some kind of catered affair. Portis
wanted this. He wanted the fanfare and the parade. It helped his brand.
    Asshole.
    Van slapped hands with everyone he
could reach.
    At the door to the hall, two men
opened the doors and said how much they enjoyed Willow Son.
    Inside, it was even more wild. The
entire room lit up with applause for the band.
    “ Is
this for Portis or for us? ” Van whispered to Brantley.
    “ Who
cares? ” Brantley said. “ Just look for the women. A lot
of dresses are going to end up on my floor tonight. ”
    Van laughed.
    Portis rushed to the band and
quickly cut between Colby and Jett. Cameras appeared, snapping picture after
picture.
    “ So
glad you made it, ” Portis
said as he patted Colby ’ s
chest.
    For a second, Van thought Colby was
going to punch Portis. That wouldn ’ t
have been the first time it happened.
    “ Glad
we ’ re here, ” Ryker said.
    “ There ’ s a lot happening tonight, ” Portis said. “ Plenty of people we can get to
know. Work on sponsorships, touring partners, financing opportunities. ”
    “ You
know none of that matters to us, ” Van said. “ That ’ s between you and Harry. ”
    “ You ’ re right, ” Portis said. He pointed at Van. “ But I need you here to entertain
the people. ”
    “ There
you go, ” Brantley said. “ We ’ ll
be up on stage soon enough. ”
    “ Do
it as a surprise, ” Portis
said.
    “ Portis!
Another picture! ”
    Portis turned, smiled, and grabbed
Jett ’ s hand. He held it for
the picture.
    The camera people then rushed to
another group of people. Van vaguely recognized a couple of the people as movie
stars.
    Van cut to the left and tried to
keep his stare down the best he could, trying to avoid eye contact and avoid
conversation. Somehow he needed to get through the party with a few handshakes,
a few extra smiles, and a handful of pictures. That was the key to survival.
    And drinks.
    Yes.
    Drinks.
    A waiter strolled by, too far out
of reach.
    Van watched the guy cut deeper into
the crowd. “ Ah, damn. ”
    He turned his head a split second
before crashing into a woman. She carried