"Bodyguard, huh?" Luke apparently liked the sound of it. Cade didn't doubt that behind those blue eyes, some kind of sexist remark was waiting to blurt out, but they were interrupted as the rest of the band joined them.
"Who's this, Har?" Marco, the shortest of the four, but still just as appealing to look at, messed Harley's hair.
"Cade. Bodyguard," Luke answered for her, crossing his arms over his pecs, his biceps bulging. The two men scrutinized her up and down, and nodded.
Cade didn't understand men. Regardless of how she dressed, dowdy in shapeless grey suits, they still managed to make her feel like she was standing there in her underwear. Her hair was pulled back into a neat bun, and she wore zero makeup, not even lip balm.
The third band member joined their huddle, quirking a corner of his lips, and without a word, wrapped Cade into a tight hug. "Glad to finally meet you, Cade. I'm JP."
Cade's eyes widened. She spotted Zee in the corner with his emotionless countenance. Her hands were lifted up in the air. This was too much contact for her from an unknown person.
"JP, let go of her." Jax finally decided to pop in. The harem-er, women followed behind him, all seemingly had a hand attached to the rock star. Jax either didn't notice or didn't care that the women were groping him. "Don't mind him. He's an idiot," he told Cade as soon as JP released her. "Everyone, this is Cade, she's here for Harley."
They locked gazes. Cade looked away first, afraid that someone would take notice.
"Cade, meet the band, Dumb, Dumber, Dumbest," he said, pointing at Luke, Marco and JP, respectively. The guys grumbled and complained, and began fake-punching each other. The groupie was not introduced.
Jax sidled up between her and Harley. "Would you ladies like something to drink?"
"I'm good," Harley answered.
When it was her turn, Cade couldn't even speak, she simply nodded her head. She felt like such a stupid fan girl. She had listened to their music after reading the dossier Juliette had handed her about Jax and his band. She had even watched a few YouTube videos, why had she all of a sudden become shy and mute? Was it because she'd heard him sing in person, and his lyrics spoke to her?
"Well, if you need anything, Tina will help you out with it. Better go back to practice." Jax bent down to kiss Harley on the cheek, then twisted around to her. Cade stepped back, afraid he would lean in for a kiss too, but he just smiled. "I hope you're enjoying yourself." Then he left her there, opening and closing her mouth like a guppy.
***
"I think I should go to the bathroom now," Harley said in a soft voice. The band had taken another break, but instead of dispersing, they talked with each other over the arrangements.
"C'mon." Cade helped her off the couch. Harley giggled as the sofa tried to keep her glued to its surface.
Cade asked Tina where to go and they were directed to the other side of the studio. As they passed the band, she couldn't quite help herself from looking at Jax. He was staring back. It was too late to try and be demure, so she mouthed that she was taking Harley to the bathroom. He gave her a curt nod. As they kept going, she could still feel his gaze on her. She almost wanted to sashay her hips a bit more but thought it would look silly. She had never been good at flirting.
By the time they reached the bathrooms, Harley was skipping and dancing on one leg.
"Hurry up before you pee your pants. You should've told me you had to go badly."
Harley pushed open the last stall and slammed it shut. "I didn't think about it until we stood up," they girl told her through the walls.
Cade decided it would be a good time to use the facilities as well. Before she could even pull her pants down, she heard the door swing open and a gaggle of women walked in, laughing. Groupies. She wondered if they knew they were there and if they had followed her.
"He's totally doing her," one of them said.
"What makes you think that?"
"Isn't it obvious? C'mon. Who hires a female bodyguard other than the fact that he wants to screw her?"
"She's not even hot. Did you see her outfit? Eck!"
"I think she's pretty. And she's nice to the little girl."
"Oh, shut it, Monica. He's screwing her. Maybe she's nice to Jax's daughter because she wants to bag Jax. Oh my god, I have to let Fiona know!"
"No!"
"Yeah, wouldn't you want to know if your boyfriend or baby daddy is fucking the help?"
Then they all laughed.