Free Damaged But Not Broken (New Adult Rockers) by W.H. Vega Page A

sexy voice.
    Ryan eyes me carefully. “What’s it
to you?” he asks.
    “Nothing,” I manage to say, “It’s
just that Paige has been through some serious shit. I’m a little protective of
her.”
    Ryan takes a long drink of his
beer, and leans back in his chair as his eyes rove over Paige’s body.
    She’s dressed in a simple dark blue
dress that highlights her eyes. It’s short enough to reveal her killer legs
without being trashy. It dips across her chest without showing too much
cleavage, but let's everyone know that she has one hell of a rack.
    Her hair is curled a bit, not long
and straight like it was the other day, but it looks great. Kind of messy. It
reminds me of what she looked like after we would finish fooling around. Still
gorgeous but messed up just a little.
    Ryan is still admiring her body and
I feel a wave of anger and possessiveness over Paige. She was mine first, and I
don’t like anyone looking at her in that hungry kind of way. Ryan is a great
guy, but he knows how to work things with the ladies. He’s slept with more
women than I can count. He is smooth and charming, and half Mexican which gives
him a bit of an exotic dark features look.
    I don’t want Paige anywhere near
him.
    But then all my thoughts leave me
as Paige starts to sing. I’m blown away by her voice.
    I know instantly that Paige is
destined to be a star. She has a vulnerable, sexy quality about her that makes
her instantly likeable. She’s real. And her voice is flat out amazing. Powerful
but tender, with an almost soulful quality. She could rival any current female
country star.
    I look over at Ryan whose jaw is
hanging open.
    “Shit, man! Did you know she could
sing like that?” he asks.
    I shake my head in disbelief. I
glance over and see Kenny Lawson grinning from ear to ear, glowing with pride.
    Paige does a total of five songs
and people jump to their feet clapping and whistling for her when she’s
finished. She thanks everyone, clearly embarrassed by the happy reaction and
then hurries off stage. I see Kenny disappear after her.
    “Are we going to stick around for a
bit?” Ryan asks, finishing off his beer, still looking somewhat shell shocked.
    “Yeah.”
    “Cool. I’m going to get another
beer and check out who’s at the bar.” His eyes slide longingly to the stage
door where Paige will eventually emerge. “I need to bide my time,” he grins.
    “I mean it, Ryan. She’s not right
for you.”
    Ryan winks. “I can show her the
ropes.” He saunters off for another beer.
    I sit and stew over Ryan's
intentions with Paige. I’m glad I came to see her, and I’m proud as hell of
her, but I know in the pit of my stomach it was a mistake. When I saw her the
other day, I knew I was in big trouble the instant all of my old feelings
started coming back.
    After seeing her perform just now,
I know I've only made it worse. And now that Paige is here in front of me, back
in my life, I don’t know how I'm possibly going to forget about her.
    I know I should get up and walk
away. I should leave right now. Not even congratulate Paige, just grab my keys
and run like hell out of the bar. Avoid her at all costs because I'm in love
with Savannah and we're getting married. But I know myself, and I know that I can’t
do that. I can’t walk away from Paige now.
    It scares the shit out of me.
    It takes about ten minutes, but
Paige finally emerges from the side door. Kenny is at her side instantly,
hugging her and whispering into her ear. Paige smiles widely and then I see her
eyes scanning the bar. I’m not sure what she’s looking for but I hope it’s me.
    Her eyes find me and that says it
all. She excuses herself, and politely accepts congratulations from people as
she makes a beeline for me. She’s still wearing that sexy blue dress and it
kills me to see her looking at me the way she used to – like I’m the only person
that exists.
    “Blake! You came!” She throws
herself into my arms, and I inhale, taking in