A woman somehow gets past security and jumps on stage, gets to her feet, and lunges herself toward Bren, but a bouncer catches her just before she reaches him. My heart thumps loud in my chest, and my legs stiffen, readying to lunge me toward the stage until I see the guard catch her. It happens so fast, I am genuinely afraid for Bren for a moment.
The woman struggles in the bouncer’s grip, but Bren keeps his cool, continuing the song. He follows the bouncer and outstretches his hand so that the fan can shake it briefly before being hauled out.
I press my hand to my chest and shake my head. Bren has everything under control. There’s no need to be afraid.
Is there?
More women fling underwear at my man, and I can’t help but smile.
That’s right, ladies,I think.Eat your hearts out.
Brenner Reindhart is taken.
TWENTY
Bren
The tour is finally over, and I have no real commitments with the band for a while, apart from an upcoming charity concert, then nothing until we are ready to record again. Though the guys are all homesick, none of them return to Germany.
Adrian likes the rehab center in Kansas City and wants to be near it should he need it, and Fritz and Karl agree they enjoy having less paparazzi around, so the band is following me back to Kansas City for some R&R before heading home. We plan on writing music and taking it easy for at least a little while.
Over the last month of the tour, I have seen Sofia minimally when I could get away for a few days. We resorted to phone sex and sexting, but it wasn’t enough to ease my severe case of blue balls. I need time alone with her soon.
The band has to agree on where we can record next, but already, I am devising an argument for recording in Kansas City. If all goes as planned, I will have at least a year near Sofia with little need for travel of any kind.
Before takeoff, I wrap up two emails—one with my new realtor and the second with a decorator. I have one request: a bathtub for two, big enough so that water can cover a woman’s boobs and knees at the same time. I smile at the memory of Sofia telling me that. I hope she likes my new home because I want her around all the time.
“What are you grinning about?” Adrian asks, his face in its customary scowl.
“Nothing,” I say and shut off the laptop, placing it back in the side sleeve of my suitcase.
Fritz looks up from his magazine, smirks while shaking his head, and goes back to reading.
Sofia isn’t expecting me for a few more days, and I can’t wait to surprise her.
* * *
My mood shiftswhen I see her with him. I ask Andreas to go inside the bar this time and wait in the corner in case all hell breaks loose. Sofia doesn’t see me initially as I walk up to the table where she is sitting with a man. I count to ten, forcing my fists to unfurl at my sides.
“Sofia,” I say. “Hi.”
Sofia looks up, her brow creased with confusion for all of one second before recognition hits her. Her grin spreads wide on her face, and she stands to give me a hug.
“Bren! I thought you weren’t getting in until the day after tomorrow?”
“Clearly,” I mumble under my breath.
“What?” she asks.
“Who is this?” I ask, looking at the man still sitting.
He stands and smiles at me, offering a hand. I blink, look at his outstretched hand, then look back at Sofia—waiting for an explanation.
Her shoulders tighten under the glare I am sending her way. “I’m sorry,” she says curtly. “This is David. David, this is Bren.”
David’s head tilts to the side, and his eyes narrow before going wide with recognition.
“As in . . .” He clears his throat. “Brenner Reindhart? Oh my god. I’m such a huge fan,” he says.