She's Still The One: A Brother's Best Friend, Rockstar Romance Kaci Rose (essential reading txt) 📖

"Damn."

"Did you ever sleep with him?" I ask her.

Belle had a bit of a wild side, when she first started making a name for herself. She was always partying and was known to sleep with other singers. She calmed down and started dating her ex and was happy, until he dumped her for no reason a few months ago.

"No, and not for a lack of trying. He said he would never sleep with one of your friends. I told him you gave me the go ahead, and he still said no. Then, he avoided me like the plague the rest of the tour. Think I should come over and try to get a date?"

I'm relieved they never slept together, but the thought of her flirting with him doesn't sit right either. What's one more white lie, right?

"I don't think that's a good idea. He doesn't want to date right now and complains about everyone asking him out. How did you hear about this rumor?" I ask.

"Oh, it's all over the biz, since your tour. I guess, the girls he hooked up with had some pillow talk, and the word spread."

I shiver, "Gross."

Belle shrugs, as our food gets there.

We take our time eating and talk about her last tour, a few bad dates she’s been on, and the gossip at the label. We get to dessert, before people start coming up to her asking for autographs and photos. She agrees, because like Landon and Dallas, she knows she's nothing without her fans.

I help take photos, kind of happy to fly under the radar. I can tell Mason doesn't like this at all. He's right by my side and making sure everyone keeps a distance, until their turn. Then, one of the guys recognizes me.

"Score! Austin Anderson, too! My buddy is going to be so mad he ditched lunch! Can I get a picture with both of you?" He asks.

I agree, and after that, Belle has Mason take a few photos of just the two of us.

"Since we have been outed, might as well make our own posts," Belle says.

Mason leans down to my ear, "We should get moving. They’ll be posting those online, and we don't want people to track you here."

By people he means Branden. Great.

"Belle, I have to get going, but how long are you in town for?" I ask.

"Oh, I leave tomorrow."

"Damn, call me, when you get back, and we can hang out at our pool, working on our tans."

"Sounds perfect." She hugs me and not just a quick hug. This is a huge I'm going to miss you like crazy hug.

Mason walks me out to the SUV and helps me in once again. Then, we are on the road home, and all I can think about is Belle's comment about wanting to ask Dallas out. I don't doubt she's the only one.

Chapter 22

Dallas

I haven't been able to concentrate on a damn thing, since Austin walked out that door. I know she's in good hands with Mason, but he has to be sick of me texting him every thirty minutes asking for an update.

I had to know she was okay, and with her brother looking into Branden, he'd never forgive me if something happened to her, while she was out. He has no problem locking her up and throwing away the key, but I can't do that to her.

I'm pacing the house, when I hear the notification that the gate is being opened. Running to the monitors, I see the black SUV they took and breathe a sigh of relief. I don't want her to know I've been a mess, since she walked out of the door, so I head to the living room and sit down. I unmute the cooking channel I had on and wait for her to come to me.

It doesn't take long, until she's in the doorway, and I'm up across the room, pulling her into my arms.

"I hated you being away." I pout, as I pull her back to the couch with me and put her on my lap. "I've gotten so used to you being around. It's going to be torture, when Landon gets home."

I lean in and kiss her, just a short one to ground me, before pulling back.

"Did you have fun?" I ask her.

"Oh yes, it was great to see Belle again. Can you believe we got all the way to dessert, before someone asked her for an autograph? I think it was giving her a complex." She laughs. "She did tell me about an interesting rumor that has been circulating."

I instantly tense up. People are great at spreading rumors to benefit themselves. The three of us have dealt with our fair share, and we never let it drive us apart. But that was before Austin was mine, and that changes a lot.

"What's that?" I ask.

"There’s a rumor going around that some girl has tamed you. She wanted to see if I knew who. She's heartbroken and totally made it no secret she wants to make a pass at you now that you seem to be relationship material."

"Fuck, I bet she won't be the only one. No one linking us together?"

"Nope, doesn't seem to be. I didn't want to lie to her, but I figure we didn't want her to know either."

"Baby girl, I want everyone to know. You say the word, and I'll blast it on every social media network out there. But it's probably best Landon is the first to know. I don't think that's something he should find out from someone else."

"I agree. He texted me on the way home. He’ll only be home for a week, before heading out again. I was thinking we don't tell him this time, keep our bubble a little longer, and tell him, when he gets back from his next trip?"

I don't like hiding from him and having to pretend she isn't