Page 76 of Barron's Second Chance
Rocker Boy grinned, taking his hand in his, but instead of shaking it, he brought Barron in for a manly hug and back slap.
Again, for a short minute, he had an "I can't believe I'm meeting Joshua Gates and hugging him"moment. He had always been a fan of The Living English, and heusedto have most of their songs downloaded onto his playlists.
He never understood the term "star quality," but looking at Rocker Boy in his ripped jeans,Alice In ChainsT-shirt, and piercings on his eyebrow and lip, he understood the concept for the first time.
Joshua Gates emitted acool boyvibe. Even if he weren’t famous, he would have turned heads on the street because he just had thatsomething -that extra 'it' factor that had people doing a double take.
"Thanks, mate." He gestured to the couch. "Come sit. It's nice to meet so many of E's friends."
He tried not to feel irritable about the fact that this Rocker Boy had made himself at home and invitedhimto sit.
"So, are you two close friends? I haven't heard E mention you before?"
Don't hit him, don't hit him, don't hit him.
Instead, he bared his teeth, glancing at Eden, who took space on the armchair opposite. She gave him a small hesitant smile which told him nothing except that she was a little uncomfortable on the line of questioning.
He was slightly offended that she hadn't mentioned him, considering they had been such a huge part of each other's lives. But at the same time, what would she have said?
"Oh, by the way, my ex-boyfriend who publicly cheated on me will be at dinner tonight. Please be nice."
"We were close, but I stupidly lost touch with her. But I'm back in her life now," he firmly said as he stared hard at rocker boy, letting him know his words had a purposeful intent behind them.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Eden shift uncomfortably in her seat. Wanting to keep his promise to her to behave, he forced another smile at Rocker Boy. His face was gonna ache by the time he left here tonight.
"So, how did you two meet anyway?" He queried. Barron had only read in tabloids that they were long-time friends before they became…lovers.
"We run in the same circles," Eden inputted quickly, her gaze shooting to Josh.
"Yeah," Rocker Boy laughed, "back in mine and E's mad party days."
Party days? He glanced at Eden and frowned when she averted her gaze from his.
Eden and partying were words that he would never associate together. Social gatherings around people she didn't know were not the norm for Eden. And, the incident with his Mom's good red wine aside, Eden hadn't been much of a drinker.
Before he could press for more, Sofia plopped down next to him, slapping him hard on the stomach.
"Move over, doofus." He would've apologized and given her space, except that Sofia said it with a gleam in her eye, letting him know she was joking around with him.
Once again, Barron felt confident that he was on the right path with Eden if Sofia's insults were disguised as compliments.
"How's the tour going, Josh? I just love your new album!" Sofia gushed.
He stifled the laughter he could feel brewing at Sofia's obvious fangirling. He’d never seen her so flustered in his life.
His amused eyes met Eden's, and he saw the same delight in them. His heart leaped as they smiled stupidly at each other, sharing in the private joke.
"Can I get you a beer?" She softly asked him, a soft blush lighting her smooth cheeks.
"I can get it," he offered, wanting her to stay right where she was.
She shook her head as she stood. "I have to check on dinner anyway."
He almost slumped in disappointment. There went his chance to talk to her.
"Josh, you want another?"
Aaaaand there went his good mood again. It was silly, but he wanted Eden only to offer him a beer. It stupidly made Barron feel special.
