Rocked to the Core Read Online Free Page A

worked off all the eating and drinking he did on stage and in bed with any of the unending series of girls who threw themselves at him.
    In theory he'd be the kind of guy I loathed, but the truth was, Dex had always been warm and kind to me. When some other members of the band and its management were cruel or dismissive, he'd always been there with a joke or a friendly hug when I was having a rough time.
    I watched him teasing playfully and smiled, a real one this time. Darrell came up from behind me and put his hand on my shoulder.
    "It's the accent, right? You girls can't resist the accent."
    "It doesn't hurt," I admitted.
    "Should I go rescue Mary?"
    "Nah, he's harmless. And she'll be telling everyone in her kid's class how a rock star hit on her."
    "Fair point. Now get to work, kiddo."
    "Yes, sir."
    I walked over and laughed as Mary tossed her hair. I wondered if I'd be flirting with twenty-five year olds when I was her age. Hell, I wasn't doing it at my age, so probably not.
    "Sorry to interrupt, you guys."
    "Oh, Liss. Your friend here was just telling me about the differences between diners here and in London. Fascinating."
    "I'm sure." I cocked my head to the side and just looked at her.
    "Yes. Well, I better go check on my tables."
    "Goodbye, my darling," Dex said dramatically.
    She blew him a kiss and went off with a new spring in her step.
    "Oh boy, you never change."
    He grinned impishly. "And I never will."
    "Good. Want something else? Coffee?"
    "Coffee would be great. It's going to be a long night."
    I topped of his cup. "Why's that?"
    "Ryan rented out a bar for us. So we can blow off some steam before getting down to work."
    "Oh, wow."
    "Yeah, I'm heading over there from here. You should stop by when you're off. Everyone would love to see you. We never got to say goodbye."
    I blinked away a tear. "Yeah, sorry about that. I should have."
    "It's okay, love. But I mean it about stopping by. Have one drink."
    "Did…did he ask you to come see me?"
    "No. And he's too stubborn to come himself. But I know him, Liss. And I know you a little too. You will both feel a lot better if you can be in the same room for five minutes. Whatever happens after that you need to at least look each other in the eye."
    He was right, of course. I rolled my eyes. "Well you're awfully sensitive for such a slut, Dex."
    He chuckled and leaned in to speak softly. "Don't tell anyone. Can't ruin my reputation as a notorious rake."
    "Notorious dork is more like it," I said, laughing.
    "There's the Liss I know and love. Seriously, will you at least think about it?"
    "Of course."
    "That's all I ask. Oh, and is there more cheesecake? I want to take some back to the hotel."
    "I'll check."
    I boxes a few slices up for him and sent him off. The rest of the afternoon and evening were uneventful, but busy. By the time I got home I was tired and ready to relax, but Dex's words echoed in my head and I couldn't stop thinking about Joe.
    Maybe I did just need to see him once more. Say a real goodbye so we could both move on. So I took a quick shower and threw on some fresh clothes. And by threw on fresh clothes I mean I spent twenty minutes standing in front of my closet, cursing every piece of clothing inside it for grievous inadequacy. This skirt was too sexy. Those jeans were too old. The first shirt clung to my belly wrong and the second showed too much cleavage.
    Finally settling on a casual maxi dress and a jacket, I shrugged at the unruly mop on my head, swiped on some lip gloss and left.

Chapter Four
    I opened the door to the bar and was immediately confronted by a giant wall of a man. "Private party, Miss."
    "I know. J-uh, Dex invited me."
    He looked at me incredulously and it was all too familiar a scene. The first time I'd encountered a bouncer on my way to see Joe had gone much the same way.
    "I should be on the list. My name is Liss."
    He scanned down and nodded curtly, as if disappointed he wouldn't get to kick me out of there. "Go right