Page 44 of Love Unwritten
No one volunteers, and I don’t blame them. With a voice like hers, she could be doing a lot more than nannying for my family, which begs the question why isn’t she?
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Ellie
A hundred pairs of eyes follow me to the back of the bar, but I pretend not to notice as I disappear into one of the unoccupied bathrooms. I need to gain control over my heart rate again before I go outside and face everyone.
I’m not sure what I was thinking. That much became clear when my friends encouraged me to do something I haven’t tried in years—sing in front of a crowd.
I love everything about music except performing, which is why I haven’t tried it since I lived in Los Angeles.
Reporters always talk about how Ava was discovered at a dive bar, and that is true, but they fail to mention the other woman singing beside her.
I never wanted the fame like Ava, but I always loved the buzz I got whenever the lights were dimmed low and the music began to flow. Maybe that’s why I got up and sang my heart out tonight. Maybe for three minutes of my life, I wanted to step out of the shadows and remind myself of who I was before Ava broke my heart.
Mission accomplished.
Rather than spend the rest of my night hiding in a dingy bathroom, I unlock the deadbolt and step into the dark hallway leading back to the bar. I only make it a few steps before my path is blocked by a large man taking up most of the space.
He is as wide as he is tall, and his muscular arms nearly brush against the walls when he crosses them. His expensive black leather jacket might conceal his muscles, but I can tell the man works out religiously.
I take a step forward, and the wood floor creaks beneath my sneaker. The man turns to face me with raised brows.
It takes me two seconds to place the famous musician’s face.
“Oh my God! You’re—”
A warm palm covers my mouth. “Please don’t say anything.”
His hot, minty breath hits my face as my eyes lock onto his deep blue ones. I’m so damn starstruck, I don’t bother shaking him off. Instead, I stay quiet while I take in the thin, white scar cutting through his stubble and the mop of dark brown hair teasing the collar of his leather jacket.
I almost didn’t recognize Cole Griffin because the last time I saw a paparazzi photo, he had a buzz cut, a thick beard, and matching black eyes after his nose was broken.
He takes a deep breath. “Sorry for overreacting like this. Shit, I really don’t want people knowing I’m here, so please—”
“Get the hell away from her.”
The hand covering my mouth is ripped away as Rafael shoves the wildly popular musician away from me. Cole’s spine slams into a wall, and he lets out a painful oomph as the back of his head bangs into the bricks.
Rafael’s head swings in my direction, his nostrils flaring with each heavy breath. “Are you okay?” he asks in a slightly unhinged, guttural voice.
My heart—that little, traitorous thing—squeezes as he reaches for my chin and gently lifts it so he can get a better look at me. His thumb brushes over my skin, and my breathing falters for a moment.
“She’s fine, asshole.” Cole rubs the base of his spine with a groan.
Whatever haze Rafael’s touch put me in disappears as I push him away. I overlook the way his mouth drops open as I rush for Cole. “Oh God. I’m so sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing to him?” Rafael snaps.
I ignore him. “Should I get you an ice pack or something?”
Cole gives a thumbs-up. “I’ve dealt with worse, darling.”
“Call her darling again and I’ll put that theory to the test.” Rafael looms over me like a shadow.
I groan. “Can you not threaten him?”
“You’re defending this guy?”