I Saw You by Elena M. Reyes

the night, after awakening from a dream. It was to become a bonus track on the next album.
    But then, we were approached by a major motion picture company at the request of their newest acquisition’s. The author was a fan and demanded that we be a part of her movie. We’d been a bit hesitant at first, but after meeting her and getting an understanding for the project itself—the story—the track we’d already laid down was the obvious choice.
    An overnight success. The fans of the love story became obsessed with the song and us, pushing our already popular band into a more mainstream market. Household names to more than those who loved rock music.
    Full of adrenaline and excitement, we made our way toward the back and into the annoying press area. This was necessary. No way of getting out. Reporters from all over the world and social media markets were there to get exclusive reactions after each win.
    “I’d say it’s about damn time, old man.” At Cris’s words, Tex flipped him the bird. Spring chicken he was not; he was the oldest at the oldest at forty, and we rubbed it in his face every chance we got.
    “Not old, you ass. Distinguished.” Tex’s offended face had me almost bowled over in laughter, but I held it in. Not so much luck with Cris and Rick. Those two cracked the fuck up. This country boy turned California resident was anything but prim or proper.
    “Is that what your poor, blind mom is filling your head with these days?” I jested, biting the inside of my cheek to hold in a chuckle. “Or was it the young bimbos from the bar two days ago?”
    “Funny,” he deadpanned, a slight hint of mirth dancing across his features. “I thought with your head so far up that delectable—”
    “Watch it, dick,” I growled in warning. Within seconds I’d gone from happy and carefree to ready to deck a motherfucker.
    Tex held his hands up and backed away, lazy smirk in place.” Don’t look at me like that, Cheetos.” I bristled at the name while staring him down. “She was a true beauty.” The rest nodded, and my fist clenched tight. “Any man with a pair of working eyes and dick would salivate over her.”
    “The ass and face on that chick,” Cris groaned crassly.
    I took a step toward him. “Don’t talk about her like that.” It wasn’t his fault that she was connected to my every thought; didn’t stop it from pissing me off, though.
    Cris’s smile fell, and he tilted his head to the side while appraising me. “Why are you suddenly so possessive over this woman? You’ve never—”
    “Off limits,” I hissed while looking them each in the eye. “I mean it.” They seemed stunned by the threatening tone, but didn’t speak. I waited for them to nod in understanding before carrying on. “For some crazy, fucked-up reason, she’s important. Has gotten under my skin, and we’ve only met once.” With one hand, I fisted my hair and pulled, not the least bit worried about all the crap the stylist had used to hold the Mohawk in place. “And while I don’t understand the why, I don’t care. Arianna Garcia will be mine.”
    From the looks on their faces, it was finally sinking in just how serious I was.
    “Sorry, Cheetos.” Rick stepped forward and placed a hand on my arm. “It was just a joke…no harm meant.” First instinct was to push him off, but this was my friend and I knew him. He wasn’t an asshole. “The girl is stunning, and you can’t fault us for noticing.”
    Nodding, I shrugged his hand off and walked over to the table with water bottles placed atop it. Grabbing one, I twisted the cap off and chugged half its contents down. Anything to try and calm down. To contain the desire to break someone’s face.
    Because the truth was that all men have that asshole personality within. Some might deny its existence, but it was a wasted effort. Jealous and possessive, protective and overbearing—it showed how we cared.
    “I’m not blind when it comes to her appeal. Fuck , one