“You can be charming when you want to be. And if all else fails, grovel.” Dash chuckled and called for Bella, who’d stopped eating, had taken a drink from her bowl, and was lying on the floor watching them.

Xander grabbed a leash that hung from a hook by the door and handed it to his brother. Dash clipped the hook to Bella’s collar and Xander knelt, taking her doggy face between his hands. “Be good for Dash. Don’t crap in the house and sleep in your bed there.” He kissed her nose and stood. “Don’t let any of your bandmates feed her human food or alcohol,” he said.

Dash crossed his chest over his heart with his index finger. “I’ve got her. Don’t worry.”

They walked to the front door and Xander pulled it open. “You think Axel will work out with the band?”

Dash nodded. “I really do. We did some riffing and we gelled. I think we can work something out with him. PR will have to come up with a plan to announce that he’s joining the Original Kings. I’m amped up about it.”

“That’s great. At least you didn’t have to have a huge talent search, except…” Xander trailed off, wondering if he should say what he was thinking.

“I fucked his sister?” Dash said it for him, causing Xander to wince.

“Really? You have to talk like that and treat her like any other groupie?” Xander was pissed on Cassidy’s behalf and Sasha would lose her mind.

Dash shook his head, looking embarrassed. “I’m trying to convince myself that’s all it was to me,” he admitted. “A typical night.”

“But it wasn’t?” Xander braced a hand on the doorframe.

“She’s special. But I’m… me. And she knows that.” He stepped outside and Bella trotted along with him.

Xander groaned. He and Dash might be different, but in fucking up potential relationships, they had too much in common.

He shut the door behind them and leaned against it, debating his options. First up was a shower. No run this morning unless he wanted to end up with a migraine courtesy of the hangover that was already killing his head. Then he had the long ride to the city to figure out what he’d say to Sasha.

He understood that even if he groveled, as Dash suggested, told her he loved her and wanted forever, she might tell him she was taking the role in Singapore. But at least he’d apologize, attempt to win her back, and most importantly, give her a say about her future.