"If you say so," He mumbled. Rory nodded then looked at me.
"Lexie, be extra aware of your surroundings. Keep the doors locked at all times, and you should be alright," Rory said.
"Got it," I said. Rory went back to bed. Zeke picked up the dishes and took them into the kitchen. I picked up the pans to wash.
"Go get dressed for the gym," Zeke said quietly, his face like stone.
"Tough Guy?" I asked, worried.
"I've just got a bad feeling, Baby." He pushed away from the counter and headed for the door.
"I've got to stop by the cemetery first," I reminded him. He nodded as he kept walking.
"Do that. I'll see you at the gym." Zeke walked out the door without another word.
Three hours later I was bent over and gasping for breath. Maddie was doing the same. I had managed to keep her from getting me on the ground enough to wear us both out. I stood up straight and smirked at her. She smiled and shook her head.
"You're going to have to learn to grapple sometime," Maddie pointed out. I chuckled.
"I know, it's on my to-do list," I admitted. We both laughed as we got our breath back. We left the mat room and headed towards the front of the gym. The guys were finishing up with their work outs, so I headed to my locker. I had just opened it when someone called my name.
"Hey, Lexie." Jordan's voice had me turning around. His red tank top was sticking to his chest with sweat as he went to his locker.
"Hey, Jordan." I gave him a smile as I started to take off my protective gear.
"You looked great last night. You disappeared before I could tell you," He said, sending a grin my way. I gave him a small one in return.
"Thanks, I was tired," I hedged. I put my pads in my locker and pulled off my gloves.
"So, you're singing tonight at Vegabond?" He asked. I started unwrapping my hands.
"Yeah, I'm singing one set tonight," I said, wondering why he didn't get that I didn't want to talk right now. He started putting his gear away.
"So, I was thinking. Maybe you'd like-"
"Hey, Beautiful," Ethan stepped between Jordan and me. I looked up at him gratefully, he winked down at me. "Come on, we have that lunch date," Ethan lied. I snorted.
"It's not a date, Ethan," I fake corrected him.
"Yeah, whatever, live in denial." Ethan smiled as he pushed away from the lockers. Jordon's face was closed off as he focused on putting his gear away. I closed my locker and pulled on my jacket.
"See you later, Jordan," I said before turning toward the doors with Ethan at my side.
Ethan held it together until we got outside, he started laughing. I glared at him as I headed for the Blazer.
"That guy doesn't give up," Ethan observed.
"I kind of wish he would," I admitted. Ethan wrapped his arm around me as we walked to my truck.
"Well, I could kiss you good-bye," Ethan offered. "I'm sure he'd get the hint then." I snickered as we reached the Blazer. He dropped his arm from me as I looked up him smiling. Flirty Ethan could always make me smile.
"Don't tempt me," I threatened. His eyebrow rose suggestively. He bent down and kissed my cheek, as usual, then straightened.
"That should do it," Ethan said. I hoped so. "What are your plans for the rest of the day?" He asked.
"I'm headed home for a gossip session with Jake, doing some research, then relax until Vegabond tonight," I replied. He sighed.
"Fine, don't gossip with me." He grumbled.
"Oh honey, I can't gossip with you about this stuff," I told him as I opened the door.
"Why's that?" He asked, leaning against the truck. Then his eyes lit up. "You're gossiping about us." I snickered at the look on his face. He looked like a kid who just found his favorite toy.
"Ethan..."
"You are," He declared, smirking. I shot him a look and climbed in. Then I leaned out until I was an inch away from his face.
"Damn straight." I grinned mischievously. He gave me a pained face as I sat back up giggling to myself.
"That's mean, Lexie," He told me as he stepped back with a smile.
"And the best part," I stage whispered to him. "No one will believe you." He chuckled. I winked at him before closing my door. I pulled out of the space as Ethan just shook his head, smiling at me. I giggled to myself as I drove home.
When I got home, I ran upstairs and took a shower. I pulled on my jeans and a simple shirt for the rest of the day. Then I pulled out my phone and called my second favorite gossip buddy.
"Hey, sweetness," Jake greeted.
"Hey, handsome," I shot back. "How was your week?" I flopped down on my bed next to a sleeping Hades.
"Same old, pining away after a particular guy," He grumbled in my ear.
"I'm sorry hon," I said, wincing. "Why don't you bring him to Vegabond tonight? I could do some digging."
"That's not a bad idea," He said, sounding hopeful. "Think you can manage that after you sing?"
"I can try." I offered. He sighed.
"Maybe if I know, I'll move on." He sounded hopeful. I knew the feeling. "Anyway, how's your crush on your two guys?" I sighed.
"Three," I admitted painfully.
"What?"
"It's three now." I groaned pitifully.
"Three? What the hell happened?" He demanded. I explained to him about the flat tire and Zeke dancing with me in the snow.
"Oh, my God," He said. "Lexie that’s seriously fucking romantic as hell."
"I know." I giggled.
"This was Zeke?"
"Yeah, it was Zeke," I said. "Never tell anyone."
"Doesn't he have a girlfriend?" Jake pointed out. I closed my eyes and cringed.
"Yes, a girlfriend I'm friends with," I said, painfully. "And I accidentally flirted with Miles last night."
"Wait, fill me in," He said, curiosity filling his voice. I did then he started laughing.
"It's not funny. I don't know what I'm doing anymore," I pointed out. "I'm fine when we're all together, but get one of them alone and I just... ugh!"
"Are you going to act on any of these feelings?" He asked, pointedly. I thought about it.
"I don't think so."
"Then it'll go away in time."
"Derrick," I countered. He sighed.
"Touché," He said. "What do you want to do, Lexie?"
"I don't know," I muttered.
"Yes, you do," He countered. I sighed and admitted it.
"I want to date one of them," I finally admitted it out loud. "But I don't think they feel the same way."
"Only one way to find out," He pointed out. I frowned.
"Same to you," I said. He snorted.
"I've known Derrick since we were kids," He countered. "That's why you're going fishing." I got an idea.
"Jake, can you go fishing for me?" I asked in my cutesy voice. He chuckled.
"Deal," He said immediately. "I'm not fishing with Zeke, though."
"I wouldn't expect it," I assured him. We went on to talk about what we were wearing that night, who we expected to see, and gossip about his friends and mine. As always, Jake cheered me up and made me feel better. So, when I got ready for Vegabond, I was already singing to myself. Tonight was going to be fun, and nothing was going to ruin that for me.
I pulled up to Vegabond. The place wasn't crowded yet, but the cars were starting to pull in. I parked in the back lot where the staff and band parked. I hopped out then hurried to the back door of the bar. I had been stupid and listened to Ethan about wearing a tank top tonight, perfect for on stage but bad for being outside even with my jacket. I knocked on the door hard. Oliver opened the door for me as I hurried in cursing. Ethan eyed me as I ran my hands up and down my arms.
"You shit head!" I snapped at Ethan. Ryan and Oliver looked at me like I was nuts. I explained.
"He told me to wear a tank top tonight, and now I'm half frozen." The guys laughed. Ryan tried to rein it in as he went to one of the hooks.
"You could have changed
here," Ryan said as he put his big coat over my shoulders. I grabbed his jacket and held it closed. Musky cologne filled my noise, it wasn't bad.
"I didn't think it would be that bad," I grumbled. They chuckled again.
"It's 12 degrees outside, Beautiful," Ethan pointed out. I flipped him off then held Ryan's coat shut to get warm. Ethan came over and wrapped me in a hug. He ran his hands up and down my back helping me get warm.
"I'm still mad at you," I warned him. He snorted.
"I kind of deserve it." He admitted quietly. When I was finally warm again, Ethan stepped back and took Ryan's coat off me.
"Thanks, Ryan," I said as I opened my jacket. Ryan gave me a nod as he hung up his coat. I pulled off my jacket. Ethan's eyes ran over my clothes. I wore black jeans and a loose black y-back tank top that had gray writing across it like a book. My hair was down and around me, my eyes were dark and smoky like whenever I sang.
"You look great," Ethan said with a smile.
"Great but freezing, going home I might just steal your jacket," I warned him. He snickered. "I'm going to go get a bottle of water, anyone else want one?" Everyone said yes and gave me their money. I went to the curtain out front and slipped out into the club. It had gotten packed while I was back stage which wasn't unusual on a Saturday night. I made my way to the bar and ordered waters.
"Hey, Lexie," A voice said. I turned to find Eric coming to stand at the bar next to me.
"Hey, how's it going?" I asked, wondering why he was talking to me.
"Not bad, are you singing tonight?" He asked.
"Yeah, just the first set," I said as the bartender brought me the bottles. I paid him and waited for change.
"Are your friends coming tonight?" He asked wearily. I looked at him and smiled sweetly.
"Yeah," I said. I got my change and picked up the bottles. "Gotta go, I'll see ya around." I headed back through the crowd. I hadn't seen the guys yet, but I knew they were somewhere. I was trying to make my way back to the curtain when a husky voice caught my attention.
"Lexie." I took a deep calming breath then turned to see Dylan. His sapphire eyes ran over me, lingering on my angel wings necklace, his first Christmas present to me. It made me wish I'd given it back to him along with the other one. His warm eyes met mine.
"Hi, Dylan," I kept my voice polite when all I wanted to do was tell him to fuck off. I gestured over my shoulder. "I need to get back." He reached out and grabbed my arm, stopping me.
"Can... can we just talk for a second?" He asked softly. I took a calming breath, his bullshit since dumping me had made me not want to even look at him, and here he was. I pulled my arm out of his grip and looked at him confused.
"About what?" I asked sharply. He swallowed hard. Dylan's friends Aaron and Jake found us in the crowd.
"Lexie!" Jake gave me a big smile that lit up his eyes.
"Hey, Jake. You're mine after my set, right?" I asked, smiling.
"Of course," He said like it was obvious as he side-hugged me. I looked up to Aaron and smiled. The guy had broad shoulders and muscles to fill them out. He wasn't bad looking, he had a nice jaw and cheekbones and his brown hair had grown out a little since I last saw him. It wasn't buzzed down to his scalp now.
"Hey Aaron, Jake said you almost got beat up by a lesbian," I said sweetly. Aaron groaned.
"You had to tell her that?" Aaron glared at Jake.
"Oh yeah," Jake shot back. I chuckled.
"I just... wanted to ask how you were...?" Dylan asked drawing my attention back to him.
"Since you dumped me?" I asked, bluntly. His shoulders grew tense, Aaron frowned down at Dylan.
"You dumped her?" Aaron asked, confused. Dylan ignored him.
"Lexie-" he began. I'm sure it would be a good excuse, but I didn't want to hear it. And since we weren't a thing, I didn't have to.
"I'm fine, busy as usual." I slipped out from under Jake's arm and stepped back. I noticed the bags under Dylan's eyes. He was probably working too much again. Oh, well, that wasn't my problem. I looked up at Jake who was smirking at me. "Remember our deal?" Jake nodded. "I'll see you after my set." Jake winked at me. Then I turned around and slipped into the crowd.
"You fucking dumped her?" Aaron's voice reached me, the disbelief in his voice made me smile. Yep, Dylan lied to his friends. I pushed it out of my head, he'd been too big of an ass since then for me to really be upset anymore. Too many phone calls, too many texts that I was finally done answering. I was almost out of the crowd when a hand snagged my arm again. I recognized the rough fingertips instantly. I looked up to see Asher glaring behind me, probably at Dylan. Asher helped move me through the crowd ahead of him and to the stairs where the others were.
"Thanks, Ash."
"What did he want?" Asher asked, getting the others attention.
"Who?" Isaac asked.
"Dylan found her in the crowd," Asher answered. All the guys grunted.
"He wanted to talk," I said sarcastically before I headed to the stairs. "Doesn't matter, gotta get backstage."
"Knock 'em dead, Red."
"You got this, Ally," Asher reassured me. Zeke was oddly quiet tonight, I winked at them then hurried up the stairs and into the small backstage area. I handed out the water bottles to the others as they went over the set again. It was almost time when Ethan shot me a look. I gave him a small smile as we both stepped away from the others.
"Ethan..." I said gently.
"Yeah, I know. It's just-"
"You could sing row your fucking boat, and you'd make panties drop," I reminded him. "You got this, you know your shit, and you want this, right?" Ethan's shoulders relaxed.
"Yeah, I want this." He took a deep breath, his restless movement slowing.
"You guys have all three sets down," I assured him. He nodded then looked at me with chocolate eyes.
"Thanks, Beautiful." I gave him a big hug, he held me tight. "You remember your cues?" He whispered still hugging me. I nodded and clung to him tighter.
"Yeah, I remember," I grumbled. I still wasn't a huge fan of singing in front of the crowd, but I had managed to actually look over the crowd and hold my shit together now as long as I looked at the back wall.
"You can go off stage after each of your songs for a breather," He reminded me. I snorted.
"Believe me, I know, and I'm gonna," I assured him. He chuckled as he pulled back.
"I can teach you the piano, so you wouldn't have to," He offered.
Haven’t do"I'm not joining your band, Ethan," I reminded him. I wasn't a big performer. You had to play the crowd, and I wasn't doing it. Ethan had taught me a little, just so I wouldn't be so awkward on stage. He laughed as he smiled down at me.
"Can't blame me for trying," He pointed out. I shook my head as we joined the others. A breeze came through the open back door that felt nice. Probably because it was too hot back here already. The band threw their hands in, and we threw them up shouting Under Fire. Then the boys went out on stage and the crowd cheered.
As the band played, I ran through my set in my head. As my voice got stronger, the longer my sets would be. I focused on my list. Take Me Down, then off stage, Not Gonna die with Ryan, off stage, back on for Good Enough, off stage for a rest of two songs, then my fuck off song for Dylan. I grinned at that. The manager said she'd be happy with that for now. I still didn't have the stamina for singing an entire set. The first song came to an end. I took a deep breath and picked up the new second microphone for vocals
"You all know our guest singer by now." Ethan's smoky voice rolled through the crowd. "The hottest redhead in three counties." There were actual cheers from the crowd, it surprised the hell out of me. "Give it up for Lexie!" I turned on my mic and walked out on stage with my eyes narrowed playfully at Ethan. I brought the microphone up to my lips.
"I'm the only redhead in three counties, Ethan," I pointed out as I reached my mark. The crowd laughed. Ethan gave an exaggerated shrug.
"And therefore, the hottest. You wi
n by default," Ethan shot back. I shot him a look and flipped him off as the first notes of the Take Me Down played. The crowd burst out laughing. We'd learned over the last couple weeks that fake angry flirting back and forth worked great to make the crowd relax between my songs. I started singing with my eyes closed which still helped. As I was getting into the music, I could open my eyes to look out at the back wall. I sang Take Me Down the way I always heard it, with Ethan's corrections, I didn't hear myself go off key once. By the end of the song, the crowd was cheering. As I headed off stage, Oliver caught my eye and gave me a wink. Apparently, I was doing well tonight. I walked off stage, and turned off the microphone. Damn, that had been fun. I had relaxed out there and got into it. I drank my water and paced as I listened to the next song. The curtain to the bar opened, and Isaac slipped backstage. He hugged me tightly.
"Red, you are kicking ass tonight," He smiled down at me.
"I'm actually having fun," I admitted. He laughed.
"You're going to end up in the band," He predicted. I snorted.
"No, I'll tattoo the band," I reminded him. Isaac just smiled. The song was coming to an end. Isaac let me go and headed back out to the bar. When the song ended, I turned on my mic again and headed out.
"Lexie will be hopping on and off stage for part of the night. She doesn't exactly have the stamina the rest of us do." Ethan shot over at me, grinning. The shit head had just gone off script. I grinned my mischievous grin at him and brought the mic to my lips.
"Oh, honey. I wouldn't talk about stamina, I've talked to your ex," I shot back. Ethan's face went red as he laughed. The bar roared with laughter as I hit my mark. It was a couple seconds longer before Ryan could get his laughter under control.
"It's not that funny, Ryan," Ethan groused, pointing out to the crowd how our drummer was doubled over. Ryan leaned over to his microphone.
"I always wondered why you couldn't keep a girlfriend," Ryan shot back. Ethan's face was dark red as he shot me a look. The crowd was roaring with laughter. Then the first pounding notes were played. I closed my eyes again and focused, Not Gonna Die was a duet where I had less of a role. Instead of Ethan, Ryan sang into his microphone as he played. Talk about major multi-tasking skills. Ryan sang the first verse, his strong voice belting out the song. I tapped my foot to the beat, I couldn't help it. I loved this song. It was all about fighting when the world was crumbling around you. I joined in when I was supposed to and just enjoyed the song. I gave this song everything in me. You had to, or it fell flat. After the notes had faded away, I walked off stage.
When To Fear The Living Page 26
