A Reason to Leave

by Melissa Ellen

  I sat on the cream bench at the end of my bed as I slipped on my black strappy heels. Lexie walked into my room just as I was standing to give myself the once over.

  “Wow, Lex,” I said as I turned to face her. “Dax is going to freak when he sees you.”

  She glanced down at the fitted, strapless, black leather mini dress she had her body wrapped in. “Well we both know how much he likes his women in leather,” she winked.

  I laughed.

  “Do you have heels I can borrow?”

  “Of course,” I said, walking into my oversized closet. Lexie followed behind me. “Which ones do you want?”

  “You pick. I’m too overwhelmed by the selection. We’ll be here all night if I have to pick,” she laughed.

  I skimmed my shelves in search of the perfect pair. My eyes landed on my golden gladiator sandal stilettos. I pulled them from the shelf, turning towards Lexie. She eyed them skeptically.

  “Those look scary. I’m going to kill myself in those things. How tall is that heel anyways?”

  “I don’t know…maybe two inches,” I lied, keeping my fingers wrapped around the shoes. They were definitely three inches. I extended my arms, pushing them towards her. “Put them on. They will look hot with the black leather. I’ll grab you a pair of gold earrings to match.”

  She took the shoes from my hand, sitting on the round, tufted bench in my closet to put on the heels. “I already have earrings.”

  “Yeah, but they’re boring studs. You need some dangly gold ones. Something that says I’m a rock star’s girl.”

  “My grandmother gave me these!” she shrieked, pretending to be offended as she placed her hand over her ear lobe.

  “My point exactly…”

  She rolled her eyes, laughing. I selected my twenty-four karat gold, diamond-shaped drop earrings before walking over to her. “Here you go. Put these on.”

  “Anything else, you want to change about me?” she asked with a hint of sarcasm as she switched out the earrings.

  I laughed. “No. You look perfect, now.”

  I offered my hands to help pull her up from the stool. I gave her a minute to balance herself in the heels before releasing her hands.

  “I feel like I’m on top of the world from up here.”

  “If you don’t stop being a smart ass, I’m going to push you over.”

  She laughed. “Fine…are you ready to go? The Uber driver is probably close. And I’m going to need all the time I can get to make it downstairs in these things. ”

  “Yes,” I giggled, grabbing a black leather jacket for myself.

  There was a long line outside of the entrance to The Republic. The size of crowd on a Thursday night surprised me. With the growing popularity of Derailed, it was becoming harder to get in to one of their concerts. Luckily for us, we were automatically admitted and able to bypass the line. Joe gave a slight smile as we approached.

  “Go on in ladies,” he admitted us as we passed by him.

  “Thanks, Joe,” we both said before entering through the main door of the bar.

  The place was already packed. We couldn’t maneuver through the crowd without rubbing against random people as we pressed through to get to the band’s booth. Derailed hadn’t started, yet. There was currently another younger band I’d never heard of opening for them.

  When we arrived to the booth, Marcus, the Derailed manager, was already seated with whom I assumed was the guy from the record label. Marcus smiled at our arrival.

  “Ladies, how are you?”

  “Great,” Lexie answered for us as we slid inside the booth opposite of them.

  “Aaron, these two beautiful ladies are Lexie and Valerie Blackwood. Ladies, Aaron Walker from Blue Light Records,” James said, introducing us.

  The fact that Marcus had name dropped my last name and not Lexie’s wasn’t lost on me. And as much as that would have normally angered me, I let it go. If it would help Liam and Derailed, I would put my own issues aside.

  “Blackwood?” A slimy smile spread across Aaron’s face. “As in Blackwood Industries?”

  Lexie looked over at me with concern in her eyes. I plastered on an over enthusiastic smile, “The one and only.”

  His own smile grew to a new level of sleaziness. He leaned his greedy body forward resting his forearms on the table, “And what is your association with Derailed?”

  “I’m dating the lead singer, Liam.”

  “I see,” he said, sitting back as he processed this piece of information. “So, Rhett Blackwood is your…?”

  “Brother,” I answered his lingering question.

  The crowd erupted into high pitch squeals and cheers, interrupting any further conversation between us. We turned our eyes to the source of excitement. Derailed had taken the stage. The crowd continued to scream wild with anticipation as they waited for the band to start playing the first song of their set.

  Once the band started to play and Aaron and Marcus were distracted, I felt Lexie nudge my shoulder with her own. I turned to her questioning eyes. She was worried about me. I gave her a reassuring smile before turning my focus back to Liam.

  As soon as he started to sing, everything that had just happened was forgotten. His insanely talented voice poured over me, warming me. I clenched the edge of the seat as I leaned forward. My body was drawn to him like a bee to the nectar of a flower. It was natural. Instinctive. As if it needed him to survive.

  I barely registered the waitress who had brought us our preferred drinks. I remained focused on Liam the whole night. Unable and unwilling to remove my eyes from him as he sang and played the guitar. Watching Liam in his element was my second favorite thing to do. My first was watching Liam in my bed, whether it be him sleeping or making me spin out of control as he manipulated my body.

  Liam seemed to be having the same problem as me. He glanced over at me with his sexy grin more often than usual. Most of the time he focused on the crowd, drawing them in with his performance. Driving the females mad.

  We hadn’t seen each other, since yesterday morning. It was one of our longest stints of not being together and was likely the reason for his distraction. Dax had smiled and winked at Lexie when they first took the stage. A few times - when I was able to actually tear my eyes momentarily from Liam - I caught them making eyes at each other, also.

  As the guys began the last song of the night, I looked over at Aaron to see if I could read his expression as he watched. For the most part his face was impassive, but his body language told me he liked what he was hearing. He listened intently and watched the crowd as the band interacted them.

  When the song ended, Derailed moved to leave the stage. Marcus slid out of the booth to retrieve the band members that were being detained by crazed fangirls. Liam and Dax broke free first, already headed towards us, while Marcus freed Trent and Blaine from their claws. I stood, allowing Dax to sit next to Lexie.

  I remained standing, being drawn into Liam’s side by his arm. Aaron introduced himself to Liam and Dax as the other guys came up behind us. Not wanting to distract Liam from any important business conversation, I excused myself to go to the ladies’ room and signaled for Lexie to follow.

  We took our time in the restroom. After seeing the guys were still in what looked to be like a good conversation with Aaron, we decided to head to the bar to get ourselves another round of drinks

  “Do you think he will offer them a deal?” Lexie asked.

  “He would be stupid not to. If he doesn’t someone else will.”

  “I almost hope he doesn’t.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know….he just rubbed me the wrong way. He seemed very interested in you and your family.”

  “Most people are, Lex. It’s why I tell you I prefer not to say anything.”

  “I know…I’ve just never seen that kind of reaction before. I know you said it happens, but it’s the first time I’ve seen it for myself…”

  I shrugged. I didn’t want to think about
it anymore.

  “It made me want to punch him in the face,” she added.

  I laughed at her protectiveness of me. The bartender handed us our drinks. I glanced over at the booth, finding Aaron on his feet, shaking everyone’s hand in departure.

  “Looks like the coast is clear,” I nodded my head towards them.

  “Let’s go,” she said, waving her hand ahead of her for me to lead.

  I began squeezing my way through the crowd. I glanced back towards Lexie, only finding she was no longer behind me. I stood on my tip toes, trying to find her. I spotted her a few feet away, unmoving with a troubled expression.

  I retreated from my original destination, making my way back to her. As I drew nearer, the reason for her distress became clear. Jake stood in front of her with a tight hold on her arm.

  “What the fuck, Lex.” I heard him yell at her.

  “Get your hands off of me.”

  “Is this why you broke things off with me? So you could become a fucking groupie?”

  “Fuck you, Jake.”

  “Let her go.” I gritted out, moving beside her. I glared at his glassed over, blood-shot eyes. He was drunk. Or high. Likely both.

  “Stay out of this, Val. This is probably all your fucking fault. You’re nothing but a stupid, spoiled bitch.”

  “Watch how you talk to my girl, mother fucker.”

  All of our eyes flung to Liam who had just arrived to our shouting match. Dax stepped up beside him. Seeing Jake’s hand on Lexie, he started to push past Liam to get to her. Liam raised his arm, holding Dax back.

  “Let her go, Jake,” Liam’s gruff voice demanded.

  Jake’s eyes narrowed as he glared at Liam and Dax. Realizing he was out numbered, he pushed her towards Dax as he released her. “Fucking take her. She’s nothing but a needy bitch, anyways.”

  Dax lunged for Jake. Liam moved quickly to stop his friend, but Dax had already gotten a swing in, connecting his fist with the side of Jake’s face. I heard the crack even over the loud music.

  Jake stumbled back, rubbing his hand along his jaw before lunging for Dax. Lexie screamed, moving to stop him. I grabbed her, pulling her away from the fight. Liam jumped between them, shoving his friend back. At the same time Joe had instantly appeared, pushing Jake away from Dax. The two struggled to get at each other around the large bodies of their friends.

  “Dax!” Liam yelled at his friend, trying to distract him from his rage. The tension and anger ricocheted between them. “Calm the fuck down. Take Lexie and cool off.”

  Dax breathed heavily, finally stopping his charge as he watched Joe force Jake from the bar. He nodded, moving his eyes in search of Lexie.

  I had her wrapped in my arms as she sobbed. Dax moved between us. “Shit, Lex. Come here, babe.” I released her as he pulled her from my arms, hugging her to him, kissing her sweetly on the top of her head. He guided her towards the back of the bar near the emergency exit.

  Liam’s arms wrapped around me as I watched them disappear. Until now, I hadn’t even noticed my own racing heart.

  “Let’s get out of here.” Liam’s gruff voice pulled my eyes from my friend.

  “But Lex-”

  “She’ll be fine, princess. Dax will take care of her.”

  I nodded my head. We went back to the booth to grab my jacket and tell the others goodbye before we left. As we walked out of the bar, I pulled on my jacket. I scanned the parking lot for Liam’s car.

  “Where’s your car?” I asked.

  He gave me an adorable smirk, erasing the unpleasant emotions from moments before.

  “It’s not here.”

  “What?”

  “I rode the bike.” He nodded towards Frankie’s Harley Davidson.

  “Oh,” I said, looking down at my dress and heels.

  “Shit. I didn’t think about you being dressed like that,” he said, tracing the same path down my body with his own eyes. “Not that I don’t love the way you look in that.” His teeth gripped his bottom lip. His eyes ignited. “Do you want to call an Uber? We can meet at my place.”

  “No. I want to ride with you.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. Don’t worry. It’s a short ride home, and I’ll stay off the freeway.”

  He picked up the extra helmet. He kissed me before placing it on my head. He climbed on the bike, putting his own helmet on. I waited for his signal, and then I climbed onto the bike behind him. I snaked my arms around his waist and squeezed my thighs against his as he fired up the motorcycle.

  I was glad I had the forethought to wear the leather jacket. The wind hitting my bare legs was cooler than it had been in the summer. Thankfully, the heat of the engine and Liam’s body warmed me.

  I remained tightly wound around Liam until we pulled into the garage below his apartment. He held the bike steady as I climbed off. I removed my helmet, shaking out my hair.

  He silently grabbed my hand, pulling me along with him up the stairs and into his apartment. Walking through the door he threw his keys to the side table, dropping my hand and making a direct route to the refrigerator. Within seconds he had a beer open and on his lips as he took a long pull from the bottle.

  I watched him. Bewildered by his mood. He set the bottle on the counter, knuckling his fists as he used them to brace his body with his back to me. He dropped his head as he leaned forward. His muscles rippled in his shirt. His back raised and lowered with heavy breaths.

  I wavered, trying to decide whether to approach him or give him a minute to work through whatever was running through his head. The urge to touch him won. I slipped off my heels and jacket laying them beside the couch. I kept my footsteps light as I quietly walked towards him. I splayed my hands around his lean waist, pressing my body to his. I placed soft kisses across his back through his soft shirt. His body straightened as he placed his large, rough hands over mine.

  “Are you okay?” I asked.

  He shifted out of my hold, rotating his body so he could lean against the kitchen counter. His hand rubbed over the back of his neck as he angled his head down, avoiding eye contact. Hiding the emotions that would be revealed in his expressive eyes.

  “No… I’m fucking pissed at Dax.”

  “He was just defending Lexie. Jake deserved it.”

  “It doesn’t fucking matter, Val.” He looked up at me. His eyes full of sorrow and regret. “He could have cost us everything. If the fight had gotten out of hand…he could have ended up in jail or in the fucking hospital.”

  “Jake was provoking him. I’m sure he wasn’t thinking about that.”

  “That’s the problem. He needs to be thinking about that shit. We have a chance to finally get a record deal. He can’t be acting like a jealous asshole.”

  “And if it were me… would you still feel the same way?”

  “Val,” he warned sternly.

  I raised my eyebrow at him with a knowing smirk. A grin tugged at his mouth. He shook his head unable to argue with me. “Trust me. I wanted to punch the dipshit myself,” he clenched his teeth. “What he fucking said to you –”

  “It doesn’t matter. It’s nothing I haven’t heard before.”

  “It does fucking matter. You aren’t any of those things, Val. You’re the kindest most giving person I’ve ever met.”

  I stepped closer to him, running my hands under his shirt up the planes of his abs. His skin was warm and smooth. I breathed in his manly scent as I lifted his shirt. He raised his arms over his head, tugging from the back to assist with removing it completely. My heart clenched. My breathing intensified.

  I kissed along his chest. His hands cupped my bottom, lifting me into his arms. I crossed my arms behind his neck as he turned, placing me on the edge of the counter. His tongue slide across the seam of my mouth. My lips parted as his claimed me.

  His hands drifted up my thighs, pushing my dress to my waist. His erection pressed between my legs were my body throbbed. Our kisses became despera
te and wild. Our lust overwhelming us. My veins thrummed as desire rushed through me.

  Liam’s hand pressed between my legs. He growled his approval at my readiness. He tugged at the thin lace separating us, pulling it down my body.

  He removed his pants and kneeled between my legs, locking his arms under my bent knees as he kissed up my thigh. His face disappeared between them. My head fell back with a sharp inhale. My eyes fell shut. I weaved my fingers through his hair as he continued his ministrations. My brain fell dark as my body soared towards the heavens.

  “Liam,” I let his name slip through my lips with a needy rasp.

  I was on the verge and I needed him inside me. He ignored my plea. He gripped my body tighter to him as he continued to dance his tongue at my core. My panting came out shallow as an electrifying release rolled through me. He helped extend the pleasure as I rode the wave of ecstasy. I leaned back onto my hands, trying and failing to catch my breath as he stood.

  He peeled my dress from my weak and satisfied body before he pulled me into his arms, carrying me to his bed.

  “I hope you’re rested…because we’re just getting started, princess,” his husky voice whispered in my ear.

  “Shit,” I cursed under my breath, unable to tame the profanity on my tongue.

  He let out a light chuckle, laying me back onto his bed. He crawled over me, settling between my legs before fusing us together. We spent the rest of the night cherishing and memorizing every part of each other’s body until we fell asleep from exhaustion.

  I woke the next morning to Liam’s large, heavy frame draped across me. I remained on my back, completely still, loving the way it felt to have the weight of his body securing me in place. I would have stayed there all morning if I hadn’t heard my phone vibrating repeatedly in my jacket.

  I gently squirmed out from under Liam’s arms, falling over the edge of the bed in a thud. I bit my lip, holding in a small yelp. I glanced up from the floor at Liam. Thank God he wasn’t a light sleeper. He rolled to his side, facing away from me, still sound asleep. I crawled from my hands and knees to a stand. I picked up Liam’s t-shirt from the floor, pulling it over my head. I tiptoed across the room to my jacket and pulled out my phone. I had multiple missed calls from Lexie.