“Hate you Travis Phoenix.”
“You love me!”
“Do not!”
We swim and play a little longer, then walk back up onto the sand.
“Hey Trav?”
“Hmmm?”
“Are you going out with that girl Sandy?”
He laughs. “No, gross.”
“Why does she always walk past your house?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. Maybe she likes you Mischief.”
I giggle and shove him. “Trav?”
“Yes?”
“Will you promise me that I am the first girl you kiss?”
“I promise Mischief; I promise.”
“What are you thinking about?”
I spin around and Travis is leaning against a tree, staring at me.
“Nothing.”
“You were thinking about the day I threw you in that ocean, weren’t you?”
I sigh. “Yeah.”
“It was a good day; you made me promise you would be my first kiss.”
“And I wasn’t.”
“I was older than you Mischief, it was a promise I couldn’t fulfil.”
“Then you should not have made it.” I snap.
“Maybe not, but you were just a kid.”
I stare at him; I know I look hurt. “Is that all you ever saw me as, a kid?”
“You know I didn’t.”
“I don’t know anything anymore; I believed in you and you left. I thought I knew you, but it turns out I didn’t.”
“You did know me, everything we had was true Mischief.”
“No Trav, it wasn’t.”
“We were never going to get further; you were too young.”
I snort. “Well that’s great.”
“Why do you hate me so much?”
I spin on him. “Because you left, because you were my friend and you left me. You never said goodbye. That is why I hate you Travis.”
I turn and run into the water, diving into the surf. When I surface, Travis is gone and I am left feeling that gaping damned hole in my heart re-opening.
CHAPTER 2
“Oh my freaking God!” Reagan cries down the phone.
“So what Reag’s!”
She goes silent a moment.
“You can’t be serious? So what?”
“It’s just Travis.”
“It’s Travis freaking Phoenix.”
“Whoopee!” I cry, rolling my eyes.
“Has anyone told you lately that you are mentally challenged?”
I grin. “Most days.”
“Well, you might not care; I, however, will be dressing up and accidentally dropping my pen in front of him…if you know what I mean? Can I come over now while I have it all planned out?”
I snort. “You need help.”
“Seriously…short dress, do you think we will go to my place or his?”
I laugh and flip my dark brown hair over my shoulder. “His.”
“See, I knew you would get into the spirit!”
“Later Reagan, I will call when I am ready to go tonight.”
“I will think of you,” She laughs, “While we are making sweet little Travis babies.”
I am ready for the party early, so I head downstairs while I wait for Reagan. When I get out back, half the club is here drinking. When I walk out they all stop and stare. What? My dress isn’t that short…is it?
“Well look, Mischief got titties.” Biker Bill laughs.
“Shut it Bill.” I grin, giving him a wink.
“Chief is gonna flip his lid; where you headed tonight?” Harry asks, running his fingers through his burly beard.
“Party.”
“Not fucking dressed like that you ain’t.”
I turn to see Chief with Travis, both are standing in the door way.
“Daddy, I am twenty one. You can’t stop me.” I protest.
“Can’t I?”
“Don’t make me come over there Chief because I will.” I growl, shoving a fist up.
He grins. “Come on over then Mischief; I will tie you and gag you…there will be no partying for this little princess.”
“You’re an ass daddy! There is nothing wrong with what I am wearing!”
“I never said there was anything wrong with it; I said you ain’t wearing it.”
The men are laughing; enjoying watching me challenge Chief yet again.
“Get a longer dress princess, or you ain’t going.”
“I hate you, you do know that right?” I snap.
“I’ll take that risk. Now get changed.”
I mutter a string of curses before storming out. I change into a longer dress, and then stomp back downstairs. I run straight into Travis Phoenix who puts his hands on my shoulders to stop me.
“Still as fiery as ever, I see.”
“Get your hands of me Phoenix.”
He laughs and lets me go. I step back and glare up at him; his eyes are not so subtly staring at my body.
“Still sour?”
“Yes, he ruined my night.”
“Chief put his foot in; I ought to slap him on the back for that.”
“What does it matter to you what I am wearing?”
He meets my gaze; god damn those smoky grey eyes.
“You think I just forgot about you Mischief?”
“I know you did Travis, you didn’t even say goodbye. I thought we were friends.”
He reaches out to stroke my cheek, and I shudder beneath his touch.
“We are.”
“Were Travis, past tense; I moved on.”
“Really?”
“Yes really, now I am going out so if you don’t mind…”
“You changed Mischief.”
“I grew up Travis,” I say, staring at him. “Alot lot has happened in the last four years, I am not the love struck little girl you once knew.”
Then I am gone, leaving him to ponder that.
~*~*~*~*
“Vi, I cannot believe he is at your house.”
“Are you still talking about it?”
“Yes, I can’t get over it.”
“He was there, you perved, move on.”
“I can’t; he will be forever burned into my mind. You just do not realize how lucky you are do you? I mean you two were like sweethearts and all.”
“We were not sweethearts, we had one kiss when I was sixteen, and he left. End of story.”
“It is so more than that.”
“Reagan!”
“Ok sorry.”
“Can we just drink, dance and kiss some random men?”
“Oh hell yes we can!”
I walk over to the bar and order a beer, then I sit down and begin drinking it. Reagan has disappeared onto the dance floor with a very cute, young man and so I am alone. A dark haired man, with pitch black eyes sits beside me and grins. He is handsome, if you like the dark look.
“Can I get you another drink?”
“Oh, no thanks.”
He raises his brows and smiles; he has these big dimples.
“Can I ask for a dance then?”
Ah, what the heck?
“Ok, sure.”
He takes my hand and leads me onto the dance floor. We begin moving to the music, he is actually extremely decent and doesn’t try to touch me.
“My name is Violet.” I cry over the music.
“Josh.”
“It’s nice to meet you Josh.”
He grins again. “You too Violet.”
We dance some more, and after a few to many drinks we are curled up in a booth pashing. It isn’t my usual behaviour, but I am extra feral tonight considering the return of my long lost lover. I am enjoying the moment when suddenly Josh is being reefed off me and thrown into a nearby pool table. I gape with wide eyes as Travis picks up the cue and drives it into his face. I scream and rush towards Travis, gripping his arm and yanking him backwards.
“Stop it, what is wrong with you!” I scream.
“
What is wrong with me?” He hisses. “What is wrong with you? Do you even know him?”
“God Travis, who cares?”
“Is this what you are now? I thought you were better than that.”
I shove him hard in the chest and turn, storming out of the bar. Reagan runs out behind us, giggling like a schoolgirl. Yep she is drunk. We storm down the street back towards Chief’s house.
“I can’t believe you did that!”
“What is wrong with you, he could have had anything, and you were just going at it.”
“We were kissing.”
“You changed!”
“Don’t start on me Travis, you don’t know me anymore.”
“Oh my god it’s Travis Phoenix!” A girl screams.
“Fucking great!” I snap.
Two girls rush over, their faces bright with excitement.
“Can we get an autograph?” A pretty brunette girl begs.
Travis sighs and signs their shirts and lets them take a photo with him. I roll my eyes and stand beside Reagan who is giggling stupidly still.
“Let’s go.” Travis says when he is done; yanking my arm.
“What is up your ass?” I snap.
“You are!”
When we reach Chief’s house, Travis drags us inside. We are both drunk, and both laughing about a random man we saw on the side of the road.
“What the fuck?” Chief snaps, walking out.
“Found your girl drunk in a bar, pashing a random bloke.”
“She what?” Chief roars.
I snort. “Stop your nonsense Chief, I wasn’t doin anything wrong.”
“Like hell you weren’t. I raised you better. I ought to tan your hide.”
I giggle, and Reagan does too.
“Tan your hide, what does that even mean? Shouldn’t you say I will red your hide, considering your hide turns red?"
Chief glares at me. “Bed now, before you see how red I can make that ass.”
I stand and salute. “Aye aye.”
“BED!”
Reagan grips my hand, and we giggle the entire way up the stairs. We fall onto the bed and bounce a few times before settling in.
“Who was the dude you were tongue bashing?”
“Um, Jake…or Josh…”
“That’s so bad that you don’t remember.”
“He was sweet.” I protest.
“We really have to stop this,” She giggles. “Or Travis will have a fit at you.”
I snort. “Screw Travis; overgrown bully.”
We begin laughing again when Chief pounds on the door.
“Sleep now you two before I come in there and put my boot up your asses.”
We giggle again but quieten down.
“He totally went crazy for you.” Reagan whispers.
“I know, it was kind of creepy.”
“No, it was totally sweet.”
I smile into my pillow. “Totally.”
Reagan and I fall asleep instantly, or pass out, whichever way you want to look at it. I wake during the night and desperately need to pee, so I walk out of my room and across the hall. Travis is stepping out of his room, clearly to do the same thing but he stops when he sees me.
“Oh, I was just using the bathroom.” I whisper.
He sets his eyes on me and begins walking forward, he backs me against the wall and puts his hands either side of my head, so his palms are flat against the wall.
“You made me crazy tonight.”
I swallow. “I don’t see why.”
He leans down and grazes his lips over my ear. “If you think I didn’t think about you, or miss you, or worry about you while I was away; you are so fucking wrong.”
Then he leaves and I am left trembling against the wall.
CHAPTER 3
I wake in the morning, and my head is thumping. I get out of bed and stare down at Reagan, who is out to the count. I walk out of the room and downstairs into the kitchen, where Chief and Trav are cooking breakfast. I scrunch up my nose.
“Ugh.” I murmur.
They turn to look at me. “Not hungry then?”
“God no, I am going for a run. I need to sweat out this alcohol.”
“Be careful will ya.” Chief orders.
“Yeah yeah.”
I avoid Trav’s gaze as I turn and head into the laundry to find my running clothes. When I am changed, I am out the door and jogging before anyone can stop me. I am mid-way down the street; it is early and the sun is just rising when a hand lashes out and grips me. I am dragged into a side alley, a hand firmly clamped over my mouth. I try to see who has me, but he or she is behind me.
“Ah Mischief, it’s about time we met.”
I squirm, but I can’t get out of his grip.
“Boys; it’s time to send Chief a message.”
Four men step out from behind a large brick wall and loom towards me. My heart skitters and I squirm desperately, trying to get away. The first man punches my face so hard my head slams back into the man holding me. I kick out, having learnt to fight and think quickly a long time ago. I hit a set of hard shins, and hear a bellow.
“Someone’s coming.” One of them says.
Then they are gone, and I am left bleeding. I get to my knees; my body begs me to stop. I crawl out of the alley and pick myself up. I look around, but I can’t see anyone. I drag myself home, fighting my emotions. When I step through the door, Chief sees me and he drops the skillet he is holding on the ground and comes running over.
“Fuck, my baby, fucking…”
“Jesus Christ!” Travis yells, rushing in.
“What’s happening?” Bill grumbles from the couch, he sits up and is suddenly standing and yanking on a shirt.
“Chief, we are going down the road. Gunna see what we can pick up.”
“Who did this to you, tell me?” Chief roars.
“I don’t know.” I croak.
“You don’t fucking lie to me, tell me?”
“Daddy, I don’t know.”
“What did he say?”
“Said…it was time for revenge.”
“Demon.” Henry mutters, coming out from the room.
“Travis, get over here and take my daughter.”
“Daddy where are you going?” I cry.
“To fucking gut him.”
He shoves me towards Travis; he wraps his arms around me and I watch Chief run out the door before I can say another word. Travis helps me to the couch; his eyes are frantic. He sits me down and strokes my cheek. He rushes out and comes back a moment later with a first aid kit and some damp cloths.
“He did a real fucking job on you.”
I peer up at him. “I know.”
“Sit still for me now baby, let me clean you up.”
He gently cleans me up, taking the time to go over each cut and bruise. When he is done, he helps me change; I am grateful for him being here.
“Thank you…for helping me.”
He stares at me. “I hope those fuckers run, because if your dad gets them…”
“Travis?”
“Yeah?”
“Why are you hanging around my dad again, I thought you moved away from the club…you aren’t part of it, you are a rockstar so why are you back?”
“I decided the life in New York wasn’t for me, so I came back, I help Chief out here and there.”
“It doesn’t work like that, even I know that. If you want to hang with them, you become one of them.”
“It’s different for me.”
“Why? Just because you are Max’s son?” I say, reminding him that he is the son of the top biker who began the club before Chief took over it.
“Yes and no. I have known your dad all my life, and when Max died he took me in. I don’t involve myself in the criminal side of the club, but I hang with them. I didn’t come back for that Mischief; I came back for a change.”
“You won’t find it here; stepping back into the past isn’t always the best thing.”
; He strokes my cheek and stares at me for long moments. “Maybe, maybe not.”
“Travis, why did you leave like that?”
“I had no choice.”
“You always have a choice, we were friends.”
“You were young, I would have broken you Mischief; you deserved better.”
“That wasn’t your choice to make.”
“Maybe not, but I made it anyway.”
My phone rings; saving me from this awful conversation. I look down at the screen.
“It’s my mom, later Travis.”
He leans against the chair and gives me a smouldering look. “Later baby.”
“Hi Mom…I am fine…”
~*~*~*~*
“You look stunning Vi.”
“I look like a hillbilly in a dress.” I pout.
Reagan gives me a look. “Why do you honestly think you look like a hillbilly?”
“I have brown hair, pale grey eyes, pale skin and freckles!” I cry, throwing my hands in the air.
“God woman, do you see the men who check you out? You have stunning eyes, porcelain skin, cute little freckles and silky thick hair. I am jealous.”
I glare at her, looking hot in her tight red dress. She looks Latin and is utterly stunning.
“Now you are just insulting me.”
She grins, taking my face in her hands. “You are gorgeous.”
“You have to say that, you are my best friend. You aren’t going to say ‘gee Vi, you look like a bush pig’.”
She steps back blank faced, then roars with laughter. I join in and soon we are giggling like two school girls.
“Ok, stop. We have to be collected for tonight; we want to be sexy…smooth.”
I nod, swallowing. “Ok.”
“Are you ready?”
I look down at my tight black dress and knee high boots. “Do I look rock?”
“Oh hell yeah!”
We are heading to one of Trav’s concerts. He gave me a couple of tickets, and I couldn’t say no to the obsessed Reagan who would have literally thrown herself on the floor if I denied her. We are staying with my mom this weekend; Chief is out all weekend, and I know what he is doing. He is looking for Demon. My mother had a fit when I arrived home beaten; she slapped Chief so many times he had to walk away otherwise I am sure he might have slapped her right back. I had to beg to be let out tonight, she reluctantly agreed, but she isn’t happy about all this.
Phoenix Rockstar (Book One in the Erotic Rockstar Series) Page 2
