Lennon's Jinx (Lennon's Girls #1)

by Chris Myers

  Don’t let me down because it’s right

  It’s only natural for us to feel this way

  If only for the night

  One more night, one more gig

  Each one with new faces, new places

  I look at her. She looks at me

  Baby, it’s only a heartbeat away

  So come on over and bring me your rain

  I put her upon my shoulders

  Tickle her nightmares away

  If only they’d go and never come back

  Everything will be okay, this is my life, this is my way

  CHAPTER NINE

  LENNON

  Though it’s ladies’ night, Sammy’s isn’t packed yet. The bouncer nods me in. I haven’t gotten carded since I turned fifteen. Clive and Danny have older siblings who gave them copies of their IDs. Susan turned twenty-one last month.

  As Clive gets our cover charge, guilt gnaws at me over Bailey. I tried to find her backstage after the recital to see if she wanted to meet us at the club. The only problem is she’d probably like me to take her as something more than a friend. It’s not that I mind buying. It just feels so permanent to drive a girl somewhere, and I can’t really bring her home. Mom’s a handful as it is.

  I order the first round of beers for the guys and a sea breeze for Susan. Clive and I only let Danny Boy buy every other two rounds for us. We get a table in the back, so we can talk over the band.

  “Bailey coming?” Susan asks.

  I work on the label of my beer. “I couldn’t find her backstage to let her know.”

  “It wouldn’t hurt to ask her out,” Susan says, “and you could’ve texted her.”

  “You’re right,” I say, guilt working into me.

  Danny Boy puts up a hand like a cop stopping traffic. “Don’t.”

  “It’s okay,” I say. Susan means well. “I can’t bring her home. You know why. I have to take care of Currie. It’s not like I’d make a great boyfriend anyway.”

  “You’re hopeless,” she says, throwing a balled-up napkin at me.

  “Probably so,” I say, scoping the dance floor for an interested party. A few girls are watching me.

  “It’s just a phase,” Clive says. “Some girl will knock your shorts off, then she’ll rip out your heart.”

  “You’re not helping,” Susan says.

  “Neither are you.” Clive tips his beer back.

  He had a girlfriend for a few months his sophomore year. She let him take her to all the spring dances, then she ignored him afterward. He spent a small fortune on limos, dinner, and flowers. He barely got a good night kiss for his efforts.

  I could tell Clive really liked this girl because he chased after her. It could’ve been the thrill of the pursuit, but he went out of his way for her. He hasn’t done that for anyone except Zoe, and that’s because his little sister was killed.

  “What’s the story with Jinx?” Clive asks.

  “Who’s Jinx?” Susan puts a possessive hand on Danny Boy’s thigh. He kisses her cheek and lays his hand over hers.

  I don’t get it with him. He could have a different girl every night, so why does he put up with her jealousy? “Jinx is our new keyboard player.”

  “Oh?” Worry creases Susan’s brow. A lot of girls hit on Danny Boy, and she doesn’t like it one bit. I can tell she doesn’t want full-time competition from a girl in the band. Her insecurity would drive me crazy.

  “What’s the deal with Jinx?” Danny Boy shows interest, and flames fly in Susan’s chocolate brown eyes. Looks-wise, she is quite breathtaking. Tall, leggy, with raven hair.

  “Jinx sits next to me in choir. Has never given me the time of day or any other guy, except Zach. She has a kickass voice.” I won’t deny that or her pretty hair.

  Clive nods at a girl a few tables down. They’ve been eyeing us since we got here. “Why the beer bath?”

  I give them the rundown, ending with Jinx calling me a pig.

  “Honestly,” Susan starts, “you’ve been called a sleaze, dirt-bag, scum-of-the-earth, womanizer, lady-killer, and slut to name a few. Pig seems rather tame.”

  “Wow,” I say. “I didn’t realize you were keeping track. I’m not that bad. Am I?”

  “You are,” she says. Danny Boy gives her the look, saying that’s enough. Susan doesn’t listen well. She has her own mind. Another attribute I don’t admire in her.

  “Other couples were hooking up in the bedrooms,” I say. “Jinx just doesn’t like me.”

  “She joined our band,” Danny Boy says.

  “She didn’t want you in that room and then you were rude to her.” Susan sips on her drink. “Pig, well deserved, among other things.”

  “Thanks, Susan. I feel so much better now,” I say.

  “Just trying to help out.”

  Danny Boy shakes his head at her. “Maybe it bothers you because you like her,” he says.

  I snort out a laugh. “She’s not even my type. She’s a virgin, and she hates my guts.”

  “There’s always a first time for everyone,” Clive says. “It’s the challenge that makes her interesting. You said virgin?”

  “Yes, and no it doesn’t.” The only attraction is physical. I have that all the time, but I’ve learned to keep my hands off virgins. I don’t like getting slapped or the thought of ruining a girl’s first time. Their expectations are maxed out for that one. “Enough about me.”

  “Why don’t we chat up those fit birds over there?” Clive asks. “I think I fancy that redhead after meeting Jinx.”

  I scoot my chair back to get up when Jinx flashes through my mind. I stumble a bit before reminding myself that I have zero interest in her.

  “Trouble at two o’clock,” Danny Boy says.

  Bailey sways into the club with her friend Tanya. Tanya spots her friends and waltzes over to them. Bailey’s gaze locks onto me. Hurt riddles her expression. I told her I had to stay home with Currie, but that was before Mrs. Nowak offered to take the girls for the night. I get the feeling that won’t matter.

  She storms over to us, knocking over a chair on her way. “How could you?”

  The nearby tables gaze at us.

  Tanya glances up from her friends and decides to stay put. Anger flashes across Bailey’s pretty gray eyes.

  “Bailey is hot,” Clive whispers in my ear, “but you’re on your own, brother.” He walks over to the table of girls who were checking us out earlier.

  “Thanks,” I mutter.

  “We need to talk,” she says.

  I cup her elbow to lead her to the back band room. She shakes off my hand and walks beside me. “You lied to me. I knew you’d be here when Mrs. Nowak took the girls.”

  “I didn’t lie to you. I tried to find you after the show to let you know.”

  Bailey holds up her cell phone. “What? You forgot how to use this?”

  I stare at the concrete floor. I can’t face her. Jesus Christ. This sucks.

  “You can’t even look at me,” she says. “I thought you liked me. You gave me those chocolates. I actually believed that chip on your shoulder broke off.”

  A few pieces of candy aren’t a proposal. Anger rises inside me. I was honest with her. “Why are you making such a big deal out of this?”

  Tears shine in her eyes. “Big deal?”

  Now, what do I do? “Bailey, you can’t pin me in. We’re friends, but you don’t own me.”

  “Own you. You don’t get it.” Her thick lashes blink back tears. Mascara streaks. She rubs it away. “You are sad, really sad. You’ll end up alone, like your mom and your dad.”

  I should’ve known this would happen. “I’ve never lied to you.”

  She pounds my chest with her fists. “You’re right. You are pathetic. You don’t know…how to be close to anyone.” Hiccups come between the tears.

  “I’ve had enough of this,” I say. “If you want, I’ll buy you a drink.”

  Bailey grits her teeth and clenches her fists at her sides. “Screw you. I don’
t need you to buy me.” She stomps off.

  I shake my head. She knows me. Why is she going psycho on me? I go back to my table in time to see Bailey get Tanya and leave. My inclination is to stop her, but I don’t.

  I like Bailey enough that I won’t lie to her by calling out to her. Her tall lithe body glides out of Sammy’s. Hurting her was never my intention. I’d normally have several shots to help me forget, but I’m driving tonight. Can this night get any worse?

  CHAPTER TEN

  JINX

  After ten or twenty minutes, Rena finally comes out of Lancelot’s. “What happened?”

  My teeth are chattering so hard, I’ve probably lost half the enamel. “The bouncer caught Iz with the vodka,” I say, scowling at her.

  “It was a good idea,” Iz shoots back.

  “Not after the cover we paid.” I hand Rena her coat. “Where’s Gabby?”

  “Peeing. She couldn’t wait,” Rena says.

  We cluster together to stay warm.

  “I told Byron where to stick it. I can’t believe I did that. Yeah!” She bounces up and down.

  “Good for you,” I say. It was hard for her to do after falling off a ten-story building for him. “You should drink more often.” Rena is a lightweight compared to Iz.

  “I don’t really like to, but it certainly helped me this time.”

  Gabby joins us shortly, but not before we’re all shivering from the cold. “Where to next?”

  “How about a place with no cover.” I link my arm in Rena’s to stay warm. It’s not helping.

  “Sammy’s is close,” Iz says.

  “That’s where Zach hangs out,” Rena says. “I think we’ve had enough exes for one night.”

  Gabby squeezes next to me. “They usually have a drink special, and beers are three bucks. We’ll stay there long enough to warm up.”

  I’m so cold I stamp my feet and rub my arms. “I can’t make it very far.”

  “I don’t care where we go.” Iz slides in beside Gabby. “As long as we keep moving.”

  We hurry to Sammy’s, which is another block up. I can’t feel my toes or fingers it’s so friggin’ freezing. When I get rich, I’m living somewhere warmer.

  Gabby puckers her lips. “Ran’s supposed to be there.”

  That could be good, though going to Sammy’s means I’ll watch Zach snuggling close to Kelly for the rest of the night. That sounds like fun. “I’m running low on funds, so this is my last stop,” I say, resigned to my fate.

  “Thought you were a big rock star now,” Iz says.

  “Soon, my groupies, soon,” I say. My friends make the world all right.

  Iz gives us each a shot of vodka until we finish her flask. I only take one, but the added liquor loosens and warms me. I’ll keep my mouth shut, so I’ll be asked to dance at this place. Maybe Zach will get jealous.

  Sammy’s is packed. They have a live cover band currently performing a Green Day song. Most people are standing, drinking bottled beers.

  The crowd holds me up. We haven’t even made it to the bar when guys buy us shots. I give mine to Iz, which she’s all too happy to guzzle down.

  The loud music works into me and vibrates the floor. I’m ready to shake my hips now, and I won’t screw this up.

  This time I’m the first one asked to dance. The guy is cute, not drop dead gorgeous but passable. I chug some water and let him take my hand. If I don’t speak, I’ll do fine.

  We can barely move on the dance floor, but I get into the song, pumping my fists in the air. I wonder if I’ll ever be close to another guy. Probably not. Sex scares me now. I hurt the morning after and walked like a cowboy for a few days.

  I’m gyrating to the song, hoping it looks good, but it’s hard to tell because we’re crammed in here like a Lollapalooza concert. The floor shakes from the heavy bass speaker pumping.

  “I’m Kyle,” he says.

  “Ji-Jane.” No sense telling him my real name and spoiling everything.

  From the corner of my eye, I spot Zach. He’s not dancing with Kelly but with some strange girl. She’s okay looking, but where’s Kelly? I heat up my dancing because he needs to see me having a good time.

  Everyone’s dancing except Rena. She’s talking to a guy at a table that must’ve just opened up. She has all our jackets.

  I glance at Zach. I wonder what it’d be like to kiss this guy in front of him and see Zach’s reaction.

  Kyle’s head dips down toward mine. His forehead nudges mine as he takes my hand. “Ready for another drink,” he yells over the band.

  I have a good buzz going, and I promised Rena. “I could use a water.”

  “Not a problem,” he says.

  “I’ll be back in a second.” I go to the ladies’ room.

  On my way back, Ran is talking to another girl in the hallway. When he sees me, he hands the girl something white in a small plastic baggie and swaggers toward me. “Hey. I was hoping to see you again.”

  Though his comment lights me up, I should probably avoid him if he’s dealing drugs.

  When I slip in something wet on the floor, he catches me. I like his strong hands on me. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Let me get you another drink.”

  I nod, afraid of saying something stupid. Ran is way hot. Hot enough to make Zach jealous, so a few dances won’t hurt.

  Ran brushes my hair from my face. “I love your hair.”

  He takes my hand. His feels warm.

  Zach will hate Ran, so I won’t go back to the other guy getting me water. I can’t wait to see the look on Zach’s face.

  “What do you want?” Ran asks.

  “A martini.” That sounds more sophisticated than water, and I’ll only drink a little bit.

  He gets a beer and hands me mine.

  The drink’s refreshing and gives me the nerve to ask, “You wanna dance?”

  “Yeah.” Ran gives me a crooked grin, which makes me feel all goofy inside. Zach sees me, so I act like I don’t even notice he’s here.

  When we weave our way to the middle of the dancers, Ran slips his hands around my waist and draws me into him. We’re dancing so close his breath warms my neck. I can feel Zach staring. When Ran swings me around, I glimpse Zach swaying close to that strange girl. He catches my gaze.

  Looking right at Zach I feel like I’ve been caught with my whole hand in the brownie batter.

  His staring works its way into me. When Zach held me close and whispered the lyrics to his songs in my ears, some of which he’d written for me, I’d melt into him. I really miss that. I miss feeling loved.

  I glance back at where Rena is sitting to see if she’s okay.

  Shoot. It’s Lennon, and he’s talking to her. Danny has his arm slung around the girl I’m assuming is Susan. She has long black hair and is just as pretty as he is.

  They’re dressed sensibly for the weather. They’re all in jeans.

  Gabby schmoozes with Clive while Iz squeezes up to him on the other side. Susan puts a protective arm around Danny’s waist. I don’t blame her.

  Byron walks into the bar, scanning it undoubtedly for Rena. He must’ve followed us. This is not good.

  Rena spots him and whispers into Lennon’s ear. He grins, takes her hand, and leads her to the dance floor. Space has opened up so that I can breathe and actually move. Ran holds me tight against him, which I don’t mind one bit because Zach is watching me with the eyes of a falcon hunting a dove. He’s about to lose his partner because she’s staring daggers into him.

  My hand goes to my temple because it’s starting to throb. I didn’t have that much to drink, but absolutely, no more alcohol for me.

  Not too far from me, Rena and Lennon bump and grind on the floor. He can dance, too? He doesn’t move like a white boy. They don’t even notice me they’re swaying so close to one another. It’s like watching Dirty Dancing. They’re that good together.

  Byron has made them. He struts out like he owns the joint, and with all his money, he prob
ably does.

  “May I cut in,” he says to Lennon.

  Lennon dips Rena so that she’s doing a backbend. I never realized how limber she is. His hand slides down between her breasts, and when he pulls her back into him, he deep throats her with his tongue. I’ve heard from several girls he’s the best kisser at school, not wet and sloppy but in complete control. From the way Rena’s smiling, it must be true.

  Lennon gives that cocky, annoying grin of his. “Does that answer your question?” he says to Byron, spinning Rena around like Dancing with the Stars.

  “Do you know who I am?” Byron says in a gruff tone.

  “Yeah, I do. And Rena tells me you couldn’t satisfy her.”

  God, Lennon’s bold. I’m doubting this is true because Byron’s like six-six and a pro athlete.

  Byron’s face puckers until it turns red. Really red for a very black man. I didn’t think that was even possible.

  Rena seductively rubs Lennon’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, but there’s only one Lennon Tyler, and you just can’t sing as well as him in bed.”

  I’ll give her that. Lennon can really sing.

  Incredulity spreads across Byron’s face. “You want him over me?”

  “Oh, most definitely.” Rena presses her chest against Lennon and lays a wildly passionate kiss on Lennon.

  Even Lennon’s eyes go wide. He’s enjoying their kiss a bit too much.

  Byron shoves his way through the clump of bar patrons. He’s still fuming, but it’s nice she got her chance to grate him like cheese after what he did to her. Rena traveled once to one of his away games to surprise him and caught him in bed with a cocktail waitress.

  When Lennon and Rena return to dancing, Ran kisses me hard on the mouth. I really like this guy, especially since Zach’s ignoring the girl he’s dancing with. Ran’s hands squeeze my butt. I’m so wasted I can barely feel them. Wow. What was in that martini?

  Lennon grimaces at Ran who doesn’t notice because he’s too into me. I feel funny, not drunk but like the room is lopsided and I’m going to slide sideways off it.

  When Lennon dances close to me, I mouth, “Pig.” I’m not sure my lips even moved or why I said that. Am I jealous of the attention he’s giving to Rena?