“You need a seat?” she sings.
“No, I’m okay.”
“Don’t worry. Link was just leaving.” She assures me as her friend picks up his guitar and swings it over his shoulder.
“I’ll be around.” He frowns as he motions to leave.
“Don’t be a sour puss,” she replies playfully.
“I was having an amazing dream,” he moans mockingly.
“About Shakira again?” She laughs.
“You know I love the way she moves those hips.” He bites his lip, and his green eyes glint dangerously. “You need to take those belly dancing classes I’ve been talking about.” He winks.
Several of the students overhear the conversation and glance over at Link who shamelessly smiles back. “Her music isn’t so bad either,” he adds.
“We’ll see how you like it when these hips don’t lie down next to you,” she responds.
“Ahh, you can’t get enough of me, baby,” he murmurs as he leans down to kiss her on the forehead.
“Whatever.” She smirks.
“Give me a jingle when you get outta here.” He chuckles. Shrugging his shoulders, he grips the strap of his guitar as he walks out the door.
“I’m sorry about that,” she says as she grabs her black hair and pulls it back into a bun, exposing her perfect cheekbones.
“No biggie,” I reply as I thank her for the seat. Sitting down next to her, I pull out my applications for medical school. I don’t really pay much attention to what’s written on the pages because I’ve looked over them millions of times and memorized every damn question and answer.
“Medical school?”
Smiling, I turn to the sweet, angelic voice and nod my head. “Yep.”
“Wow! You’re looking at a few more years of school.” She exclaims
I wanted to become a doctor from the age of four when my dad took me to the hospital to visit Jace after he was born. I was fascinated with everything the doctor did and how the staff took care of my mother who was sick after giving birth. The doctor let me play with his stethoscope, allowing me to listen to Jace’s heartbeat. The doctor laughed when I told him Jace’s heart must be as big as an elephant’s because it was so loud. I saw what he did for my family, and I wanted to be able to do the same for others.
I notice her notebook is covered with music notes and several verses are written on the page with the words “Love’s Broken” outlined at the top. It’s not hard to surmise that she’s a music major based on that and her friend Link. The bracelets on her wrist clink together as she returns to humming and tapping her pen on her notebook.
“By the way, I’m Elle,” I speak over the tapping.
“Piper,” she reveals as she writes down a few words. “So, what kind of music do you listen to?”
“Um...hmm...” I mumble. “Pretty much anything, but I really love live music and there is some top forty stuff on the radio I can deal with.”
“You should check out our band, Crimzen. I write their songs, sing backup sometimes and date Link, the gentleman that just gave up his seat for you,” she bubbles as she scribbles his name at the top of the page in her notebook.
“Oh, yeah?” I ask. “Nick Moon, right?”
“Yeah.” She snaps her neck in my direction. “How do you know him? You don’t look like the type.”
“Well, I like all kinds of music, and I met Nick about a month ago.”
“Really? How? Where? When? It’s hard to catch him.”
“Through a friend,” I reply as I lower my head. I scan the pages in front of me, remembering that night at Reed’s apartment. It was the beginning of everything, and now there’s nothing.
“Hello?” She taps me on the shoulder. “Does your friend have a name? Ahh... forget it. It doesn’t matter,” she sings as she scribbles a couple more sentences in her notebook. “Anyways, Nick has a major ego, but then, all of them do. They’re fun guys. You’ll like them.”
“Where do you play?” I ask, folding the papers in my hand.
“Anywhere and anyone who will book us,” she exclaims. “You should take my number. I’m all about making new friends, and of course, promoting the band.”
Right away I can tell Piper’s someone I can get along with, so I give her my number. She eagerly punches it into her phone and immediately sends me a text.
“There, now you have mine. You can call me anytime if you want,” she quips as the receptionist behind the counter calls her name. As she stands, she picks up her backpack and throws it over her thin shoulder. “Well, don’t be a stranger. I promise I won’t be,” she says, gazing down at me with a smile.
“I won’t.”
“Goody,” she replies. “Because I think we’re gonna have fun.”
What could be better than starting over than hanging out with a singer and her tattoo-covered rocker boyfriend and his rocker band mates? This should be a fun and very interesting beginning to my new life.
Piper wasn’t lying. It’s been a week since we met, and she’s already texted me on several occasions to see the band play, but I haven’t had time. Classes have started, and I am taking a heavy load this semester. At some point, I’m going to have to make time for them because she doesn’t seem like the type who gives up easily.
“Damn, Elle, who’s tying up your phone with text messages?” Evelyn asks as she throws on her shades while we walk across campus to get some lunch at Otto Pizza. “Does she have any other friends?”
“It’s time to broaden my horizon,” I counter. “I’m taking some of your advice. Plus, she seems really cool. She’s a singer and plays with a band.”
“Woo…I like the sound of that,” she purrs. “Does she know some cool rocker guys? I could totally get into a rocker. They’re sexy as hell. Maybe you should answer her text.” She grins, nodding at my phone in my hand.
“I was about to since it’s Friday, and I don’t have any plans. I don’t want her to think I’m avoiding her.” I say, feeling my phone jump in my hand again.
“Then do it. And just a heads-up, I’m free tonight, so I can tag along if you want.” She smirks and gently bumps me with her hip.
“Fine. The more the merrier,” I say as I send Piper a text. My phone rings instantly. I answer, and before I can say hello, she asks me if I am free to check out her band playing at the Middle East tonight.
“Sure,” I answer, glancing over at Evelyn who gives me the thumbs up.
“Great,” Piper states. “Where do you want to meet?”
“Does my place around nine sound okay?”
“Perfect.” She responds in an exuberant voice.
“I’ll text you my address.”
“Cool.” She exclaims. I hear the sounds of bracelets jingling and rustling paper in the background. “See ya lata.”
“Bye.” I hang up the phone and text my information to her. I turn to Evelyn and shrug my shoulders. “So, the Middle East tonight. No Gypsy or Good Life. Are you okay with that?”
“Are you kidding me? Musicians, tats and guitars. Super effin hot! I’m game!”
“Oh, shit.” I laugh. “Please don’t get us arrested for disturbing the peace.”
“I can’t promise you that,” she bubbles and then looks up and scratches her head. “Holy shit! What am I gonna wear? Let’s skip lunch and go shopping. I need a sexy outfit for tonight!” I shake my head as she grabs my hand and drags me to the train that’s heading into downtown Boston. “Newbury Street is our next destination.”
Fuck. Landing the job was easy enough. I walked in a week ago and was hired on the spot. Danny, my new boss sized me up and that was all she wrote. I started working the following night, which was a Saturday and pretty fucking crazy with some kick ass local bands performing and a rowdy crowd cheering. Damn. I liked it because it gave me a major adrenaline rush. I’m on the payroll making more money than I ever did at the center.
The place is not a dive either, which is a plus. It’s actually kind of nice. You can’t automatical
ly assume places with rock musicians are shitholes. I’ll be dealing with another type of crowd here, but change is good, even though I kind of miss those little kids from the center.
I didn’t get scheduled to work this Friday, so Luke and I decide to head out and enjoy the crazy scene as patrons. To top it off, Crimzen will be the headliner for tonight. I have not seen them since I was at the Mohegan Sun months ago, before all the shit went down with Momma and Jerry back in Texas.
The place is insane with the line curling around the building and the music pulsating out the open doors into the cool night. I have to admit; this place attracts a more hardcore and rugged girl. The kind of girl that I’ve never been into. Change in job, change in woman? Who knows, maybe that’s what I need.
“Yo, man. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Luke laughs while whistling under his breath. “These chicks are smokin’ hot tonight. I need me some of that,” he says as he eyes a raven-haired bombshell in a short, black leather skirt and corset who’s talking to a couple of other girls right outside the doors. “I’m gonna go mingle.” He gestures with his chin as he wastes no time making a move on “Raven”.
“All right, I’m going to check out the band.” The bouncer at the door recognizes me and lets me pass with a nod of his head. I enter the club and head over to the stage, hoping to connect with Nick and the band before he hits the stage. I need to maintain those friendships that I didn’t fucking destroy when I vanished.
I lose track of time. Brass Knuckles, the opening band, was decent, but not my type of shit. They were kind of thrash and hardcore. As soon as Crimzen is introduced and make their way across the stage, all the females start squealing and rushing toward the front. They immediately grope and reach for Nick. Damn. He’s fucking eating it up. I kind of know how that attention feels since I received a similar reaction on campus when I played football.
They start a song called “Fire”. The crowd goes nuts, pumping their arms in the air as Nick’s voice cuts through the capacity-filled room, and the drums beat out an angry rhythm behind him.
“Hey.”
I squint to my right, recognizing the sweet, singsong voice over the music and the spunky female in a tank top and short skirt that I met the other day.
“ I was wondering when I’d see you in here since I saw your man earlier.” I smile. “Why aren’t you on stage with the band?”
“Do you hear that song?” She smirks cupping her hand to her ear.
“Yeah, what about it?” I ask, peering down at her.
“Yours truly wrote it, so technically, I am up there.” She laughs, cocking an eyebrow.
“Sweet. You’re all that and a bag of fucking chips.” I grin.
“That’s what Link keeps telling me.” She gives me a half-smiling, sidelong glance.
“So...what are you up to tonight?”
“Just showing some new friends another side of town.”
“So, you’re the bad influence tonight?” I ask as she throws her hands on her hips and purses her lips.
“Trust me. Good girls have a bad streak; they just need a small push and a little taste of something different. It’s like a high. Once you’ve tasted it, you’re hooked.”
“Be gentle with them.” I chuckle.
“Everything in moderation.”
“Cool,” I reply, laughing a little under my breath as I glance around the room. Moderation does not exist here.
“Speaking of friends, I need to go find them,” she answers, craning her neck over the crowd and toward the stage.
“Don’t get into trouble.”
“Who me?” she asks, fluttering her eyelashes and pointing at herself. “Never!” she sings as she turns and disappears through the crowd. I’m alone again, which is okay. I turn to the bar needing a beer real bad, but the bar is packed. Sam, the regular bartender with big tits and a tiny waist is on tonight and quickly notices me drumming my fingers impatiently on the bar. She’s another one that has her eye on me. She does that to most guys, so I don’t feel special and I definitely don’t want what she’s offering.
“Hey, sweetie,” she purrs. “What can I get ya?”
“Heineken.” I smile as I check her out. She’s nice on the eyes with her tight-ass skirt and low-cut silk top, but I wouldn’t get my dick within ten feet of her. I grab my beer and quickly look toward the stage before she catches me staring.
I rub my eyes, thinking it’s the glare from the light show on stage that’s making me see sun spots. Unfortunately for fucking me, it’s not. I step into the shadows behind a pillar positioned toward the back of the small makeshift dance floor and watch as she dances with a guy that’s not Tyler. No, he’s some fucking blondie that’s smiling like he just fucking won the lottery. He’s got his hands on her hips, pressing her impeccable body against his and she’s leaning her head back against his shoulder as he caresses her hair that cascades down her bare shoulders. She’s not curling it around her finger. She’s not thinking; she’s feeling. I can see his mouth hovering over her lips. I know exactly what he’s fucking thinking, what he’s smelling and what he’s wanting to taste right now.
I fucking want to bum rush the crowd and push him away from her. What the fuck? Where’s Tyler? I’d rather it be him all over her than this motherfucker. I can’t tear away my fucking eyes. I stand there watching her body move against his with the music. She laughs and smiles at him as she throws her hands around his neck. She’s definitely gotten over me in a heartbeat, and I feel fucking sick to my stomach. I want to grab her and throw her over my shoulder, then pin her against the wall and make up for all our lost time. I realize tonight that I fucking need her in my life in the worst way.
I keep my eyes on her as I take a long pull of my beer. Piper walks up to her and taps her on the shoulder while handing her a beer. What the fuck? Is Elle her new friend? Now this is some fucked-up shit. I can’t go up to her. I know what I need to do. I need to fucking move on and forget about her, but that’s easier said than done.
“Reed?”
My eyes are all glazed from watching her as I reluctantly turn to the sound of the female voice coming from my right. I feel her hand clutch my bicep and travel down my arm.
“I never thought I would see you again,” she whispers into my ear. I know her; she’s the tall redhead from way back with the nice, lean body and perfect breasts and hair. She loved it when I pulled her hair.
“Hey.” I shake my fucked-up head and smile at her, thinking what better way to break me out of this lovesick haze than to have some fun with a redhead again.
“You don’t remember my name, do ya?” she purrs, trailing her hand down the left side of my chest.
“Don’t take it personally, sweetheart.”
“Sierra.” She takes a step closer and licks her lower lip, pressing her body against me. I can feel her breath caress my cheek.
“That’s a fucking nice name. I’ll make sure to remember it this time,” I reply, trying not to sound discouraged.
“Does that mean...” I cut her off before I change my mind about what I’m going to say.
“If you’re nice, I’m sure I can give you whatever it is that you’re looking for tonight.” I run my hand through my hair, wondering how I’m going to let her down easy. Fuck it. I have nothing to lose now.
“I’ll be a perfect angel,” she moans into my ear. “We never got to do some things the first time.” She curls her slender arm around mine while her fingers settle on my bicep.
“I promise we’ll do those and so much more.”
I glance back and notice Elle walking off the dance floor with the guy whispering into her ear and his arm snaked around her waist. I fight back the rage that’s building inside me. The hurt in my heart swells as I watch her and then drop my eyes to the second prize beside me. That’s what all the other girls who come into my life after Elle will now be considered. A fucking second prize, which makes me a fucking loser.
“Let’s go.”
I’m n
ot sure what I’m thinking as I unlock the front door and let the redhead slip past me. She rubs her ass against my hip and I get that feeling, but it’s not like it used to be. It feels wrong; everything I’m about to do feels messed up. It’s like I’m cheating, even though I’m not with Elle anymore. My heart can’t shake it. Is that possible? She doesn’t seem to have a hard time with letting me go, but it would be easier for her since I’m the one that left. I mean, that’s what it looks like to her. I abandoned her. I fed her a bunch of bullshit lines to appease her and make her feel wanted. I bet that’s what she’s been thinking the entire time, that is, if I even cross her mind anymore.
The fact that she can move on so easily means she was prepared for me to fuck up. She knew that I would prove her worst fears, that I was trouble like she said I was. She still had up some of the walls around her heart with me. I guess I’m okay with that. I don’t think there was anything I could do or say with everything she went through with Cane. I don’t blame her. I guess any guy that comes after him is going to suffer like me with her fears and doubts about love. I hope the next dude... scratch that. I’m not going there. It makes me fucking angry. Who and what am I angry at anyway? Myself? Yeah, me. There’s no one else to blame for this, and I know it. The hard part about this whole thing is that she got to me in a way no other woman has. Right now I don’t think I could replace someone like her. Maybe over time, a long time, but not now. Shit. Maybe not ever.
After I close the door behind me and lock it, I’m ambushed by Sierra as I walk into the living room. She wraps her hands around my neck and firmly presses her body against me, causing me to back into the wall while she plants her hungry lips against mine.
“Hey, hey...” I chuckle. “Relax.” I clutch her by the arms and gently pull her off me. “There’s no need to be hasty.” I don’t know how I manage to sound so calm, but I do, even though I’m shaking like a leaf just being alone with this girl. It’s like I’m some damn, horny ass teenager about to have sex for the first time. God, a couple of months ago I was the one peeling off her clothes, and now I’m peeling her off me. Shit. This is all wrong.
Wanting Reed (Break Me) BOOK 2 Page 8
