by S. A. Price
“Contrary to popular belief, I’m not that much of an asshole.”
“Coulda fooled me.” Toro said and picked at his nail. “Look things with Lo need to be done delicately now. There’s shit you don’t know, shit I’m not going to tell you because it’s not my place, and don’t you fucking say a word to her about it or so help me…” he closed his eyes and composed himself, taking a few breaths. “When she’s ready she will tell you, so get the thoughts outta your head.”
“Did someone hurt her?” Winter asked through clenched teeth. It wasn’t like Lo had her sex life in the public eye. By all accounts she had been very secretive about it. If someone had the audacity to put hands on her…
Toro shook his head. “No, listen. Take it slow, woo her, because I’m going to tell you right now, if she finds out what happened after you left her last night…”
Winters eyes went wide. Shit. “How?”
Toro scoffed. “Dude this is me you’re talking to. We might not fuck the same tail, but we do fuck in the same circles. Stoli and Gats told Peter, my in-town ass, this morning. Not that I’m sure enough people saw you tearing the shit outta Stoli against that window in the wee hours, even if there wasn’t a video Gats took.”
Winter blanched. He knew it was a bad idea when he was doing it, but the rejection got the better of him, like it had once upon a time. Shit. History was repeating itself. “I fucked up.” He admitted. “Isn’t the first time and won’t be the last I can tell you.” He sighed and shook his head. He didn’t think clearly when it came to her.
“Well it needs to be where Lola is concerned.”
“Clearly. If she sees anything about that I’m toast, and it will be my own fucking fault.”
Toro waved his concerns away. “I squashed it. Which is why I wanted to have brekky with you. I could be lounging away my morning with Peter, but this was more important. I hope you understand that I don’t leave a sure thing for anyone. Except Lola. She needs you back Winter, and as much as she doesn’t wanna admit it, I know her. Better than almost anyone. So take my advice will you?”
Winter nodded. He knew he would have to say something about it at some point. Hiding shit from Lola wasn’t what he wanted, not when he was starting fresh, but if he didn’t, he might not get the change. He knew he could count on Stoli and Gatsby to not blab too. It was one thing to share with their inner circle, but to the world? To the Feathers? No, they wouldn’t do that because it would fuck with their position with other bands and guys they had in their stable. They weren’t stupid, they knew the drill.
“And your advice is?”
“Curb your cock. Just talk to her. Pretend it’s high school all over again.”
Winter smirked. He could do that, but then they wouldn’t be taking it slow. “Toro, do you remember when her and I met?”
Toro shrugged. “Chem?”
Winter shook his head. “John Strathmore’s house party when his parents were in Aruba. She walked in grabbed me by the shirt, dragged me to the closest closet and had her wicked way with me. We haven’t ever been friends Toro, not just.”
“Well then its time you became friends.” he stared off as he twirled his fork. “You know I remember that party, but only because it was the first time I hooked up, and pretty much came outta the closet.”
“You came out, and she dragged me into one. So it was monumental for both of us.”
“For you. He wasn’t that great.”
“She was.” He willed away a hard on as he remembered Lola and her bravado.
She was new at school. Her family moving from someplace up north, into the plantation house her father inherited, along with an assload of money when his great aunt died. He had seen her at school, wanted to talk to her, but Winter of back then was a bit of a shy pussy around girls, especially refined ones that didn’t talk with the Cajun lit he was used to. She was exotic, sexy and he wanted her.
He didn’t expect to see her at the party, hell he and Rhys had dropped by to make the rounds, they weren’t going to stay. It was wild, lots of kids, the grounds and the plantation house were crawling with people from their school and the next parish over. Probably the biggest party his seventeen year old self had ever been to.
And then she walked in dressed like a wet dream he had constantly had. Mini skirt, longer than the ones she favored now, but back then it was all about scandalous. Thigh high socks, platform boots, an almost see through fitted baby doll tee that didn’t hide the fact that her bra was doing nothing to hide her nipples. Back then she had black hair, wild, with blue and mint green chunks. She wore makeup, but those lips, those glossy berry lips were naked but for the cherry flavored gloss she favored.
The other girls there stopped dead when she walked in. Hell everyone stopped. She looked around at everyone and then zeroed in on him and made a bee line for him. He almost choked. Goddess in the flesh was coming to him?
“Hi. I’m Lola.”
“Winter.”
“I know.” She smiled. “Come with me Winter.”
She didn’t give him a second to protest as she grabbed him by the front of his shirt and dragged him to the coat room, which was just a large closet. As the door closed behind them he turned to question her and was met with her lips on his, her hands easing up on his shirt.
She tasted better than he ever though a woman could. True she wasn’t his first, but looking back he knew she was the only one that counted back then. The three girls before her were dress rehearsal for the storm that was Lola Cavendish.
They made out for what felt like ages, and she never stopped him when he grew bold, touching here and there. She was bold herself, grabbing his hand to slip it between her thighs so he could pet her.
She made such sexy sounds while his fingers played with her wet flesh, and she was wet. Lord was she wet. But it undid him when she whispered in his ear.
“I need it Winter, Please… please make me come.”
Minutes later she was moaning into his mouth as her body shook, and he was feeling like the coolest fucking guy on the planet. The hottest girl he had ever seen was begging him to make her come, and he had, and it had been so fucking good.
They spent the rest of the night in that closet, learning things about each other that had nothing to do with their favorite foods or movies. By dawn, they stumbled out, a definite couple, and Winter was smitten.
“I understand your reminiscing, but I’m still here, and attention must be paid!”
Winter shook himself out of his day dreams and frowned at Toro. “Sorry. Sometimes…”
“Ugh I don’t wanna hear it. I had to hear it the first go around and I tuned it out mostly, else I couldn’t look at you straight. So? Friends? Woo her man. She wooed you before, it’s her turn.”
“Dude this isn’t an exactly optimal situation.”
“What is, I ask you? Look this tour is your golden ticket. 22 dates, almost 3 months on the road and some down time. Use it. Cuz I can’t see her this melancholy anymore. She needs you back. So make it happen.”
Winter went to answer him when Toro stood up and grabbed the check from the table. “It’s on me. Finish your meal. I have to go meet your goddess for an interview at XFM. See you tonight at the venue.”
Knowing he was just dismissed he grumbled his thanks to Toro who waved it off. “Believe me you will be doing me a favor as well. Enjoy.”
And with that the whirlwind called Toro was gone, and Winter was left with his cooling omelet, cold coffee and a new determination. Lola Cavendish needed to me wooed and seduced. Fucking-A right he was going to deliver.
SEVEN
Randal’s Island was alive with activity by the time Winter and the rest of Thirteen Shades of Red arrived. The stage crew and the Carnival crew had been hard at work since early that morning, erecting a stage and getting the tents for the interactive events all set up and ready to go.
“So what the hell are we supposed to do till the gates?” Tosh asked and fiddled with his cell phone.
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Saffron regarded him. “We have a double wide for our home base tonight, complete with full rider, so that means Xbox and internet set up.”
“Great. It’s too fucking muggy out here tonight. One bet the mosquitoes are going to chew us up.”Chandler said and shook his head.
“Nothing like home man, suck it up.” Rhys offered.
“Whatever. I got people coming in by the way.”
“I’ll need all names for the list then.” Saffron said as they passed through the second gate of security. She smiled at the event staff running the event and he checked all laminates and let them through.
They reached the trailer minutes later and Nyx, quiet until now sighed. “Not bad. Looks new too.”
Saffron shrugged. “No clue. The code is 151215 to get in. The white topped tents are craft services and the back stage bar. The blue tents are the gangway between the stage and the actual event. You have sound check in fifteen, then you’re not on till 10. Tonight Strange Angels headlines. Tomorrow is the trade off.” She lowered her clipboard and grinned. “Have fun. I have to meet X and Dante in the press booth.” She kissed Rhys on the lips and left them.
Winter had watched everything quietly, trying to figure out where it was Lola’s trailer was, there were three more and he knew one was for the big wig record people from both labels, one was for the crew and the other should be for The Angels.
“You keep frowning like that your face is going to stay that way man.”
Winter looked over at Rhys and sneered. “Seriously?”
“Dude, what the fuck is up your ass? You have a surly fuck all day. What happened with Lola by the by?”
Winter shook his head. “Nothing good.” Today he had done something else a little stupid, and was paying for it in a slight throb and swelling in his groin. It was the only way he was going to ensure stupid mistakes, like screwing some chicks, was not going to happen. Must needs when taking the advice Toro gave him. Now, to find her and put his plan into action.
“So you’re not going to…”
“Look who you’re asking? Seriously? That woman was meant to be mine. I’m not giving her up. I just gotta be delicate with her, or so Toro informed me.”
Rhys nodded. “Sound advice. She’s not the wild as fuck girl that dragged you into a closet anymore man. She might look it, but she’s… different. Take it easy, yeah?”
“Are you and Toro washing your panties together now too? Did Saff take your balls with her when she left?” Winter rolled his eyes.
Rhys leaned back against the side of the trailer and yawned, completely ignoring the venom in Winter’s voice. “Go find her man, cuz I have just about had it with your sour ass attitude.”
Winter went to retort but Rhys was already following the lead of his other band mates, and the door to the trailer banged as he closed it behind him. Now alone, in the dying sunshine, there was nothing to do but plan his attack. He was going to have to seriously curb his instinct with her, and his need for her sexy little body. He knew she wanted him, and that itself was a win. Now, he just needed her to admit it so he could sink back into her, and find heaven all over again.
Strange Angels’ camp was on the other side of the communal tents, same set up, just different colors, according to their Band Flag, a purple monstrosity with a bat in white and their name in black. They had a patio set with a fire pit. Winter looked it over and shrugged. They had their priorities in order. Shades totally needed a band flag for this tour. He turned to knock on the trailer door but before he could Stanton opened it.
“Oh hey man!” He said and bounded down the stairs towards Winter. He was taller than everyone else in the band by about three inches and was the favorite of all the girls--- the heartthrob of the group if the comments were to believed online.
Tall, well built, black straight hair cut all haphazardly, with longer blonde chunks, bright blue eyes always rimmed in Kohl and a face Versace had been begging to use in a campaign. And even though the guy had all this going for him, he was just a nice guy, total laid back surfer attitude. Nothing bothered him.
“Sup?” Winter intoned and hugged the other guy. “You ready for the crazy of this tour?”
Stanton gave him a lazy smile. “Are you?” he winked and chuckled. “It’s going to be good I think. Things are stable and everyone has high hopes.”
Winter nodded. “Yeah Shades is really looking forward to this. I mean it’s not like it was the first tour we did, but then we have grown, right?
The other man smirked. “To say the least. Let’s hope Chandler doesn’t end up naked and cuffed to a hotel bed screaming for help this time.”
Winter laughed. “Nah, he wouldn’t scream for help these days.”
“The more things change…” Stanton offered and shook his head. “If you’re looking for Lo she’s already up at the stage area with Toro.
Winter smiled. “Thanks man. She seem okay to you today?”
Stanton shrugged. “When you are fronted by a female, ‘okay’ takes on new meaning day to day. I can say she’s not trying to murder anyone, or anything else out of normal character so I guess today is a good day.”
“Fair enough.” Odd way of answering , but then again Stanton was far from normal.
“You guys staying in the city tonight?”
Winter nodded. “Think so.”
“Sweet. Party at the W. I assume you are staying there?”
Winter nodded again. “I’ll spread the word to the rest of Shades.”
“No need…” Stanton said and shook his phone at Winter. “Already taken care of. I’ll see ya.”
Stanton walked off towards the communal tents and Winter turned on his heel and made his way through the throng of support staff milling about to the blue tents and the gangway to the stage.
Lola was standing with Toro, talking to a meelie looking gentleman with a wicked comb over. He had a second to look her over and relished what he saw. Today was a one piece play suit style outfit in black with epaulettes in red with silver tassles, with buttons keeping the center of the outfit closed up her sternum, holding back her ample bosom, but only just. The creamy mounds of flesh creating a feast for his eyes. One bet a bra was not part of the ensemble.
She was wearing her platform Mary Jane’s, striped thigh high socks that were held up with cute ruffled thigh garters, her kitten collar and bracelets, and her hair was pulled up in a messy bun, with several pieces of colored hair hanging down from the hair sticks. He stopped walking and growled to himself as she shifted, her weight on her right foot, her hip cocked enough that the bottom portion of her ass cheek was peeking from under the barely there shorts of the play suit.
Well, there went any possibility of walking around without a hard on. He adjusted himself so his cock wasn’t a divining rod pointing right at her, better the bastard point at him, and approached them, his hands in his hoodie pockets, walking slowly as not to agitate himself further.
“And look what the cat dragged in.” Toro said with a smirk on his face. “Winter Tulane, I could eat you up.”
Winter raised an eyebrow. The third in their little huddle scoffed and rolled his eyes and walked off, without another word. Toro grinned. “Thanks cupcake. Old Donner there is homophobic, and you just ensured he will keep away from me for the rest of the night.”
“Who is he and what did he want? From the look on his face its possible he hasn’t taken a satisfying shit in weeks.”
Toro laughed and Lola shook her head. “He is the rep for our record company. Ass clown.”
“Everything okay?” Winter asked Lola and she nodded.
“Yep. You know how the execs are.”
He didn’t, not really. Xxieda was her own animal when it came to the industry, which was why everyone wanted on Will it! Records. She was fair in a way other companies weren’t, and for her, while money was the end result, she didn’t run everything by that bottom line. Odds are that moron was there to fuck with Strange Angels’ heads about the tour.
>
True, it was a huge expense, but the end result would be huge for both companies and bands. Awesome all around. As long as the higher ups left them to do their jobs. So he nodded to her and then Toro sighed as he looked at his cell phone.
“And that is me late to grab Paul at the bus.” He leaned over and kissed Lola on the cheek. “See you in a bit bubbles…” he turned, winked at Winter and then walked back towards the bus area, leaving them alone.
Lola looked at him.
“Are you trying to kill me woman?” he asked as he stepped forward.
She arched her brow. “Pardon?”
“That outfit. Christ of the Abyss you’re just asking to get fucked in that one.”
She cocked her head. “Maybe. But this is always how I dress. It’s comfy.”
“Lo, half your ass is hanging out.”
“I know.” She grinned at him. “So you like then?”
He returned her smile. “I prefer you naked, but sweet fuck you look edible.”
Lola licked her bottom lip. “Listen, I’m sorry about last night. After you left, I had a long talk with myself…”
“Fly on the wall there, bet you looked skitzo.”
She nodded. “To say the least. But I talked to Toro too. Your right, we can’t just be friends. So… Look Wint I don’t know what to think about this and everything, but…” she moved closer to him and slipped her hands into his back pockets, effectively wrapping herself around him. “Maybe we just take it slow? I know it’s a foreign concept with us but… Maybe we try, see where it goes?”
Winter was affected as hell having her sexy little body up against his. She always fit him perfectly but dear god, he was doing everything in his power to not grab her and carry her off somewhere. She was willing, and he was going to do what he had to and make her his all over again. Even if they had to go slow. Fuck. He wasn’t even sure what slow meant.
“We could try, but…” he looked down at her and grinned. “You sure? You’re not going to one eighty on me after your set when all I want to do is peel you outta your clothes?”
Lola laughed. “When I’m off stage, you’re going on.”
