But Chaz looked satisfied.
The gorgeous guy put his cheek to Chaz’s so they were both staring at the crowd. He was beyond hot and his sexy features were only exemplified next to a grubby guy like Chaz.
“She just came up to the bar, to me, and asked who you were. I said I didn’t know but I promised I’d find out. Go talk to her, man, seriously.”
“Really?” Chaz asked.
“Totally, dude. Go for it.”
The sexy stranger guided Chaz from our table and gave him a hard push, sending Chaz stumbling, coming seriously close to falling on his drunk face. Maybe I should have stood up and pretended I cared if Chaz fell, but I didn’t. I didn’t care if Chaz fell. He was a big creep.
Chaz made his way into the crowd of people and I could tell he didn’t know what woman the stranger had been talking about.
The stranger smiled at me then casually made his way back to the bar. When he did, he waved at two people standing there who promptly got up and moved.
A guy that hot with that kind of control turned me on.
“Hey, what are you looking at?” Maggie asked.
“Nothing,” I said, bringing my attention back to Maggie and our small table.
The usual chit-chat kicked back up, worrying about finals and talking about relationships. I really wasn’t friends with anyone at the table, but they were okay to deal with for the night.
“What was that all about?” Maggie tried to whisper to me. It wasn’t much of a whisper since the club was so loud.
“What?” I asked.
“That guy and Chaz. That was interesting.”
“Yeah, it was.”
Maggie looked beyond me and then back to me. Her eyes were wide and her cheeks were a little red. I don’t remember the last time I saw Maggie blush.
“He’s looking at you,” Maggie said.
“Chaz?”
“No. The hot guy that chased Chaz away.”
“The hot guy? You thought he was hot too?”
“Really hot. I mean, if he wasn’t looking at me…”
“I guess I should thank him,” I said, “you know, for helping me.”
“Good. Get me a drink while you’re at it.”
Maggie pushed her empty glass away. Before I could stand, Jeff dove across the table and grabbed it. “I got it. No worries.”
He smiled at Maggie with lust filled eyes, his mind calculating what it would take to get Maggie drunk enough to sleep with him. I had to laugh knowing that it didn’t take much to either get Maggie drunk or in bed. In fact, those two together didn’t make sense. Maggie would sooner get drunk and giddy, then fall asleep, before having sex with Jeff.
Jeff hurried from the table and I looked at my empty beer bottle.
“He didn’t even offer to get me another,” I said.
“Who? Jeff?”
I nodded.
Maggie smirked. “That’s because you didn’t flirt with him.”
“I don’t flirt,” I said.
“Well, you’re going to start.”
Maggie reached for me and pulled the zipper down my hoodie. I stiffened and my mouth fell open.
“Let those girls breathe,” Maggie said, “and work. My gosh, Scarlett, you have some creep like Chaz staring down your shirt for like an hour but you don’t show them off for a hot guy who helped you.”
“Is that how this works?” I asked, teasing.
“Why don’t you let Mr. HotGuy at the bar show you what works?”
I peeked over my shoulder and sure enough, he was staring at me. He caught me and smiled. He turned and motioned for the bartender. She was a tall blonde with a chest like mine. She bent over, way too far, letting her chest basically pour from her slutty tank top. I couldn’t believe it but I was actually jealous right then. I felt the sting in my nerves, thinking the sexy stranger was flirting with her, or making plans to go home with her.
A second later, the bartender reached down and brought a beer to the bar. She twisted the top off and threw it behind her. The stranger nodded and then slid the beer bottle to his left, putting it in front of the empty seat at the bar.
I watched for a few seconds and then realized what it was and what it meant.
He just asked me for a drink. Without saying a word.
A subtle yet hot move.
As I stood, I knew my body was in the mood for something with this guy. But all I was going to do was thank him for his help.
That’s it.
I promise.
4
I crept to the bar just as one of the bands took the stage. I heard the sound of drumsticks tapping together and then the first notes of a song began.
It was loud but not too loud enough that any chance of flirting and enjoying the stranger was out the door. It was a four-piece band and I recognized three of the four members from campus. They were okay and looked more like they were just up there to have some fun than actually put on a show.
Without words, I tried to do the next sexiest thing. I moved the barstool and took the bottle of beer. As the stranger looked at me, I took a big drink from it and then hit it to the bar. I hit it too hard and it started to overflow. The white foam ran down my hand gripped around the bottle. When I saw it and then saw the look the stranger gave me, the naughty thoughts of what it could imply made me blush.
I took my hand off the bottle and tried to collect myself.
“Thanks for the drink,” I yelled.
The stranger smiled and put a hand up, curling two of fingers, calling me closer.
Yes… yes…
I leaned in as he did. Our cheeks touched and my body gushed. His stare was down, and I could feel his eyes following the deep line of my cleavage, wondering what I looked like without a shirt on.
It didn’t bother me one bit.
“That drink was meant for my girlfriend,” he said and leaned back.
My mouth fell open and I looked at the beer bottle. My eyes did a quick scan, waiting to see some girl charging at me, ready to fight.
“I’m so sorry,” I yelled. “I saw you… I thought… wow. Uh, listen. Thank you for your help before. With Chaz.” Now it was my turn to lean into him. I put my cheek to his and felt the stubble of his facial hair. Rough. Sexy. I smelled him, an intoxicating smell that burned through my nose, into my senses, shattering my memory, and engaging my most wildest desires. “I appreciate it. Chaz is a total creep. Let me buy you a drink. And pay for your girlfriend’s drink.”
When I leaned back, the stranger was shaking his head. He tilted his beer bottle towards mine, letting the necks touch.
“I’m fucking with you,” he said. “Come here.”
We were touching again. I suddenly didn’t mind the band on stage playing. The louder they were, the closer the stranger and I could get. I looked down and watched as the fingertips on his left hand touched my hip.
“Want to see something funny?” he asked.
“Sure,” I said.
“Look to your right.”
I did.
“Find your friend,” the stranger said.
I did. Chaz was standing in front of a blonde girl, talking. She looked annoyed and ready to slap Chaz. I’d pay her ten bucks to slap him.
“I dated that girl for a little while,” the stranger said. “She cheated on me. She has no interest in your friend. And he’s going to follow her all night. And he’s going to make an ass out of himself because her boyfriend will be here any minute.”
I had to laugh. Sure, part of my heart felt bad for Chaz, who was drunk and thought some girl wanted to talk to him. Then of course if the girl’s boyfriend came in and knocked Chaz in the mouth for talking to his girlfriend. But whatever, it was Chaz. Just a few minutes ago he was making comments about my breasts.
He deserved it.
My attention was now back on the sexy stranger.
“So, you’re single?” I asked.
“Tell you what, why don’t we slip into the back and talk. This music is too
loud… and it sucks.”
He didn’t give me a chance to respond. He stood, grabbed his beer and grabbed my hand. My heart raced. In a last second move, I reached for my beer and then I was right behind him as he led me to a door that was labeled EMPLOYEES ONLY. He opened it without conviction and walked me towards the kitchen area of the club. He opened another leading to a small room that was filled with instruments, equipment, cases, and bags.
“There, that’s better,” he said as he shut the door.
The music came through the walls, low enough muffle that we could talk.
“Are we allowed back here?” I asked.
“Does it matter?”
“No, I guess not.”
He walked to an amplifier and sat down. He pointed to one next to him so I took a seat.
We sat in silence for what felt like hours my mind raced with bad thoughts. This was the perfect kind of room to sneak into and… well…
“Thanks again,” I said. “Seriously.”
“No problem,” he said. “I saw him stumbling his way around and when he touched your shoulder… I…”
I watched the stranger’s lip curl a little. It intrigued me.
“You what?” I asked.
“Nothing. Just didn’t seem right. So I stepped in.”
Then something came to me. “Wait, were you watching me?”
“No,” he said. “I was watching the drunk fool walking around.” Then he looked at me. “Are you always this conceited?”
“Excuse me?”
“You think every guy at the bar is staring at you? What about your friend? Her tiny little body could probably handle any way I’d want it.”
He stood from the amp and drank half his beer in one gulp. He moved towards the door but didn’t open it.
“I’m sorry if I pissed you off,” I said. “I was just playing around.”
He looked at me. His eyes were dark and burning. I could see something about him, something I’d never seen or felt before. He was tough and sexy on the outside, but behind those eyes, something else existed. The problem was that I couldn’t tell if it was good or bad.
“No big deal,” he said. “Just glad I helped I guess.”
His hand turned the knob. I pushed from the amp and my beer spilled. My eyes were stuck between the hot guy trying to leave the room and the beer spilling all over an amplifier.
“Shit,” I cried out and picked the bottle up. “Is this bad?”
I caught him smiling now. He took his hand from the door and stepped towards me. “What’s bad is wasting beer. The amp is fine. They’re built for abuse, trust me.”
“You know about this stuff?” I pointed to the instruments in the room.
“I dabble,” he said.
“I’m Scarlett,” I said, unsure why I threw my name out there like that. I wasn’t a fan of saying my name or hearing anyone else say it.
“Scarlett… pretty.”
My cheeks were red. Scarlett.
“I’m Tripp,” he said as he put his hand out.
My heart, mind, and body connected at how freaking hot his name was. I shook his hand.
“Listen, Scarlett,” Tripp said, “I have to get going, okay? Just wanted to bring you back here for a second and talk to you.”
Tripp touched my face for a second, half smiling.
He had me hooked. I wondered if I could maybe try to kiss his hand touching me, but he already moved away.
“Tripp, wait,” I said.
“What’s up?”
“Are you staying here?”
He nodded. “I sort of work here tonight.”
“Can I see you later?” I asked.
“We’ll see how the night goes. Your friends are probably waiting for you.” He opened the door and hesitated. His back was to me and
I looked him up and down. I wanted to thank him again for helping with Chaz, among other things, but I just stood there.
“For the record,” he said, “I was watching you. From the second you walked in the door. And when that guy touched your shoulder, I wanted to kill him.”
Tripp left the room and I stood frozen, so turned on that I was afraid to take a step. I didn’t even realize that the music in the club had paused for a moment. Another song kicked in and then the door opened again.
It wasn’t Tripp.
“Who are you?” a guy asked. He had hair down to his eyes, a lip ring, and looked pissed.
“Looking for the bathroom,” I said.
“It’s not in here,” he said. He held the door open for me.
I slipped past him and as the door shut, I heard him say, “What the fuck happened to the amp? Oh, he’s going to be pissed…”
I rushed from the back of the club wishing Tripp was guiding me in more than I knew. I tried to chase those kinds of thoughts away as I made it back to the table. As far as I was concerned, even if I didn’t see Tripp again that night, nothing could ruin the night. It felt good to be out and flirt and have fun. Without any pressure. Without any worry. Without any guilt.
I looked to the table, seeing Maggie. I smiled, wanting to tell her about Tripp but my smile faded, as did my night, when I saw someone sitting in my seat.
He turned and smiled at me, his eyes devouring my chest.
I whispered his name, bringing back a whole set of emotions I didn’t want to face.
“Andy…”
5
“Scarlett, you look amazing,” Andy said as he stood from my chair. “Here, I bought us drinks.”
I faked a smile but I didn’t fake the hug I gave Andy. He wrapped his arms tight around me. I exhaled a breath and instantly felt confused.
I looked at Maggie and mouthed what the fuck? and then wiggled my way out of Andy’s hug.
Maggie shrugged her shoulders but her eyes were guilty.
She did this. Andy probably had a hand in it too. And not that I could blame Maggie. Anyone who saw Andy and I thought we belonged together. He was a tall and strong, smart, good looking guy who looked at me with those hopeless eyes. I never realized those hopeless eyes existed until what he said to me last weekend.
“Here, sit, relax,” he said.
I did and put two hands to my fresh beer. I didn’t want Andy trying to hold my hand or anything. Not in front of a table full of people. Not that they were watching.
Andy took the seat next to me as I realized four seats had opened on our table. The band on stage still played, getting into their own music. People danced, had fun, and here I sat, stuck between Maggie and Andy, but my mind was lost on Tripp.
I leaned towards Maggie and before I could say a word, she was talking.
“He called me,” Maggie said. “Okay? He said you had a nightmare in the library. He was worried about you. Said you stormed out of the library. All I did was tell him that we were here, and you were fine.”
“Did you say anything about Tripp?” I asked.
“Who’s Tripp?”
“The guy… the hot guy…”
I felt my face burning and my heart twisting with guilt. I couldn’t believe this. That I felt this way. Why? Because I was talking about another guy as I sat next to Andy? I hated it so much.
“His name is Tripp? Oh, that’s sexy as hell.”
“I know that,” I said. “But Andy…”
“Hey, Scarlett?”
I felt Andy’s shoulder touch my shoulder.
I turned towards Andy, hoping my face didn’t look upset or guilty.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Are you okay?” he asked. “At the library…”
“I’m okay,” I said. “I promise. I went home and Maggie dragged me here.”
I rolled my eyes and hated myself now. Why the hell did I have to do this? Why did I need to justify my decisions. To make it seem like I didn’t want to be there. I wanted to be there. I wanted to see the concert, and I wanted to hope I’d have a chance to see Tripp again.
“Okay,” Andy said. “I don’t like when you get lik
e that. It makes me nervous. If anything ever happened to you… I’d kill someone.”
Andy joked when he said that stuff, but it made me think of Tripp. He sounded a little more serious when he said he wanted to kill Chaz for touching me. What would Tripp think if he saw Andy right now?
The band on the stage said their goodbyes to a cheering crowd and left the stage, taking their instruments with them. I felt Maggie’s leg bumping into mine.
“DownCrash is next,” she said. “Come on, let’s get out there and have fun.”
I stood up without answering.
Andy looked at me.
“Going to the floor,” Maggie called to him. “Can’t wait to see these guys play.”
I smiled at Andy and slipped my arm into Maggie’s. We walked shoulder to shoulder and she asked me, “What did you two do in the back room?”
“Sadly, just talked.”
“Lame.”
“But he’s so hot,” I said. “He’s dark. He looks mean but I don’t think he really is.”
“Did you get his number or give him yours?”
“No,” I said with regret.
“Where is he now?”
“I don’t know…”
“Oh, Scarlett,” Maggie said. “You’re something…”
“Special,” a voice said and I felt hands on my hips.
I looked over my shoulder, then up, at Andy. The way he looked at me and touched me right then all made sense. I could understand why he looked at me the way he did and how he felt. I was confused and as I slid back, allowing my body to touch his, I wondered if I was just being stupid.
Being afraid for silly reasons.
“Andy,” I said, knowing this wasn’t the time or place to say anything.
“Scarlett,” he said.
He lowered himself and waited for me to do something, to say something.
There was an awkward moment growing between us. The sound of a guitar screamed and I jumped, breaking up the moment. A guy on stage tuned a guitar and placed it front of an amplifier. I recognized the amp as the one that I spilled my beer on.
I thought of Tripp and then I shook my head.
“What?” Andy asked.
I realized he was still staring at me, not that it surprised me.
“Nothing. Just excited for the band.”
“You know who they are?”
I sensed maybe the slightest jealousy in Andy’s voice and I never had chance to answer because the lights in the club turned off.
The Stronger, Safer Kind (The Boys of DownCrash #1) (new adult contemporary rockstar romance) Page 2
