A Tattered Love (21 page)

“Rock. They have a concert tonight. You should totally come and let lose. That’s what my plans are.”

“I’ll think about it. I don’t know if I want to leave Grandma.”

“Well, we should plan this stupid thing and get it over with. I wonder if mom left us any money.” She raised her eyebrows and seemed to get a little excited thinking about that. But that’s the way she always thought. I was far from thinking about what money mom left for us, if she even had any.

“We’re going to the funeral home later today. Everything will be done today and the wake should be a day from now with the funeral the same day. I doubt mom will have known that many people to need to plan the wake separate from the funeral.” I glanced at her. Then grandma came into the room.

“Well, well, well, look what the cat dug up and brought in. Glad you could make it, Galena.” Grandma walked over and extended her arms to her as she did me.

“Good to see you too, Grams.”

“I’m glad you’re here. Ladies, we should head over to the funeral home and get things rolling.”

We all nodded and followed Grandma out to the car as she took off. We managed to arrange everything from picking out the casket to flowers and then the plot at the cemetery. The family lawyer arrived to let us know that our mom did have an insurance policy. I was shocked, and I think Lena’s eyes grew wider than appropriate. Unfortunately, news to Lena was not what she wanted to hear as Mom left me the full amount of money, which was 50,000 dollars. Mom wished the money to go towards planning the funeral arrangements and to use the balance wisely. Those were her exact words, and I would have to use it wisely until I had a job offer.

The ceremony would be beautiful. I think mom would be proud that we came together for her. It was definitely something I never imagined happening. It seemed Lena was a little hurt, but I agreed I’d split the insurance money with her and grandma after the costs of the funeral were calculated. It was only fair, and I knew they would appreciate the money to help them financially as much as it would help me. I hated saying those actual words, though. I would have given the money back in a heartbeat if it meant I weren’t burying my mom.

Once everything was official and planned out to the tee, we headed back to Grandma’s house, and she made us dinner. Homemade pineapple pork chops with mashed potatoes and squash. It was simply delicious.

“What are you girls up to tonight? You’re not going to sit in this house, and sulk all night, are ya?” She looked at both of us as she took our plates and headed to the sink to wash.

“Actually, I’m dragging Riley out for a good time tonight at a concert. You don’t mind, Grams, do ya?” Lena asked her with the slightest bit of laughter in her tone.

I hadn’t agreed to go to the concert, but I actually wanted to go. I wanted to get out and do something I normally wouldn’t do. Going to a rock concert was something I normally would not do. Time to step out of my comfort zone.

A few hours passed, and I dressed in a pair of skinny jeans and a tight black t-shirt that had a V-neck shape to show off my boobs. I slapped on tons of makeup, and I did my curls so they flowed loosely down my back. I looked smoking hot, and that was just what I was going for. Lena was wearing another pair of red hooker heels and a mini jean skirt, which was ripped short. She had put on a red tank top with her black bra showing, and her boobs were barely covered. This was so out of my element, but I felt I needed it. We borrowed Grams’ car, and headed down to the local joint where Guilty Tendencies would be playing.

The bar was crowded full of rockers and groupies, just like Lena. They were all dressed very similar to Lena, and the men were covered with tattoos, and looked like a bunch of skinheads. This was going to be an interesting night. Peanuts were scattered all over the floor, and our heels dug into the mess as we waltzed through the bar making our way up to the empty stage. There was some distant music spread through the speakers leading up to the concert. As if there wasn’t enough noise with chatter, laughter, clanking glasses, your typical rowdy bar noises. Lena and I made our way up to the bar, and ordered a few beers to hold us over until the concert started. We didn’t say much to each other. We just drank our beers, quite fast. I actually thought I wouldn’t mind getting drunk. That would fit right in with easing the mood.

A flyer was tossed in my face, and Lena snatched it from me.

“Yes! There’s an after party at Central Lake. We’re going. The after parties are the best, Riley!” She smiled so wide. I rolled my eyes, but agreed to go. It was something new, and I was already out in a new atmosphere, so I thought I might as well make the best of it.

The band finally came out on stage. My eyes were glued to one band member in particular. He was drop dead gorgeous, and so not the type I usually gravitated toward, so it rather shocked me. There he stood, bald with a shaved head, built as if he must have worked out every damn day of his life. His muscles were almost ripping through this tight, green t-shirt. He had the most beautiful blue eyes that sparkled in the light and drew my attention. I just couldn’t stop staring. His tattoos were painted along his arms, and one on the back of his neck. It was sexy as hell, and it made a tingling feeling fall deep between my legs as this man turned me on at just the sight of him. He had the best smile to match his handsome blue eyes. He was the most beautiful rock star I’d ever seen. I was pretty sure this was my rock star fan moment. I didn’t even know the band, or what songs they played. For all I know, their music may suck, but I wanted this man more than ever.

They all stood up and introduced themselves as Guilty Tendencies, and then went around to each member as they said their names. Austin, the bass guitarist, was the only word that I remembered out of all of them. He was the one that I wanted to make damn sure I found a way to be his girl for the night. I don’t care what I had to do. This after party was going to be my chance.

The concert started and the music was actually amazing. I found myself dancing with Lena, and ordering more and more beers. We bounced, swayed, and head banged with the crowd, but I mostly remained mesmerized by Austin. The way he moved his body on stage, and the way he played his instrument, and his goofy grin that kept creeping across his face made me want to jump on stage and claim his lips as mine. Dustin came to mind for a second. Nah, we were just not right for each other. I brushed it off.

They finished the night, and dedicated their last song to their most favored fan that followed them everywhere, Lena Miller. She jumped up and down, raised her glass of beer to them, and the song began.

I yelled over to her, “They know you personally?”

“I’ve met them all, but I just hang out with them. They’re awesome guys!” She screamed back over the blaring music.

I glued my eyes back on Austin. It ultimately sent me into a daze, and the next thing I know Lena’s poking my shoulder catching my attention.

“Hello, earth to Riley!”

Apparently, the concert was over, and we were headed to the after party. I followed Lena and arrived shortly later at Central Lake. I looked around as I tried to spot Austin. That’s all I focused on was finding Austin.

I looked around, and came up short on my luck. I knew my chances were slim on trying to find him because there were a gazillion people here, but I was going to try. I grabbed a few beers on my search. Then I just followed Lena as she wandered around the lake talking and mingling with people. She introduced to me a few people but I was probably looking like a zombie to them. I was so focused on finding him you’d think I’d go cross-eyed. After having several beers in me, my bladder was calling my name.

“Lena, I’m going to find the restroom. I’ll find you!”

“Call me if you get lost!” She giggled and continued talking with her friend.

I wandered toward the brick building and found a completely new different crowd lingering inside. The place was pretty big, almost like an empty abandoned warehouse. I spotted the bathroom and practically ran toward it. Thankfully, there wasn’t a line of girls and I made it right in. Once I locked the stall, I could tell you I was not happy to be in this disgusting, run down, filthy bathroom. No wonder there were no girls lined up for this dump. Once I did my duty, I felt my phone going off. I got out of the stall, and washed my hands vigorously about ten times before I actually felt clean from the filth that was around me. I looked at my phone, and noticed a text message. Nope, ignoring it, not going to ruin my night.

I had enough for one day. I was so pissed by what I heard from Dustin earlier I kicked the door on my way out of the bathroom. I’ll deal with that asshole later. It’s always
I’ll find a way
. Screw Sabrina. He didn’t seem to be able to make up his mind—but neither could I. Why is our life so complicated together? I busted out of the bathroom, and knocked right into a guy, causing him to drop his beer. It wasn’t until I looked up I noticed
who
I was looking at—Austin looked even more beautiful standing right next to me, close up.

“Watch out! You spilled my drink, now you owe me another beer.” He glared at me with an intense overbearing look.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.” I smiled.

“You better not have meant to, or we’d have a problem. So, are you going to get that beer or what?”

A grin snuck across his face, and that made me happy. He was putting out this rough demeanor, but that smile gave away his tenderness. “I’ll get right on that beer. Where can I find you once I retrieve it?” I grinned, giving him my goofy smile.

“I’m actually heading outside by the lake. I’ll follow you to get a drink. There are some nuts that run around here.” He winked at me. Was he flirting with me? Hell, I’d take the flirting. Needed to get Dustin off my mind.

“Are you saying you don’t think I can handle walking by myself to get a beer?” I laughed at his remark. I didn’t really think I came off as that fragile.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying, and you’ll just to have to deal with it.” His lips caved to one side letting out a sneaky grin. “So, what’s your name, beer spiller?” He chuckled cracking a horrible joke.

I pursed my lips to the side of my mouth and rolled my eyes. He couldn’t come up with anything better than that? “The name is Riley, Riley Miller, actually.”

He laughed to himself and shook his head. “Miller spiller, huh?”

“So, what would you like me to call you, Impressive Asshole?” I shot back sarcasm since he decided he wanted to play that game.

He started walking toward the door, and I followed him outside toward the lake. “Actually, I think Austin the asshole suits me better.” He held out his hand with a grin running across his face. “Nice to meet you, Mills.”

“What is it with you and nicknames?”

“I like nicknames.”

“Well, hate to break it to you, but if you’re going to call me by a nickname, I’d at least want it to be something I liked, and not so ordinary.”

He laughed, “Ha! Ordinary? What, you’ve spilled other guy’s drinks before so they’ve called you Miller spiller?”

I rolled my eyes, “You’re something else.”

“I can be your something else.” He made a witty remark back to me and a seductive grin sketched across his face.

I put my arm in his as he led us toward the lake. It was quite a walk from the building, and you could hear the party still thriving up ahead of us. His last remark sent me silent. I didn’t have a comeback for that. The only thing I did have was a solution. I wanted him so bad and by him saying that made me have hope where this might be heading.

I saw the kegs lined up, and I took my arm out of his and walked up and poured the beer into a cup for him. I walked over and handed it to him.

“Here’s the beer I owe you.”

“I think you owe me a dance.”

“You clearly said I owed you a beer.”

“Are you really going to turn down the offer to dance with
me?
” He enunciated the word
me
.

“Nah, I don’t dance much. Not really my thing.” I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders. Lying.

“You know, I saw you dancing at the show right, with Lena.”

Shit.

I grabbed his beer from his hand and chugged it down real fast.

“Why did you just drink the beer you owed me?” He was a little confused.

“Because if you’re going to have a dance with me, you’ll risk spilling that beer again, and I just solved that problem. Let’s go, tough guy. Let’s see your moves.” I smiled while grabbing his hand, and I led us out to the designated dance floor. The music was more techno and upbeat than the raging rock concert. I swiveled my hips walking backward, and using my pointer finger to sway his attention directly toward me as he followed me onto the dance floor. I may not be a dancer, but I planned to show him all I had while I had his attention.

I turned around, and pressed my hips up to him as I started swaying back and forth. I began to grind my body to his, smoothing my hands down my curvy body as I whipped my head around giving him a seductive grin. He placed his hands on my hips and started to dance with me. His hands wandered a bit toward my ass and back to my hips every now and then. I didn’t mind, that’s for sure. I popped, locked, and dropped my ass to the floor, bringing it back up slowly, letting my ass slide up his body. That’s when he grabbed my hips and turned me around and our chests were tightly pressed up against each other.