Alluring Seduction (Bayou Stix) (26 page)

Once we’re in the bedroom Jessie and I have been using, I close the door. Clove sits on the bed and Bradi slumps onto the window bench. “Clove, what the hell was that? What’s going on?”

She shakes her head. “Nothing. Everything. I just hate rock stars. I hate the way they treat women. I know my brother is one and I know that you’re with Jessie… but, I just hate it.” She’s pulling the fabric of her shirt so hard, the hem is unraveling.

Something is seriously wrong here. Bradi and I exchange glances. Bradi speaks up. “Clove, no offense, but that’s bullshit. These guys are all rock stars, but they’re also really great guys. Every single one of them. Sure they do some fucked up shit sometimes, but hell, so do we.” She points at me. “She freaking wanted Jessie, but was making out with Liam and all over him on the dance floor, just to make Jessie jealous.”

Clove’s head whirls around and she looks at me with her huge brown doe eyes. I open my mouth, “Now wait a damned minute… I was wasted and I didn’t know what Liam was going to do…”

Bradi waves her hands and points to herself, effectively cutting me off. “I’ve broken up with Micah ten times in seven years. I’ve even had sex with someone else because I didn’t want to love him as much as I do. I’m not a rock star, but my point is, we’ve all done fucked up, stupid shit.” She levels her with her green eyes, “So, what’s this about?”

Clove’s eyes fill with tears. “I hate men. I hate all men. I think I should become a lesbian. Erik and Alec are gay and they are deliriously happy.”

Bradi and I both drop our mouths in shock and look at her. Finally I find my voice. “Hunny, why do you hate men? Because of that loser you were dating in L.A.? You can’t judge all men off of him.” Walking over, I put my arm around her. Bradi comes from the other side and takes her hand.

“Yes. No. I don’t know.” She’s shaking. What the hell is going on with her? “That was horrible. I never even suspected he would, or could, do something like that. And Liam… he’s so male. He’s all over the place. I try to stay out of his way, but I always seem to be where he is.” She’s fisting the sheets and I can see half moons in her palms from her nails. “Last night, I was cleaning up and I went into the sunroom to bring some glasses back. He was in there with two women. I didn’t expect to see that. I dropped the glasses, they all stopped and looked at me. I ran to my room. He came find me and apologized two hours later.” She’s wringing her hands. “I know I shouldn’t be shocked and I’m not a prude or anything, but seriously, two women… in the middle of the room… in my brother’s house?!”

Sighing I hug her. She’s a woman, but still so young. She’s very sheltered, even after living in L.A. “Clove, Liam is a gorgeous man. Not to mention a single, rock star. I doubt either of the women were unwilling. It sucks, but it happens. Don’t judge him though, ok? He’s a good man. I know this personally.”

“I don’t want to know.” She’s shaking her head so hard, her hair is whipping into her face. “I’d rather just keep my distance.”

Our conversation is halted as the door opens. “I was told I could find you three in here. What are y’all talking about? And why is there no alcohol?” Lexi smiles at all three of us and we can’t help but smile back at the radiant joy on her face. She bounces across the room and hugs us. “I can’t wait to hear about you and Jessie’s trip so far.” Pointing to Bradi, she says, “You need to fix us girls some drinks! Slacker!”

“I have your slacker, you bitch!” Laughing we leave the heavy conversation in the bedroom and all head out to the main part of the house to mingle with the boys and have some drinks.

Jessie

A
fter an afternoon of drinking and cutting up, everyone decides it’s time to get ready and hit the Quarter for some food and fun. The girls head into our room to get ready and I’m designated to the rest of the condo with my clothes for tonight. I don’t even get to shower in my own bathroom. Is this what being in a committed relationship is like? I realize I’m good and it doesn’t bother me.

About 7:30PM, the girls are finally ready. They’ve been in the room chattering and laughing for three hours. As they walk out, we all let out appreciative whistles. Bradi curtsies and bows, Blue twirls, Lexi waves like a Pageant Queen, and Clove just stands there smiling while looking uncomfortable from the attention. With these four women in our group, we are going to be the center of attention all night. Oh boy!

I take in all four women. Bradi and Lexi both have dresses on. Short dresses with tall heels. Clove is wearing a tube top and a skirt and some boots, but my eyes can’t help but stray back to Blue. Tonight she’s wearing skintight black jeans with high heeled knee boots. She has a bright red shirt on that is kind of loose and covers her in the front, but when she turns around, there’s no back! Just one little string at the top and some pooled fabric at her waist. She’s wearing a red lacey bra I can clearly see due to absence of material in the back. Her eyes are all dark and her lips are the same red as her shirt. I want her to wear a jacket.

If she doesn’t wear a jacket, I’m going to get arrested…

The cat calls and wolf whistles die down. I walk over to Blue and growl in her ear, “The first man who leers at you tonight is getting punched in the face.”

Looking at me with those sultry eyes, she nips my chin, and whispers, “Better go ahead and punch yourself then. I think you just swallowed your tongue. You like?”

Grabbing my jacket, I hold it out to her. “Yeah, please put this on now. I like it fine. You’re gorgeous. Too gorgeous.”

Laughing at me, she pats my face and shakes her head no. She grabs her own cropped leather jacket and slips it on. Good Lord, she looks like every man’s wet dream. Muttering under my breath, I follow everyone out the door. “She’s trying to get me arrested… damn woman.”

We end up at one of our favorite places to eat, Café Maspero’s. Everyone but Blue has been here before. Thankfully the line is not too long, because it’s actually cold. We all chatter and laugh as we wait for a table big enough for all of us. We’re approached a few times by fans wanting autographs and photos, but for the most part we’re treated just like everyone else.

Taking our seat, everyone pairs up. I don’t need a menu since I always order the same thing, but I laugh as Blue reads over it, pointing at things and asking me how to pronounce them.

“You eat here often, Jessie?” She asks with interest.

Nodding yes, I reply, “Yeah. Every time I’m down here I come by. I have since I was a kid. My mom used to bring me here when we’d take day trips to the Zoo or the Aquarium. We’d always stop here for lunch. It’s one of my favorite places.”

Finally she settles on red beans and rice with sausage. I see her looking around at the crowd. It’s a mix of locals and tourists. They have the doors closed today since it’s chilly, but normally they’d have them wide open so the smell could wander out and the sounds of New Orleans could come in. It’s right on the River, so you get a blend of river noise, pedestrian noise, traffic, conversation, and always the lingering sounds of music.

Blue speaks and it’s almost as if she was just in my head. “New Orleans is immersed in everything here. The music is everywhere. It’s almost like it’s embedded in the streets and buildings. It’s very surreal and magical. It’s almost like a different realm. Does that make me sound stupid?”

Looking at her and leaning in to kiss her, I answer her. “No, it doesn’t. NOLA is magical. It
is
a different realm. It’s crazy and busy and laid back and comfortable all at once. People from all walks of life come here and hang out together. It’s a blend of old and new. It feels like you can sit at the bar in any establishment and anyone could sit next to you. You never know what you’ll get. You never know who you’ll see.”

Realizing it’s unseasonably quiet, I look up and see everyone staring at us. Raising my brows in question, I snap out, “What the fuck are y’all staring at me for?”

Jude laughs and slaps the table. “Jessie Adams, I never would have believed it if I wasn’t looking at in with my own eyes!” Lexi wipes her eyes and Bradi and Micah grin at me. Dade is smiling, Cruz is nodding, and Liam is staring from me to Blue. Erik and Alec smirk and cross their arms. Alec winks at me. Clove has a small smile on her face too.

I’m so confused. What the fuck are they talking about?!

Blue

We look up from our conversation and everyone is staring at us. Jessie looks so confused.

After he asks what’s going on and Jude answers, he looks even more confused.

Lexi is the one to break the silence. Pointing from Jessie to me she smiles and says, “You two. Explain.”

Shrugging with my own confusion, I ask her, “Explain what?”

Bradi then points from me to Jessie and back again. “Explain…
that
. Jessie, you’ve been super affectionate with her since we got here. Blue, you’re glowing. The two of you are bent over in a private conversation, oblivious to the rest of us. Y’all are acting like a couple!”

Jessie’s brows draw in. “We
are
a couple. What the fuck are you talking about, Bradi? Are you drunk?”

Liam cackles. “Another one bites the dust!”

I look at him sharply. “Don’t give him any shit, Liam! Why are you all acting like this? You already knew we were together…”

Liam throws his hands out and laughs. “I’m not giving him shit. Simmer down, Snow White…”

“Yes, you two were together, but not
together
before. Now, you are 100% together. You’re in love!” Lexi claps and squeals.

Jessie looks at me, and then looks around the table incredulously. “Yeah. So fucking what? What are y’all acting stupid for?”

At that comment, Erik and Alec whoop, Lexi and Bradi scream, Clove claps, Dade and Jude fist bump, Cruz gives me two thumbs up, and Liam says, “You can thank me later!”

Jessie is looking around at everyone like they’re insane. I’m blushing furiously. And every eye in the restaurant is trained on us. Our waitress comes over and places five bottles of Brut on the table and starts passing out glasses.

I shoot her a questioning look. She nods towards the kitchen where a scary looking biker is looking at us. Once he catches my eye he points to the bottles and winks before he turns back to the kitchen. “He sent them over for you. Don’t know what y’all are celebrating, but he knows him.” Nodding at Jessie, she looks him over appreciatively. “He told me to bring these. I just do what I’m told.”

Jessie grins and says, “Tell him thanks!”

Jude says, “Hold up, what kind of bullshit is this? We’re the ones getting married and you two are getting the drinks?!”

Jessie quips back, “I can’t help it that people like me more!” He pops the top and starts filling glasses. They’re passed around the table. Everyone laughs and cuts up as we enjoy our meal. It’s delicious.

Everyone is done and Jude grabs the check. A loud argument ensues where all the boys fight over who’s paying for dinner. Jude wins and our waitress is left with a ginormous tip. Every guy at the table throws a $100 bill down. We’re leaving and I turn to see the waitress’s eyes bug out of her head as she sees the tip. It’s next to an untouched glass of alcohol.

From Maspero’s, we head to Bourbon Street where we all act like the tourists I actually am. We hit up Razzoo’s where we dance our asses off, The Cat’s Meow where Lexi, Bradi, Clove, and I take the stage and belt out The Divinyls, “I Touch Myself”. The crowd goes wild along with the wolf whistles from the guys, who are surrounded by female fans. Then we hit the Hustler Club, because, really, who doesn’t want to see women strip and dance with a pole while trying to seduce my rock star right in front of me?!

The night is a ton of fun, stupid drunk groupies trying to touch my man aside, and after bar hopping and practically drinking our weight in liquor, everyone but Liam and Dade head back to the condo around 1AM.

Everyone retires to their rooms and Clove takes the couch.

What an epic night.

Jessie