Wanting Reed (Break Me) BOOK 2 (12 page)

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 automatically 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 not 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.