I sit on the bed, looking out the window of Meredith Willson Residence Hall and onto the rooftop of the connecting building that is the school I love so much. Then I stand up and walk to the door when I hear a knock. It’s my mother; I know it is. I hold my head against the cool, metal frame and take in a deep breath as I try to brace myself for what may come.
I open the door to find she is spreading fake sunshine through a smile. Her graying hair is piled in a perfect bun on top of her head, and she is dressed in an ankle length skirt and long sleeve, button up in May, perfectly proper.
“Hi, Mom,” I say, giving her a hug that I know she needs.
“Hi, sweetheart.” Her voice hitches, and I hug her tighter.
“I’m so sorry about this, Tally. All of it. I—”
“Mom.” I give her back the sunshine as I throw my backpack over my shoulders and grab my large, wheeled suitcases. “I had a fantastic year. It just wasn’t in the plans.”
“God has big things in store for you,” she says, as she grabs the duffle that has all my dance gear in it.
“I know, Mom,” I tell her as I hold the door open.
We get to the KIA, and she gets in the driver’s seat.
“You sure, Mom? I can drive.”
“No, sweetheart, I have to do these things now.” She pauses and swallows down her emotions.
“I really don’t mind,” I say as I load my bags in the tiny back seat.
“I’m okay,” she says, and then the dam breaks.
When I walk over and open the driver’s door, she gets out, and I slide in.
“I’m sorry, Tally.” She grabs the small purse size packet of Kleenex and then blows her nose.
“Don’t be, Mom. I understand.”
The entire time we drive through the city, she has a white-knuckle grip on the oh-shiz handles: one on the dash and the other over the door. I am careful not to scare her too much, though. I know how she hates city driving. Heck, she hates driving period.
Once we make it through the tunnel and head toward Jersey, she begins to relax a little.
“I should really skip the walk. I should really stay home.”
Mom is going on a weeklong Christian women’s retreat with some of the ladies at church. It’s supposed to bring her closer to God. I hope, when she gets close enough, she can ask Him why He took Dad and left her penniless.
“The walk will do you good, Mom.”
Sunshine, always spreading sunshine.
“You can stay, you know. You don’t have to go with Madison and her family to Florida, sweetheart. It’s so hot there this time of year.”
I swallow back the guilt I feel for the little white lie I told her. I am going to stay with Madison, but her parents will not be there. Madison and I still talk all the time, and I certainly can’t wait for a two-week vacation with her on the beach in south Florida. I need some healing time myself.
I will definitely be entertained.
After unpacking my bags from the car, Mom makes me a peanut butter and homemade strawberry rhubarb jelly sandwich—my favorite from childhood.
She grabs the step stool and reaches above the cabinet for a coffee can and sets it in front of me. “There is four hundred dollars for you to—”
“No, Mom, I have—”
“There is four hundred dollars, Tally. I won’t take no for an answer. I want you to have fun, to be able to buy lunch or a pop when you’re on the beach, sunscreen, or whatever you need.”
“You need this, Mom.” I try to push the can back toward her.
“No. I need to do this for you, Tally. Let me.”
***
I land at Miami International Airport at eleven p.m. with my bag over my shoulder and a carry-on in my hand. Madison’s flight lands just fifteen minutes after mine.
Not needing to collect my bags from the carousel, I walk over and sit to wait. After half an hour, I look at the screen to see that her flight from South Bend Airport is delayed three hours.
I look at my phone, seeing I still have it set to airplane mode. Once I switch it, I see that I have several missed calls and texts from Madison.
I redial her number and she answers. “What a bunch of fucking shit!”
I laugh at her.
“I just want to get out of this hell hole. I can’t wait to see you.”
“It’s no problem, Madison. I’m fine.”
“Like hell you are. I’m gonna text Memphis and—”
“Wait, what?”
“Oh, shit, I forgot to tell you. We’re staying with the band.” She says it so nonchalantly it’s as if I wouldn’t be bothered by it. “You still there?”
“Yes.”
“Are you mad?”
“Not mad, just wish I had known.”
“Well, I wasn’t sure what their schedule was, honestly.”
“Honestly,” I say dryly, hoping she knows I am not buying it.
“I was hoping we’d see them. Hell, last time I saw my brother was on stage. Come on, chin up, Tally. When’s the last time you saw Memphis?”
I feel my face flush and am thankful no one sees my embarrassment. “A long time ago.”
“Well, I am waiting for him to message me back. I asked him to go pick you up.”
“NO! I can wait for you.”
“Nonsense, Tally. Who the hell knows when the plane will take off? Neither of us wants you sleeping in the airport.”
“Where are we staying?” I can’t believe I didn’t ask that before.
“85 Palm Avenue, Miami Beach. Google it, Tally. We are living it up for two fucking weeks. Me, you, and let’s hope some hot, hot men in super tiny speedos that leave nothing to the imagination.”
I laugh. “Gross.”
“No, girlfriend. So very far from gross.”
CHAPTER FIVE
* * *
SEX, SEX, AND MORE SEX
Memphis
We spent the day on the beach, drinks in hand, nearly molested by hot-ass babes sporting dental floss. There was little left to the imagination, very little. I got head in the ocean, which was a first, and now I am pretty confident the two chicks who have been eager for my attention are on board with going back to the beach pad with me, just me.
“You guys ready to head back?” I ask River, Finn, and Billy.
“Yeah,” Finn says as he links hands with the tiny, dark-haired chick he is hooking up with.
***
After four and a half hours of no-holds-barred fucking, all three of our bodies are sweat drenched. This little ménage was sating, entertaining, and no doubt tiring. No-holds-barred, I laugh to myself as I smack the little blonde’s ass and think, no holes were barred, either.
“Just give me a few more minutes,” she pants, expecting me to dive in again.
“Sorry, babe.” I slam the nightstand drawer shut. “I’m out of papa stopper.” I grab the towel off the floor, run it over my hair, grab my wallet, and then throw a hundred on the bed. “Thanks for a very memorable night. There’s some cab money. See you around.”
“Is he serious?” I hear the brunette whisper to the blonde.
“Yeah, he is.” She giggles. “He’s a fucking rock star; did you think we were going to stay over?”
“Guess not,” she huffs. “But honestly, the band’s name is STD, so I didn’t think he’d be worried about condoms.”
They giggle, talk about me and my impressive cock size, and how they can’t believe they did what they did, and did it together. I feel a grin spread across my face as I continue listening to them through the bathroom door. It’s almost as good as the applause I get from the sold out crowds we have been opening up for … almost.
When I hear the chick banter end, bedroom door shut, and I know they aren’t gonna have to get the eviction notice in order to leave, I turn on the water and hop in the shower. Exhausted or not, I’m going to bed smelling good, feeling clean, and changing the damn sheets. Hell, if I was back in Jersey, I would be flipping the mattress, too.
I decide to head out to grab a drink and a couple Motrin before falling into a ten hour rest and recoup session.
I hear Finn and River talking and wonder if my chicks are bed hopping. Honestly, I don’t give a fuck if they are.
“She’s fucking hot,” I hear River whisper. “Wonder who the hell left her out here alone.” I walk past them, sure as hell not interested. “She one of yours?” he asks me.
“If she was, she’s not now,” I reply, grabbing a bottle of water out of the bar’s mini fridge. “Motrin?”
“Look left. I just took some,” Finn answers.
As I open the bottle, I hear a female’s startled gasp. I glance over to where the noise came from and pause.
“We scare you?” River asks in his smooth, I’m-putting-the-moves-on voice.
“No. Oh, wow, I’m sorry. I just … Madison gave me the gate code, and the door was unlocked, and …” She stands up and fixes her shirt.
Holy hell, she’s a fucking knock out: long, wavy hair, green ass eyes, rocking body… damn, damn, damn.
The pajamas, fucking cartoon characters … Those little blue ones? The girl one, blonde hair … Fuck it. Who cares? That’s her.
“No shit,” I say in shock, which actually makes her laugh.
Now she is covering her mouth, blushing. I watch as she tugs at her shirt, then runs her hand through her hair.
“Sorry. She said she called.”
“Tally?” I know it’s her—same voice and nervous laughter—but hot damn. Hot motherfucking damn, she has all sorts of grown up.
“Hi, Memphis.”
“You know this sexy, little—”
“Watch it, River,” I growl. Shit. Maybe I didn’t … Dammit, I know I fucking did.
I look over and see Finn smirk.
“Friend of the family,” I say in a much more cool, calm, and collected voice. “Mads didn’t call me.” I grab another bottle of water and walk it over to her.
“She said it went to voicemail. Her flight was delayed.” She can’t even look at me, too busy twisting the bottom of that little tee in knots. My balls are doing the same thing.
Her phone chimes, and she looks down. “Cancelled? Oh, dear.”
“It’s fine. You’ll stay with me. She and you can catch up when she gets in.”
Before I know it, I have her hand and am dragging her behind me while I snarl at Finn, who is just about ready to bust out laughing. I stop when she tugs her hand away and looks back. She’s looking to escape, and those two fuckers are looking like that wolf, the one that wants to eat the little girl, and they aren’t going to eat her. Fuck that. I will kill them first.
Red Riding Hood. Yeah, that’s it. Little Red Riding Hood.
“If you think for one second I’m gonna leave you out for them to try and snack on, Tales, you have lost your fucking mind.” I hold out my hand. “Let’s go.”
She hesitates for a moment then grabs her purse and looks up at me. “Where are you taking me?”
“You’ll sleep in my room, just until Mads gets here. Then I will lock you both up somewhere.” I say it in a way I know makes her nervous, and hell, that’s kind of hot, too.
I grab her hand again and pull her behind me. She doesn’t fight me; she comes willingly.
I open the door and turn the light on, and all she can say is wow, her eyes wide and full of wonder.
My blood is pooling in a place it shouldn’t be right now, and I think of that green ogre chick, the one who’s a princess. Then all hell breaks loose, and she is a nasty green ogre. Fuck, Tales, you need to show me your inner, what’s her name? Fiona. Yeah, that’s her name. Shrek and Fiona.
“Nice, right? Hop in bed,” I say, pulling back the covers.
She looks at me all wide-eyed, and damn, damn, damn.
“Where will you sleep?” she asks.
“With you.”
Her mouth drops open, and I feel a little off. Not a lot, just a little.
“Is there a problem, Tales? Would you rather be out there where they—”
She shakes her head. “Okay. It’s just—”
“I will be a perfect gentleman.”
“You promise?” she asks, looking back and forth between the bed and me.
I point to the bed. “Like a slumber party.”
“Those two girls?” she asks and a slight frown traces her lips. “They came out of here.”
There isn’t a question in her voice, and I sure as hell can’t lie to her after she saw them. “They left. Clean sheets.” I point to the dirty sheets pooled on the floor. “It’s been dealt with.”
She climbs in, and I am right behind her.
Once we’re settled in, I ask, “You comfortable?”
She pulls one of the pillows from the top and puts it in the middle. “I’m fine, and just remember, I’m not like them.”
“I know who you are, Tales.”
“Right.” She rolls to her side, facing away from me.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask as I settle in next to … the pillow.
“Nothing. Thank you for a place to sleep, Memphis.”
“Of course. Sorry I didn’t get Madison’s message. Phone wasn’t charged.”
“But you knew she was coming?”
“Yep.” When I think about the statement, I know she is judging me for being, well, me. “It’s charging now.”
“She’ll text me when she gets in,” she says, tightening the blanket around her.
I let the quiet hang in the air like a fucking black cloud for as long as I can stand it then finally say, “Tales?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m really sorry about your father.”
“Thank you for the flowers.”
That statement seems like a big fuck you to me.
“Sorry I couldn’t make it.”
“He doesn’t know you didn’t come, Memphis.” She yawns. “Goodnight.”
I lie there, my body exhausted as it should be, but I can’t sleep, not with the way her scent is mixing with the smell of sex still in the air.
I slide out of bed, grab the dirty sheets and blanket, and toss them in the hallway, all with a fucking hard-on that I am sure is caused more by the sweet scent of lilac invading my senses than the already fading memories of my first threesome.
I lie next to her again, inches from her. I know the exhaustion and alcohol that is still mixed in my cells aren’t helping me right now, but fuck.
Her hair is almost waist length, and those waves are more inviting than any one of them I rode today. Her neck is long and slender, and I want so badly to run my tongue from right behind her ear, down her neck to her spine, and all the way down. I want to taste her so fucking much right now, and I don’t taste.
Her tight, little tee is hugging her body, and I am thankful she has her back to me because I would be testing the little restraint I have if her tits were staring me in the face. Her ass is like POW! She obviously works out. Hell, she’s a dancer, I think. Her ass was never POW! before, was it?
I run my hand over my face. What the fuck are you doing? I ask myself. She hadn’t even hit puberty the last time you saw her.
Well, fuck, that shit changed.
I glance back over at POW! My mouth waters, my dick gets a little harder, and then I see those legs: strong, lean, and long. They have two purposes: one, to wrap around my waist while I bang her against every wall in this room and the other to hold up POW!
I want to save her from every one of those fuckers out there who want a taste, and I want to eat her up. I want to make sure no one hurts her, and I want to wreck her, too. I want to do all that to the chick who had little nubs last time I saw her, the girl who still can’t handle a curse word, the girl I am sure was wearing
a chastity belt that’s key went to the grave with her old man, but I can’t.
God help me survive the two weeks Mads is going to be here if Tales is going to be here, too.
CHAPTER SIX
* * *
JUST ME
Tallia
I lie in his bed, acting as if I’m asleep. I wish I was asleep because then I wouldn’t be thinking of that night, the night he kissed me. He was so intoxicated I know he doesn’t remember. I mean, why would he? Besides, it made him vomit.
He smells good, looks amazing, and dear God, he’s in his underwear next to me, in a bed. What am I doing? I should get up right now and walk out of here. I should, but I am temporarily paralyzed in his bed, his wicked, rock star bed.
I must smell awful since I was on an airplane and in an airport most of the day.
I wonder if he’s watching me. I wish I knew. I wish I hadn’t lain on my side. Could I move to my back now?
No. Absolutely not.
Worry and sleep deprivation exhaust me, and I must fall asleep because, when I wake, I hear his soft snores, and oh, my, goodness. OH, MY, GOODNESS, he is holding my pinky, and his ankle is linked over mine.
My body tenses immediately, and I can barely breathe.
I hear his sigh, and then he rolls over, moving his leg across mine, his arm crossing over my body, the opposite hand’s pinky still locked with mine.
His nose nuzzles into my hair, and he inhales a deep breath. Then he gives a slow, deep moan.
I feel him. He’s hard … And, oh, dear, I think he’s waking up.
“Relax, babe. If you’re still here, you did real well last night.” His nose rubs back and forth against my hair slightly. “Smell good, too.”
I push him off me and jump up off the bed. “I did nothing last night, Memphis Black.”
The tone in my voice surprises even me, but he deserves it, him and his … hard penis.
Rock Star Romance Ultimate Volume 2 Page 88