Tragic Soul
Page 19
“Sounds good.” Chad squeezed my hand. “School starts Tuesday, so we’re free from late afternoon on.”
“Five o’clock then.” Logan put out his hand to Chad. “I’ll text you the address.”
Chapter 27
Hey, Cookie. Can’t wait till later.
I stared at the text, unsure what I was doing. Bradley (when I thought about him, I mostly thought of him as “Bradley”) and I had been talking and texting for the last four days. The first time he called, Sunday night, I hung up on him. Then he texted me a long apology. He explained he had been high, and it had been a while since he was with anyone. I rolled my eyes. When he promised not to pull his dick out every time we met, I gave in and forgave him.
He said he understood I only wanted to be friends, but he still flirted. It was fun, though. There was no pressure, no expectations and no boundaries. Bradley was himself all the time. It allowed me to be the same. We didn’t talk about sex much, and neither of us divulged our pasts or anything else too intimate. Our conversations were mostly about music, life and the future of the band.
I smiled then replied to Bradley.
Me neither. Will be great playing again. Miss it.
His next message came quickly.
Playing? Yeah. That’s always fun. ;) Can’t wait to see you “play.”
You wish.
I shook my head. He was a big tease most of the time. I was starting to feel alive again. Chad tried, but since he was with Amy, he couldn’t do what Bradley did for me. I didn’t know if it would go anywhere, but I was willing to go with the flow, like Bradley always told me. There was no way I could open my heart to him, but I liked the feeling I got when we talked.
School had started. Amy and I had made sure to submit our residence applications together, so we could still be roommates. Our room was in a different building. It was larger and had a private bathroom. We even had a couch.
Usually, Chad was there after classes ended. That afternoon, he was at home trying to finish a website he had to modify. Amy was off with a few friends. I had the room to myself. Stretched out on the couch, I glanced at the latest text from Bradley and smiled.
That I do. But I promised not to push… much ;)
He made me laugh even when he was talking dirty. He was rarely completely serious. He reminded me of Chad in a way. Although, he was more blunt and didn’t have much etiquette or even a filter on his mouth. He said what he thought or what would get others riled up on purpose. I could imagine that going places with him could be interesting, if not dangerous.
A knock made me jump. Then I laughed at myself. I walked to the door, smiling. When I opened it, I wasn’t surprised.
Chad stood on the other side. “Ready?”
“Yep.” I rushed to get my purse. The time had flown by. After grabbing my bass and locking up, I kissed Chad’s cheek. “Let’s go.”
His eyebrows scrounged up. “What’s with you? I can’t remember the last time I saw you this happy.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know.” No way could I tell him I had been talking to “Spikes.” He would flip. “I love my new room.”
He smiled and placed a hand on my back. “Yeah. Nice to have breathing room, I’m sure.” He sighed. “I hope this works out today.”
“It will.” I still had the stupid grin on my face. It was the first time in two months I had smiled for more than a few seconds.
About 20 minutes later, I walked into the building just ahead of Chad. We were meeting the other members of Inferno at a practice space we had all chipped in to rent. He placed a hand on my lower back as we walked the hallway, looking for the right room.
The door opened onto a spacious room with a large drum set at the far end and Skylar behind it. Logan had his bass on. Bradley had a guitar leaning on his leg, looking a bit distracted. Mark was plugging cables in. I set my guitar case against a wall, and Chad did the same.
“Glad you’re on time.” Logan stepped forward. “We thought it’d be best if we played our songs for you first. Then you could join us. I got everything on my laptop.” He waved us over to a table where it was set up. Then he opened a folder. “Scanned them this morning.” The lead sheets for each song were there with lyrics. “You can follow along if you want.”
The door opened again. Bradley smiled widely and walked to the young man who walked in. “Hey. Thought you couldn’t make it.” He embraced the man then came over to me. “This is my friend, Neil.”
Logan coughed, then laughed. “Yep, friend.”
I glanced at him. “Huh?”
“Nothing.” Logan hid his face and walked away.
There seemed to be a few inside jokes around Bradley. I wondered why they were a secret.
“Neil, this is Cookie. Well, Crystal, actually.” Bradley smiled widely, showing off a dimple. That I hadn’t noticed before.
I put out my hand. “Nice to meet you, Neil. I’m the new bassist.”
“Yeah. I heard.” Neil didn’t look me over or stare at my chest as he shook my hand. He seemed to be watching Chad with more interest than I expected. “And who is this?” His eyes lit up when Chad turned his way.
Chad grinned and offered his hand. “I’m Chad. New guitarist and Crystal’s best friend.”
“Ah.” Neil’s eyes moved from Chad to me to Bradley while he grasped Chad’s hand. “Bradley didn’t tell me about you.”
“Guess I’m not as hot as Crystal.” Chad laughed.
Neil winked. “Don’t sell yourself short. I’m sure girls and guys alike have crushes on you.”
“Uh, O-K.” Chad seemed uncomfortable.
I found the comment a bit odd as well. Neil was different. The way he looked at the guys in the room made me wonder if he was gay. Not that it would matter. However, that would explain it.
“Will you stop teasing?” Bradley glared at Neil and tugged him away from us. He whispered something, and they quietly argued for a bit. Then they came back to us. “Neil likes to get a rise outta people, too.” He winked at me, always making innuendos out of what could be an innocent comment.
Mark shook his head and rolled his eyes. He didn’t say much.
Logan nodded at Skylar, who hit a bass drum a few times. “Let’s get started.” He moved a microphone stand a few feet to the left. “Spikes, come on.”
Bradley patted Neil’s shoulder and threw his guitar strap over his head. “All right.” He paused when he got to me and leaned down. “You gotta rise outta me already.” He pressed his groin against my side, letting me know how hard he was. Then he continued walking. “Ready when you are.”
They started with “Blood Brothers.” Chad and I read the music sheets while they played. It wasn’t a complicated song, and the lyrics were mostly shouted. I was sure we could easily learn it.
“What’d you think?” Logan took off his bass and set it on a stand. “You guys ready?”
I nodded. “I am. Might need to follow along once more, though.”
Chad opened his guitar case. “Can I change some of the solo?”
“Do what you want with it.” Logan smiled. “You’re better than Dickhead was, anyway.”
Bradley groaned. “Will you drop it? I’m sorry.”
“Sorry about what?” I asked without thinking. “Never mind,” I said quickly.
Logan said, “He’ll never tell you.” He gave Bradley a dirty look. “Just don’t do it again.”
Bradley’s eyes widened when he glanced up at Chad. “Definitely not. Time to play.”
After playing the song three times and finally nailing it, I put my bass on a stand. “Where’s the ladies’ room?”
“Well, there’s a bathroom down the hall.” Bradley stood before me and gave me a sultry stare. “I’ll show you.”
I was sure he had an ulterior motive, but I followed him anyway. He didn’t make a move, though. We walked silently, with him smiling every once in a while. He stopped in front of the bathroom door and waved at it.
“Thanks.”
“He’s OK.” I watched his eyes. Something wasn’t right. “Know him a long time?”
With a sly grin, he replied, “Yep.” His eyes raked me over.
I was dressed more like I usually was in warm weather—a tank top and tiny shorts—unlike Bradley, who was in loose jeans and a baggy T-shirt. “What’s up?”
He quickly closed the space between us. Then he pinned me to the wall, hands at my side. His erection pushed into my abdomen. “Do you feel it, too?”
I was lost. That was a quick change in demeanor. “Feel what?”
“The heat between us.” He growled and licked my ear. “Gonna make you mine.”
That was more confusing. “How?”
“Like this.” He kissed me hard.
I melted as he thrust his tongue in and dominated mine. Instantly, my folds swelled, and my panties quickly became wet. His mouth tasted sweet, and his beard was a bit rough. A hand moved to the back of my head and tilted it a bit. I couldn’t have resisted even if I had wanted to. And no way did I want to.
“See? Mine.” He smirked as he pulled back.
My reaction shocked me. Then I came back to reality. “Are you high again?”
“Maybe a little,” he admitted.
I scowled. “Are you ever straight?”
He smirked. “Not really. But I’ll try and cut down on the dope.” He kissed my lips again, softly this time.
“I thought we weren’t gonna get physical again.”
His eyebrows rose. “The first time we met, I whipped out my dick. This is going backwards.” His lopsided grin made me smile. How could he make me forget how crude and forward he was?
“I guess.” I pushed on him slightly. “Don’t make a habit of it.”
He grabbed the back of my neck and pressed his lips to mine yet again. “Why not? You like how I kiss.” He pressed his fingers to my crotch. “A lot. Got you all riled up with a kiss. Imagine what I could do if you were naked.” He winked.
“You guys get lost?” Mark shouted into the hall.
Bradley let me go. “Just talking!” he called back.
“Sure.” Mark must have known him well.
A sigh escaped Bradley’s lips. “I kinda have a rep of fucking anything that walks.”
“I figured.” Another reason I needed to stay far from him. “We need to get back.”
When we stepped into the room again, everyone was staring. I blushed. If they all knew I was close to giving in while we kissed, they would never let me live it down.
“We don’t got all night.” Logan’s eyes bore into Bradley. “Band members are off limits. Or did you forget already?”
Bradley shrugged. “Guess so.”
Next, the trio played “Under Fire.” Most of their songs seemed to be about video games. That song was a bit slower, and Logan fingered the bass strings instead. I didn’t know how to do that the right way.
“Um, can I play it with a pick?” I asked when Chad and I got ready to do the song with them.
Logan exhaled loudly. “It’ll sound different. Why don’t you try?”
Without a word, Bradley put his guitar down and wrapped his arms around my body. I was about to protest, when he placed his hands over mine. “Let me help you.” He moved the fingers of my right hand. “Do it with me.”
I felt Chad’s eyes on me. I said, “He’s getting pissed.”
“Then stop wasting time.” Bradley hit the strings one at a time, and I watched his hand. “Follow what I’m doing.”
I changed the position of my left hand as the notes changed and plucked the strings as he did. He had more strength, so his notes were stronger. As I continued, it got easier.
“See. You’re doing it.” He moved closer, pressing his growing cock into my ass cheek. “Sexy as hell.”
I looked up. Neil was staring at us, a slightly jealous expression on his face. He didn’t seem to like that Bradley made a new friend. I leaned back and whispered, “Thanks, Bradley.”
His lips brushed my ear. “Anytime, Cookie.”
Chapter 28
Our first gig with Inferno was different. What was missing was the connection between the guitarists. Chad and Bradley didn’t like each other, but it was more than that. They didn’t have that special something I felt when Chad played with Paulie or me. It wasn’t bad. We sounded good. I hoped the bond would come soon.
Chad had found texts from a “Bradley” on my phone. It took only a few minutes of reading the messages to figure out it was Spikes. He worried I was moving on too quickly and with the wrong type of guy. I told him we were just talking, nothing between us yet.
Our last song was “Joyride.” It was lively and loud. Logan had finally gotten used to not having his bass in hands, and he moved around the stage more. He sang and screamed, and sometimes he jumped into the crowd. Inferno had wireless equipment thanks to Bradley’s dad, who owned a music store.
Afterward, Mark, Chad, and Sklyar started to pack up, so the next band could play. Bradley grabbed my arm and dragged me to the bar where Neil waited, drinking a beer. They were just over 21.
“Comin’ over tonight?” Bradley asked looking from one of us to the other. Then he shook his head at Neil. “Why d’ you have my T-shirt on?”
Neil smiled. “It’s my favorite, too.” He put a hand on Bradley’s side. “These’re also your jeans.” I had thought they looked big on him.
“You little thief.” Bradley laughed. “Stop raiding my room, unless you plan on making up for it.”
With a wink, Neil finished off his beer. “Might just do that.” He looked my way for a few seconds.
I knew something weird was going on. They had some secret code or else they were hiding something. “Do you mean me coming over or Neil?”
“Both of you,” Bradley replied. “We could watch a movie. No one’s gonna be home tonight.”
He lived at home with his parents. I had never been there, but he told me his bedroom was on the opposite side of the house from his parents. He didn’t have siblings, so he was probably a bit spoiled. He didn’t hold a regular day job. The band was most important to him, but he did odd jobs to make money.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea. It’s a school night.” I glanced at Chad, who was watching us. “And he’ll find out.”
Bradley turned to Chad and back. “Oh. Yeah. Him.” He gave Neil a look. “Can you take us to her dorm?” He had never offered to take me home or go visit him. Since the time we kissed, he had not tried that again either.
“Sure.” Neil set his empty bottle on the counter. “You need to go help?”
I nodded. “We should. It’s only fair.”
Amy came to me just as we reached the stage. Bradley continued on. She waited for him to leave. “What’re you doing with Spikes?”
“We were talking to his friend.”
She sighed. “No. I mean are you seeing him?”
“Nah.” I put my hands on my hips, sure Chad put her up to it. “We’re just friends. I told him I can’t get into something now. It’s too soon.”
She put a hand on my arm. “It is. You went through hell.”
I bit my lip, trying hard not to let the pain and sorrow return. The only thing I could do to survive at that point was to bury it. I had my moments. Sometimes I would look at Paulie’s pictures. A few times, I almost texted him, but I stopped myself just in time. I couldn’t dwell on it, though, or I would wallow in sorrow forever.
“He’s not the kinda guy you need.” She glanced at Chad and Bradley, who were still on stage. “Chad says he’s up to something.”
I shrugged. “We just hang out and talk on the phone. Nothing more. Really.”
“You should keep it that way.” Amy looked into my eyes. “We don’t want you getting hurt again.”
“I appreciate that, but I won’t get hurt.” I quickly hugged her. “He’s not the type to fall in love,
and I don’t plan on doing it ever again. Thanks for worrying, though.” We walked over to the rest of the band. I asked, “Need help?”
Chad waved a hand. “Nah. We’re almost done. You girls can get in the van if you want.”
I nervously looked around. “Uh, Neil’s taking me home.”
“Why?” Chad set his sights on Bradley. “Spikes’ idea, right?”
Not wanting to start a fight, I gave him a half-truth. “No. He wanted to hang out at his place. School tomorrow. This way you can hang out with Amy for a bit.”
She grabbed his arm. “Yeah. We haven’t had any time to ourselves this weekend.”
“Fine,” Chad growled. “He does anything outta line, and I’ll deck him.”
I rolled my eyes. “Chad, please chill. I’m not gonna fall for him or something.”
When everything had been stored at Logan’s place, we all split up. I sat in the backseat of Neil’s Toyota. Chad glared at the car as we pulled away. I knew he was being overprotective because he loved me, but I was tired of feeling lonely.
Neil came inside with us. “We watching a movie?”
I shrugged. “Sure.”
The three of us sat on the couch, me in the middle. The beds were separated from the couch by a half-wall. I wanted to take a shower and get ready for bed, but I also wanted to spend time with Bradley. He made me smile, which had been rare before we met.
“Do you need to get to bed soon?” Bradley asked, picking up my hand.
I took a deep breath. “Kinda. Do you mind?”
“Go ahead. We’ll be right here.” He smiled and squeezed my fingers.
Not sure why they were staying, I walked further into our room to my side, near the window. I planned to ask them to go when I was done. While I took out pajamas and everything else I needed, I heard footsteps. Just after I set everything on the dresser, there were arms around my middle.
“How about we get to know each other?” Bradley whispered in my ear. His hands went up my sides, and my top went with them.
I covered my bra quickly. “What’re you doing?”