Rock My World

by Lee Piper

  “I saw you out there,” he growled in my ear, “dancing away like a wild little thing. It took everything I had not to jump off stage and take you in the middle of that crowd.”

  “So, three orgasms since lunch aren’t enough for you now?”

  “When you look and move like that? No. They’re really not.”

  I grinned before leaning in and kissing him passionately. No doubt we were drawing a crowd of our own by essentially mauling each other with our lips and tongue. I mean, there had been a queue for the bar four people deep just before. But I didn’t care. It was awesome.

  “Get a fucking room already.”

  Levi and I tore ourselves away from each another and looked over at Dom. He was standing next to Riley, his arm casually draped across her shoulders with a look of mock disgust on his face. She looked anything but comfortable. Whether it was from having to witness her best friend practically ravage a man in front of her or the proximity of Dom’s sweaty armpit to her face, I wasn’t entirely sure.

  “People don’t want to have to look at that shit. We’re trying to have a good time here.”

  I glanced at Levi and rolled my eyes. He grinned and gently put me back on my feet.

  “Nice outfit.” He leaned down and murmured in my ear, “I’m looking forward to peeling that off you later.”

  I flashed him a smile and subtly brushed my ass up against him. Levi’s hold on my hips suddenly tightened which just made me smile even wider.

  “Now that your dick’s back in your pants, Casanova, let’s go watch Adrift play, huh?” Dom retracted his arm from Riley and strode off towards the mass of people already facing the stage. Riley, Levi and I followed behind him and as we made our way through the dense crowd, a short man with dark hair raised his beer glass to Levi in salute. Levi nodded back but kept walking.

  “Who’s that?”

  “Jimmy, Katrina’s band manager.”

  The spot we finally found was far back from the stage. I mean, the set had already started, the venue was almost at full capacity and the majority of those people were hurling themselves at each other thanks to the mosh pit down front.

  Katrina’s band was unbelievable. Their overall sound was equally as merciless as the two bands before them. Her voice was powerful, wickedly husky and on stage it looked like she finally belonged somewhere. Gone was her awkwardness and embarrassment. In its place stood a confident, talented musician who, wearing ripped jeans, a tight black tank top and her brown hair loose, looked every bit a rock star in the making. Adrift was going to be massive. There was no doubt about it. And the way Katrina continuously pointed her microphone at the crowd so they could scream song lyrics back, meant that everyone had an incredible time.

  When Adrift’s set finally finished, everyone looked completely exhausted. Bedraggled mosh participants, entirely covered in sweat and smelling fucking awful, dragged their sorry asses past us on the way back to the bar. Shirts were ripped, mascara was smudged, hair was plastered to faces and necks. They all looked like a bunch of zombies caught up in an unexpected heat wave.

  Riley and I gaped at each other. Not only were we completely awestruck by Adrift’s ferocious performance but Katrina somehow looked even more stunningly beautiful up on stage than she did in real life. And we both freakin’ hated her for it. I mean, if it hadn’t been for Levi never letting go of my hand, I would have thrown my head back, cursed the gods and left. Katrina was that damn good.

  Dom turned around, his eyes equally as spellbound. “Cold shower anyone?”

  Riley and I glared at him while next to me, Levi chuckled.

  ****

  I awoke the next morning to the sound of Levi talking softly on his phone. I checked the time, it was before seven. I was surprised he was even awake let alone lucid enough to actually speak to anyone. After finishing the call, he remained in the next room. Curious, I threw back the covers, stepped over last night’s clothes that had been lovingly peeled off by the man in question and slipped on my Hitchcock t-shirt.

  Levi was so lost in thought he didn’t notice me padding towards him. It was only when I stepped in between his open legs and ran my fingers through his hair that he put his phone down on the coffee table. Before that he’d been absentmindedly running one finger over the black screen, deep in thought.

  “Hey,” I murmured.

  Levi slowly ran his hands up my legs and I shivered. “Hey yourself, kitten. What are you doing up so early?”

  “I was going to ask you the same thing.”

  He pulled me down onto his lap, buried his head in my hair and breathed in deeply. “Katrina called.”

  I leaned back, staring at him.

  “She said Jimmy wants to meet the Mondez boys over breakfast this morning.”

  “Why?”

  Levi shook his head, but there was something in his eyes that bothered me.

  “You’re not telling me something.” He looked away. “What is it?”

  But he remained silent.

  “Okay then, how long do you think the meeting will go for?”

  “No idea.”

  “So you won’t be at the conference this morning?”

  “Probably not.”

  I stood, annoyed. “You’re fucking impossible, Levi.”

  But he grabbed my fingers and pulled me back down. After pushing some hair out of my eyes and tucking it behind my ear, Levi murmured, “Look, I’ve got my suspicions but I don’t want to say anything until I know for sure.”

  I glared at him.

  His gaze softened. “When I find out what’s going on, you’ll be the first person I tell. Promise.” He leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to mine. Using the effect he had on me to unfair advantage was seriously … working.

  “Fine,” I sighed.

  ****

  Levi didn’t show up to the conference at all that day. It was official, he was a rubbish student teacher. And when Aemon tried to agree with me, I almost punched him in the face. Though, I didn’t exactly hang around for the closing address either. A motivational speaker so wealthy he owned his own freakin’ island was going to present. As far as I was concerned, someone who made a living off the insecurities of others was a complete asshole. I wasn’t going to waste my time. So it was decided, Aemon and I were going to drink for the remainder of the afternoon. We were going to ingest so much alcohol that by the time Levi remembered my damn phone number, I would be too drunk to care.

  As soon as we walked into Oblivion, I saw him. Levi was seated on one of the low couches. He was leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees, staring down at the beer in his hands. It looked like he was in the process of picking off the label and if the carnage on the bottle was anything to go by, he’d been at it a while.

  I turned to Aemon. “Look, I’m really sorry—”

  “But you don’t want to drink with me because you’re in love with someone else?”

  “Yeah, something like that,” I murmured.

  Aemon gave a sad, wistful smile. “Can’t blame a guy for trying. You’re more than worth it, Grace.”

  “I’m really not.”

  He pulled me into a hug which I fervently hoped Levi didn’t see. “You are, you just can’t see it for yourself.” Aemon pulled back and looked at me. “You’re strong, loyal, intelligent. You know your own mind.” He paused, his eyes roving over my face. “And you’re so beautiful. If Levi ever forgets, you know where to find me.”

  I smiled.

  “Let’s keep in touch this time, huh?”

  “I’d like that. Take care, Aemon.”

  “You too, Grace.”

  With that, he left.

  I moved over to Patrick. As soon as he saw me, he poured a healthy shot of whiskey into a short glass.

  “Thanks.” I gestured to Levi. “How long has he been like this?”

  Patrick shook his head, wiping the bar with a dishrag. “He came in just after twelve but has been doing that,” he stopped and pointed to the mess Levi was ma
king all over the table, “for at least an hour.”

  I nodded, grabbed my whiskey and strode over to Levi. After dumping my gear on the floor and clearing enough space amongst the tattered remains of the sticker label to put my own glass down, I sat next to him. Reaching across, I dug up Levi’s phone and pushed the button at the base. His screen lit up.

  “Well, would you look at that,” I exclaimed, “it does work.” I then swiveled around in my seat to face him and waited expectantly for a response.

  And waited.

  And waited.

  After fifteen minutes of silence, I’d had enough. “Okay, what’s going on?”

  Levi’s eyes briefly flicked to mine before shifting back to the bottle in his hands.

  I grabbed it out his grasp and thumped it down on the table. “Well?”

  But he still didn’t say anything.

  “So help me, Levi, if you don’t say something soon I’m going to really lose my shit.”

  He took in a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. “Jimmy likes our music. He reckons that with the right manager, we could do really well.”

  “Okay.”

  “He wants us to record a full-length album.”

  I shook my head. “Look, I’m struggling to find the negatives here. I mean, isn’t that what you want? To record?”

  Levi continued as though I hadn’t spoken. “He’s got exclusive access to Sunset Studios.”

  I nodded.

  He stared at me. “It’s here in Melbourne.”

  “Oh.” I swallowed. “How long would recording take?”

  “At best? About a month, but most likely six weeks.”

  “When would you start?” Why am I even asking?

  “Next week.”

  I leaned back in the chair, suddenly glad for the extra support. “It’s a great opportunity,” I murmured.

  We were both silent.

  “But what’s the rush? I mean, why do you have to start so soon?”

  “Jimmy wants the album finished by the start of summer.”

  My blood stilled.

  “He asked us to support Adrift on their east coast tour.” Levi paused before continuing, “He says that a full-length album available for audiences would help keep the momentum going.”

  “Momentum?” I repeated faintly.

  “After the tour, he reckons that more opportunities will come up. He says we need to be ready.”

  I could feel bile rising in my throat.

  “And he thinks relocating to Melbourne is the best way to do it.”

  Jesus fucking Christ.

  Wrapping arms around my middle, I murmured, “What do the other guys think?”

  He shook his head. “Well, Tyler and Finn grew up here, so they wanna come back.”

  “And Dom?”

  “Dom is…” He paused. “I dunno, Dom’s been a bit weird lately. But Mondez means everything to him and he’s wanted to be a famous guitarist ever since he was a kid. So I don’t think he’d pass up this chance.”

  “What about you?” I whispered.

  Levi stared at his fingers. “If you’d asked me that question two weeks ago I wouldn’t have given it a second thought. I mean, fuck, making a living playing music?” He shook his head. “That’s a dream come true. But now,” he looked at me, blue eyes anguished, “now I’m not so sure.”

  I shut my eyes. But instead of seeing black, flickering images like those on a movie screen appeared. They were of the only other time my heart had been ripped apart this badly.

  I ran through the myriad of cream-colored corridors and finally, after what felt like hundreds of wrong turns and dead ends, found the correct nurses’ station. Ever since I’d answered that dreaded phone call, I hadn’t been able to move fast enough. Ironically, it felt like time had purposefully slowed down, sucking and dragging me backward while I desperately fought my way forward.

  “Please,” I gasped between ragged breaths, “I’m here to see Dad, I mean, Peter Thompson. Where is he?”

  The nurse behind the desk looked up from her manila folder, brown eyes kind. “Has the doctor been in contact with you?”

  I nodded my head, tears cascading down my cheeks.

  “And do you have a support person coming?”

  “My sister,” I sniffed, “should be here soon.”

  “Good. Your father has just come back from ER and is now in room B15. Do you know where that is?”

  I shook my head.

  “Let me take you there, sweetheart.” She stood and moved around the desk, gesturing for me to follow.

  I needed Dad. I needed to see his loving smile, feel his comforting hug and hear his reassuring voice. I needed him to tell me that everything was going to be all right, that my world would continue spinning because he was still going to be a part of it.

  When we finally stopped outside the closed door to his room, I stood as though frozen. I simply couldn’t open it and go inside. If I did, then it meant all of this was real. I’d tried to ignore the doctor’s words and even whispered a damn prayer to whoever was listening up above. But it was useless. As much as I wanted to pretend otherwise, deep down, I knew the truth. Dad had had a heart attack. He was in intensive care. He wasn’t going to wake up.

  Or come home.

  I stared at the floor, my vision blurring the speckled patterns on the linoleum from yet another onslaught of tears.

  The nurse put a gentle hand on my shoulder, rubbing me reassuringly. “Your dad’s resting. He’s been given some medication to make him more comfortable. Why don’t you go in and talk to him? He can still hear you.”

  I looked up at her, completely lost. “What do I say?”

  She smiled sorrowfully. “Goodbye.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Traded my heart, it’s faded, my heart,

  And I still hurt.

  Traded my heart, it’s faded, my heart,

  And I'm still hurting.

  -MONDEZ, “Hating the Silence”

  Levi and I spent the rest of the evening in our hotel suite. We already knew the room service menu by heart so we ordered our favorite dishes. Not that I could taste anything. The only flavor my taste buds seemed to register was fear.

  Genuine fear.

  Clearly, I didn’t have the stomach for it since most of my meal was left untouched. And by the look of Levi’s full plate when he finally pushed it away, he wasn’t much of a fan either. After we discarded our dishes, Levi moved the couch to face the window. He put on some of his heavy instrumental music and we lay there, nestled in each other’s arms, staring up at the night sky.

  Okay, so I was glaring at it more than anything else.

  And berating the bejesus out of it.

  Stupid twinkling stars in the stupid black sky, looking down at me like my life isn’t about to be completely annihilated. Fuck you stars and sky. Fuck you all.

  Needless to say, neither of us talked much. Well, not out loud anyway. To be honest, we both knew that words weren’t going to make a difference. They weren’t going to change the fact that I was getting on a flight to Perth tomorrow morning and Levi wasn’t.

  Dom called earlier, the other three bandmates had decided to give the whole making-a-living-out-of-music thing a go. While listening on the other end, Levi had dejectedly nodded his head in agreement and I hated the fact that he appeared so underwhelmed with the incredible opportunity they just received. So I put on my happy face. Granted, it was dusty and virtually moth-eaten but despite those minor impediments, I talked incessantly. My ridiculous tirade was mostly about how the next six weeks were going to be the best of his life. Hell, I even tried to believe some of the bullshit that came out of my mouth.

  It didn’t work.

  Neither Levi or I felt any better after my absurd pep talk. If anything, it solidified how difficult maintaining a long distance relationship was going to be. I mean, waiting six weeks to see him again was going to be tough, but after that he was only coming back so he could pack all his stuff and
then move to fucking Melbourne.

  How the heck are we going to survive that?

  To be fair, I truly didn’t blame the guys for their decision. If I were them, I would probably want to do the same thing myself. I just freakin’ hated how this was going to be the last night Levi and I would be together in … almost forever. My heart ached.

  Literally.

  The incessant pounding pain made me hold on to him tighter and Levi kissed the top of my head, murmuring, “We’re gonna make this work, kitten.”

  I didn’t reply. Seriously, what was there to say?

  He lifted my chin until our eyes met. “I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but we’re gonna do this. We’ll be fine.”

  I smiled weakly.

  “You don’t believe me, do you?”

  Shrugging one shoulder, I said, “Six weeks is a long time. I mean, look at what happened between us in just two.”

  Levi sat up, pushed me backward, and gripped both of my shoulders with his strong hands. “Don’t you dare give up on us, Grace. I’m going to call every day to remind you that what we have is worth fighting for.”

  I searched his eyes, uncertain.

  “Every fucking day. I mean it.”

  I couldn’t help myself. At long last I whispered the nagging doubt that had been plaguing me ever since we left Oblivion two hours ago. “It could all fall apart. What if our love isn’t strong enough?”

  He cupped my face, blue eyes desperate. “It has to be. What other alternative do we have?”

  I closed my eyes, not even wanting to entertain that terrifying possibility and felt a lone tear trickle down my cheek.

  The remainder of the night was spent making love. On the couch, the floor, the bed, anywhere with a remotely flat surface really. I knew Levi was trying to show me how integral I’d become to his life and just like his music, his unrestrained passion surrounded me entirely, reverberated through me, completed me. I reciprocated his intensity with my own brand of declaration. With each movement, sound and utterance, I told him how much my world revolved around him. How he had become the most vital part of my life.