Straight from the Heart

by Breigh Forstner

  “Nah. Got radio stuff and interviews going on I guess. So I’m stuck with you alllll day long pal.” I pinched his bicep and he yelled "Ow". I mouthed "Sorry" as we headed towards the rest of the group. “Looks like Vince bought a guitar.” I signaled toward Vince, who was beaming as he held up his new acoustic guitar and appeared to be gloating.

  “About time. He’s been playing the same old thing for years now. We were talking about doing a bunch of acoustic tracks for the deluxe version of the album. That’s more of his thing,” Cale explained as Vince brought the mahogany guitar over to show me.

  “That’s even prettier than mine, I’ll give you that.” I told Vince.

  “Thanks, B. I saw yours at the audition and I thought ‘Shit I need to get something like that.’” Vince laughed as I felt the smooth shiny wood. I experienced the same excitement when I bought mine because he looked like a kid in a candy store. “Cost enough, I’ll end up saving it for my kids someday if I ever have them.”

  “Wait till your mom sees that, bud.” Hal slapped Vince on the back.

  “Yeah she’ll ask me how much it cost and why did I spend so much money on an instrument.” Vince answered. Then he turned to me. “My mom’s one of those frugal spenders. She doesn’t like to spend any money unless she has a coupon or it’s basically free. Doesn’t matter what it is.” Heck, I’d rather have parents that were frugal with their money as opposed to ones who had money just lying around in piles, spending it carelessly by the bundle.

  “That’s an understatement,” Hal said. Peering down at his watch he said, “Better get going everyone and get some food made up and head on over to the venue.”

  Chapter 9: Face Down

  St. Louis came and went with a bang.

  When Damon knocked on the door to our dressing room at the show, I practically knocked him down onto the ground. “Miss me much?” he chuckled, his arms linking around my waist. I could hear the guys groan behind me. They were either pissed or thought it was going to be a full PDA fest.

  “Too much,” I groaned. I had missed the company. It was only a day, but to me it felt like a lot longer. His grey eyes were bright with excitement for tonight’s show and had a new Avenged Sevenfold t-shirt on, fitting him just right in his torso. He definitely wasn’t as built as Cale, but close enough. “How’d the interviews go?”

  “Amazing. One of the writers from Alternative Press drove down from Cleveland just to interview us. They’re going to snap a couple of pictures during the show. I’m stoked. Never gets old.” He ran a hand through his hair, flashing a smile at me. “So did you end up buying that guitar you texted me about?”

  I wish. “Can’t afford it right now. Maybe one day I’ll come back down here just to buy it. I felt like it was made for me, as silly as it sounds.” I said.

  “Once we get out to Cali I’ll call a few buddies of mine that own a huge shop towards Los Angeles. They’ll hook you up,” Damon promised. His arm stayed glued to my body as he was chatting about something with the guys. I pretended to listen to the conversation, only because Cale’s amber eyes were glaring at me as he and Damon were talking about technical stuff. I wasn’t sure what I should feel at that very second. From the way Damon held onto me like I was his lifeline, it was clear he had some sort of feelings for me.

  Getting more comfortable with being on stage after every show, I tried interacting more with the crowd and working on my singing, trying to be as on point as possible. Cale said we should be expecting a call from RockOut Records, the label that came to see us in Ohio. So it was good we were out gaining an even bigger fan base and more exposure. I knew most people that followed Everlasting were surprised by the change in members. The crowds expected to see some guy just as tattooed and talented as the rest of the boys, rocking the stage ten times harder than I ever could. But I told myself to go out there and play like I’m never going to strum another guitar. Then they’ll like me.

  After the show Vince told us there was a big party going on at one of the local clubs downtown and everyone on the tour was going. Being on such a high from the set, there was no way I could object to tagging along. I was feeling more flirtatious and care-free tonight for whatever reason, so when all of the bands pulled up to Club Amnesia on Washington Avenue, I was ready to dance. There was a line-up outside, but Damon had put everyone on a "list" with the bouncer so, despite the protests, our group got in first.

  I changed into a white sequined off the shoulder top and skinny jeans that sat right below my waist, showing a mere inch of my skin. Looking around at the hundreds of people packed into this club bumping and grinding with little to no clothes at all, I found Lucy, who was sitting at one of the red circular couches against the far wall.

  “You made it!” she shouted over the thumping beat. It was a new Drake song I hadn’t heard before. Lucy looked stunning, wearing a short red dress that went a few inches above her knees. Her hair was brushed off to one side with a red rose pinned behind her ear.

  “Yeah it was time to let loose!” I yelled in return, giving her a hug. “Shit you look hot Lucy!”

  She gave herself a once over and let out a shy smile “I clean up nice when I need to. But this guy right here is going to have the girls flocking to him!” Pauly, her bandmate, came over and started heckling Lucy about dancing. “Pauly, you know Bryn, right?”

  His eyes went from Lucy over to mine and grinned. “I’ve seen her around on the tour, but never had the chance to formally introduce myself.” He held out a large hand. Pauly had to be at least 6 foot five, with colorful tattoos covering both arms. He had jet black hair that was cut shaggy down to his chin. “Pauly Donovan, or my parents call me Paul, but everyone else calls me Pauly.”

  “Bryn Schaefler.” I shook his hand, bearing a sinister smile.

  “So how would you ladies like to dance with a dashing guy like myself?” Pauly offered. He held both of his arms out, ready to escort us.

  Lucy looked my way and I nodded. “Sure why the Hell not? It’s not like I see you every second of my life,” She joked, linking our arms with his. Pauly led us out to the dance floor and we danced to Ellie Goulding’s “Burn.”

  I’ve ever had so much fun dancing as I did that night. Pauly didn’t hold either one of us too close, spinning us on occasion. Periodically I searched for Damon or any sign of Cale, but the guys dragged Cale immediately to the bar. Damn them being over 21. After dancing to a couple of upbeat songs, Pauly offered to get us drinks. “I know you’re under 21, but you look like you could use a drink.” He whispered in my ear. I sure as hell did. I needed something to take the edge off because I was starting to get paranoia.

  “That sounds awesome. Just a vodka and diet please.” I kissed him on the cheek. “If you see Damon or Cale up there can you tell them I said ‘hey?’?”

  “Of course darling. Be right back.” He winked. Lucy kept eying him up as he went to the ginormous bar. If my eyes served me right, it seemed like Lucy had some sort of feelings for Pauly.

  I turned to face her. “Okay, spill, Luce. You have feelings for Pauly!”

  She blushed a deep tomato red. “More than that actually. I’m in love with the guy. But nothing can ever come of it.”

  “Why not? You two would be so adorable together,” I pointed out.

  “I should say the same thing about you and Cale. He claims you’re like his sister, but I know the look in his eye when he’s really fallen for someone. I mean Damon, .he’s hot. I’ve also known him a long time. I know how he used to be, and I really don’t think he’ll change. He’s a good guy, just a lot of issues you shouldn’t get involved with. But basically I’m telling you don’t date him because you’ll eventually get hurt.” Her face turned from happy to concern when she warned me about Damon. But I knew when she thought Cale had fallen in love with me it had to hurt her a little bit. I only knew small bits of what happened with her and Cale, but I wasn’t going to judge her for anything that went wrong whatever it was.

  “What has Da
mon done that’s so bad?” I asked.

  “He just grew up rough. He’s a womanizer and will screw any woman that walks by him. Minus me, and I’ve told him that. He didn’t have a mother figure in his life so it was basically Abel and Damon fending for themselves while their dad brought a different woman home every other night. Only thing that man did was pay for their music camps and instruments. That was it.” Lucy tensed up as Pauly walked back with a drink in each hand. “I shouldn’t have told you all that. Just be careful.”

  Squeezing her hand, I said “I promise I’ll watch myself.” It was pure silence minus the music until Pauly handed our drinks to us.

  “Thank you. That was much needed,” I said, taking a sip of the liquid mixture in my glass. “See either one of them up there?”

  Pauly hesitated, so I figured it wasn’t good news. “I…uh...you might not want to see what’s going on over there.”

  That was an open invitation for me to walk over and check it out for myself. “Cale?” I asked as I stood and began walking toward the bar.

  He nodded, and I rolled my eyes, doubling my pace towards the edge of the bar area, where I could see a sea of girls flocking around one bar stool. I found my guy. It was most definitely Cale, his hair pushed completely back as I watched him tear the lips off a red haired big chested bimbo. His hands were cupping her ass as she grabbed a fistful of the bottom of his shirt. It was full on PDA at its best, or worst I should say. Wanting to gag on the spot, I told myself it wasn’t worth it. Right as I turned around ready to tear someone apart, I could hear Cale shout “Bryn, wait!”

  No way in Hell was I giving him my attention tonight. Pauly was right, I shouldn’t have gone over there. I chugged my first drink, and flirted with the young bartender so I could get another free one. It left a nasty taste in my mouth, but it would help me forget that disgusting picture pierced in my brain.

  I couldn’t make out Lucy through the crowd, so I made my way to the dance floor by myself. Another hip-hop song with a catchy beat came on and I was lost in the music. That was normally the type of music I avoided, but for this type of occasion? I’d take it. I lifted my hands in the air, letting the alcohol spread through my body. My hips swayed and dipped as the bass boomed through the speakers and I let myself go. By the time the song was over I felt hands on both my hips and a body moving behind me in time with the music.

  “It’s pretty toxic to be dancing alone,” a voice whispered in my ear, and I recognized it as Damon’s. I didn’t turn back to look at him, just continued to dance in silence as he held me hard against his body. Hot damn this guy could dance like a pro. Damon was singing along to the song as I wrapped my arms behind his neck. “So what’s bugging you tonight?” he finally asked.

  “Just trying to have some fun!” I shouted. Damon spun me around, arms still linked around his neck, bodies pressed together. I wanted to kiss him so bad. I didn’t know if it was because Cale was practically fucking a girl in public, or that I really liked Damon.

  “The way you were dancing doesn’t make it seem like you were having some fun, Bryn,” Damon teased. “I think it’s the classic getting revenge tactic.”

  “Maybe it was,” I teased right back. “But I was looking for you anyways.”

  We stood there frozen for what felt like forever, and then Damon tilted his head down to meet mine. Our eyes were level and I could tell if he drank at all, I never would’ve noticed, since I saw the beautiful gray eyes that captured my heart.

  That was when he kissed me.

  I let his tongue slip into my mouth as I deepened the kiss, moving my hands from his neck into his blond hair. It wasn’t a long kiss, but as soon as he broke it, I immediately wanted more. Hungry. Maybe I overreacted about my bandmate getting it on with some random girl. I didn’t care, since I still felt a twang of jealousy.

  “Shit. I’m sorry. I couldn’t, Bryn, at least not here. I would’ve regretted what I was about to do next.” Damon apologized, his hand grazing mine. “And it was not meant for the public eye.”

  “What’s that?” I asked curiously, anxious for his answer.

  “Let’s get out of here and go back to my bus, shall we?” Damon offered. He was trying to have sex with me. It wasn’t like I was going to completely shed all of my clothes for this man, but I was at least trying to save some part of me for someone special. I was not about to have drunken sex my first time. Maybe I’m overreacting.

  I let my eyes wander back over to Cale as he moved onto the Barbie look-a-like next to him. If he can have his fun, so can I! “Sounds amazing,” I purred into Damon’s ear. He lit up like a little kid on Christmas. Within a matter of minutes we made it back to the Ignite the Flames tour bus. He led me back to his "private room". It was only a full sized bed hidden by a fancy looking magenta curtain. I was glad no one else was around when we got in, because I’m sure someone would’ve spread the word that I was sleeping with Damon Charming of all guys.

  “Not much, but we all take turns sleeping on this bed for a week. Kind of get tired sleeping in a bunk,” Damon admitted. I could barely form a smile. I think it was nerves, but I tried to avoid blaming everything on my damn nerves. I slipped off my shoes and set them down by the edge of the curtain.

  “It’s fine,” I nuzzled into his neck, “Don’t worry so much about it and just kiss me.” He looked at me surprised, but met my lips abruptly and did as I asked. He started out soft and gentle, his fingers cupping the sides of my face. Then he deepened it by letting his tongue roam through my mouth, with no end in sight. My hands moved to his chest, pushing him ever so slightly onto the bed behind us.

  “You’re not going to freak out this time, are you?” Damon asked jokingly after breaking the kiss, setting me onto his lap so I was straddling him. I could feel his length poking at me through our clothes, and I knew exactly what he wanted.

  I rocked my hips back and forth, teasing him, as I slipped off the piece of fabric I called my shirt. I leaned down and crushed my mouth to his, throwing the shirt off into the distance. Damon’s finger tips roamed up and down my back slowly, giving me chills and sending me into oblivion. This man’s touch was my undoing tonight. He started kissing me from my mouth on down to my neck, causing me to slip out a moan from my lips. His mouth ended up between my breasts, letting his fingers slip underneath the lacy fabric covering them.

  I let him twist and knead my breasts, reaching behind me to unhook the bra and let it fall.

  “Damn Bryn, you have me all hot and bothered,” Damon whispered, removing his hands from my body and taking off his shirt in one swift motion. Shit this guy had some serious muscles on him. I ran my fingers along his chest, where there was a small crest in blue and black ink.

  “That’s beautiful.” I motioned towards the ink, and he smirked as if he heard it before.

  He glided my hand towards the waistband of his pants, leaving my hand in place as he struggled to unbutton his jeans. Damon grabbed my hand again once he removed his jeans to his feet and positioned my hand directly on his shaft. The only other person I ever did this with was Ethan, so I could feel my fingers shaking as they glided slowly up and down. I quickly found a rhythm, moving faster and faster.

  Damon groaned and grabbed me by the hair, kissing me with as much energy as he could. I stopped rubbing his cock up and down as I lay down beside him, taking off my jeans. I removed them as slowly as I could, feeling Damon’s grey eyes watch me cautiously the entire time. By the time I kicked off my remaining clothes, we were both naked for the world to see. Thankfully no one would be back on the bus anytime soon, or so I thought.

  Damon took his hand and led a trail of soft feather touches down my side, never staying in one spot. My body was on fire and I could feel the ache between my legs only intensify as his fingers moved lower towards my hip bone. “Do you like this?” He asked in a gruff whisper, stopping only for my answer.

  My head was telling me Yes! Let him touch you, he wants you, but I was wondering if I was going to regret thi
s. “Love it,” I whispered, kissing and suckling on his neck as he brought one finger in between my thighs. Ohhh God, I was going to spontaneously combust right here before he even touched me ‘in there.’ I’d read way too many books about this very moment, and how the girls scream the guy’s name. “I…need…” I wasn’t sure what the Hell I needed, but I blurted the words out anyways, thinking this would maybe tell me.

  “Tell me, Bryn.” Damon demanded, before entering the most sacred part of my body. “I want to hear exactly what you want baby.”

  Don’t call me baby, I thought sarcastically. “I need you to touch me down there,” I pleaded, shutting my mind off and enjoying the pleasure I was about to feel.

  He wasted no time, sticking a sole finger inside my folds, entering slower than I wanted. I gasped, forgetting how amazing it felt. I wanted him to plunge deeper, make me scream. At this point I didn’t care who heard me. I was caught up in the moment and wanted to come…and come hard. “Ohhh.” My mouth made an unrecognizable noise, my hands clinching the sheets beside me. “Damon…please…deeper…”

  “Fuck Bryn, I’m going to come just hearing you make those noises.” Damon said, adding another finger, entering even deeper than before. He circled inside my clit, and I could already feel myself building up for something big. “Shit you’re so tight…” But suddenly he stopped, fingers still inside of me and looked into my eyes. “You never told me you were a virgin babe.”

  Ahhh yeah, I knew that I’d have to mention that at some point. “I’m sorry,” My eyes filled with a hint of sadness. “I should’ve told you. If you want to stop…”

  With my last words, Damon circled my clit even faster and harder, and that was when I felt it. My orgasm. I had never felt anything that powerful in my life. I shuddered and let my body go as I came all over Damon’s hand, and his fingers kept thrusting into me, not stopping. “Fuck!” I shouted, my face on fire. “Damon…that was…wow…”