by S. A. Price
“And that piercing…”
He chuckled again. “I figured. I’m glad I did it.”
“I can’t believe you did.”
“Why not? I’m not the guy I used to be Nat. we grow up, and grow into ourselves. Learn things about ourselves that we never thought possible. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. And you appreciate it.”
“Damn right I do.”
He sighed. “So I broke you, and you wore me out.”
It was her turn to laugh. “Oh? You’re not going to demand round two?”
H cuddled her closer. “Not this time. My girl was very demanding. Now I just want to hold her.”
“Won’t hear me complaining.”
“Good. Now shut up. We really are ruining a damn good afterglow.”
She kissed his forearm again and settled in. soon she was slipping into unconsciousness. She felt his hold on her body tighten, heard his soft words in her ear as she finally went dark.
“It’s a good thing you still love me Nat cuz I am keeping you forever.”
SIXTEEN
Saint Louis was chaos. The venue grounds were crawling with fans, and you could barely navigate through the backstage area. The general admission area was probably impassable. Lola grinned. She loved shows like this. The energy was everywhere, buzzing, and it fed into the performers. Shows like this the band was high on the atmosphere, and played some intense sets. Saint Louis was going to be one hell of an experience for everyone. She side stepped around a bunch of roadies who nodded to her, and made her way towards the stage, where she knew Winter was just getting his rig set up.
Since Philly things between them has been much like they were before they had broken up. They were rarely apart, choosing instead to spend their off time and travel time together mostly on the shades bus, which had become more the couples bus as Winter and Lola were always with Saffron and Rhys, and Nyx, though it never felt like she was a third wheel. She understood Nyx’s need to be in her own space, Lola was like that herself on past tours. But her space didn’t seem so important when she put it up against snuggling with Winter on the Shades bus watching TV or sleeping.
Rococo, much to Winter’s delight, stayed on the Angels’ bus most of the time, as the back section had been converted into a sound proof chamber that the guys affectionately called the Bunny den. Though she was sure there was a dual meaning for that but she wasn’t going to get into it.
So they had the chance to really reconnect, and it was awesome. She loved the guy he was before, but the man he had become was infinitely more appealing to her. Gone was the insecurity, replaced with a swagger that had her panting. And Sweet Jesus she didn’t know where he had got his dirty talking skills, but she was glad for them. She had always liked it, but before, it sounded comical coming from him. Now, now she was always close to vibrating waiting to see what he was going to say to her in his sexy as fuck gruff voice. Winter had become everything she had heard in rumors. And he was hers now. Only hers.
The backstage area here was larger than the previous dates, due to the grounds, and while normally that was a great thing, with the influx of people it just made it more tedious to get to where she was going. People would call her name, and she would stop, pose of a picture or call back to them or spend a few seconds chit chatting the fans. She had been stopped by several fans to take a group shot, ones that were part of the Angels’ fan club. She loved the fan club people, because they understood that she was working and they couldn’t monopolize her time. It was as she was leaving the most recent group that she noticed something that had her smirking.
Two girls were up ahead wearing what looked like homemade decal shirts that said “I’ve had a Long Hard Winter” across the chest. Huh. Well hell. She had to give it to the girls, wonderful play on words. She wondered if he had seen them. She was about to approach the girls with her phone, to take a picture with them and send it to him for shits and giggles when she noticed four more girls with the same shirt walking up to the original two.
Hmmm. Maybe Winter had his own group of fans here. It was possible. Crais, her drummer, had his “Cuties”, the girls that considered themselves his personal harem. Of course, they could just be feathers…
Six girls with the shirt were daunting, but manageable. It was as she got closer to the stage that she saw another four, all and frowned. Ten girls. Ten? In one place? Now, she could be jumping to conclusions, she knew people traveled to follow bands, but ten was a large concentration.
Saffron was just ahead scribbling on her clipboard.
“Saff,” she said as she approached. The other woman looked up. “A word?”
Saffron smiled. “Saw the shirts eh? Did you see the ones that say ‘Rhys Rocked Me’ yet? There’s about forty of them wearing it.”
Lola shook her head. “So it’s nothing to be worried about?”
Saffron gave her an incredulous look. “Really? The boy is head over heels for you and you’re worried about a bunch of feathers?”
She realized how silly it seemed. Still… “And you don’t have a problem with it?”
Saffron scoffed. “If I got all bothered about girls that have either slept with my boyfriend, want to sleep with my boyfriend or get all agro over the fact that they can’t sleep with my boyfriend because I don’t share I would be bald and the new proactive poster child. I trust him, that’s all I need to know.”
Lola considered this. Saffron always saw things from a better perspective them most women, and Lola had always admired her ability to distance herself from the petty jealousies that girls got about the guy they were nailing. It worked for her and Rhys. Lola wasn’t stupid either. The life didn’t lend itself to jealousy, and she, by nature wasn’t a jealous person. Everyone had a past. Winter’s was just current.
“True. You have any idea where Winter is?”
Saffron nodded. “Stage right with Toro.”
“Thanks.” She said and left the other girl to her job, and went in search of Winter.
***
“Those shirts are pretty… interesting.” Toro offered absently as he watched his tuner.
Normally the Tech’s were doing this job but Toro had just had his new guitar delivered and, as he put it, “Much like my hob, I get to play with it first.” So Winter was there with him, hanging out now that his rig was set up, keeping him company.
“Feathers are out in force. I shouldn’t be surprised; St. Louis was one of the places that have been a stop for us since the beginning. Body count is high. For all of us.”
“You stud you.” Toro offered and rolled his eyes. “The shirt is hella suggestive though.”
“Have you seen the one about Rhys?”
Toro waved that away. “That can be taken two ways… Hell I can see rock moms wearing that one. The one about you? Unless your rocking the cougar contingent, not going to happen. Have they approached you?”
Winter shook his head. Some of the girls he knew he had slept with, and only once. Some, he wasn’t sure if he had even been in the same room with them, but his entertaining was more about quantity not quality. For all he knew, they could all have, in fact, had him. My god he was a whore.
“Interesting. I always wonder about shit like that.”
“Meaning?”
“They want everyone to know they planted their flag, but they won’t even talk to you? It’s just weird to me.”
Winter shrugged. Truth was he didn’t wanna talk to them anyway. He kept up with girls like Stoli and Gatsby because they didn’t advertise, and he preferred that.
“You think Lo is going to shit kittens?” He asked Toro.
The other man fiddled with his guitar a moment and then looked at the tuner. “Hard to say. I mean she isn’t stupid. She knows you haven’t been a choir boy. I think the sheer volume might get you a night on the couch, but she’s a realist. Advice? Don’t broach the subject till she does. Less of a chance of a fight.”
“That’s a lot like keeping secrets.”
&
nbsp; Toro looked at him. “Secrets my ass. How’s this, the elephant in the room is better left alone till your both in a better place, morally, to address it.”
Winter frowned. “I feel like I should be reading between the lines here.”
“You said it I didn’t. And speak of the devil.”
Winter turned around to see Lola walk up, dressed in her Japanese school girl outfit, her makeup and hair flawless. His girlfriend was fucking hot. He smiled and pulled her to him when she got within reaching distance.
“Saffron said you were hiding here with Toro. He telling you about his new crush?”
Winter arched a brow. “New crush?”
Toro waived the question away. “That’s a conversation for a few beers and several shots. I’m in not headspace to open that can of worms. And you are on in fifteen.”
Toro with a crush was nothing new, but the fact that he wouldn’t just gab about it was. But when the guy was ready to talk, he supposed he would. “Chicago?” he asked.
Toro nodded. “Deal. I can’t wait for a couple nights with family.”
Toro’s rich cousin Dustin owned a huge house just outside Chicago and both bands were going to stay at ‘Dustin’s party mansion’ for a few days. With two dates, and 2 days between them, they had the better part of a week to relax before things got hairy on the west coast. And he was going to get to spend the time with Lola, without a bus and checkout times to interrupt. They could pretend to be normal for a few days.
“It should be good.” He nodded.
Lola laughed. “I just hope we aren’t going to walk into party central again.”
Toro shook his head. “Nah. He takes his girls to the penthouse in the city. Claireridge is now family only.”
“Well thank god for small favors.” Lola said and leaned in “I have a great room at Claireridge, you are going to love it.”
The sound of her voice, the low dulcet tones of a partially aroused Lola shot blood straight to his cock. He pulled her closer and nibbled on her ear. “Can’t wait.”
“Winter? That’s the ten…” he heard Tosh call as he walked by.
He unwrapped from Lola. “You watching?”
She nodded.
He kissed her softly. “Aces. And tonight?”
She smiled. “Suite at the Hyatt.”
He frowned. “The evil little bastard is going to be with us isn’t he?”
She laughed and pushed him towards his band. “I promise, no hair chewing, and no biting.”
He took two steps and grabbed her, pulling her close once more. “I can’t promise there won’t be biting, in fact, you can count on it.” He murmured in her ear before he leaned down and bit the tender skin at the junction of her shoulder and neck.
She gasped and shivered.
Toro laughed. “Oh god, scoot already! The two of you make we wanna vomit you are so goddamn cute.”
They both grinned and Lola kissed him. “Have a good set baby.”
SEVENTEEN
Lola was thankful that the party Dustin had set up for after the show was limited to close friends, family and the bands. It was more laid back, a quiet affair, a complete one eighty from his normal shindigs.
Oh yeah people were rowdy, but everyone there knew someone in the bands, if not the entire band. No feathers in attendance, no random fans, no strangers. It felt good to not have to work the crowd and relax a bit. Letting the collective guard down was something neither band did in public very often, so this house, this haven, was a paradise.
She stood in the kitchen with Saffron, Xxieda and Nyx, talking. It felt nice to just have the girls around. Xxieda had flown out to see how the tour was going, and check the binding on Lola which, by the witch’s proclamation, was holding up even better than the one she had marked Rhys with once upon a time. It was good to hear. Lola hadn’t felt the stirrings of Shesha since the original binding, but she was vigilant, and would continue to be.
“So how’s everything going?” Xxieda asked as she took a sip of her Woodchuck cider.
Lola smiled. “Things are good.”
“Yeah, so good that they put Rhys and me to shame with their cuteness.”
Lola grinned at Saffron. “It’s all new and…”
Nyx laughed. “Oh we don’t have to hear about it. We see it baby.”
“And what about you Nixie?” Xxieda asked as she hopped up on the granite countertop.
Nyx gave them all a half smile. “I know you guys think I’m repressing issues with Toshy, but I’m not. We are both cool. We had our fun, and as much as we both care for each other, we aren’t right for each other.”
“So who is right for you Nyxie, cuz girl, in the years I have known you, men last as long as a menstrual cycle with you.”
Nyx gave them all a coy smile. “Once upon a time there was a boy at my sweet sixteen. He was my first, and as awesome as every guy has been since him, none have been as good as he was. So I guess I’m looking for that again.”
Xxieda blinked. “A guy? Got a name? Why don’t you see him anymore? Details!”
Nyx shook her head. “I don’t know his name, and that story is better left for a girlie sleepover, believe me. As to where he is? Not a clue. One night only.” She offered and then took a long tilt of her beer.
“But he was at the party? I mean…”
Nyx shook her head. “A happy accident I’m sure.” She winked at Lola.
Lola was about to ask another question when Dante walked in. He opened the fridge, grabbed himself a beer and a cider for Xxieda. He passed the bottle to Xxieda and then kissed her on the cheek. “Tosh just bet Liam that he can get the nine ball in the far corner pocket and not use his hands.”
Xxieda arched a brow. “How’s he going to hold a stick?”
“Apparently all he needs to do is thrust.”
Lola and Saffron both choked on their waters and Nyx rolled her eyes. “Suckers bet. Guy can hammer a spike into a rail road tie with that monster. How much is on the table?”
Dante laughed. “Almost two bills.”
Nyx’s eyes went wide and she pushed away from the counter she was leaning on. “Pardon me…” she said and walked through the door Dante had come in through. “I want in on this. Fifty bucks says he can do it, and with only one bank…”
Xxieda arched a brow at Dante. “She has faith.”
“Yeah I would have faith too if I was toting the third leg that guy is carrying around.” Dante frowned. “I swear I have had my quota filled of cock since I met you at least four times over.”
Xxieda grinned. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous.”
The man grabbed Xxieda off the counter and grinned. “Of these little boys?” he asked and kissed her senseless. Seconds later Xxieda was giggling and blushing and Dante winked at Lola. “Pardon us.”
She nodded and he carried her out of the room, leaving Lola alone for the first time that night. She heard the cat calls from the Billiards room, Halfway across the house, and then both cheers and curses. Apparently Tosh had made the shot.
“Holy shit!” she heard Toro’s voice before she saw him. “Why can’t he swing my way!”
Lola smirked at the doorway just as Toro walked through. “Because you’re not that lucky T. How much did he win?”
Toro frowned. “I have half a mind to dislike his sexy ass till he rides me like a pony.”
Lola’s eyes went wide. “Seriously?”
He frowned harder. “No, but it’s just not fair. Stingy fucker.”
“Amen. So how much did he win?”
“Almost four. Crais is betting double or nothing he can’t do a trick shot. Personally that’s a suckers bet. The guy is hiding Quatto in his pants!”
She laughed at the Total Recall reference. “So I have heard.”
“And where is your hunka man meat?”
She shrugged. “I think on the phone with his mother.”
Toro laughed. “Twisted Twyla?”
“Yes, and she says hi,” they both heard from the
doorway.
Lola grinned. “How’s momma dukes doing?” she asked as he crossed to her. She knew that Twyla had become a bit more scattered after Phaedra died, but after the events of last year’s voodoo with Rhys and a very tangible Phaedra, Twyla had let go of her ire and came back to being a somewhat normal person, or as normal as the hippie could get. Her relationship with her only surviving child was still strained but Lola knew that Winter made it a point to keep the lines of communication open with his mother, in order to give her a sense of normalcy.
“She’s fine. Said Uncle Cleetus and Mavis will be by for the upcoming holiday.”
She shook her head. “It always makes me chuckle you have relatives with back country yokel names.”
“Believe me, I try to forget,” he offered in a dry tone. “She said to say hello to you though.”
Lola smiled. Twyla didn’t like many people, but she liked Lola, always had. Winter’s father was a stodgy work obsessed lunatic and barely tolerated Winter or his “inconsistent” lifestyle. She was pretty sure that he didn’t like her much either for the exact same reason. But Mr. Tulane didn’t need to like her. Only Winter did.
“Hey, we are taking the party to the pool, you guys coming?” Tosh said from the doorway. “Crais bet me he could hold his breath longer than I can.”
Lola laughed. “Chlorine and these streaks don’t get along well. Pass.”
“Toro?”
Toro looked at Tosh and cocked his head. “I’m mad at you.”
Tosh grinned. “Sorry man… though if I ever decided to rock someone of the male persuasion, you will be the first I call. Deal?”
Toro sighed. “Fine. I suppose I’ll come with you.”
“Now don’t get all sour man… you did get to see it…”
Toro followed Tosh towards the doors that lead to the pool. “Yeah you fucking Tease!”
Alone in the kitchen, Winter turned to Lola. “Our friends are weird.”
“To say the least. So what do you wanna do since the pool is occupied by like everyone?”
“Wanna play 8-ball?”
She quirked a brow. “I hope you got Lysol.”