by McAdams, Mia
Her eyes flare. “I don’t?”
I shake my head. “Nope. You left, remember?”
“You almost fucked that girl!” She shoves away from me. “Really, Wolf? Three days and you’re already getting your dick wet?” She shoves me again and turns around.
I throw my head back and laugh. This is too good. Too fucking good. Our reunion wasn’t going to be pretty—I knew that—but this was not what I expected at all.
I stalk after her, yelling and not caring who can hear. “You think you can just walk away and expect everything to be waiting for you when you come back? Think again, Lyric. Things have changed.”
She faces me with narrowed eyes and nods. “I see that. I didn’t expect it to happen so soon. I fucked up—yes, I fucked up—but I came back, hoping to work things out. If that’s not what you want, then fine.” She’s shaking as her words hit us at the same time. She points a finger at the backstage door we just exited. “That’s not love, Wolf.”
“I didn’t do anything!” I explode. “Not that it matters, Lyric. What the fuck do you know about love, anyway?”
“Just because we had a fight doesn’t mean you go out and screw the first girl who comes along.”
My body is vibrating with anger. “What makes you think she’s the first one?”
Lyric’s face drains of color, and for an instant, I want to take it all back. She swallows and I reach for her, but she steps away and shakes her head. “Don’t fucking touch me.”
I grit my teeth and plant my hands on my hips, lowering my head as I take a deep breath. “I said that to piss you off. Fuck. I’m sorry. I haven’t—”
Her head is still moving from side to side, telling me she doesn’t want to hear it.
I move toward her again and grip her face in my palms. I’m gentle even though I feel anything but. “Don’t do that. We both know what it meant when you walked away. It was over. It is over. You’re back for your job, not for me. Perform Live wanted to can your ass, but I didn’t want that to happen to you. Or at least I wanted it to be your decision. That’s love. The fact that I still want to protect you even though you royally screwed my heart over means something. Maybe you should think about that instead of getting pissed at me for venting on that stage.”
She’s still shaking, but now I feel her quiver since she’s in my hands. She knows I’m right. She’s scared. I know my Lyric. My heart still beats for her. My heart still belongs to her, but there’s no way I can hand it over again. At least not so soon. Right now, nothing makes sense. My determination to stay away from her, even if she did come back on tour, is already malfunctioning.
I remove my hands from her cheeks and step away, needing distance and time. I head straight for the bus without turning around. Now I’m the one walking away. Let’s see how Lyric likes it.
Lyric
Wolf has every right to hate the way I handled everything, but he still loves me. I feel it in his touch; I see it in his eyes. He missed me as much as I missed him. But he’s pissed. Hurt. I need to find a way to make this better, but it’s not happening tonight, that’s for sure.
Terese is driving to the hotel with Derrick, so I walk to Bus #2 alone. My things have already been loaded. This time a bottom bunk has been reserved for me, so I crawl into it and sigh. I don’t want to be antisocial with the crew, and I won’t be, but I need to be alone right now. I need to calm down. I expected a confrontation of some kind with Wolf, but I didn’t expect to find him straddling some girl onstage and serenading her with our song. He may not have fucked her, but the fact that he could have, or maybe wanted to, hurts like hell.
Alone time is over seconds later when Melanie rips my curtain open and smiles. “Hey, sexy.” She crawls onto the bunk, sits beside me, and smiles. “You okay?”
There’s already a tear running down my cheek. When she sees it, she frowns. I wipe it away and force the rest of my emotions back into my stomach. “I’ll be fine. Things will be weird for a while, but I’ll deal.”
She laughs. “Probably. That was quite the argument you two just had.”
I groan. Everyone must have seen that. “He’s so mad. He’s already moving on.”
There’s a slow nod of her head while it seems like she’s thinking of something. “Between you and me,” she says quietly, “Wolf has been off his game since the moment you left. I don’t know what that was about back there, but he hasn’t touched another girl. Trust me. We’ve all been waiting, wondering when it was going to happen. Because he’s Wolf, and it will eventually happen.” She throws me a frown. “Sorry, Lyric. Just being honest.”
“It’s okay.”
“We weren’t sure if you were coming back, though, and he’s been a total wreck. The guys have been pushing girls on him like kids at a candy factory.”
That hits like a low blow. When I was touring with the band, I spent so much time with Wolf I didn’t make much time for the rest of the guys. We didn’t exactly forge the strongest of bonds, so when I left, they probably couldn’t have cared less.
“You must not have seen Suzie, then,” I say, “because he was all about it.”
“Oh, I saw Suzie.” She snorts. “Wolf wasn’t going to touch her.”
I narrow my eyes. “He all but stuck his dick in her onstage, and they were on their way to his tour bus.”
Melanie rolls her eyes. “I’m not convinced. We were out last night, and the hottest chick any of us had ever seen straddled him in the club. I swear, I even got a boner watching her.”
“I do not want to hear this, Mel.” The knots in my stomach twist and tighten.
She laughs. “Let me finish. He couldn’t get her off of him fast enough. Sure, he checked out her rack, but it did nothing for him, at least not enough to bone her. He left. Alone.”
“Really?” It’s been my worst fear, the fact that Wolf would eventually move on. I’d hoped I came back in time before anything happened, but after seeing him with Suzie, my hopes definitely faltered.
“Really.” She nudges my shoulder. “The band is calling him ‘broke dick.’ ” She giggles. “Hedge tried to pick up the chick after he dumped her off his lap, but she was so pissed she rejected him.” There are tears from laughter in Melanie’s eyes, and I have to say, it helps a little.
I smile. Not because of Wolf’s new nickname, but because I feel even more confident that we can fix what I broke if he hasn’t touched anyone else. We can get back to what we were. We have to. I just need to get him alone first.
“C’mon, hang out with us. We all missed you, and it’s the last night we can hang out before Florida.”
“Will you be in Florida, too?” I ask, surprised. I thought it was just a band thing.
Melanie’s eyes widen. “Oh my God. Wolf rented the biggest house. You know about it, right? We’re all going. You have to stay with us.”
“In the house?” I ask and then shake my head. The tour company called me before I got to the concert and told me they needed me in Miami with the band. “No. I’m staying in a hotel. I wasn’t going to go at all, but the tour company would rather me be close to the band, prepping for Europe.”
Her eyes sparkle with mischief. “We’ll see about that.”
“What do you mean?” I nudge her.
She shrugs. “Just that I highly doubt you and Wolf can be in the same city and not find your way back to each other. At least, I’ll be surprised if you don’t. Anyway, come hang out tonight. We always do an all-nighter on the last night. It’s tradition, and you’re part of our dysfunctional family now whether you like it or not. We’ll be at the hotel in an hour and then we’re partying. C’mon.”
I groan but decide she’s right on all counts. I’m part of this group whether Wolf forgives me or not. My time spent with them will be much more enjoyable if I make some friends.
We arrive at the next hotel, and Doug’s already there with our hotel room key cards. So strange to be on the receiving end of this. It’s also
the first time I’ve seen him since I got into town.
“Good to see you, darlin’.”
We hug for a long time, mostly because he won’t let me go, but his embrace also feels nice. “Good to see you, too.”
He pulls away first, smiles, and leads me toward the elevator. “Glad to see you and Wolf were able to speak civilly to each other.”
I cringe. “Don’t start.”
He chuckles. “I’m just giving you shit. It was pure entertainment on the bus with Crawley after that. Wish you could have been there to see it. The prick isn’t even staying on Wolf’s bus anymore, but he was so pissed he rode along just to let Wolf have it.”
Groaning, I push the button for the sixteenth floor and fold my arms. “I’m surprised Crawley’s still here after everything.”
“Well, rumor has it he won’t be around for long. But I’d stay clear of him if you can.”
“Ha, that won’t be a problem. I’m just a ride along now.”
I have no intention of getting anywhere near Crawley.
On the ride up to our floor, Doug drops a bombshell on me. “Looks like I’ll be headed out after tomorrow’s show. They need me on Tony’s tour. Wright thought it would make you happy to have your job back.”
“What?” Why wouldn’t Wright call to tell me that? After the yelling match between us the other day, I was certain the last thing he’d ever do was give me what I wanted. As grateful as I am to have my job back, I’m a little sad to know Doug won’t be around. I was looking forward to spending time with him again.
“Job’s all yours again. There’s something I should tell you, though.” His warning tone hits me in the gut. I’m so over bad news.
“Out with it.”
He gives me a sympathetic look. “Your father will be in Miami.”
“No way.” My jaw drops and I shake my head. “Is that a coincidence?”
Doug shrugs. “Kind of.”
I narrow my eyes at him, pissed because I already know he’s full of shit. “Kind of?”
“He asked about you. I told him where you’d be, and he made arrangements. I just didn’t want you to be surprised. He wants to see you.”
I shake my head. “Doug, seriously? I already have too much drama to deal with right now between coming back on this tour and working things out with Wolf. I can’t spend this time mending my relationship with my father, too. That one goes way too deep. What’s up with everyone lately, anyway?” I uncross my arms and toss my hands in the air. “First Destiny and now Mitch. I just can’t deal with this.”
Doug twists his entire body to face me. “What about Destiny?”
With a half sigh, half groan, I bite my lip. “She played the mom card and asked me to lunch, so I met up with her earlier today. She’s still a bitch.”
He throws his head back and laughs. Doug’s loyalty is only to my father. He hates Destiny as much as everyone else who knows her well enough. “Let me guess. She asked you for a favor.”
I smirk. “Turns out the label is relaunching her career. Rebranding or some shit. She’s looking for new material, and guess who thought we’d make the perfect songwriting team?”
“That woman has some steel balls, doesn’t she? I can’t wait to hear what you said.”
“I told her no, of course. I don’t even know how she found out I was in town.”
We exit the elevator on our floor, and he hands me the folder he’s been holding. Inside is all the room information for tonight’s hotel stay. I could find Wolf’s room and go to him. It might be less destructive if I happen to run into him at the party instead. “All yours now.”
I smile. “Thanks. So, Mitch will be in Miami. You sure?”
Doug walks me to my room and pauses outside my door. “He’ll be at the studio. You know him. He’s not going to push, but he will try to see you. Make time for him, Lyric. He’s your father, and he misses you like crazy. He’s one of my best friends, and your silence is killing him. I get why you hate Destiny, but your father doesn’t deserve the silent treatment.”
“You don’t understand, Doug. It’s all one big ball of pain. The only way I’ve been able to cope with it over the years is by cutting all ties with both of them. The moment I let my father in, I inadvertently let my mother in, too. I need to stand on my own two feet, and I can’t do that with them hovering over me, telling me what I’m doing wrong.”
“But your father would never tell you what to do. He’d never steal from you, Lyric. He’s only ever wanted the best for you, but he would never try to control what that meant to you. That’s all your mother.”
“No, he wouldn’t steal from me, but he’s the one who sent me off to live with the witch. He was too selfish to see how wrong it was.”
Doug nods. “Now that I’ll agree with. He was being selfish, but he wanted what was best for you then, too. Touring with him while you should have been in a real school, making normal friends . . . it wasn’t the life for you. He knew that. He didn’t realize what would happen when he sent you to live with her.”
I push my door open, ending the conversation. “I know. Thanks for the warning. I’m going to get cleaned up and head over to Melanie’s. You going to the party?”
He makes a face and shakes his head. “No, thank you. Those days are over for me. I’m all about the bathrobes and overpriced, late-night room service.”
I smile. “Okay, see you tomorrow.”
He smiles one last time before turning to walk down the hall. “You’re the boss.”
Wolf
It’s midnight when my phone rings as I’m getting out of the shower. I haven’t attempted sleep. As soon as we arrived at the hotel, I ran to my room, changed, and went to the gym. I knew there would be a party and Lyric would probably be there, so I declined Melanie’s invite. I just need to stay busy. Knowing she’s here is enough for me right now. Building the courage to actually talk to her is a whole other story.
I ignore the call and immediately get a notification, so I check the text.
Derrick: Where are you? Hedge is trying to shove his tongue down Lyric’s throat.
What the fuck? All of my calm instantly goes out the window, and I’m forced to throw on a pair of shorts and a shirt. That didn’t take Hedge very long. I knew he had the hots for Lyric, but there isn’t really a girl he doesn’t try to bone if given the opportunity.
I fly down the hall and pound on the door with the chain bracelet around the doorknob—a signal among our group notifying others that there’s a party taking place. Someone finally opens it. I’m too blinded by my rage to notice who. I push my way through the crowd and two adjoining rooms to find her. She’s there, leaning against the headboard of one of the beds, knees up, a red cup in her hand and a smile on her face. Her eyes connect with mine, and I’m unable to pull away. Her smile fades and is replaced with hope. My chest burns with the look she’s feeding me, and I want to reciprocate.
Lyric always looks amazing, but I have a hard time controlling my dick when she removes the makeup and throws on sweats. And that’s exactly how she looks right now. Natural and perfect. And then I remember the bright light of our future that shattered when she got in that car, and thoughts of stripping her down and ravaging her dissipate. I can’t go through that again.
She’s shoulder to shoulder with Terese on one side, Melanie on the other. Hedge, Derrick, and Lorraine are on the bed, too, facing them. Everyone turns to look at me at the same time. Derrick’s eyes go wide when he realizes it’s me. I must look like a freak with my hair still wet and eyes heavy from sleep deprivation. His eyes light up first, and then he smirks. It’s clear he was fucking with me. Dipshit.
The laughter starts. Derrick and Hedge are rolling all over the bed, holding onto each other at my expense. By the look on Lyric’s face, she has no clue what’s going on. But Melanie might because there’s a knowing smirk on her face.
“You asswipes are dead,” I growl. But I don’t pummel them now
; that would put me too close to Lyric. I’ll get them later. Right now, I need a fucking drink.
“Where’s the alcohol?”
Lorraine hops off the bed, and I follow her to the bathroom. She mixes some colorful shit that seems to be all alcohol, thank God, and hands it to me. She’s a good friend. “You okay, buddy?”
We knock cups together out of habit, and then I take a gulp of the drink, wince, and swallow. “Ah, shit. What is this?”
She chokes back a laugh. “I have no fucking clue. It’s potent though, ain’t it?”
I shake my head and take another drink, opening my throat so it’s more like a gulp. “Perfect.”
Lorraine smirks and walks out of the bathroom, leaving me to myself. Looking back in the mirror, I catch a glimpse of my fucked-up hair and untidy stubble. I run a hand through my hair, knowing there’s nothing I can do about my face now. My brows are pushed together in annoyance. I smooth them out a bit, trying to calm my nerves.
There’s a reason I’ve declined every party invite since Lyric left. Fear of drinking too much and doing something incredibly stupid when my heart still belongs to her. I figured Lyric would be here tonight since she’s sharing the crew’s bus, but it would normally be uncharacteristic for her.
Lyric’s not a party girl. She likes to go out and have drinks on occasion, but to get plastered in a hotel room with the band, crew, and some groupies is not her style. She would much rather curl up in bed, in my arms, and watch a movie. I loved those times with her. When the rest of the world would fade away. Our bubble was safe, perfect.
I know how these douchebags get when they see a pretty girl. And Lyric is off the charts on the beauty scale. I should have gotten here sooner, before any of these dicks got the wrong idea and started hitting on her. I might be angry as hell at her, but Lyric’s still mine.
Now that we’re both here, I’m not sure what to do. Leaving is out of the question, but after our last interaction, being in the same room is probably not the best thing for us.
I slam back the rest of my drink and pour another one. When I walk out of the bathroom, Derrick is making out with Terese. An uncomfortable Lyric is still sitting beside him. Hedge is gone, probably afraid of my fist—which he should be.