Falling to Pieces

by Michelle Louise

  Yep, definitely nervous.

  Turning back to Sawyer I reassure her. “Don’t worry friend, it’s not my first barbeque.”

  “Don’t I know it.”

  A few minutes later he returns. “Okay, here you go.” Chad hands me the darker colored shot. “Now, don’t smell it, just down it.”

  Well, here goes nothing.

  Without a second thought I bring the shot to my lips and down the hatch it goes. As soon as it’s in my throat, I want nothing more than to couch it back up. Never in my life have I tasted something so horrid. Sawyer is patting my back, while i have a hand pressed to my chest trying to ease the sensation.

  “That shit was disgusting. What the hell did you give me?” I ask when I can finally take a breath.

  “It’s liquid cocaine. Taste like ass, but gets the job done, quick.” Chad pauses and winks at me. “Unlike me, where I would take my time and guarantee you would enjoy the way I taste.”

  The second I start laughing the coughing begins again. I can already feel the warmth of the alcohol running through my system. I should probably take it easy after this one.

  “You two are hopeless.” Sawyer states, pointing at the both of us. “And stop encouraging each other.”

  “C’mon friend. Let’s go dance while I still can.” Standing, a little wobbly on my heels, I pass Chad my bag to store behind the bar. “I’ll be back lover.”

  Puckering my lips I give Chad an air kiss, and he rewards me with a sexy smile.

  The band’s equipment is already set up, but the house music is still playing. They aren’t scheduled to go on for another half hour. After a couple songs of dancing, Sawyer signals she is headed to the bathroom. I was going to join her until I heard the beginning of my favorite Nicki Minaj song and I refused to leave this dance floor. The effects of the liquid are causing me to loosen up and my body is moving at its own accord to the beat.

  I am consumed with the music when I feel two hands touch my hips before one arm moves around my front pulling me into the body behind me. I glance down and recognize the tattooed arm, smiling as I turn my body around, still keeping with the beat. My hands reach up and connect around Dave’s neck while I take in his dark stare.

  “Hi.” I say, biting the inside of my cheek, trying to hide my drunken state.

  “Hi yourself. Going hard tonight I see.” Ever notice when you’re drunk and you try to act sober that most of the time you only make it worse. That’s me.

  “Yep.” I say, seeing no point in trying to hide it now.

  Leaning closer, Dave runs his hot tongue down my ear. “You’re coming home with me tonight.” He whispers this statement into my ear, before taking my earlobe into his mouth.

  Jesus, Saint Mary.

  I am pretty sure my legs lose strength because Dave pulls me tighter against him to hold me steady.

  All I can do is nod in agreement. Running my fingers through his long thick hair, I grab ahold and bring his mouth to mine. I went into this kiss feeling in control, but the moment his tongue moves against mine, it’s handed over. A moan escapes me and Dave deepens the kiss, with one arm around my back holding me tight and his other hand tangled in the back of my hair.

  He pulls back slightly, resting his forehead against mine while we are both breathing heavy. “Fuck. We should go. Now.”

  “You still have to play.” I remind him, running my hand up his neck and into his hair.

  “Shit.” He hisses before lowering his mouth back to mine, sucking on my lower lip. “The minute I walk off that stage we are out of here.”

  “Okay.” No argument here.

  “Tonight, I’m going to need you to stay seated at the bar. I am already worked up and with you in front of me I won’t be able to focus enough to finish the set.”

  With his palm resting against my jaw, Dave lightly runs his thumb against my lower lip.

  “Want to sneak off into the bathroom and I can take care of that for you?” I take his thumb into my mouth and caress it with the tip of my tongue.

  Dave’s eyes are nearly black with desire and for a minute I thought he just might take my offer, but instead he pulls his hand away.

  “Fuck.” He cusses, taking a step back, to which I take a step forward.

  I am stopped by his hands, which are gripping my hips. I watch his chest rise and fall with each breath and when I peer up through my lashes and meet his gaze, Dave crashes his mouth to mine again. All too soon, he is pulling away. “Come one, let’s go to the bar.”

  Right now I am unsure if it is the alcohol or if I am merely just drunk off Dave, but I am having a hard time walking. I know that if it weren’t for the arm around my waist holding me up, I would probably be on my ass. Dave is, for sure, the perfect distraction. As long as I can keep my focus on dark eyes, I will be golden.

  Being a gentleman, Dave lifts me up and sets me on the barstool, giving me a quick kiss. It’s then that I remember I am missing my partner in crime.

  Where did that little hussy run off to?

  The question dies in my head once I notice that Preston also seems to be missing.

  “Cheyenne, you wound me! Replacing me already?” Spinning in my seat, I turn to see Chad, hand to his chest, feigning heartache. Dave chuckles behind me and moves closer when I lean back trying to feel him.

  “What happened to the brunette?” I ask.

  “Got her number. Told her I would give her call sometime.” Chad pulls a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolds it. “She wrote it on the back of this receipt. For condoms.”

  I laugh so hard I nearly fall of the stool, had it not been for Dave’s vice grip. That is awesome. “Well at least the girl is prepared.”

  “So what are you doing with this asshole?” Chad asks nodding his head towards Dave behind me.

  “Fuck you dickhead. You’re just jealous that lead singer pulls more ass than a bartender.” Dave laughs, drawing circles with his fingers on my upper thigh. If I wasn’t already aware of the love shared between these two, I might have been worried with their serious tones.

  “Yeah, you’re right. But I am more jealous of you getting my little red devil here.” The guys both laugh and share a bro-moment with a handshake, but I am stuck on two words.

  Little red.

  Two words and my mood plummets. I can’t help but let my mind wonder to where he is right now and what he might be doing.

  Is he out with his friends?

  Is he with a girl?

  The last thought upsets me and I try to shake it out of my head.

  “What can I get you two?” Chad asks thankfully breaking my thoughts.

  “I need another Chad special, please.” I ask, doing my best to bat my eyelashes.

  “That last one didn’t do you in?” I am just as surprised as Chad and shake my head no. “Okay, but only one more and then I am switching you to water. Sawyer has already warned me, and honestly she kind of scares me. How about you man?”

  “Just bring me a Stella. Thanks.” After Chad turns to make my, apparently, last shot, Dave leans down to whisper in my ear. “I think only one more shot is a good idea. I need you to be fully responsive once we leave here.”

  I shiver from the chill that Dave causes to run through me. Maybe I should travel with an extra pair of panties for moments like that.

  “Here you go. This is something I have a good feeling you have experienced before.” Chad gives Dave a look and it seems to be a silent message being conveyed between them.

  Secretive fuckers.

  The shot doesn’t go down as smooth with the carbonated bubbles getting stuck in my throat, but still tastes good. I can detect a hint of sweetness from an energy drink and I know that I have never had this shot before.

  “Oh, and I wasn’t talking about the shot.” Seeing the obvious confusion cover my face, Chad continues. “The shot name is fucked by a rockstar.”

  Dave has one hand splayed against my stomach, holding me to him, while his body shakes from silent laughter
. Looking up, I see his other hand is covering his mouth. Chad is leaning against the wall, with his arms crossed and a cocky smirk on his face.

  “I want to be mad and call you both jerks, but I can’t, because that’s funny shit. I got to give you props, Chad. I think you guys have a new set up for the future. Imagine the tail you could pull with that tag team action.”

  The minute the words leave my mouth, I have not time to recant before the guys have already lost it. “I didn’t mean it that way. Although, that does sound kind of hot.”

  Thinking about both Chad and Dave together, it’s like having the best of both worlds. Chad is light hair and eyes, tanned muscular body, while Dave is dark hair and eyes with a lean tattooed body.

  Oh, the images in my mind right now.

  My stool is spinning and suddenly Dave is right in front of me, bracing himself on the bar with his arms on both sides of me. “I should probably tell you now, I don’t share like that.” He kisses the side of my mouth. “The band is setting up, so you stay here and when you see me drop that mic, be ready, because I am snatching you up and were out of here.”

  “Well you better hurry then, rockstar.” I tease, running my hand under his shirt, tracing his abs. He is looking at me like he might let the band carry on without their lead singer.

  “I take it you must be Dave?” Sawyer giggles from my left and we both turn to see her standing with Preston.

  “I am. And you must be the girl this sap can’t stop talking about.” Dave reaches out slapping Preston on the shoulder before shaking Sawyer’s hand.

  “Well, at least I hope so.” Sawyer teases, but we all know there isn’t another girl Preston would be talking about. “I am also that one’s best friend and roommate.” She says titling her head towards me.

  “Ah, yes the third amigo. You weren’t around last weekend when I met the girls.”

  “No, and I am the sane one. I apologize that you got stuck meeting the crazies and I am sure they were full force last week being out on their own.” She isn’t lying. Sawyer often is the one to reel us in when we get wild.

  “I don’t know just how crazy they can get, but I assure you they were on their best behavior. Well, accept for this one and her ability to attract preppy douchebags.”

  “I would like to say that it was a rare experience, but that would be a lie. It happens a lot.” I joke, knowing he meant the incident with Sean last Saturday.

  “I like you, Dave.” Sawyer says giving Dave her nod of approval and taking the seat next to me

  A tapping on a microphone grabs Dave’s attention as a reminder that he is needed on stage.

  “I gotta run, but it was very nice meeting you,” he grabs Sawyer’s hand and gives a light squeeze, “and you, I will see very, very, very soon.” Each very is accentuated with a quick kiss before he runs to the stage.

  “So, I was going to offer to have Preston drop you off at the apartment since I was going home with him, but I gather you have other plans?” she asks.

  “Yeah. Big plans alright.” I say, just as the strum of a guitar pulls my attention to the stage.

  I try to recall just how many songs are typically in a Knucks Road set. It seems that they would usually play a little over half an hour. I only hope that within that time my mind doesn’t wonder into forbidden areas.

  It’s possible that Dave cut out a few songs, because before I know it he is done singing.

  True to his word, he drops the mic and jumps off the stage stalking towards me. Chad passes me my bag over the bar and I give a quick goodbye to Sawyer before I am wisped into the air and over Dave’s shoulder. Bracing my hands on his back, I lift my head to witness the amused faces of Chad, Preston, and Sawyer. The cold air hits me as we make it out the door and I slap Dave’s ass.

  “Keep that up and we won’t make it out of this parking lot.” The serious tone in Dave’s voice only turns me on even more.

  He slowly slides me down his front until I am standing between him and a vehicle. My hands, wrapped around his biceps, squeeze before running up to his shoulders. Quickly, Dave picks me up setting me on the trunk of a car and moves himself between my legs devouring my mouth.

  Both of my hands are entwined in the back of his hair, holding him close to me and my legs have wrapped themselves around his back. His hands slide up my thighs and I can feel the heat through my leggings. When they make their way to my ass, he grabs ahold and pulls me closer to the edge of the trunk, rubbing his erection against my heat.

  Damn.

  For whatever stupid reason, this reminds me of the many times Sam had me on the trunk of my car which always brought me to the perfect height, allowing our bodies to align. That one thought, and I am instantly flooded with memories of Sam Carter.

  I now find myself wanting to compare every move, every caress, and every kiss to Sam’s.

  What the hell is wrong with me?

  I sure as shit wasn’t thinking about Sam last weekend when Dave, literally, rocked my world. The only thing on my mind then was Dave and all the pleasure he was bringing me.

  Unfortunately detecting my distraction, Dave pulls back and examines my eyes. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” I lock my ankles behind him and attempt to pull him closer, but he resists.

  “I felt you pull away. What happened?” His eyes are full of concern as he tucks my hair behind my ear.

  “Nothing happened. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I look away, unable to hold his gaze, but I already know the moment is broken.

  He taps my thighs and I unlock my ankles, dropping them down over the back of the car.

  Taking a step back, Dave helps me to the ground. “Suddenly, I am in the mood for waffles. How about we hit the all night diner and you can tell me all about him?”

  “Who?” I look up to Dave in shock.

  Did I accidently say Sam’s name in the heat of the moment? Oh my God that would be horrible, but I wouldn’t put it past me.

  With a kiss to my forehead, Dave grabs my hand and leads me to the passenger side of the car. I was glad to know it was at least his property we almost defiled.

  “The guy that was on your mind and stole your attention away from me. I felt it the second it happened.”

  “I’m sorry, Dave.” I begin.

  “No. No need for apologies. I get it. We’ve all been there. But I must say, you are the first girl who I caught thinking of another guy while making out with me.”

  “Ouch, does it hurt?” I laugh, appreciating him making light of the situation.

  “Little bit.” Holding his thumb and pointer finger close together he confirms his ego will be all right. “Now how about those waffles?”

  “Sounds amazing.”

  The waffles do sound amazing, but telling Dave about Sam…

  Not so much.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “So what is your story, Cheyenne?” Dave asks, and my eyes widen as I watch him drench his waffles in maple syrup. He already loaded them up with butter.

  I stall, taking a slow sip of my mediocre cup of coffee that has been loaded with sugar and cream, in an attempt to better the flavor. “Well, there really isn’t much to tell.”

  “Listen, don’t let this bad-ass exterior fool you.” Dave says, moving his hand up and down his front. “I am actually a big softy and a really good listener. I know there is a story in there somewhere, and my guess is that it revolves around a guy. So, lay it on me.”

  I laugh, but part of me is drawn to Dave and I trust that I could tell him things and not be judged. Sawyer has always been the one that I leaned on and tended to get advice from. I have even confided in Becka from time to time, but neither one really understood where I was coming from with my reasoning for not wanting to be in a relationship.

  “Okay, fine.” I give in, reluctantly. “But I am only giving you the cliff-notes.”

  Raising my brow, I take another sip of my coffee and Dave nods for me to continue. “His name is Sam and we met in hi
gh school. He was the guy who changed everything for me, but again, as with most everyone else in my life, he let me down. I had lost the little bit of faith that I had in him and I now refuse to get close to anyone. He has still been in my life throughout the years, but moved out of state for school. This has worked well for us, but he decided to finish out his last year here, which I was unaware of until last night after running into him.” Pausing in my story, I inhale deeply, focusing on my hands that are wrapped around the dingy coffee cup.

  When I notice that Dave had yet to say a word, I look up and meet his gaze. “So what happened? How did he let you down?” he finally spoke.

  “Why do you want to know all this? I am sure there are plenty of other things you would rather be doing. I bet there are girls lined up somewhere just waiting for you to take them home.”

  “Yeah, you are probably right about the girls. But you’re wrong about me wanting to be elsewhere. Have you forgotten that I declared you my new best friend the night we met?”

  I shake my head, recalling that night and what brought on his declaration.

  “Considering we were drunk and I had just introduced you to the back of my throat, I hadn’t really taken you seriously.”

  Placing his hand over his heart, Dave feigns hurt causing me to roll my eyes. “Oh, I don’t kid about my best friends. The moment I met you and your take-no-shit attitude, I knew we would be great friends. Your little talent though, that just sealed the deal.” He gives me a cocky smirk after filling his mouth with a bite. I swear he has already consumed most of the waffle after merely taking three bites.

  “Of course it did.” I laugh and thank the waitress when she refills my coffee, not that I really need any more.

  “You’re getting me sidetracked. Back to the topic at hand, what happened?”

  “I found him with another girl.” I explained, keeping it short and simple.

  “Ouch. He cheated on you?” Dave asks in disbelief. Sometimes I wish it were that easy.