by Denise Marie
They all scratched or rubbed their tired eyes, and shoveled food into their mouths. “Did we miss a party?”
“Hell yes.”
Everyone laughed when Zander spoke, and spit food all over the place. He shrugged his shoulders as if to say I’m a man, I can’t help it.
“So, have you guys played in New York before?”
Brett, Zander, Drew, and Cole all froze mid-chew. “Hell yeah. New York is a regular reunion, isn’t it Cole?” Derek winked at Cole, not as affected by her question, and more interested in the last piece of bacon. Cole kicked him under the table.
“Ouch.”
Fuck.
He had to change the topic fast. A quick glance around the table resulted in worthless shrugs, so he huffed and dropped his plastic fork in his plate. The guys made it clear they were more interested in their food than any attempt to bail him out.
“You guys packed, because we have to get going.” He stood up, threw the food on his paper plate in the trash, and headed back to his bunk. He stopped just past her, paused, and then took a step back to kiss the top of her head on the way by. “We usually play there once a year. It’s no big deal. Thank you for the breakfast, babe.”
****
Every sound echoed on the way to the airport. She sat in the middle of the large tour van, stared down at their joined hands, concerned. Many sights she would, on other days, be hypnotized by, passed without a peek. She didn’t want him to leave, not upset. “You okay?”
Too late for an answer; they’d arrived. He opened the door and leaned back to suggest she go ahead of him. A slap, followed by a mumbled, asshat, sounded behind her. She peeked in time to see Derek rub the back of his head.
The swarm of fans in the waiting area made the issues left unspoken, impossible to address. She let it go. He never left her side. In fact, as much as it was allowed, he held her. He shook hands and autographed with his arm around her waist. This also meant she appeared with him, in many pictures. He seemed happy about that.
“Who’s the chick?” One fan yelled, followed by many others curious glimpses.
“Our good luck charm.” Derek called out from the side of the crowd. He offered a kind nod to Derek that she didn’t understand, but his grip on her hand relaxed.
She needed the next half hour to go by fast, missed the power of girl talk. Their boarding call blared over the intercom. She let out a somewhat relieved breath. Drew, Brett, and Zander kissed her cheek as they passed, and all of them said, “Have fun with the girls.” A rush of warmth spread through her.
“I could use a little luck.”
She jumped when the fan piped in, forgetting they were surrounded. He spun her to face him and wrapped his arms around her waist. He made it known her eyes were the only ones that mattered to him. “Find your own good luck charm, buddy, mine is one of a kind.” He kissed her with a passion she could only label as love. A mixture of whistles and negative comments echoed.
It didn’t feel right. She shouldn’t let him put himself on display like this. It wasn’t a forever kind of thing. She tucked her arm up between them and guided him back with a smile, to be discreet. “You should go. Don’t want to miss your flight. Have fun in New York.”
He stiffened. “One night, baby, I’m coming back to you.”
What’s so wrong with New York, and why did that sound strange? She stared as he handed the lady his pass and continued, with his head down.
A large man stepped up beside her. “Hi Ms. Chambers, I’m Kevin. Cole assigned you to my security detail while he’s away. You’ve been seen in public a lot. He doesn’t want you going anywhere without me while he’s gone.”
“Hello, Kevin.” It would have happened sooner or later.
She sat down in the row of chairs and tapped her foot. Kevin’s presence was new, uncomfortable. It would take some getting used to. Until then, she needed a distraction. The girls’ phones would be off, so she couldn’t text. She searched her bag, got out her journal, and set it open in her lap. It’d been handier than she imagined. Whispers from the crowd around her faded while she wrote. The night before, the words, would take more than a journal entry to process but she had the time.
“Well isn’t this a heartfelt hello. We were under the impression that you missed us?”
The sound of Katherine’s voice was heaven to her ears. She shoved her diary in her bag and ran to them. They screeched with joy and jumped up and down while they hugged. The anxious flutter in her stomach vanished and she closed her eyes. Calm.
“Let the hot mess festivities begin. Whatever we do, Izzy, I want details, all of them.” Taryn captured her in another hug. “Missed you.” They all linked arms and left the nosey onlookers behind.
Placed at the end of their chain, she used her free hand to fan her face. “Oh yes. Details.”
The giggles continued, all the way back to the bus. She raised her hand, to show them around, when a piece of paper with her name on it caught her eye. She picked it up, opened it.
Hey Baby,
Have a fun day, well, not too much fun. I’m sure Kevin has already introduced himself. You are not to go anywhere without him. Derek will drive you everywhere. I mean it. In order to ensure you and the girls have a stress-free day I have taken the liberty of making a few arrangements for you. At 3 o’clock Derek will take you to your appointments at a local, award-winning, tattoo parlor. Be brave, baby. I can’t wait to see it. You should have time to come back to the bus and get ready afterward, for your 7 o’clock dinner reservations at Zander’s favorite place in St. Louis. Let me know what you think? Your names are all on a VIP list at the most popular club in the city. If you have taken meds, no drinking. Miss you already…
Love, Cole
Also, Katherine, Abigail, and Taryn,
Welcome. I am sorry I haven’t had the chance to meet the ladies who have encouraged this beautiful woman to become a part of my life. I will be forever in your debt. Take care of her for me and please, make it a good one.
Cheers, Cole
“Aw.”
All three girls cooed in unison.
They hugged her from behind as she wiped a tear from her cheek. She squirmed out of their embrace. “The bar is stocked, Taryn. Drinks.”
She made the tour quick, to avoid their curious stares. They would be able to read the desperation in her eyes. She was in over her head, just a little. Taryn got to work on the drinks, no different from any other girls’ night at home, and they sat in the lounge at the back of the bus. The guys weren’t there but she still sat in her spot.
The door of the bus opened. “I’m just going to hang out in the other bus, honey. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
“Okay, Derek, thanks.”
Abigail smiled with her head cocked to the side. “Have them all wrapped around your finger, don’t you?”
Everyone covered their silent laughs to avoid a sweet liquid shower. She shrugged her shoulders and took a rather large sip of her drink. “Mmm. Oh, Taryn, I have missed your skills.”
“Spill, Izzy.”
She smiled. Just like home. “Spill what, Abigail?” Bluffs never worked well for her. She choked on her drink in the process. “Okay, okay. The only things left on my list are a tattoo, fly a plane, and bungee jump. We would have done the jump yesterday but I wasn’t feeling well. Anyway, what do you want to know?” If she rambled fast, maybe they’d overlook questions about her health.
“If you don’t give us the sex details, we may combust from anticipation.”
Katherine, the ever so clever one, helped avoid the topic, too. She swayed toward her and mouthed the words, thank you, before she scanned the group of eager women.
“Mmm, the sex.” She closed her eyes. Thinking about it made heat rise to her skin. “It’s amazing, hot, wild and…” She lowered her attention to the drink in her hand and played with the tiny pink umbrella. One from the pretty package he’d scowled at her about making him carry this morning at the store, but
her hands were full. “Uninhibited.”
“OK, all I want to know is how many of them have you seen naked? Scratch that. I may want to know more, no promises.” Taryn laughed.
“Cole of course, and…Drew.” She peeked up, needed to see their faces. Just what she expected, jaws were dropped, speechless. For the first time ever, the envy in their eyes was directed at her.
“I think I’m going to faint. Seriously?” Abigail waved her hand over her face.
Her gaze roamed about the group of women she found to be her extended self until him. Each of them held a place in the world but as a group, they were one, a bond. His presence in her life though, completed it.
“Oh. My. God. The tattoo. I take it you’ve had the pleasure every woman’s dreamed about? Katherine grabbed onto the closest hand for support. Taryn’s. They stared.
“Yes. It is uh-ma-zing.” She fanned her face. “The dragon wraps around his waist and down his,” With her eyes closed, she fell back into the cushions. “Tight. Thigh. Beautiful.” She left out the part about the scripture, his twin sister. It wasn’t her story to tell.
“Wow.” The room quieted and everyone nodded in silent agreement.
“Time to head out, sweetheart.” Derek’s call for the girls was not at all the intensity he used for the guys.
“Let’s go. Or have you changed your minds?” She widened her gaze and stood with her hands on her hips.
“Love from Cole, honey and sweetheart from Derek?”
“Be right out,” she shouted toward the door and then cocked her head to glare at the girls.
Katherine’s eyebrows rose, but the concern behind her smile, evident. She shook her head and held up her hand. “Don’t. They are a bunch of charmers, that’s all.” The girls followed her off the bus, sure to stare at her back and each other.
On the way to the tattoo parlor she described the idea she and Cole spoke about last night, a heart overlapped with an infinity symbol, on her shoulder blade. They loved it. Through thick and thin, they were there, friendships that would stand the test of time. Water formed in their eyes, so she shifted her attention out the window. If they kept this up, the night would become a blubbering mess rather than the wild one she needed.
****
“Say sexy bitches.”
They stood side by side, held their shirts in front of them and peeked back over their bare shoulders, at the camera. They did it. She needed another drink, several really. The emotions that welled up in that moment got to her. The wonderful and talented artist handed her phone back with the picture displayed for her to see. The girls bumped shoulders, and stared at it with hushed appreciation.
“We are sexy bitches. Send a copy of that to all of our phones will you please?” Abigail tugged her shirt back in place.
“Send it to Cole.” Taryn laughed and followed suit.
Good idea.
She and Katherine rushed to get dressed. Her fingers tapped at the keyboard on her phone with jittery anticipation, until the picture uploaded to the message that was sure to leave him restless.
Hey handsome. Do any of the groupies compare?
Send.
It was still early, but he should have his phone on him. She checked her watch. Maybe in sound check? Her phone beeped. Taryn, Abigail, and Katherine crowded her to see his reply, a picture of him, Drew, Zander, and Brett with their jaws wide open.
Holy fuck, that’s hot. Hope you don’t mind if I use that later. Glad you’re having fun with the girls. I miss you…lots.
She smiled.
“Okay, okay, let’s get going. I am sure the plans for the rest of the evening are going to be as fabulous as this tattoo parlor, so let’s live it up.” She ensured Taryn still showed enthusiasm for the night’s plans. She did. Her day-to-day life involved the bar scene, yet the idea of it didn’t appear to grow tiresome for her.
They bounced to the counter to pay, not able to withhold an occasional peek at each other’s tattoo, but were waved off. Instead, the young woman behind the counter handed her a familiar piece of paper with her name on it. The heat of female bodies crowded her.
Hello Beautiful,
You did it. I am so proud of you. Okay, so part of me can’t wait to see it as I pound into you from behind…hey, I am a guy.
She cringed at the female shrieks but she continued reading.
I feel pride knowing I helped mark you in a way that won’t fade…like my others.
She smiled when the girls gasped behind her.
“You are wild.” She tilted her head toward Katherine’s hand, which squeezed her shoulder from behind.
I am sure it is as stunning on you as all the wild women probably surrounding you right now.
The noise in the parlor silenced except the echo of the girls’ laughter.
Please continue to have a great night and know I am the lucky one, to have met you. I have taken care of the bill, enjoy.
Love, Cole
“Wow.”
She couldn’t come up with any other words. She didn’t want to have any regrets but she did, not telling him. She’d taken the coward’s way out and whispered it to him while he slept. She stared at the letter. The weight of her phone caught her attention. She had an idea; it would be a start. After she stuffed the letter in her purse, she held her phone up in front of her.
You are quite the brash talker Mr. Davies…and charmer. Thank you, from all of us lucky ladies. I miss you too.
Love, Isabelle
That would have to somehow translate into what she intended to say. She bounced back to her friends. “Let’s get this party started.”
****
Of course, like women who haven’t seen each other in a long time, preparation for the evening took a little longer than anticipated. They were late for their reservations. She hated to be late.
“Come on.” She shoved her arm through Katherine’s and increased their stride through the restaurant door. In Tampa she would have been nervous to show up an hour late for reservations; in St. Louis however, nothing but approachable smiles and “don’t worry about its” were expressed. The restaurant was filled with very richly dressed individuals, not a place she could see a group of tattooed, pierced men dining at. What brought Zander here? The hostess showed them to their private, large, circle booth in the back.
“Wow. This place is amazing.” She grinned with appreciation at Abigail. Her job involved a lot of travel and fine dining, therefore any compliment from her said something.
Before they could raise their menus, a beautiful server stood at their table. She offered each of them a flute filled with fizzy pink liquid and purple umbrellas out the top. Isabelle’s glance fell to the recognizable piece of paper on her tray. “I’m Julia. I will be taking care of you ladies while you’re with us. Please let me know if there is anything you need.” She handed the paper over and passed around the drinks. “I will be back in a moment to take your orders.” She glanced at her with a curious sparkle in her eye. “Enjoy your evening.”
The paper tapped loud against the tabletop, while she waited for the waitress to get far enough away from their table. This was getting a little weird. No one touched their drinks, just waited. She opened the piece of paper.
Hello my love,
Her heart pounded hard, she could hear his voice along with the words.
I hope everyone is treating you well. This restaurant has come highly recommended by Zander. His family has vacationed in St. Louis over the years and he was very excited to have you come here. He is fond of the food. Although, I am sure it probably has something to do with the pretty women. This round of drinks was his idea too. I always thought he was a little girly. Don’t tell him, please.
I hope your shoulder isn’t too sore, and heals fast. I can’t wait to touch you, I mean, it. I have been ordered to tell you the Head Rush dessert is a must, so save room.
Katherine, Abigail, and Taryn
Please hold her steady…are you? The server has my information. Ple
ase enjoy any and all extravagant delights…on me.
She opened her mouth to protest when Abigail did what he asked, and placed her hand on Isabelle’s shoulder. “Honey, why not? He cares for you, obviously a lot. That’s what people do for each other. Just go with it and enjoy, please?”
She took a deep breath and rolled her eyes. She couldn’t win with everyone ganging up on her.
I know, I know. Just go with it, sweetie, for me? I have a pouty face on right now, in case you were wondering. I am sure I am sweating my ass off right now on stage and I don’t want to be distracted wondering if you are enjoying yourself. There. How was that for a guilt trip?
See you soon. Not soon enough…
Love, Cole
XOXO
She folded the paper, placed it on the bench seat beside her, and took another deep breath. She lifted her head to the excited gazes of true friendship, the kind you were lucky to experience once in a lifetime. There was no way she could contend with them all, so she raised her hands and rubbed them together. “Let’s see what’s yummy.”
The service was impeccable. Julia catered to their every need, and Zander couldn’t have been more accurate, the Head Rush, well, just that.
Derek drove the limo, without a doubt, aware of Cole’s plans. She scanned the car, beyond the women in the seats, to the story of fulfillment behind it all. If she folded her arms around herself she’d hold in the emotions that filled her, not rub them away for a change. Everyone talked with smiles a mile wide. There wasn’t anything left undone, she could just sit back and enjoy her time with the people who helped make her the woman she was.
Taryn gave them all a wild update about the most recent public catastrophe that took place at the bar. The vibration in her pocket distracted her, and since everyone else was with her, it was him.
We’re on our way out for the encore. Don’t be mad at me…remember how my dad raised me?
Cole.
She didn’t respond, just tucked the phone back in her purse, and stepped out of the limo when it slowed to a stop at the curb. A long line up blocked the door to the modern, two-story club, but no, they didn’t have to wait. Thanks to his VIP treatment, they were able to go right in, to another reserved table. Of course, a note sat right in the center of the table. She picked it up, and squirmed with uncomfortable delight when the girls made jokes about his devotion.