Something for the Pain (Pain #2)

by Victoria Ashley

  I don’t know what the hell is up with me today, but I’m freaking out more than usual. First it was with Ace and now this douche. I really need to get a fucking grip. She’s my best friend not my fucking girlfriend, yet I can’t stop the jealousy as he eyes her up and down, like he wants to see what’s under that little dress of hers. I want to be the only one to strip her of those little dresses she wears.

  Fuck me . . .

  Ignoring the dude’s attempt to talk to her, she walks back over to me and leans down on the bar with a smile. “I seriously love being behind the bar. I really don’t think I can handle being a waitress after this. This is amazing and I barely looked at the clock once. Plus . . . the tips are so much better.”

  “Well I’m sure Dax would be happy to give you anything you ask him for,” I say, before grabbing the new beer as she sets it down in front of me, clenching my jaw at the dick that is now watching her talk to me. Yeah, you better turn the fuck away. “I think your waitressing days are over. You’re killing it behind the bar, Firecracker.”

  “Tripp!” Harley rushes over and grabs Tripp by the waist, then leans her head against her arm for a second. “Holy shit-balls it’s busy as hell today.” She looks up at Tripp to check her out. “Are you good? You’re not going to run into the back and hide in a corner like that Leslie chick did last week, are you? I can’t have that shit.”

  “I’m good,” Tripp says with a huge grin. “I’m loving it behind the bar. I’m not going anywhere.” She looks up at the clock. “Or maybe I am. My shift is almost over.”

  Harley rolls her eyes. “Fine . . . I guess I’ll deal with Mandy for the next two hours, but if she whines I’m punching her in the damn tit.” She reaches for a beer and pops the top off, talking as she walks over to replace some older guy’s drink. “See you guys at Ace’s tonight? I better. I need my girl there. So don’t even think about standing me up. I know if Alex goes . . . you’ll go. So Alex, you’re going.”

  I arch my brows as she gives me the evil eye, trying to intimidate me. “That shit don’t work on me like it may with Ace.” I smirk while taking a swig of my beer. “But our asses will be there anyway.”

  I turn to Tripp and pull her face close to mine with a charming smile. “Want to go to a party with me tonight?” I smile bigger as she grins. “There’s supposed to be this really hot guy there that likes to dance. He’s going to need a smoking hot babe to dance with. Just sayin . . .”

  Tripp’s face turns red as she pulls her bottom lip into her sweet little mouth. There’s my sexy little firecracker. “I suppose . . . I mean . . . I guess I have nothing better to do. Why not.”

  “You can’t say no to me. Just admit it,” I say with confidence, flashing my dimples her way.

  “And that’s exactly why I hate you sometimes, Alex Carter.” She pushes my shoulder and stands up straight. “Give me ten minutes to clean up and close out. Mandy just walked through the door.”

  “I’ll wait for you.” I wink and hold up my beer. “Let the party begin. Tonight is going to be a night to remember.”

  TRIPP AND I SPENT THE last four hours playing pool, darts, and watching TV, while talking about our day to kill time before the party. This might make me sound like a pussy, but I could never get tired of listening to her talk. She’s the only chick that has been able to keep my attention for longer than ten minutes, so I let her talk about her day of bartending for the first time. I love being the first person she tells things to. That’s exactly why we’re as close as we are.

  “What do you think about this dress?”

  I look up at the sound of Tripp’s voice to see her body hugged tight in this little black dress that ends just below her perfectly round ass. Her sculpted legs look even longer with those sexy little stilettos that she’s sporting, and I can’t help but want to back her up against a wall and slip between her legs. Screw the party. We can have our own little personal one right here in the living room.

  This is nothing like the dresses she usually wears, and fuck me, I can’t handle her like this. I’m about to lose my mind with the next little breath she takes.

  “So . . .” she asks. “Is this dress okay? I’ve never worn it before. It’s been in my closet for ages.”

  “It’s perfect,” I whisper, trying to catch my breath. “You make that dress look hot. Really fucking hot.”

  She shakes her head and walks over, stopping a few inches in front of me. “You mean the dress makes me look hot. I guess I agree,” she says with a cute little wink.

  “I meant what I said, Tripp. I always mean what I say to you.” I grab her hip and squeeze while looking her up and down. I hear a small gasp from her as I lean in and run my nose along her neck, taking in her sweet scent. “You smell so fucking good.”

  I pull away and release her hip. I have to before I lose it and take her right here. “I’m driving.”

  She hesitates for a second, as if she’s trying to find air to speak. “Good . . .” She smiles as I guide her to the door. “Then everyone can give us funny looks when we pull up in the grass. I look forward to it every time.”

  “You love it.” I tease. “After you.” I hold the door open and hold her hand up, helping her down the porch steps. “I don’t want you twisting an ankle or some shit in those heels. I’m not saying I wouldn’t carry your ass the whole night, but it may not be as fun for you that way.”

  “Ha! Funny. I know how to walk in heels.” She turns back and glares at me, before letting me help her into my truck. “It’s not my first time wearing these ya know.”

  Ignoring her, I shut her door and run over to jump into the driver’s seat. “I think I would’ve noticed if you had worn those kind of heels before.” I start the engine and pull out of the driveway before I can stop myself and decide to stay in for the night.

  “Not around you,” she says. “But I’ve worn them a few times. Okay, so maybe just once . . . for a few minutes.” I smile over at her in victory. “Whatever. You win. Just drive, Alex.”

  Ace’s house is pretty much packed when we arrive, but Harley is quick at finding us and pulling Tripp away for dancing and a few drinks. I’m standing against the wall talking with Ace, Mason, and some guy that I just met, but I keep looking over to watch Tripp dance. I can’t help it. She’s the most beautiful girl here, and I’ve definitely taken notice, along with every other man crammed tight into this little ass room. Why we’re not all outside I have no idea. . . . Maybe because the girls are in here where the music is.

  “Yo . . . Alex.” Ace snaps his fingers in my face and then pushes my shoulder, but I just look around him, keeping my eyes on Tripp. “Over here. What the fuck, man?”

  I look away from Tripp as soon as she’s done doing this sexy little ass shake and set my gaze on Ace. “Yeah, that tattoo was pretty fucking dope you did earlier. I saw it, man.”

  Ace gives me a shocked look. “You actually heard that conversation?” He grips my shoulder and points over at Harley and Tripp dancing between a few guys that can’t seem to keep their distance. “Those fucking girls, man. They’re looking sexy as all hell tonight. I don’t blame you, man. I don’t blame you at all.”

  I take a quick swig of my beer and pat Ace’s back while handing it to him. “I’ll see your ass later.” I take off walking in Tripp’s direction, unable to hold back anymore. I need that woman in my arms and now. I don’t care if the whole room is watching.

  MY HEART IS RACING, MY cleavage is sweating, and my feet are beginning to hurt, but I can’t make myself stop dancing. For once I am at a party enjoying myself and not even slightly wondering what it is that Lucas is doing. It feels so damn good, because I’m so used to him wandering off and not paying the slightest bit attention to me. I’m here with Alex and I can’t help but to notice that he hasn’t had his eyes on any other girl than me. I realize just how good that feels. Is this what being in a relationship should feel like? If so . . . I want this.

  I take my eyes off Alex for a few seconds, and the n
ext thing I know he’s sliding up behind me and grabbing my hips, dancing with his face along my neck.

  Leaning my neck back, I get lost in the moment, lacing my fingers through his as he moves against me. Our bodies are flush, not even a small inch between us, and I have to admit that I love it.

  We have the eyes of our friends on us, but Alex doesn’t seem to care. Wrapping one arm around my neck and the other just under my breasts, he pulls me closer and runs his soft lips along my neck, stopping at my ear. “Let me see you dance. I love to watch you dance,” he sings in a whisper, sending chills up my spine.

  We stay like this for seconds, or could even be minutes, hell I don’t know. All I know is that I feel sexy and wanted in his arms, and I never want this feeling to end. This is the most intimate form anyone has seen us in, and I notice Harley watching us with wide eyes, making it hard for her to concentrate on dancing with Ace, who has now slipped his way between her and some other guy.

  “I love the way your body moves, babe.” Turning me around in his arms, he wraps both his hands into the back of my hair and grinds his hips against me to the slow rhythm of the music. He slowly runs his tongue over his lips, before pulling the bottom one into his mouth and biting it. “Yeah, baby. Keep moving like that. Fuck me . . .”

  His words heat me, causing my hands to find his chest and slowly explore as he practically makes love to me on the dance floor with everyone watching. “Alex.” I moan. “You’re hard.”

  Grabbing my hand, he rubs it down his chest and abs, stopping on his rock hard dick. He growls when I grab it. “It is . . .” he admits. “That’s what being this close to you does to me.”

  He leans in and presses his forehead to mine, swiping his tongue out and across my lips. Just as I think he’s about to kiss me, Harley screeches next to me, making us both pull apart and flinch.

  “Holy shit! You did it. You two did it and you didn’t tell me.” Grabbing my arm, she pulls me away from Alex. “Sorry, dude . . . but I’ve got details to get out of this one. Go dance with Ace or something.”

  “Fuck . . .” Alex runs his hand down his face and walks through the crowd, making his way over to the drinks.

  I hate seeing him walk away. I wasn’t ready for the moment to end. I almost feel like reaching over and ripping Harley’s left nipple ring out, but I’m a little bit classier than that. “Seriously?”

  “What?” She pulls me over to a quiet area and smiles so big that I think her face is about to split open. “You worked the damn bar with me all day and you couldn’t even tell me. What kind of a friend are you? I’ll answer that for you. A sucky one. Alex is all over you now.”

  “Harley . . . come on. Not right now. I’ll tell you later tonight or tomorrow. I’m trying to enjoy the party.”

  “It was big, wasn’t it? I know it was. I saw that hard-on before he walked away. His pants could hardly contain it.” Harley stops to smile and wave to Olivia from across the room. “Did he give it to you hard? Did he last all night? He did . . . I just know Alex would. What about Lucas?”

  “Harley!” I scream in frustration. She stops and looks at me with wide eyes. “I promise you I will tell you more later. Can we just dance and have fun? I don’t want to think about it right now. Please.”

  She gives me a soft look and huffs. “Alright . . . I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was a touchy subject. Is everything alright?”

  “It’s fine.” I smile, but it quickly fades, becoming replaced with a rush of jealousy when I look across the room and see Alex talking to a beautiful girl with the longest, blackest hair I’ve ever seen. I don’t know her, but from the way she’s trying to rub all over his chest, it’s clear to see that she’s one of his many flings. I swear my heart breaks on the spot.

  I get ready to turn away, but Alex looks over and our eyes lock. Without another word to the girl, he starts heading my direction, leaving her there with her hands on her hips in anger.

  He stops once he gets right in front of me and leans in close to my ear. “Let’s get out of here. There’s somewhere I think we should go tonight.”

  I barely get a chance to answer before Alex places his arm around my waist and guides me through the crowd of people, not bothering to say goodbye to our friends.

  “Where are we going?” I ask as soon as we get outside.

  He smirks and opens the door to his truck, placing his hand on my ass to give me a boost inside. “Monty’s.”

  I smile to myself as he shuts the door and walks around the truck. It’s been a long time since we’ve been to Monty’s at night, and I couldn’t be happier that he wants to take me there.

  Being there is really going to make me fall farther than I already have . . .

  Six 1/2 years ago . . .

  IT HURTS . . . IT HURTS SO damn bad seeing Alex this way. The pain that he must be feeling has me fighting for breath and trying not to get sick. The last few weeks haven’t been easy for him, and there’s nothing more I’d wish for him than to be able to take away all of his agony.

  How can someone be so strong after losing his mother to cancer, his brother to prison, and well his father . . . at his brother’s hands? I hate this so much.

  By the time I get to the top of Monty’s roof Alex is already laying there, looking up at the night sky. His face is still bruised and swollen from that night a few weeks ago, and it only makes me believe more that Memphis did what he had to do. Alex could’ve died that night, and truthfully I don’t think I could live without him.

  Without a word, I rush over to where Alex is laying, position my body next to his, and look up at the same night sky that Alex has probably been staring at for hours. I would’ve been here sooner, but I had to wait for my aunt Tara to fall asleep. I hate that he’s been here alone . . .

  “Alex,” I whisper. “I’m so . . .” I choke on my sobs as they begin to take over. “I’m sorry. Oh my God. I wanted to be strong for you, but I can’t.”

  Rolling over at the same time, now facing each other, Alex wraps his arms around my head and pulls me as close to him as possible. “Shhh . . . I know, Tripp.” He kisses the top of my head, and then his body starts shaking in my arms. “I’m lucky to have you. Thanks for being here.”

  I pull my face out of his neck to look up at him. Instinctively, I reach out and wipe his wet face off with the sleeves of my sweater. “I’ll always be here for you, Alex.” I cry even harder as he tries to hide his face from me. “You’re my best friend, always and forever. Nothing, and I mean nothing, could keep me from being here for you.”

  He smiles through his tears and reaches out to wipe under my left eye. “I know, Firecracker, and you better fucking believe that I’ll always be here for you too. I mean that. Okay?”

  I nod my head before burying my face back into his neck and crying. I cry for him . . . for me, and for his brother that can’t be here for him when he needs him the most. The only person he has now for family is Jack. I know that Jack will check on him as often as he can, but that just doesn’t seem to be good enough for me. I want more for him. I want to be more for him.

  “What are you going to do, Alex?” I ask against his neck that is now wet with both of our tears. “Are you going to live there alone? You can come stay with us. Tara won’t mind. I know it.”

  Gripping me tighter, he pulls me into his chest and kisses my head a few times. “I’ll figure it out. You don’t need to worry about me, babe.”

  “I can’t help it,” I admit. I love you.

  I want to say those words, but don’t. Instead I just lay in silence, listening to the sound of him breathing until he finally falls asleep beside me. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the first time he’s slept in weeks. God, that hurts me so much.

  I promise to never leave Alex alone. I can’t . . .

  JADE COULDN’T HAVE HAD WORSE timing than she did. I tried my best to avoid her, but she just wouldn’t let me get away without at least trying to get me to leave with her. I noticed her when I was dancing with T
ripp, but pretended that I didn’t see her to avoid dealing with her so it wouldn’t make Tripp feel uncomfortable. That didn’t work, because as soon as I was alone she was practically glued to my dick, thinking that she’d have her way with me regardless. Then, as soon as Tripp’s eyes met mine from across the room and I saw that split second of pain and doubt that crossed her face, I knew I had to get out of there and fast.

  There’s really no better place to take Tripp than to our special little spot. When things were shitty for both of us and we just needed to get away and be alone, Monty’s is where we always seemed to end up. It only seems right to go there now and get her alone.

  Tripp smiles and turns up the radio. “Oh my goodness. Remember this song?”

  “Of course I do.” My heart beats faster as I listen to the sound of This Years Love by David Gray playing over the speaker. Looking over at Tripp has my heart beating out of my chest like mad. My mind hasn’t changed about this song and how it makes me feel. It’s fucking beautiful. “And I still meant what I said about singing this to the girl I fall in love with. When I fall in love, she will know for sure.”

  Tripp quickly looks away and pretends to be looking at something out the window. She clears her throat a few times before speaking. “I think I can already see the roof of Monty’s. I didn’t realize you could see it from a few blocks over.”

  I laugh to myself and just go with it, wanting to change the mood as much as she does. “Yeah, neither did I.”

  After pulling up behind Monty’s I help Tripp out of my truck and grip the ladder to the roof right behind her. The whole way up all I can think about is lifting up that little dress and slowly teasing her pussy with my tongue all the way to the top. I’d be sure to catch her when she falls. That’s the one thing I can promise.