by Amy Davies
“You need to walk into the store, baby. My self-control is wearing thin.” She giggles. I have never heard Lucy Cooper giggle. I can’t help but let a little laugh out also. I place my mouth to her ear, “Don’t laugh, baby. I would be more than willing to take you right here, right now against the window. What do you say to that?”
Lucy licks her lips and I groan. “I need to get to work, Rafe. I’m glad I could help you out with Milly and Mia.” She slides to the side and heads for the door leading to the store. I see a small tattoo on the back of her neck, just below her hairline. It’s a black peace sign with a small blue butterfly in the center, with what looks like the letter ‘S’ just hanging off of it. I will have to find out about that tattoo. It looks as if it has a deeper meaning, just like my own tattoo.
“I will see you later, Rafe.” She smiles and heads inside. I chuckle, and since I’m a Phoenix boy, I have to have the last word, so I follow her to the door. I lean into the door and I smile at the looks on the freaky twins’ faces.
“Hey, Luce. I will pick you here after work, yeah?” She bites her damned lip and nods. “Okay, because, baby? We need to finish what we started out here. I’m all fired up now.” I bring my hand down and adjust my dick in my pants. I smirk at Lucy and catch the sisters watching my hand and licking their lips. I quickly pull my hand away and a shudder runs through my body. I blow a kiss to Lucy then turn and walk down the street feeling quite pleased with myself. So happy I don’t have classes today. I might just go and visit Mama Phoenix.
I walk back to Lucy’s apartment to get my car. THE car. I worked on her with my dad. He bought me a 1971 Dodge Challenger, black on black. My baby. I pull up at ‘Phoenix Records’, the record label started up by my parents. It was my dad’s way of staying in the industry but not being over worked. Also, Black Angel wanted to enjoy their children and not miss out on anything. It was a good way to get all us rock kids involved in music too, both up front and backstage. I climb out of my car and see Frankie having a smoke by the back entrance. He is a bit of a prick, not many people like him. We just tolerate him because Frankie is the son of Black Angel’s front man Scar, aka Mike Freeman. He sees me coming towards him and smiles a fake ass smile. We all just get along because it’s easier.
“Yo, Rafe, how you been keeping my man?” He blows out a big puff of smoke while he speaks.
I cringe at the smoke. Even though Inside Noise performs at clubs and pubs, smoke still bothers me, which is why I don’t smoke. Only Reeve does. “Nothing much man, just school and the band, ya know. What’s up with you, Frankie?” I keep walking towards the door, hoping that he doesn’t follow me in.
“Not a lot man, just chilling taking it all in. Hey, I saw you last night at Max Point. You really fucked that piece of ass over man. Did you fuck her and leave her or something? Because she looked pissed.” I can feel my blood boil in my veins.
I grab him by his shirt and jerk him towards me “Now you listen to me, you fucking piece of shit. You ever talk about her like that again and I will beat you senseless, do you hear me, Frankie? I swear to God that all you’re daddy’s money won’t be enough to fix this pretty little face of yours. Got me?” I say slapping his face a little. He flinches away and nods. “Good, now get the fuck out of my sight.” I release him and head inside. I hear Frankie’s car start up and speed out of the record label’s car parking lot. I turn and head in through the door to find Mom, Brax and Nix. Uncle Nix is my dad’s little brother; he hates his given name of Darryl so we were brought up calling him Uncle Nix, short for Phoenix. My mom’s little brother Braxton is our security guy when we do a gig. I find my mom, Nix and Brax sitting in her office. I enter the room and they all turn to look at me. Brax speaks first.
“Hey, Rafe. You just getting home? Because there is no fucking way in hell that you would be up this early in the morning.” Everyone laughs because they know it’s true. I love my sleep, what can I say, but also I do stay out all night if the girl is hot enough.
“Fuck off Brax. I slept in my own bed last night, not that I wanted to.” I wink at him and he laughs.
“Watch your mouth, Rafe!” Mom shouts at me. Hayley Phoenix is a pretty laid back mom but when she needs to step up and be a mom she will and you had better watch out.
I shrug, “Sorry mom.” I walk over to her and kiss her cheek. “So, what’s happening today?” I ask, as I take a seat next to Nix on the black leather couch next to my mom’s desk.
“We were just talking about the gig you boys did last night at Max Point,” Nix raises an eyebrow at me, in the all-knowing way. Yeah, they knew about Lucy too. Fuck!
“Yeah, what about it? It was a pretty decent crowd. A few regulars, some newbies. I talked to Max and he wants more merchandise, as he is selling pretty fast, which is a good thing. I have also I come up with some new stuff we can sell. I believe Reeve took some redhead home and Ryder just said he wanted to go home and crash. Why, what did you guys hear?”
They all look at each other but I settle my eyes on my mom. She gives me a little smile, “Rafe, honey we know Lucy was there and you caused a bit of a scene. You called her out and she left in tears. What were you thinking, Rafe? Why would you do that?” I shake my head and shuffle forward and rest my elbows on my knees and place my head in my hands.
“Yeah, Lucy was there. She came with Maisey and Gunner. She lives with Maise. I was shocked to see her and all these feelings came flooding back and I couldn’t stop myself. But I called her out and she came up to the stage and by the look on her face I thought we might be friends but she told me that me and boys should forget that we ever saw her and...” I take a deep breath. “I don’t know. Something just snapped inside me it pissed me off that after what happened. I kept her secret for fuck sake. So yeah I called her out and humiliated her. Don’t worry I felt like shit after it. That’s why I’m up so early I talked to Monty last night after the gig and a few fuck up’s on my part but I’m not discussing that with any of you” I look at my mom and shrug, she knows us Phoenix boys are not saints.
“I went and saw, Lucy this morning she let me walk to her work so I could apologise for my dumbass behavior. We sorted things out and we are going to be friends. It’s all I can ask for right? I told her I really liked her in high school and that I liked her now, she admitted she likes me too. But I think friendship is better than nothing at the moment” I look back to mom and she is smiling at me, yeah mama Phoenix gets me. Nix and Brax both nod their heads.
“Well, Rafe it’s nice to see you finally man up dude. I mean we all know how you felt about Lucy, shit you crushed hard on her for years. You kept her secret, which is a total sign if respect in our book you know this. But I agree with you on this boy, she needs a friend more than a fuck buddy if you know what I mean” I jump to my feet, why the fuck would he say that to me; he knows how I feel about her.
“What the fuck, Uncle Brax” I snap at him, he hates being called Uncle, they both do. “You know, Snowflake would never be a fuck buddy to me. NEVER.” They all stare at me and I know why. I just called Lucy ‘Snowflake’ in front of them. Not good. I look away and avoid their stares.
“Did you just call, Lucy Cooper ‘Snowflake’? As in...” I nod my head, telling them yes.
“Oh fuck, Rafe. Are you going to tell her or is she gonna have a big surprise when she gets in your pant. Sorry Hayley” I just sit there looking at my chucks.
“When the time comes I will explain it to her okay?” I get to my feet and make my way back to my mom and lean down and kiss her cheek. “I will explain when and if the time comes, OK. I promise mom” I nod to my uncles and leave the office. I need some fresh air. As I walk to my baby, all thoughts of Lucy fill my head. The way she smiled at me, the way she smelt. Damn that girl smells amazing, fuck I’m getting hard just thinking about how she smelt. What the hell. I climb in my car and crank up the music. Linkin Park’s “Faint” blasts through the speakers. I need a long drive to clear my head. But I know that I will never get Lucy
out of my head, not that I want to but I will try my damned hardest to be friends with her, well until the times comes and we become more.
Chapter 5
Lucy
After watching Rafe walk away, Milly and Mia pounce on me. They are both totally shocked and slightly pissed off that I didn’t inform them that I knew Rafe. They hound me with questions.
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell us you knew Inside Noise? That’s not very friend like, Coop.” I step around them and make my way to the back room to hang up my bag. I turn to head back to the store front and the girls are all up in my personal space. I shrink back slightly.
“I grew up with them but I didn’t know they were Inside Noise until last night. I haven’t seen the boys in a while. What’s the big deal, girls?” I shrug and squeeze past them. I open the till and lift my store ID up and around my neck. I turn to Milly and Mia, who are still staring at me with mouths hanging open. “You will stay like that if the wind changes,” I tell them.
“Did you fuck, Rafe last night? Did you know that they sleep with so many groupies? It’s the Phoenix effect, as Reeve calls it,” Milly kindly informs me. Oh, I know what the boys call it. They used it all through high school, but I managed to keep my feelings wrapped up tightly. Rafe knows I like him but it’s ‘Lucy Time’ for the time being. I’m just not sure how long I can keep it up. We will try the friend’s path, even though I know how hard it’s going to be.
“I didn’t have sex with Rafe, okay? We are just friends, girls. Like I said, I grew up with them.”
Mia chimes in, “So, you didn’t have sex with Rafe?” I shake my head no. Why aren’t they getting this? “Oh that’s awesome, because I wouldn’t want him to use you like the trashy groupie he took back stage last night. She looked well fucked when she came out of that back room. All rosy cheeks and everything.” My blood runs cold through my body. Mia’s statement floors me for reasons I’m not comfortable with. I didn’t see them at the club last night.
“I’m going to sort out the deliveries, you two okay in here?” I don’t wait for them to reply and make my way to sort through the many boxes that have arrived. I sit on the floor staring at the inventory sheet, not really reading it. My vision blurs and I watch as a tear hits the sheet before me. I quickly wipe the tear away. I have no claim over him, even after everything he just said to me less than twenty minutes ago. I try to convince myself that Rafe does really want to be just friends. So in turn yes, he can fuck whomever he wants to and so can I.
The morning goes by pretty quickly and before I know it, Mia is coming to see what I would like for lunch. I tell her I will have my usual of chicken, bacon and mayonnaise wrap with orange juice. I never used to drink OJ much but since I craved it with Shane, I have kept the taste for it. Weird, I know. While I’m waiting for Mia to bring back my lunch I continue with inventory and orders. I hear my phone ping and I know that I have to move to get my phone. Ugh! Note to self; don’t sit on the floors for hours at a time. I dig my iPhone out of my bag and sit on the red Barcelona chair to read my phone, might as well check Facebook and Twitter while I’m here. I tense up when I see who has sent me the text.
Rafe: Afternoon Snowflake. I know we said friends but I can’t get our kiss out of my head ;) Did the freaky sisters say anything?
I ponder whether I should reply or not. Like I said, I have no claim over him, but friends will be hard. That kiss was amazing, the best I have ever had. He tasted so damn good and I suddenly feel my face burn up at the thoughts of Rafe’s hands and lips on me. I shake my head and decide to reply. I need to get him to forget to about kissing me again. Friends and that’s it. Also, friends or not, I will not allow him to parade his fuck buddies in front of me.
Me: Afternoon R, work has been fun. The girls and me had a nice little chat about you and the band ;)
I hit send, not expecting him to reply instantly.
Rafe: Oh yeah, what did they say about us Phoenix boys?
Me: You really wanna know Rafe?
Rafe: C’mon Snowflake, tell me.
Me: Ok. They told me all about the Phoenix effect, how you boys still throw that around your groupies to get them to do whatever you want. You still fucking groupies, Rafe? Friends tell each other everything right?
I sit nervously waiting for him to reply. I change my position on my chair and now sit crossed legged. I roll my neck as I can feel a knot in my shoulder muscles from sitting on the floor looking down. Rafe takes a few minutes to reply. I bet he was thinking of a cover answer. He doesn’t know about me knowing that he is still fucking groupies. Yeah, it will hurt but shit happens.
Rafe: I stopped fucking groupies before school started. It gets old babe.
I snort to myself and shake my head. Fucking liar.
Me: Really?? You don’t fuck groupies anymore? C’mon Phoenix, we are friends you can tell me.
Rafe: Yes!!!! I DON’T fuck groupies Lucy. I haven’t for weeks now. Where is all this coming from?
I go to reply when Mia comes through the door and hands me my lunch. “You okay, Coop? You look totally pissed right now.” I smile.
“No, Mia I’m fine, just checking my Facebook.” She nods and goes back out front. I start to unwrap my lunch and my phone pings again.
Rafe: Lucy, answer me please.
I put my phone on the desk and go about eating when my phone rings. I look at the screen and see Rafe’s name. I really don’t want him lying to me. I mute the call and go back to my lunch. The phone ringing stops and immediately rings again. I spy Rafe’s name and again I mute it. After he tries four times he gives up.
I clean up after my lunch and head out front with The Minnies, as I like to call them. it’s a mixture of their names and the word twinies. We chat with some customers and they tell me their plans for the weekend. They are going to a club that has local bands play all the time. The girls are huge rock band groupies, “but with class”, they say. I am curious to see them in action, so I invite myself along with them and they are well up for the three of us hitting the club. Before I know it, it is closing time, so I ring the last customer up. Then the girls and I clean the store to be ready for the following day. Once the store is cleaned and the money is locked away in the safe thanks to Milly, we head for the door. The girls stand behind me while I set the alarm and lock the door. I turn to say goodbye to the girls and they are staring at Rafe, leaning against his car. I freeze from both Rafe and his car. That car brings back some memories for me. I walk over and stand just to the left of him. “Hi.”
“Lucy,” Rafe says a low toned voice. He looks towards the girls standing behind me. “You gonna introduce me to your friends?” Why is he asking to meet them? I turn to the girls.
“Rafe, meet Milly and Mia. Milly, Mia, this is Rafe Phoenix, bass player of Inside Noise.” I wave my hand between them. Millie steps forward.
“Very nice to meet you, Rafe. We saw you last night at Max Point and can I just say you were amazing as usual. Your music always gets me hot and bothered.” No Shame Milly, her name will be from now on. Mia steps up next and stands the other side of Rafe, as if they are tag teaming him. He looks at me and our eyes lock and he has his signature Phoenix smirk on his face. I clench my jaw and look away. I really don’t want to see him flirt with them. Fuck, I hate that he is making me feel like this. Mia runs her hand down his arm and says something in his ear and he laughs. OK, that’s me, done.
“See you girls tomorrow afternoon,” I say as I walk off towards my apartment. After a few feet I take quick look back and the three of them are still talking and standing very close to each other. I bite on my lower lip so hard that I’m sure I taste blood. I keep walking back to my place and after about ten minutes of walking I hear the rumble of a vintage car and my heart skips a beat but I keep walking. I really don’t think we can even try to be friends. It would hurt and piss me off at the same time to see him with girls draped all over him. I look to the road and see Rafe’s car stop besides me but I don’t stop walking. I
’m almost to my place and I just want to take a hot shower and spent the night with a pint of coconut ice cream. My favorite. I hear the car door open and then slam shut.
“Lucy, wait up.” I keep walking until I feel him grab my upper arm, forcing me to stop. I rip my arm from his grip and turn to him; I can’t keep the scowl off my face.
“What, Rafe?” I fold my arms across my chest, just under my breasts. They push up a little and I see that Rafe takes notice. He just stares at me. I’m so over this shit today. I turn to walk off but he speaks up.
“I thought I was taking you home? But the girls cornered me and you sulked off. What’s the deal, Luce?”
“What’s my deal? Really, Rafe? First of all you lie to me. Then you let the girls grope you, and by the way, they didn’t corner you. You could have said something to them about taking me home. I walked away from you ten minutes ago, Rafe. If you really wanted to give me a ride home you would have said something. I’m fine to walk home on my own. Goodnight, Rafe,” I walk off towards my apartment. I don’t turn back to him, I can’t. I know I’m being really childish right now but I don’t care. I fish my keys out of my bag and open my door. I hear the all too familiar rumble of an engine and rush into my place. I lock the door behind me and drop the keys into the bowl on the table near the door. I hear Monty and Gunner in the living room, talking about the gig last night. Just great, that’s all I need. I know Monty is going to push for details after what happened.