Escaping Me

by Cat Mason

  As usual Henry escorts Cam and I to left stage, where we take our places on our stools. I haven’t heard anything from Landon which makes me think that he is going to dodge me. I glance out onto the stage as I listen to the crowd chant for Shaft. This is the biggest venue they have played but they aren’t nervous at all. I watch as the three guys charge the stage as if they owned it. Although in this moment they do. Hunter’s voice surrounds us all as he sings. The crowd goes absolutely wild when Aiden throws his shirt then dives into a drum solo.

  “Aiden motherfuckin’ Chesterfield thumpin’ the skins for you Las Vegas!” Hunter yells into the mic. “Now bend over and grab your knees babe, you’re about to get Shafted!”

  We scream along with the audience as they rock the hell out of the show song after song. Grayson is flawless with every chord. Every time his eyes meet mine he winks at me grinding against his guitar. Memories from the first night I watched him play flood my mind. I mean it’s only been almost two weeks! So much has happened since then that I almost don’t feel like the same person. I feel my old life slipping away almost like I am escaping into this new life I could have. I feel like I can almost grab either one. I can go back to the safe, secure life that I had before. I could go home right now but what would I be leaving behind? Do I want to go back to that or do I want the crazy, fast paced life that I could have with Gray? My feelings for him are growing into things that I never expected. I keep pushing it out of my head but it keeps creeping back up on me more powerful each time.

  I watch as Gray steps up to the mic. This time Hunter and Aiden stay where they are instead of leaving him alone to perform. “Alright, here’s a special treat just for you Vegas.” Gray purrs into the mic. His voice curls around me as if he were speaking only to me. The audience is going absolutely nuts loving the special attention they are getting. “Now usually I play alone when I do a cover but the guys want to help me out tonight.”

  Gray shreds into an intro as Aiden thumps the beat, his leg slamming the pedal so hard I worry it will go through the floor. Gray’s voice comes in just as Hunter carries the bass line. The words to ‘Lifeline’ by Papa Roach hitting me head on as I sit on the stool pinned by Gray’s eyes as he sings. The emotion pouring from his voice about how he pushed out the ones he loved never letting anyone in. How I got to him when he didn’t expect it, shattering all his defenses.

  Cam grabs my hand, “He’s singing to you!” She says jumping to her feet, pulling me along with her.

  Letting go, I scream along with her and the thousands of fans in the audience as they end the song. “Thank you Vegas you fuckin’ rock! Now that we have you all primed ‘n ready how about you give it up for No Approval!”

  Walking over Aiden grabs his shirt then throws it along with his sticks into the crowd. Cam leaps onto Aiden making him wobble back into the wall as she kisses him hard. My phone vibrates in my boot as Gray wraps his arms around me from behind. Leaning down, I rub against him as I slip it from the zipper.

  30 minutes

  @ hotel

  Room 6732

  Gray reads the text over my shoulder as he rolls his hips against me. “You ready then?” He asks, grabbing my hand. “The sooner this shit is talked out…the sooner we get back to my plan for the week.” Of course I know that he is right. I need closure but the fact that Landon and I will be face to face for the first time in days has my stomach churning. I wasn’t very nice to him the last time we were together. I mean yeah, he deserved it but I threw my ring at him, hugged him then told him that he wasn’t welcome in my bed. I can only hope he plans to be civil with me like I hope to be with him.

  Gray and I are silent the entire ride back to the hotel. Henry talks with Hunter about plans for later while Cam and Aiden are attacking each other in the backseat. After we part ways in the lobby, Gray takes the elevator with me to the thirteenth floor where according to the front desk room 6732 is located. Is it a coincidence that it’s the same floor as our room? “She said it’s down at the end of the hall on the left.” Gray says entwining our fingers as we walk.

  At the end of the hall there is an enormous window overlooking the strip with a bench. “Go have a seat. This shouldn’t take long.” I say kissing his cheek.

  He eyes the room where the door stands cracked. “Are you sure you wanna do this alone baby? I’ll go in with you. I won’t say a word.”

  I shake my head. “No. I can do this. I’ll leave the door open too.”

  He slumps to the bench as I walk over and tap on the door. I hear a noise so since he left it open for me I just walk in. “Landon?” I call out from the living room of the suite. I hear a groan from the other side of the door which has to be the bedroom. Is Landon drunk? I hear something slam to the floor jarring me to action. I fling open the door to my own personal naked clusterfuck nightmare.

  Landon is tied to the bed as some blonde is riding him like the damn rodeo clown her makeup suggests that she is. I watch in horror as Tad eyes meet mine. His smile meets his eyes as he thrusts into her ass making her scream. “See Landon, Daisy can’t give you what I can. She doesn’t want anything to do with our relationship does she? She couldn’t be a part of this.”

  “No I can’t.” I shout from the door making everyone jump except Tad. “Landon you bastard! Why did you even ask me to come here?” I scream. “Haven’t you proven your point? Luckily my heart can’t be broken by you.”

  Landon’s eyes fly open in shock as he sees me. The woman’s hands are running along his chest as he stares at me. “Daisy! No. This isn’t what you think?” He shouts, yanking at his restraints, the headboard rattles as he tries to get free from underneath them. Tad doesn’t stop he just slams into her again. She loses her balance falling into Landon’s face. “Fuck! Let me up damn it! Tad!”

  “Go straight to hell Landon. I never want to see you again.” I shout forcing myself not to be sick at the sight of yet another betrayal. I slam the door behind me as Landon screams for me to stop. Running up the hall my rage blurring my vision. I just need to get away from here. Away from them. I don’t even see Grayson when I crash into his chest so hard that I nearly fall.

  “What the fuck did he say to you? I’ll kill that son of a bitch.” Gray roars sounding murderous.

  “Get me out of here.” I manage to stutter through my tears just as the woman screams out Landon’s name.

  Gray’s eyes blaze as he eyes the door. The blonde is bringing it home matched by male grunts matching her. Gray releases me once I am steady then starts down the hall toward the bedroom. There is no doubt in my mind what he plans to do. I yank his hand, pulling him back to me. “Please Gray. Take me out of here. I don’t want a fight. It’s over. It didn’t take a conversation with him to get my closure.” I tuck into his side as Gray walks me out of the suite.

  Chapter Seventeen:

  Exploits of the Drunk and Shameless

  I go into complete robotic mode. In the elevator I nod when he asks if I am OK; nodding again when he asks if I want to go eat. I walk into the restaurant downstairs on a mission. I slide into the booth immediately ordering a screwdriver. “Make it a double.” I shout as the waitress walks away.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Gray asks sliding in next to me.

  The silence is deafening. Gray sits there holding my hand waiting for me to speak. “Nope. I do not want to talk about walking in on my ex tied to a bed with some goddamn whore on his dick. I also do not want to talk about the fact that while she is riding my ex Tad is fuckin’ her in the ass.” I say just as the waitress sits my drink in front of me. I grab the glass, sucking down half of it in one swallow. “Go ahead and bring me another one of these please.” I huff as the liquor heats my entire body.

  “Why the fuck would he ask you to come speak to him just to have you walk in on that?” Gray asks furiously. I watch his face contort, his mouth a hard line, his eyes hard and angry. He clenches his fist in his lap. I know he wants to rip him apart so do I; but what good would that do? Besi
des make me feel better for a minute but I’d rather beat Tad’s ass instead. The thought of this all going on behind my back all this time is making me a complete wreck. I am pissed off. Disgusted at the fact that he wants to keep flaunting it in my face, but surprisingly I’m relieved that I know it is over. I was worried he would beg me to come back. Something that I didn’t know how to answer because I couldn’t have lived the way Tad and Landon wanted. I also know that I can’t just walk away from Gray now either. It never would have worked with Landon. I can’t be what he needs me to be. I won’t be that woman.

  “To try to hurt me I guess. I told him he couldn’t break my heart. Said he couldn’t hurt me… Maybe it’s his way of showing me that I’ll never be enough for him? I honestly don’t know Gray. I also just decided that I don’t fucking care.” I mutter into my glass then down the last of it.

  “They’re both fired. Aiden drafted up letters of dismissal this afternoon. Henry delivered them while we were practicing. It’s done.”

  I nod, waving my hand in the air vaguely acknowledging him. The waitress exchanges my empty glass with a filled one. I smile, promising her a huge tip if she keeps a full glass in my hand. She nods then winks at Gray. Of course this shit makes me see red. “Bitch I hope it’s worth it because I’ll fuck you up if you even try it.” I bite out not even meeting her eyes.

  Gray laughs, “Don’t take offense she’s had a rough night.” He says handing her a few bills. Pulling me to my feet he walks me out to the street. “We need to get your mind off of Landon and back where it belongs. That shit’s over. New plan, new list remember? Tell me, what do you want to do right now? Anything you want Wildflower you name it.”

  Turning I pull him against me in the middle of the crowded sidewalk. People are shoving around us as I stare into his eyes, my lips just brushing his as I tell him exactly what I want. “Gray, all I want is to get drunk and fuck you until we can’t walk. It’s a good thing that you have three days until your next show. You’ll spend it recovering.”

  His eyes heat immediately. “Is this ‘fuck me Gray I’m angry at Landon’ sex?” He asks as I run my fingers through his hair.

  “No.” I whisper shaking my head. “This is ‘fuck me Gray I’m yours’ sex.”

  “Baby as much as I wanna fuck you against that wall I don’t want to explain to Henry why we’re calling him from a police station in Vegas. He really does have his hands full with Cunter. How ‘bout we go check out the strip? I might even let you hold my hand while I get some new ink.”

  “If that’s how you wanna play it Sex and Sin then I’m game.” I shrug then start walking down the sidewalk, fumbling a bit in my heels thanks to the great buzz I have going. Gray catches up to me, wrapping his arm around me to keep me from falling as we look for a tattoo parlor.

  An hour later I sit watching as Gray finishes sketching what he wants tattooed along the bottom of his abdomen for a guy named Luke. He won’t let me see it, going to such lengths as to say that I need to be blindfolded if I go back with him. Of course he pouts so sexily that I can’t say no. I watch his teeth sink into his bottom lip, deep in concentration. The alcohol in my system right now tells me we could take advantage of a bathroom right now but I know Gray isn’t a quickie kinda guy. So I’ll be waiting for a while. Doesn’t mean I can’t fantasize about it while I wait though because I am.

  Jumping to his feet, he hands the sketch off so that the outline can be worked up then whispers something to the guy. Yanking a bandana from his pocket, the guy tosses it to Gray with a grin. Stalking across the room to me Grayson runs the fabric up my arm watching as it runs over my skin. “You gonna wear this Wildflower?” He purrs seductively.

  “Anywhere…anytime…” I purr right back.

  “Fuck me.” He breathes covering my eyes, tying the cloth loosely behind my head.

  I just shrug blindly when he helps me to my feet. “That was the plan. Don’t say I didn’t offer before.”

  “Come on.” He chuckles then I let him guide me back to the room.

  I sit quietly blindfolded on the stool at Gray’s head as he lies on the workbench. One hand above his head, fingers laced with mine while his thumb runs circles along my wrist. It isn’t lost on me that Grayson is soothing me while he is getting a tattoo. The only sounds I hear are the gun buzzing and Gray’s labored breathing as I run my fingers through his hair with my free hand. I focus on his breathing, warm against my chest hitting me like waves crashing into the shore. Every rough exhale making my toes curl as I anticipate his mouth on me. The alcohol in my system is starting to wear off now making me painfully aware of how I snapped at the waitress. “I really said I would fuck her up didn’t I?” I whisper.

  Gray just laughs. “Yeah, you did. It was hot as hell baby.” Leaning down I groan nuzzling his neck. “Oh Wildflower don’t worry you’ll be fine. You’ve got me.”

  “Do I?” I ask, feeling way too damned sorry for myself.

  “Are you seriously suggesting that you don’t?” He asks in disbelief. “Daisy, I haven’t even looked at another chick since that night at the bar. I told you baby you busted through the wire, the shield every goddamn defense I’ve ever put up to keep people out. You did that in a fuckin’ week! So Daisy, I’d say it’s pretty fuckin’ clear you’ve got all of me if that’s what you want.” Gray touches his lips to mine then nuzzles into my hair as his tattoo gets finished.

  “Are you ready to see it?” Luke asks after he shuts off the gun.

  I feel Gray slide off the table, his hands untying the knot on the bandana. My eyes adjust to the light as he stands before me. My gaze goes straight to his hips as I take in the words written in an old English script: Sex and Sin. Moving up to meet his eyes I’m stopped by the shield covering his heart. A few Daisy petals lie around the bottom. Still red and irritated from shading behind the shield, a single daisy stands tall almost proud as it completely turns my world upside down. “Because you’re the only one that got in: the only person that I want to shield now.” He whispers just as I wrap my arms around his neck, crushing my lips to his.

  Gray’s tongue dives into my mouth, his arms pulling me tightly against him. Panting uncontrollably as we devour each other, his hands squeeze my ass through my leather skirt as my palm slides down to my favorite place on his body; flat against his shield. Feeling his heartbeat as it thumps wildly against my hand. My finger tips lightly brushing the daisy so I don’t hurt him making him growl into my mouth.

  “Hey! You’ve gotta let me bandage that before you two get too heated.”

  We break apart breathing heavily. Walking over Luke just chuckles as he treats then bandages Gray’s new ink. “How long you two been married?” He asks as Gray pulls his shirt over his head.

  “We aren’t.” I blurt.

  The three of us fall into an uncomfortable silence. Gray pays for his tattoos after the awkward conversation. We walk out into the front room just as a whirlwind of red hair flies through the door with a bag. “I’m sorry Luke I was running late.” Her voice making me jerk my head up meeting sea green eyes that I saw just last night. Chase.

  “It’s all good baby girl. We just finished up. Now give me that food.” I watch the guy who spent over three hours tattooing Gray grab the bag from her hand immediately diving into the fries.

  I am standing there like a deer in the headlights as I watch Cunter’s so called, Tiger Lily, hop up onto the counter stealing a handful of Luke’s fries. She sits there swinging legs studying me. Chase isn’t in a tight little dress like last night but even in skinny jeans and a baggy green sweater I know that it’s her. Then the alcohol fog clears and it hits me. My bet with Hunter! This is my chance to win or lose. I contemplate how to ask her about their night since it looks like she is real cozy with Luke.

  “Do I know you from somewhere?” She asks beating me to the punch. “You both look very familiar.”

  “Maybe. Last night I introduced Hunter Chesterfield from Shaft at a club.” I say trying to be vague for her
sake. At least until I’m sure who Luke is to her. “But I guess it was the night before now.” I murmur glancing at my watch realizing the sun will be up in a couple hours.

  “Didn’t you go see the Shaft concert earlier Sis?” Luke says making me smile. Chase is his sister!

  “Sure did.” She says with a nod. “Yep. That’s where I know you from. The club.”

  “Yeah that was a memorable night.” I say winking at Gray, who knows where this is going. He shakes his head then slips his jacket on.

  “It was fine. There were some laughs. I had my fun but nothing I could write home about.” Chase says shrugging.

  I double over in laughter making her jump. “Oh please, please can I get you to say this into my phone?” I beg as I set up the video recorder.

  “Okay?” She says clearly confused when I angle the lens at her.

  “Oh just a little bet with Hunter is all. The cocky bastard needs to be brought back to Earth for a while.” Chase’s eyes heat as her smile spreads. “I love the look on your face right now. I can tell you’re plotting.”

  “Let’s go have a talk in the back.” She says leaping from the counter, grabbing my arm she leads me down the hall as Luke looks at Gray who is just shaking his head.

  Closing the door to an office Chase leans against the wall. “So, what’s his deal anyway?” She asks. I can see something in her eyes as she clearly runs through the night in her mind.

  “He is an asshole but a relatively okay guy, I guess anyway. Just high on himself.”

  “That’s a bit of an understatement.” She giggles. “So what do you need from me?”

  I tap my fingers on the desk as I think. Do I really want to know what went on? Fuck no! I want her to say it was shit and forgettable. Then I want to make him march his pretty ass into a diner in a frilly dress. The smile spreads across my face, my plot coming together. “We’re going to deflate poor Cunter’s ego.” I say then lay out my plan.