by Sadie Grubor
"Not what you expected?" he asks, wrapping his arms around my waist.
I shrug.
"I guess I was thinking more Florida mansion and less beach cottage," I admit.
"Let me show you around." He takes my hand and leads me around his home.
Off to the left is a U-shape kitchen with light tile floors, black cabinets, and sterling silver appliances. Windows line the far end, letting the California sunshine light up the room.
Back through the living room is a seating area with large glass doors that pull back and open the entire room to the deck. He motions to an outdoor shower and a downstairs bathroom before leading me up a set of wooden stairs.
There are five bedrooms and three bathrooms. Two rooms adjoined by a bathroom belong to the twins. Each room reflects the personality of the owner. I can immediately place Cass in the room with paintings, drawings, and art supplies all over the space. And the room with the speakers, Game of Thrones posters, a chessboard, and a laptop on her bed is definitely Lyra's.
Xavier knocks on one door, stating it's a spare bedroom before opening the next room.
"This is yours," he says, pushing the door wide.
"Surprise!" the girls shout, making me jump.
Their arms wave around in front of a desk with three thirty-inch monitors.
"What's this?" I can't keep the emotion out of my voice.
The monitors are gorgeous.
"It used to be an extra room," Cass says.
"But Dad cleaned it out for you and I helped pick out the monitors," Lyra adds.
Turning, I face Xavier.
"Why did you—?"
"Because you'll need an office and your own space," he states.
Holy shit, he gets me.
"My own space?" I press.
"You've lived alone for how long?" He doesn't wait for my answer. "Besides, I get you, tiger." His hand cups my face.
"I think you need to show me the master bedroom now," I say.
"Girls, I'm going to get Sid settled. This way," he clips, taking my hand and dragging me to his room.
Then, he shows me exactly what being molested is like.
Xavier
Having Sid on my left and the girls on my right during Randy's memorial service was the only thing keeping me strong.
Red delivered the eulogy. Jeremy surprised us, leaving his wife and newborn son, the reason he chose not to join the charity tour, by attending. While Corbin stood in the back of the room brooding before disappearing as soon as it was over.
It was like fucking deja vu. The memory of putting Ethan in the ground rushed back, exposing old wounds and pulling us apart once again.
Jeremy hung around for a couple hours before catching his flight home, but not before confirming he would be there to play for the L.A. show next weekend.
My parents stayed until the very end, along with The Forgotten and Hush, and a few other bands we'd grown close to during our reign in the music world.
At the end of the day, I was emotionally drained and withdrawn.
The girls disappeared into their rooms while Sid brought me a bottle of tequila and sat next to me on the double lounge chair.
I twist the cap off the bottle, set it on the arm of the chair, and take a long drink.
Reaching over me, Sid picks up the cap and holds it in front of my face.
I take it from her hand and spin it in my fingers.
"If you make it into the fire pit, I'll show you my boobs," she says, referring to our time at the cabin.
Setting the tequila bottle on the deck next to the chair, I toss the cap and miss.
"Just my luck," I quip.
When I glance over, she has her shirt and bra pulled up to her neck.
All humor leaves me as my body instantly goes on high alert.
She shrugs. "Close enough."
"I fucking love you so much," I growl, reaching out and pulling her to me by the back of her neck.
In quick succession, I have her pants off, mine undone, and her riding my dick. Her tits bounce in my face, begging for my tongue, so I give it to them. For the next thirty minutes, I don't think about all the loss, I focus on what I have, especially what I have in front of me right now.
Sidra
The week before the concert flies by in whirlwind of the girls trying to show me how to surf, Xavier trying to convince me to wear a bikini, Sherry wanting to brainstorm about Toy BoXXXTM—which really meant sitting around, drinking, and talking about sex—and Red demanding and assigning tasks.
Preparing for this show was completely different. There were so many bands that wanted to be a part of this, we had to turn some away. In the end, we would have five guest performers, two extra bands, and then all the girls from Lux would do a PG-13 performance. The stage changes and lighting requirements are so crazy, I'm glad I don't have to deal with it. However, the amount of press wanting access to Corrosive Velocity, as well as the other bands, required more of my time than before.
While running through final details with Chantel, I hear the bands rehearsing on stage. When The Forgotten end, I make my way to the stage to watch Corrosive Velocity.
Corbin, Jeremy, and Xavier walk out, but the mood is a somber one. Corbin messes with his guitar, but keeps glancing over to Xavier.
"What is it?" Xavier finally calls him out.
"Are we good?" Corbin asks.
"Of course," Xavier responds instantly.
Corbin nods and hands over sheets of paper.
"What this?"
"It's for them," is Corbin's response.
Jeremy makes his way over to them and for the next twenty minutes, they discuss whatever is on the paper. Then, they start to play. No words, just gut wrenching, raw chords.
Red appears on the other side of the stage, staring out at them. Even at my distance, I can see the emotion on his face.
Jackson plugs in next to Jeremy, joining them in an unplanned collaboration. Christopher walks out on stage, listening.
When the song ends, Chris nods to Corbin. In return, Corbin waves him over, handing him the notebook pages. A few words are exchanged and they disappear in the wing. Knowing I witnessed something important, excitement swells my chest, causing my stomach to flutter. Leaving them to their rehearsal, I return to my task list.
An hour later, I'm in one of the dressing rooms listening to Kat and Laney argue about who gets to be godmother.
"Jesus, you two, stop," Mia snaps.
The annoyance in her voice makes me look up from my computer. I've never heard her get so bitchy.
"Uh-oh, someone's cranky," Kat taunts.
"Shut up," Mia growls.
"Hormonal Harriet is in a tizzy tonight," Laney adds.
Liza catches my scowl. Leaning into my ear, she says, "Chris and Mia just announced they're pregnant."
"I will punch you in the vag, Lane," Mia threatens.
"I'm not really into fisting, Mia," she counters.
"So, you've tried it?" Kat is quick to point out.
"No," Laney denies.
"Mmhmm." Serena joins the conversation.
"I've never been fisted," Laney shouts as The Forgotten and Corrosive Velocity enter the room.
"Good to know," Elliott boasts, plopping his ass down between Laney and Serena on the couch.
Serena bounces against his body and frowns.
"Baby," Chris coos, squatting beside Mia, "you feeling okay?"
"Yes, Chris, I'm fine," she grounds out.
"Hey," Xavier says, leaning down and kissing my forehead.
I wave my hand at him, but keep my attention on the drama unfolding before me.
"Gee, nice to see you, too," he mumbles, taking a seat on my right.
"Did you know Mia's pregnant?" I ask Xavier, but keep my eyes on the group.
"I heard they just started telling people," he confirms, throwing his arm along the back of my chair.
"Maybe you shouldn't go on tonight," Chris suggests.
Mia's eyes nar
row in a way that even scares me.
"Rest in peace, Chris," Jack states, pulling Liza out of her seat, taking her chair, and situating her on his lap.
"Fuck you," he snaps at his brother.
"I'll be fine," Mia says in a low, scary voice.
"I think you should—"
"Christopher," she growls, "for the sake of our children, if you want them to have a father, I suggest you shut up."
His mouth clamps shut.
"Mia, beautiful," Xavier croons.
Beautiful? What the fuck?
Then, I see the mischievous glint in his eye.
"If you're tired of this little prick, we," he motions between the two of us, "would be more than happy to add a third."
Chris' head snaps around, glaring at Xavier.
"What is this we you speak of?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Tiger, I didn't think you'd be the jealous type," Xavier teases, "I'm sort of flattered."
"Don't be," I retort with a sickeningly sweet smile, "'cause if Mia's dropping Chris, I've got first dibs and I'm not sharing. She has an amazing ass. I know 'cause I've groped it."
Xavier's mouth opens, then closes.
"You've felt my wife's ass?" Chris coughs out.
I nod. "Yeah, I've pretty much gotten my hands on all the women in this room." Then, I point to Serena. "Except you, I'll need to remedy that."
"Well, fuck, no time is better than now," Elliott boasts, nudging Serena with his elbow. "Please, use tongue," he begs.
"You're such a guy," Serena says, shaking her head.
"I've got pretty magical tongue skills," I announce, "you may want to rethink this."
Elliott's mouth opens immediately.
"Nope, tongue fuck away." He takes his phone out.
"Ow, babe, we talked about the head smacking," he grumbles, rubbing the spot Serena smacked.
"You don't hold the gold medal," Xavier boasts.
Looking back at him, I grin, "Nope, you still got the title."
"Gold medal?" Kat asks.
"You don't want to know," Liza blurts.
"I think I do." Kat sits up to the edge of the couch.
"He's a Cunnilingus Olympics Gold Medalist," I explain.
"Oh God," Liza groans.
"Nice," Laney giggles.
"Girl, it's like he's doing the Greek alphabet on my clit."
"Why the Greek alphabet?" I'm surprised by the seriousness on Elliott's face.
"Have you seen those crazy swirly letters? That takes some tonguemenship right there." I point to Xavier's mouth and he sticks out his tongue.
Kat falls back onto the couch, laughing. Mia, Serena, and Laney follow suit.
"Dude," Elliott drawls, "respect."
Xavier pulls me against him, kissing the side of my head.
Chapter Thirty
Sidra
The concert kicks off with such a high level of energy, the social media pages and donation site move too quickly to keep up.
From the moment the Lux Hedonica girls open with their rendition of Lady Marmalade, a new tone is set for this concert. Big Kam returns to the Hope Rocks tour, and this time, he reveals the song he and Liza have been working on. Vehicle of Destruction—a rock band rising up the charts and giving The Forgotten a run for their money—takes the stage and own the audience. Gemma Harper provides a surprise performance, loaning her operatic voice to one of VD's songs and joins Mia and Hush.
Having returned to L.A., Jeremy Danvers plays with Corrosive Velocity. Chris starts the vocals for their performance, with Mia joining them in her own solo performance. Then the rock duo merge together on the song from earlier today.
Before, they'd only played the instruments, now Chris and Mia blend their vocals around lyrics so touching, the hairs on my body stand. The video clips of the band, including Ethan and Randy, flicker like an old movie in the background, intensifying the moment.
What the hell is with all the tears? I mentally yell at myself.
And when Zarek Sisko joins them, creating a live, four band collaboration, the crowd loses their minds. I almost forget to take pictures.
Moving my lens, I focus on the front row of the crowd before sweeping across the stage and pausing on Xavier. My heart tries to escape my chest, beating against my ribcage in time to the pace he sets with his drums.
Loose strands of hair stick to his face, the sweat on his arms glistens under the stage lights, and his expression…fuck, he's so lost in the moment and it's beautiful.
I snap pictures in rapid succession.
Those will be mine.
The show ends with almost every performer on stage, singing along to one of Corrosive Velocities most popular songs.
Backstage, the media can't wait to get their hands on each band. Chantel has requested my assistance, due to the chaos, and I agreed.
But right now, I'm spread out on the dressing room bathroom sink with Xavier's face buried between my thighs.
"Oh God," I pant, fisting his sweat dampened hair.
"Xave," a knock sounds, "the press is waiting."
"Greek alphabet," I yell, locking my legs around his head.
When we step out of the bathroom, Kat, Laney, Mia, and Serena sit side by side, grinning like mad women.
"Did you get an earful?"
At my question, they begin clapping.
"Gotta go," Xavier rumbles in my ear.
"Ow!" I rub the spot on my ass where he slapped. "Manhandling," I shout after him.
"So, would you hate me if I tried to seduce his tongue?" Kat throws an arm over my shoulders.
"Honestly?" I quirk an eyebrow at her.
Grinning, she nods.
"I'd be disappointed if you didn't try," I shrug, "but I'm afraid you don't have these." I cup both my boobs and lift them.
Kat's eyes drop to my chest and move to hers.
"He's a boob guy?"
"Seems that way," I confirm, and swing my eyes to Serena.
"You, I would have to cut," I warn.
"What?" she laughs the word. "I didn't do anything."
"No, but those massive mammaries," I point to her chest, "those could be competition."
Laney gives a delicate snort, standing from the couch.
"Sid, the man just walked out of here with your cum on his beard, I'm pretty sure his tongue is on lock down." She wraps her arm around mine, tugging me toward the door.
"And if you haven't locked him down," Mia joins us, "you better."
"Thank God, you're done." Liza sidles up as we leave the dressing room.
I raise my brow at her.
"I love you, but I don't need to hear your orgasm sounds," she says, holding her hands up, palms out.
"But I had to hear your and Jackson's?"
"You'd press your ear to the walls and the door," she deadpans.
I shrug. I really can't feel ashamed of it.
"It's Jackson fucking Shaw, Liza. Of course, I'm going to listen. You're lucky I didn't record that shit and tweet it out to the universe."
"I'm still going to give it a go," Kat announces, hands on her B cups.
Entering the first room set up for press, I watch Hush take a seat at the front of the room and Chantel grabs my arm.
"Where have you been?" She drags me to the far side and into the next press room. "They are acting like sharks tonight."
"I was…busy."
I glance to the front of Press Room B where The Forgotten and Vehicle of Destruction are answering questions. When Chris confirms Mia's pregnancy, the room erupts with applause. Elliott stands and walks away, only to return carrying Mia bridal style from the other interview room.
"Put her down, dumbass," Chris growls, taking her out of his arms.
"There's a radio station that says you gave permission to ask about Ethan," Chantel says, pulling my attention away from the front of the room.
I glance down the list and nod. "Yeah, they were supposed to get a personal interview in Philadelphia…" I trail of
f, Paul flashing in my mind.
"You okay?" she asks, rubbing my arm.
Shaking off the terrible memories, I continue.
"Yeah. Um, I talked to Red and he gave the okay. He's going to address the questions."
"Okay," she nods.
Slipping through the crowd, Chantel escorts a petite blonde woman with a killer tan and amazing shoes into the press room next door. I follow.
Red, Jeremy, Xavier, and Corbin sit as a united front before the press group.
They go through the process, answering questions. Red fields the Randy and Ethan questions, but I don't miss the tightening of Corbin's face with each mention of the lost band members. He's also the first to push away from the table when the group interview is complete.
Xavier
I don't miss how forceful Corbin pushes away from the table, or the way he exits the room.
"Give him a minute," Red says, putting an arm on my shoulder.
I nod and follow Red into the private interview room instead of going after Corbin.
Inside the room, a tiny blonde sits in a chair with a microphone on the table between her and the couch. A man on her right holds a box on his lap and earphones around his neck.
Taking a deep breath, I try to fortify myself for the questions I know are coming. Red told us all today would be different. Not only would Randy and Ethan be memorialized on stage, but we would talk about them to the public, through the press. He hand chose a couple of journalists and radio personalities for personal interviews.
Sitting on the sofa across from the woman, I mentally prepare myself.
The cushion next to me shifts. Glancing, I find Corbin seated on the edge.
"You okay?" I mumble, looking away.
"Yeah," he clips.
Jeremy takes a seat on the arm of the couch next to Corbin and Red sits down in a chair to my right.
"Pam Brooks." She puts a hand out.
Red grabs it first, and then we each take a turn shaking.
"If I can, I just want to start by expressing my condolences for your loss." Her eyes genuinely tear up. "It's a terrible loss and your band has already lost so much."
"Thank you," Red responds.
"Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to interview you one on one," she says, nodding to the man on her right.