Chapter 1
one
. . .
When Russ, our drummer, called me a couple of weeks ago and said that he wanted to throw me a birthday party in Vegas, I agreed to come.
But I told him only if it wasn’t in a strip club.
I knew how his mind worked and any chance he got to stick dollar bills in a thong, he was all in.
When we formed our band Styx and Stones ten years ago, Russ and I quickly became good friends.
When the band wasn’t touring, I was ready for anything, except now I was ready for some down time.
Long nights and early mornings started to take a toll on your body and I was not getting any younger.
I haven’t told the guys yet because they would think I was a pussy, but I was ready to find that someone special and work less hours.
These guys weren’t thirty-three like me.
Most of the band was in their late twenties.
I felt more like the guitar player in Motley Crue with all my aches and pains these days .
The next day I jumped on my cherry red Harley and prepared myself for the nine-hour ride to Vegas.
I choose to live in LA where our record label was located while some of the other guys choose the nightlife of Las Vegas.
I pulled onto the highway and laid it in the wind.
There’s nothing more relaxing than a peaceful ride on the open road with the wind in your face.
Today’s a sunny day with no rain in sight.
When I arrived in Vegas, traffic was a bitch on the stirp.
Another reason why I didn’t live in Vegas.
All the tourists. I stopped at a light and shot Russ a text to let him know that I was stuck in traffic but would be there soon.
Once the traffic finally broke free, I made my way into a secluded neighborhood with multimillion dollar homes.
I rolled to a stop at his gate and pushed the button.
“Who is it?” Russ came over the intercom pretending to be grouchy.
“It’s Santa Claus, dip shit. Open the gate and let me in.
” I could hear him laughing over the intercom as the big gate with music notes on it opened, revealing a huge two-story mansion.
Russ bought this place five years ago and while it’s beautiful, it’s huge.
What one person needed six bedrooms? I made my way up the long driveway and parked my bike in his garage out of the sun.
“Hey man!” Russ ran out the door and slapped me on the back.
“Happy Birthday, man. All the guys are around back along with a few lovely ladies.” He wiggled his brows.
“Russ, please tell me that you didn’t invite strippers to my party. ”
“No, dude, I promise. Just a few friends we’ve met from Paper Hearts.
” Paper Hearts was an all-female band that opened for us on our last tour among a few others.
And yes, they were beautiful women. Fun to party with.
Now we’re talking. I hope Storm is here .
Storm was a friend of Marcie. I’d only met her a few times but she was beautiful and fun to be around.
I followed Russ through the house, dropping my backpack in the first bedroom closest to the door, and out onto the patio.
I grabbed a beer from the bartender Russ had hired and scanned the pool area.
There were women in thongs, women with no tops on with very large breasts.
My guess those were from the strip club.
I searched some more and there she was, her long blonde hair shining in the sun, full sleeve tattoos, stood out against the blue bikini she was wearing.
I almost swallowed my tongue. She was even more stunning than I remembered.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I tipped my bottle back and took a healthy gulp when Russ stepped up beside me and placed his hand on my shoulder.
“She’s been asking when you were coming. She really likes you, man. You should hit that while you’re here,” he said.
“You’re an ass, man. Give the woman more respect. You’ll never find a girl with an attitude like that,” I scolded.
“Damn man! Lighten up a little. I was just spouting off. Who put a bug up your ass?”
I shook my head and then drained the rest of my beer. “I’m just tired. I’m sorry. I think the nine-hour drive is getting to me. I really appreciate the party. ”
“I’ve got a surprise for you. She’s going to be spending a few days here.” I narrowed my eyes and thought what the hell. “Before you get any ideas, she’s Marcie’s friend and I’ve kind of been seeing Marcie for a while now. Don’t mess this up for me.”
I lifted my eyebrow and asked, “How long?”
“Ever since the tour. I invited her out for the weekend last month and we’ve been seeing each other ever since. I thought she would feel more comfortable with her friend here.”
“I think I’m going to go over and say hi.” I grabbed another beer and walked to the other side of the pool where she now rested on a lounge chair. She looked up at me and smiled. Her skin was tan from being in the sun and glistened with suntan oil.
“There’s the birthday boy!” she beamed, jumping up and wrapping her arms around me, kissing me on the cheek. The smell of alcohol was strong on her breath. I would love to get my hands on her later, but I suspected that she was drunk. And I didn’t sleep with drunk women.
“How long have you been by the pool?”
“I came out early this morning and helped Russ and Marcie set up everything and I decided to take advantage of the sun.”
“Have you been drinking ever since?”
She studied me with glassy eyes.
“Yes, why? I’m twenty-six years old. I’m of legal age.” She laughed and then hiccupped .
Well, so much for tonight. “Why don’t we get some water into you?”
“Don’t be a buzz kill, Rowdy. You’re not living up to your name. Rooowdeee.” She slurred my name and teetered toward the lawn chair. I wrapped my arm around her waist before she fell. I helped her onto the lounger and walked to the bar to get her a bottle of water.
When I made my way back over to her, she was passed out with her arm over her eyes.
I spent a little time talking with my bandmates and other guests who were close by, when I heard a loud whistle from across the pool. When I looked up, I saw Russ pointing to Storm with Marcie in tow. They were discussing what they should do.
“She okay?” I squatted down beside her to make sure she was breathing.
“She’s okay. She’s taking some new medication; that she wasn’t supposed to drink alcohol while taking.
Something’s going on with her. She’s been kind of quiet since the tour ended.
I asked her if she needed to talk, and she said no,” Marcie explained.
She stared down at her friend with concern on her pretty face.
“Can you guys get her inside? She’s little, but I can’t lift her by myself.
” Her brows wrinkled as she stared down at her friend, trying to figure out the best possible way to lift her.
“I got this,” I offered.
I bent and lifted her up on to my shoulder.
She grunted with the movement, but didn’t wake.
Marcie was right. She was little and felt as if she weighed next to nothing.
She smelled good, too. Like sunshine and coconut.
I followed Russ and Marcie down the hall to one of the guest rooms and stepped inside.
Storm’s things were already set up inside with the comforter pulled back.
For Russ to be the bad boy, party animal, this bedroom was very feminine.
“Dude, what’s with the flowers?” I chuckled. “Getting in touch with your softer side?” I tilted my head toward the bed in the room. A big floral comforter filled with fluffy down.
“Fuck you. You know I didn’t pick this stuff out.” He flipped me off. “My interior designer did it all.”
Marcie fluffed the pillow, and I put Storm on the bed and pulled the comforter up over her, careful not to wake her. She let out a small sigh and rolled to her side.
“You guys can go back and enjoy the party. I’m going to stay in here with her. You know, just to be sure she doesn’t choke on her own vomit,” Marcie voiced, scrunching up her nose.
“I’ll stay.” I walked across the room and lowered myself on to the dark rose-colored chair.
“Oh no! I can’t ask you to do that. She’s my friend and this is your birthday party. I’m sorry this happened. She’s usually more careful,” Marcie said.
Russ wrapped his arm around her and explained that I was used to looking out for the band and taking care of stuff like that.
That’s why they call me the dad of the group.
I was usually on their ass about what they were doing and the image they portrayed to the fans.
Marcie exhaled a heavy breath and with a look of defeat on her face, she followed Russ toward the door .
“If you need us…” Russ started, but I cut him off.
“I got this.”
I tilted my head toward the bed where Storm lie, snoring softly.
I felt like some kind of creeper standing there watching her sleep, but damn she was beautiful.
Her blonde hair fanned out on the pillow and looked like a halo.
I slouched back down in the chair as far as I could and crossed my legs at the ankle.
I closed my eyes and let my head rest against the wall.
I could hear the party going on outside, but to tell the truth, I’d much rather be inside with her.
I awoke sometime in the early morning when Storm climbed out of bed and headed to the bathroom.
I waited a few short minutes and then the sound of painful moans floated through the door.
I jumped to my feet and opened the bathroom door unannounced.
She was on her knees in front of the toilet vomiting.
“Here, let me hold your hair.” I pulled her hair back from her face until she propped her head against her arm on the toilet seat.
“Let me get you a cold bath cloth.” I began searching through the closet until I found one and carried it over to her. She washed her face and tossed the cloth into the bathroom sink.