Day 23 Allentown, PA #2
I might be willing to forgive him, though, if he grovels.
He looks awfully adorable up there, even if he’s sweaty and gross and playing his dumb songs.
Sam is right next to him, of course, making a fool of himself as usual.
And speaking of lesbians, there’s Roxie.
Yeah, I know she and Blake have been a thing ever since things were things.
But I don’t think you’re beating the allegations when your boyfriend looks like Ani diFranco.
If you really think about it, I did Max a favor.
I sent him out on his little tour a free man, and I’m sure he had plenty of fun hooking up with out of town skanks who couldn’t keep their hands off him, at least until they got him into the bedroom.
I had my fun too, with that bartender over at Hell’s Gate who can actually keep it up long enough to fuck me.
But what can I say? I’m a hopeless romantic at heart, and Max has always been crazy in love with me.
He’s a sweet guy, too, when he’s not being a total bonehead. He makes me laugh.
All I need to do is remind him just how much he misses me, and he’ll be eating me out in the back alley in no time. Glad I didn’t wear any underwear.
They’re finally done playing, thank fuck.
There’s still about an hour until last call, and the room is packed with sweaty punks.
Max walks offstage with Sam and Roxie, and then he reappears next to the bar, hair plastered to his forehead as he pushes through the crowd.
Sam is halfway across the room, chatting with a group of desperate sluts who must be too dumb to know they’re not going to get anywhere with him.
Who cares, though, because I’m glad that Max seems to have escaped his loser shadow for once.
He leans across the bar to talk to the bartender, and I know this is my chance.
I give my pushup bra a quick tug, making sure the girls look exactly the way I know Max likes them. Then I strut across the room, tapping him on the shoulder.
“Max! I missed you!” I squeal.
“Krista?” He looks like he’s seen a fucking ghost.
He’s a lot taller than I am, but that’s never stopped me. I push myself up on my tiptoes and throw my arms around his neck, hauling him down to my level.
And I kiss him.
SAM
No no no no nonononono —
I’m on autopilot, turning on my heel, threading my way through the crowd as the blood rushes in my ears.
I should have seen this coming. I did fucking see this coming. I knew Max was on the rebound. I knew we’d have to face Krista again when we got back here. She’s pushed him away before, but she’s always managed to reel him back in.
I’m so fucking stupid. How the fuck could I think he could possibly love me? How the fuck could I let this happen? I fucking deserve this.
Hallway. Just a few more steps to the green room. I hurtle down the corridor, grabbing the doorframe as I swing myself around it —
And I run facefirst into Roxie.
“What the fuck, dude? Where’s the fire?” She’s grabbing my elbow, steadying me as she peers up into my face.
I gulp for air, the tears already starting to collect in my lashes. “Krista — she’s out there — kissing Max —”
“That bitch —” Roxie makes a move for the door, but I hold her back. “No, lemme go — I’ll knock her fucking teeth in —”
“No, wait —” I’m shaking all over, trying to keep it together. “Rox, I need to get out of here. I can’t be here for —” I wave vaguely over my shoulder.
She’s looking at me keenly. “Okay, we can make that happen. What do you need me to do?”
“I’ll take my bass but — could you guys bring him home? Assuming he doesn’t go home with her?”
“Done.” Roxie nods curtly.
“I’m sorry I’m not sticking around to help you load out,” I stammer. “I’m such an asshole.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Roxie says urgently. “But Sam — you said she was kissing him. Did he kiss her back?”
“Does it matter?” I moan. “I’m not going to wait to find out.”
Roxie stares at me, chewing on her lip, her eyes blazing.
And then she does a very strange thing — she throws her thin arms around me in a fierce hug, squeezing me in an iron grip.
In three years of friendship, she’s never hugged me once, and I’m a little shocked, but I return the gesture, my arms tight around her back.
“He loves you,” she whispers urgently. “Go now — I’ll talk to him — but this is all going to work out. Just wait and see.”
I can’t say I agree, but I’m too shellshocked to say anything, so I simply nod my head.
Outside, it’s a balmy evening, summer almost upon us.
My guitar case knocks against my leg as I cross the parking lot, and it dawns on me that I can still feel him — the ghost of his shape inside me, the slight twinge with every step that until now was giving me pleasure.
I still have his marks on my skin, his scent on my clothes.
I can still almost taste him — but that’s all done now.
I can barely see the road through my tears. But I know I need to get away from here.
MAX
“Krista, what the fuck?”