Chapter 15 #3
I take another small sip of my second Coke-mixed drink, this one far heavier on the Coke.
The alcohol is delicious, but potent, especially considering it’s been ages since I’ve had any alcohol.
I might be avoiding real life, but I’m not fucking stupid.
As the slight burn slides down my throat, I recognize I’m stalling.
Paige has likely been in bed for hours, and the concert is coming to an end.
I peer out in the crowd, but I can’t see Krista anywhere.
I left her sober. She’s an adult. I don’t have to play protector.
It’s only made a mess of the day anyway.
The final notes fade into the roar of the bar.
Every single person here is likely more than aware that they just received a treat, listening to these guys in such a small venue.
I have no idea how Krista knew they’d be here tonight.
Nick and his band love to just show up to places and randomly to play. Their band is known for it.
Nick, Dex, the bass guitarist, and AJ, the drummer, come strolling back from the stage, drenched in sweat and grinning ear to ear.
The clamoring, cheering, and screaming follow them.
Their energy is infectious. Nick slaps the back of AJ’s neck, laughing at something the drummer said.
Their camaraderie is clear, and I’m glad he found these people.
He deserves good people in his life. He looks up and meets my eyes, taking in my expression, and his grin grows impossibly bigger.
“You wanna see how we spend our nights, Whitaker?”
I shake my head but can’t help the grin as it overtakes my face. I’m high on the energy radiating from the band, the crowd, the whole night. Plus, I want to be positive that I’m completely sober before I ride back.
“Yeah. Why not?” I pause and consider the fact that I’m talking to literal rock stars. “Wait. No women.”
A slow drip of sweat trickles from my temple to my chin, my breathing ragged.
Out of everything I thought I’d spend my night doing …
this was not it. I clench my fingers into fists, my thighs burning as I hold my position, waiting.
Tension skates down my spine, anticipation sizzling along every one of my nerve endings.
“I thought you said you could go all night,” a mocking voice whispers in my ear, and my jaw goes taut.
“Just check the ball, you cocky fucking rock star.” I shove Nick away as he laughs.
AJ and I are playing him and Dex, and I’m in this strange floating sensation of what-the-fuck-is-hapening-to-me.
When they pulled me out the back of Pour Decisions and through an alleyway to another closed door, I was not expecting a semi-abandoned basketball court.
Then Dex pulled the ball from his duffel bag like it was some casual thing to do after a concert at midnight.
We’ve played countless games, and I’ve found these guys are relentless and physical.
“Aren’t you guys supposed to be snorting shit and fucking randoms?
” I pant out, the alcohol thoroughly out of my system, and likely making me smell awful.
I already feel bad for AJ and plan to either replace the shoes he lent me or find a way to deep clean them.
Nick’s shorts are going to have to be mine forever.
Nick snorts. “Hey, man, we have to burn this energy somehow. Sometimes, it’s balling, and sometimes it’s someone choking on my cock.” His look gets mischievous. “You have a sister, don’t you?”
That comment knocks me back to reality, making me nearly drop the ball he finally throws to me. “Shit.”
He stops and pales. “Oh, hell. Sorry. That was crossing a line. I get it. Please don’t hit me.”
“No, no. It’s fine. I need to head out anyway. You just reminded me of my responsibilities.”
“Seriously, Trev. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Don’t worry about it, alright? Don’t talk about my sister like that, but also, I get that you were just fucking with me.”
Nick nods, but then he shakes his head. “Yeah, that was my bad. Family is off-limits.” As I change my shoes, he comes over while Dex and AJ shoot around. “Hey, come to my concert at anytime, alright? You and your family. Just let me know or give them your name, and you’ll have a backstage pass.”
“Yeah, sounds great. It was an awesome concert. You should be proud.” I clap him on the shoulder, then grab my stuff, leaving the way we entered.
I decide to check Pour Decisions again, feeling guilt slide back into place in my chest. The sour scent of sweaty bodies and stale alcohol hits me only a few steps into the bar. I do a double-take when someone walks right up to me. Not the blond I’m looking for, but Bennett.
“Wow, man. You look wrecked. I can’t believe it, and in the car, too! Epic.” Then, with a wink and a slap on the back, he disappears as if I’m supposed to know what he’s trying to say to me.
“Hey! What the fuck do you mean about my car?” My voice doesn’t carry over the music playing from the jukebox, but he’s too far away.
Feeling a little confused and concerned, I abandon my search and walk back to my car.
She’s an adult. She has her phone. She’s not my responsibility.
I double-check my wallet and keys, then walk down the quieter streets and find my car exactly where I parked it.
When I open the door, I’m surprised by the heat that it has generated over the last few hours of the night.
The smell is unpleasant too. Krista really pours that spray on her.
I toss my jacket onto the passenger seat and roll down the windows.
I look at the dashboard and sigh at the time. I’m so fucked.