Текст книги "Finn Beckett"
Автор книги: M. J. Fields
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Текущая страница: 9 (всего у книги 15 страниц)
After the show, I make sure everyone gets pictures. Lots of pictures.
I don’t mind this crowd; it’s well controlled. Not to mention, there is lots of security, and well, Finn is here. He doesn’t go far away from me, and I certainly don’t go far from him. He makes me feel good, safe even.
I watch him as he takes pictures with the girls who won backstage passes on the radio. Each of the five winners and three of their friends won a ten minute meet and greet with the band.
“I can take it for you,” I offer as one of the winners struggles to take her selfie with the “hottest bass player in the world,” as she calls him. She isn’t wrong—he is—but right now, I’m the only one under him.
“You good?” he asks between greetings when he goes out for a smoke and I follow.
“Yep,” I answer, rubbing the back of my neck.
He exhales. “You’re so full of shit.”
“She looked at you like she wanted to lick you. Now don’t get me wrong, that girl is so into herself that the pictures will be all over the World Wide Web in minutes, which is the point in these meet and greets, but I really, really want to lick you right now.”
“Well, step up; I’m right here,” he says with a cocky arrogance that makes me tingle from thinking of the first night together when I actually did lick him.
“You’re smoking.”
He tosses his cigarette, crushing it with his black, size thirteen boots. “You jealous of the cigarette and the girls, Sonya?” His eyes seem to dance a bit. He likes this. He likes that I’m jealous.
“No.” My voice squeaks at my lie … always a giveaway with me.
He wraps his hand around the back of my neck and pulls me in for a nice, hard kiss. “I like it.”
“You like my—”
“Jealousy, yes. But there is no reason for it.” He dips down, sucking on my neck a little.
“But necessary,” I say in a raspy voice he causes.
“Mmm.” His hands are on my hips now, his fingers gently digging into my flesh. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”
“Three more winners, Finn.” I step toward him instead of away like I should. “Go make me jealous.”
“If you say so, but you’re the only one licking me.” He leans in again before his tongue traces my lips slowly.
“Mmm,” I moan, and he echoes it.
After an hour more of snapping pictures of the guys with their new fans, the guys with Hoopla, and the guys with the twins, it’s time to head out.
We are on our way to The Rosewood Mansion at Turtle Creek, just outside of Dallas for the next show, which will be the next time I get to see the complete sexiness and extreme focus he shows only when he plays music … and when he is over me. Thinking of him either way works me into a frenzy. It is not a good time for that, though. Deciding to force myself to sleep, I close my eyes and lean back, trying my best not to think of Finn.
I wake up with my head on Tally’s shoulder, and Finn’s head is on mine. His hair is covering his eyes, and my fingers ache to touch it.
I glance around. Everyone in the limo is asleep.
I look over at Finn again, and he seems to be fighting to stay asleep. His eyes shift under his lids, and then his nostrils flare a bit. He inhales before I hear him sigh slightly.
He is beautiful, stunning, handsome, and perfect. He doesn’t look like your typical rocker. The way he dresses isn’t flashy; it’s actually classy with a hint of edge.
Tonight, his grey T-shirt is covered with a black, lightweight jacket. His faded denim jeans rest casually against his black leather, biker-style boots, and he smells clean and masculine like always. He is long, lean, and cut. His clothes don’t hide his amazing build; they enhance it, and my eyes are ever appreciative.
“Hey,” he whispers when his eyes open.
“Hey,” I whisper back.
He closes his eyes again, and his lip curls up ever so slightly. That smirk, smile—whatever he’s doing with his mouth—warms my heart, calms my unease, and almost blankets me.
I feel his hand on mine, his pinky linking around my own, and a feeling other than physical seeps in. It’s a feeling like when he held me while I felt vulnerable about my past or when he helped color my hair. I like this feeling. A lot.
I think I’m happy, and happiness has never come easily. Happiness was found inside the pages of fairytales, tiny hugs, and watching sleeping babies.
Babies. Noah. God, how could I even think of being happy when he needs me? Everyone needs me.
As I look down at Finn again, my chest tightens.
This will not end well.
***
“Sonya. Sonya, wake up. The rooms are ready.”
I open my eyes to see Taelyn Steel.
“When did you get here?” I ask, shocked to see her.
“Long story. We were supposed to be in Houston, but something came up at Steel.”
“Oh, I hope everything is okay.”
She laughs. “Everything is great, actually. Those boys are just very protective of family, and something came up at the last minute. Their poor mother”—she laughs—“has been alone for years. Then she finds a man who loves her, and they act like they’re her father.”
I step out of the limo and stand in front of the place, or should I say palace, that we will stay at for the next three days. It’s nearly three in the morning, but as tired as I am, its beauty is not lost on me.
“Amazing,” I whisper.
“You look exhausted. It’s almost four in the morning. Let’s get in and get some sleep.”
“Where is everyone else?” I ask.
“Memphis carried Tally in. She was sleeping, and he didn’t want to wake her. New love, you know,” she says, walking quickly toward her husband.
“Morning, Sonya.” Xavier nods at me in greeting. “We’ll walk with you. We’re all in poolside suites.”
I nod, following them to the rooms.
Xavier hands me the key card. “This is your room. 168.”
“Thank you,” I say.
“Goodnight, Sonya.”
“Goodnight, Mrs. Steel.”
“Taelyn is fine,” she corrects me with a smile. Xavier takes her hand, and I hear her whisper, “What’s so funny?” to him.
“Sixty eight,” he says with a smile in his voice.
“That’s funny? You need some sleep,” she whispers back.
“Like a sixty-nine, but you blow me, and I’ll owe you one.” He laughs.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“We’ve never left Patrick. We’re alone for two days, Mrs. Steel.”
She giggles. “Porn sex.”
“Fuck yes.” He holds up his fist, grinning like a mad man.
She bumps it with hers, and then they mock an explosion.
“We are so hot,” he says.
“Fuck yes.” She slides the key through the lock five doors down.
I turn away from them, smiling.
“They’re something, huh?”
I jump when I hear him.
He looks amused before his smile fades. “Oh, shit, did I scare you?” He tosses down his cigarette and walks quickly toward me.
“No,” I try to regain my composure. “You just shouldn’t hide in the bushes and—” I stop as I feel my hand shake while trying to open the door.
I feel all out of sorts, so I hurriedly try to slide the key again as he gets closer.
“Jesus,” he says, taking it from me, sliding it, and then opening the door. “Get in there. Fuck, I’m sorry.”
I look at him. “Pft, it’s really no big deal.”
“It is, dammit.”
“No,” I say. “No, it’s not. It’s stupid. It’s just … stupid. And you know what? It will never, ever change. Ever.” Overwhelmed and still shaking, I feel like I’m going to cry. Who am I trying to kid? How will I ever be normal again outside of those gates surrounding my home? “It’s me, uncut and unedited. Broken and—”
“Stop,” Finn says softly as he walks closer. “I wasn’t thinking. I know better. You’ve been through hell—” I shake my head, and he stops before slowly grabbing my hands. “Tell me what I can do to put you at ease, then.”
I pull my hands back gently. “I just really want to go to sleep. I’m tired.”
His once mucky, now so very clear, eyes look confused. I feel my lip quiver as I turn away. I did that to him.
“I’m seriously fine, Finn. I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”
“Yeah.”
I hear his footsteps and then my door open but not close.
I look back over my shoulder as I pull the blanket off the bed to see he’s standing in a doorway between two rooms.
“Our rooms connect,” he tells me. “I’ll leave my door open. If you need anything, let me know.”
I nod. “Thank you. I’m just really tired.”
“I’m closing the door. The other is locked.” He gestures toward the main door. “No one is going to—”
“Fine! Okay! I get it!” The dam breaks.
I want him to go away. I want to be alone. I want a corner to crawl in, someplace to break down so I can build myself up again.
He storms at me, and I instinctively hug my knees and close my eyes, protecting myself like I tried to do that night. I know it’s stupid, but I’m anxious now, and that doesn’t help me when I try to pull it together.
The bed dips beside me, and then his arms surround me. I move until my back is to him as he holds me tightly.
“I’ve got you,” he whispers, his lips against the back of my head. “No one’s gonna fucking touch you. No one.”
I silently cry with my face buried into my knees, and he doesn’t let go.
I drift asleep, allowing myself to believe him.
***
I wake up to my phone’s vibration from my alarm, the one that tells me “time to take your pill and get out of bed; it’s seven thirty in the morning.” I never needed an alarm after Noah … Well, until I started my business and Aunt Margie insisted I sleep in and that she would care for Noah.
Finn’s passed out, and his boots are still on. I must have kept him up all night.
I remember dreaming—no, I remember nightmares: the slice of the knife across my belly; his words telling me he wished he didn’t have to do this, yet I left him no choice; the second attempted slice when I grabbed the butcher knife in his hand; and then the blow to the back of my head.
I slip out from under Finn’s arm and go into the bathroom, take a quick shower, and blow dry my hair. When I come out, he’s still asleep, looking peaceful.
I see my bags by the door and grab them, taking them to the bathroom to dress. When I come out, he is still in the same spot.
I look at him one last time before I grab the bag of electronics, then head out to find a place to work before my real job begins at ten this morning.
The Texas weather is already hot, especially for an Ohio girl, so I am thankful to find a covered patio area with tables, and it has outdoor fans to move the air around.
I log-on to my blog e-mail and see over seven hundred e-mails of product review requests. I am shocked Margie hasn’t touched them since I left. Hell, she hasn’t even complained. Well, not since I transferred ten grand into the household account.
I sort through them, accepting and denying each one. Two months ago, I would have accepted all of them. Today, I don’t have time, but I have to make time. It’s money, a way to get back on track.
“Hey, you’re up early,” Tally says as she walks up to me.
“Yeah, just figured I’d get caught up on some personal stuff before starting the day.”
“Personal stuff?” She sits and looks at me. “Oh.” Her hand covers her mouth. “Never mind, I should never have asked a personal—”
“I have a son, Tally.” Saying it out loud feels so good, like a weight lifted off my heart. Even after last night’s set back, the new desire to finally move forward and step outside the literal gates feels good.
“A what?”
I look up when I hear Memphis, who sits down.
“A son,” I say, allowing the truth to shine as brightly as Noah’s smile does when he looks at me. “He’s four and beautiful. He is my reason for—” I stop when I see Memphis look over me, and I glance back to see he is looking at River.
“How old were you when you had him?” River asks.
I clear my throat. “Almost seventeen.”
“Well, shit.” He plops down.
Finn walks around the table then and sits directly across from me. I can’t see his eyes, so I don’t know if he’s all right with my confession. I don’t know why I care, but I do.
“He live with his dad or your mom or—”
“What’s with the twenty questions?” Finn asks, lifting his chin at River. “She has a kid. Big deal.”
“Just asking, man. My mom left when I was, like, two. Joined the circus as the fat lady and—”
“Shut the hell up, really?” Billy asks, sitting next to River.
“Hell no, she was too young to raise me. Probably should have aborted me.” He laughs and looks around. No one else laughs. “A joke, man.”
“Stupid fucking joke,” Finn grumbles, sitting back in his chair.
I look around, finding all eyes are on me, seeking an explanation, I assume.
“He’s at our house. My aunt lives with us. She’s caring for him while I’m away.”
“No need to explain, Sonya,” Finn says before taking a sip of his coffee.
I shrug. “I don’t want it to be a secret.”
“Shouldn’t be. You’re doing what you have to do to raise your kid. That’s something to be proud of,” he says and stands up. “I need a smoke.”
“I’m coming, too,” River says, following him.
Nick, Taelyn, and Xavier join us. I can feel my cheeks flush, embarrassed by what I overheard last night. Porn sex? I wonder if they make videos, and if so, why? Certainly not for the money.
“Today, Steel Total Destruction has a photo shoot,” Taelyn announces. “We have a full color page ad with Rolling Stone magazine. Look fresh.” She looks at Tally and me. “And we are going to meet with Tainted Knights’ manager, Emmie, while they rehearse on stage.” She looks at me. “Photo op for us?”
“Of course.” I smile.
Taelyn is amazing. She seems to understand and value the work I do. She also seems willing to entertain ideas about promotion that others, like Finn, want to balk at.
I shove everything in my bag and go to stand as Xavier says, “Sit down. Breakfast is on its way.”
***
Emmie Armstrong and Tainted Knights arrive at Toyota Stadium at one o’clock to begin set up. Taelyn and Emma stand at the side of the stage and start talking while Tally and I set out to take as many pictures as we can.
“I don’t remember who is who.” She laughs.
“Jace, vocals; Grey, founder of the band, guitarist, and vocals; Kale is on drums; Tate, or Sin, is bass; and Cash, bass, keys, and vocals,” I tell her as I snap pictures.
“I don’t know how you remember all of them.” She shakes her head.
“It’s my job.” I smile, snapping more photos.
When I feel we have enough, Tally and I sit and download them. I then save them in a cloud we can both access.
“You start at the top; I’ll start at the bottom. Use the photo app to add the overlay with the concert information, and then we will come up with a posting plan.”
“Sounds good.” She nods. “Sonya?”
“Yeah?” I ask, looking up from my laptop.
“Do you have a nickname besides None-ya?”
“No.” I laugh.
“Well, they call me Tales sometimes. You need a nickname,” she whispers the last part, and it makes me smile.
At four o’clock, we finally have all of our picture files set and ready to roll when Memphis comes in and sneaks behind Tally, kissing her neck.
“Hello, hot stuff.”
“Well, hi there, hotter stuff.” She giggles.
He walks in front of her and scowls. “Not even close.”
She scowls back in a joking manner. “I’d rather look at you any day than at a mirror, so tails, I win.”
I feel him, smell him; I know he’s close. I look up, and Finn is looking down over his sunglasses. His gaze hits my eyes first then my lips, and they immediately go dry, so I lick them. His jaw muscles pop, his nostrils flare a bit, and then he pulls out a cigarette.
“Going for a smoke. Wanna come with me?” he asks River.
“Just put one out, man,” he says, looking at him oddly.
Finn walks away as he lights up.
I see the security guards walk up to him. “No smoking in here.”
“I’m heading out,” he says as he walks past.
One of them taps his shoulder, but he stops and doesn’t turn around.
“No smoking on the property at all,” the guard calls out.
When Finn turns around, it’s apparent he is angry.
“How about you keep your hands off me?”
“Rules are rules,” the younger one says.
His voice goes deep as hell as he walks toward the exit, saying, “Understood.”
I look at River, then Memphis and Billy. “Should one of you go with him?”
“He’s cool.” Memphis laughs.
***
I avoid being alone with him, and he knows it. The embarrassment of what I may have said in the early restless morning hours horrifies me. It has happened before. During nights when I was forced to remember my attack, nights when a memory flooded my mind, I had horrible dreams, ones that woke me in the middle of the night to find myself crying, screaming, begging for my life. Then there were the mornings when I opened my eyes and was sure it was really happening again.
That’s what happened last night. That’s what the man who doesn’t want to live in the past was witness to. That is something I fear will never go away. It’s something I will live with forever. But I don’t want anyone else to.
I swallow down the moment of self-pity and focus forward.
I stand backstage, watching Tainted Knights tear it up. They are good, and I overhear Xavier and Taelyn’s conversation about wishing they had found them before they were already signed.
“We’re fans.” Taelyn smiles.
“Yeah,” Xavier says, continuing to watch them. “Emma, she’s gonna keep them straight, right?”
“She’s good, Xavier.” She nudges him. “She’ll keep them straight.”
“Good, ’cause we’ve got our hands full.” He chuckles, running his hands through his hair. “Full of ass-kicking talent and testosterone.”
“Memphis and Billy are settled in nicely,” she says as he wraps his arm around her waist.
“Yeah, but Finn went off the fucking rails.” He sighs.
I feel like I’m eavesdropping when I’m really not trying. Then again, they aren’t being all that quiet, and they are right next to me.
I see Taelyn look over at me then look back at him. “I think he’ll be fine.”
I act like I don’t see her.
“Sonya needs a nickname.” I hear Tally laughing from behind me.
I look back and smile at the entire band walking toward me.
“She’s Yah-Yah.” Finn smirks.
I notice immediately his eyes are a little mucky before I look away, trying to focus on my phone, but I can’t ignore the weight of his eyes or the way that weight affects me.
Tainted Knights finishes their last song and the crowd roars. They love them.
I take a quick video as they come off the stage and shake hands with Steel Total Destruction while the crew rushes to change the set. In the chaos, I concentrate on breathing and the screen as I retweet, then post.
I see his boots and try to ignore them, but he doesn’t move, so I look up. As his eyes narrow for a moment, I wonder what he thinks of me now, after the freak out.
“Gonna wish me luck?”
“Of course.” I nod. “Break a leg.”
“You good?” he asks.
“You high?” I retort.
“Just relaxed.”
I nod. “Well, then”—I look up at him—“I hope you can work through it.”
I walk around him, but he grabs my hand, so I turn back and look at him.
“We’re all working through something.”
My chest feels heavy as I close my eyes and shake my head. “I’m sorry.”
“Me, too.” He lets go of my hand, turns, and walks away.
Taelyn walks over. “Everything okay?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
We watch as they do their huddle, ending in a fist explosion, and I video the entire thing. It’s part of their ritual, part of who Steel Total Destruction is. Band mates is what they call themselves, but they are more than that. It’s evident in their closeness and the way they look out for one another.
On stage, River taps them in, and the sound of Finn’s bass explodes, followed by Billy on the acoustic.
I look left to see Memphis with his hands on Tally’s face, kissing her. They are two very different people who make an amazing couple. While his forehead rests on hers, I don’t know what words are exchanged, but she blushes, smiles, bites her lips. Then he bends his knees, looking directly into her eyes, and says something that causes her to laugh out loud then cover her mouth. He beams at her response and kisses her again before storming the stage.
“Hello, Texas!” He holds the mic out for the crowd’s response. “I am Memphis Black, lead singer for Steel Total Destruction!” He allows the crowd’s electricity to crackle in a thunderous roar. “You ready for some STD? You ready to get rocked so hard you can’t walk straight for a week?” I hear them again, but this time, the sound is like the Fourth of July: screaming, cheering, excitement out of control. “I like the way you sound. Finn, get ’em ready, man.”
“Prepare yourselves to get fucked,” Finn’s voice booms through the speakers.
“Did he really just say that?” Xavier laughs.
“He did.” Taelyn joins him. “Goodbye reclusive bass player. Hello, Beckett.”
“Going Down” begins.
“Did you talk Finn into singing?” I hear Tally ask Nick.
“No, but we have a plan.” He gives her a mischievous smile. That smile makes me nervous for him.
Getting lost in the feeling of their music isn’t hard. They are by far one of the most talented bands I have ever heard. Not only are they talented, but they seem to become one.
After “Surface to Soul” plays, Memphis walks over and whispers to Finn. His body stiffens and his head hangs low as Memphis motions off stage and the lights dim on stage.
Nick runs on stage, and Memphis says something to him before gesturing for a drink, and one of the roadies runs out with a bottle of water. I see Finn walk to center stage while Nick runs off stage, grabs Memphis’s guitar, and then runs it back on stage.
River taps the drums, the acoustic guitars sound up, and a song I have never heard before starts. Then the lights come up, spotlighting Finn. He lets go of the guitar, cups the mic, and his low, raspy voice—his bedroom voice—tingles in my ears.
“Hello, Dallas.” He doesn’t call to them for a response like Memphis; he draws them in; he is seducing them. “I’m Finn Beckett, bass guitarist, song writer, and occasionally, I am asked to stand here and lend you my voice.”
The crowd cheers, though not loudly.
“I wrote this song a long time ago, and although the past should stay where it is, sometimes it just needs to be heard.”
He glances off stage in my direction. I’m not sure if he’s looking at me or if I just want that voice, that seductive bedroom voice, to not be for them. Selfishly, I want it to be for me.
I walk alone, searching for truth.
The dusty road clouds my blues.
In the light of day, she never is you.
Looking ’round, it’s all like a dream.
All I wanted has been sewn together, no seam.
I search for you in my darkest hours, but you’re still gone.
The love we had never was true.
My shattered heart was swept up by the wind and blown.
I’m going blind.
You took what was mine,
Left me behind.
Now I can’t find me.
Oh … Oh-oh-oh …
Oh … Oh-oh-oh.
I’m going blind.
You took what was mine,
Left me behind.
Now I can’t find me.
Oh … Oh-oh-oh …
Oh … Oh-oh-oh.
The light, it shines ubiquitously.
I can still smell your scent universally.
The hole you left can never be filled.
No drink, no smoke, no fucking pills.
I wanna feel the aching I’ve earned.
Chalk it up to a lesson learned.
I try so hard. Can’t believe you’re not mine.
Now it’s time. Yes, it’s time
To let go and find my heart that was blown away.
Lock it up tight.
Mend it, I might.
But I’m still going blind.
You took what was mine,
Left me behind.
Now I can’t find me.
Oh … Oh-oh-oh …
Oh … Oh-oh-oh.
I’m still going blind.
You took what was mine,
Left me behind.
Now I can’t find me.
Oh … Oh-oh-oh …
Oh … Oh-oh-oh.
I walk alone, seeking the truth.
The dusty road now comforts my blues.
In the light of day, I’m glad she’s not you.
I still look around. It’s still like a dream.
All I ever wanted is now sewn together, loose seam.
I search for me in my darkest hours, but I’m still gone.
The love we had never was true.
My shattered heart is now whole. Empty my soul,
But I’m still going blind.
You took what was mine,
Left me behind.
Now I can’t find me.
Oh … Oh-oh-oh …
Oh … Oh-oh-oh.
I’m still going blind.
You stole what was mine.
Left me behind.
Now I can’t find me.
Oh … Oh-oh-oh …
Oh … Oh-oh-oh.
I’m still going blind.
You stole what was mine,
Left me behind.
Now I can’t find me.
Oh … Oh-oh-oh …
Oh … Oh-oh-oh.
The music ends, the crowd roars, and my heart shatters for him, for me, for … her. Then the lights dim, and over the speakers, his husky rasp starts again. No drums, no guitar, just his voice.
I don’t want to be blind.
I just want to see.
Look in the mirror, and let it be me.
Oh … Oh-oh-oh …
Oh … Oh-oh-oh.
Don’t fucking want to be blind.
Just wanna see that face in the mirror that once was me.
Oh … Oh-oh-oh …
Oh … Oh-oh-oh.
The crowd’s roar hits a new high.
“That was Finn Fucking Beckett, ladies and gentlemen. Give it up for Finn!” Memphis yells to the crowd.
I see him pull a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket.
Don’t do it, I plead with him in my head. Don’t. Do. It.
He’s doing it … He. Is. Doing. It.
As he lights up and inhales deeply, I scan the stage for the security men and see them walking up to the stage. However, Xavier shakes his head at them, giving them a look that is without a doubt meant to intimidate, and they step back.
The band goes right into another song. Memphis is singing; Finn’s jamming; Billy is trying his best not to look annoyed by Finn with his cigarette hanging out of his mouth; and River has a look of mischief as he looks toward the security officers.
The song ends, and I see River reach in his pocket and pull out … Oh, hell.
Don’t do it, I plead with him in my head. Don’t. Do. It.
He’s doing it … He. Is. Doing. It.
The entire song, River is beating on the drum with what I am one hundred ten percent sure is a joint hanging from the corner of his mouth.
By the time the song ends, the security guard force has increased, and Nick, Taelyn, and Xavier are arguing with them.
I look at my tablet as I walk over.
“They have one more song,” I say as loudly as I can. No one hears me, so I scream, “They just have one more song!”
All eyes fly to me.
“They are breaking laws,” the man who seems to be in charge says to me.
“They’re not, really—” I stop, because what’s not really? Pot is illegal in Texas, and Finn has already been warned that no smoking is allowed at the arena.
Think, think, I tell myself.
“They’re props.” I nod, content at my lame-ass excuse, hoping it buys them time.
Security storming the stage would not be good, not with a hundred thousand cameras in the audience.
“Props?” one says, and Xavier smirks like this is funny.
I scowl at him, and his eyebrows rise. Then I sigh and shrug, throwing my hands in the air as I walk away. I tried, dammit.
The band is saying their thank yous and goodnights when I see River stand.
“Thank you, Texas! But, hey, there is a whole shit-load of security standing off stage. I think I’m in trouble. I just want to say one thing to them … I didn’t do shit!” He takes the joint from behind his ear and shoves it in his mouth. “I didn’t do shit!” The crowd roars as he raises his hands in the air. “Rockers fucking rock and cops eat fucking donuts! Rockers rock and cops eat donuts! Rockers rock and cops eat donuts!”
When the crowd starts chanting with him, Xavier throws his notebook on the ground and his hands in the air, turns, and walks away.
Security storms the stage, the lights go out, and the crowd goes mad. Once River is cuffed and off stage, the lights come up.
Memphis steps to the mic. “Hope you enjoyed the show. River’s just fucking with you. He just had to piss. Not all cops eat donuts; some just like the coffee.”
Tally laughs, then covers her mouth. Taelyn looks relieved. Xavier is with River and the security crew.
“Go in peace, drink responsibly, don’t fucking smoke on stage”—he laughs, pointing at Finn who holds his hands up as if to say ‘not me,’—“and when you get rocked tonight, fuck like you’ve never fucked before. I know I will.” The crowd freaks out again as he waves. “Goodnight, everyone.”
When Finn comes off stage, his eyes are murky, hazy, and still beautiful as they seek me out. The hair on the back of my neck immediately stands on end, and I know I need to find a corner and hide from the hurricane that appears to be coming … for me.
Quickly, I turn and head for the backdoor. I open it, the wind pricking my skin as I walk down the cement path toward the parking lot. Then I hear the door open, then boots thudding toward me.
I just need time to regroup, but apparently, he isn’t going to allow it.
“Sonya, stop,” he growls.
