Текст книги "Memphis Black"

Автор книги: M. J. Fields

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Текущая страница: 8 (всего у книги 14 страниц)

I turn and swing, and before I can stop myself, I see the broken bottle.

“Fuck!” I scream when I connect with the broken bottle. “Motherfucker!”

I swing with my other hand, knocking the fucker out with a right uppercut. I then feel someone pulling me by the back of my shirt.

“Get him the fuck out of here.”

I grab my left hand and pull it tightly to my chest where blood is pouring out. I am getting dizzy.

“Where are the girls? Mads, Tales! Where the fuck are they?”

“Memphis!” I hear Madison screaming. “Oh, God!”

Blackness overtakes me.

I grab Madison and pull her to the door, feeling sick to my stomach as I open the door to the awaiting car.

“Get in, Mads.”

“But, but—”

“Get in the fucking car!” I scream, not even covering my mouth after the expletive.

“What the hell did I do to you?” I hear Memphis behind me. “Swearing and—”

“Get in.” I have to hold back the tears when I see he’s awake now.

“Sweet cheeks, only if you don’t mind my head on your lap.” He sounds drunk.

I smile and nod. “Of course.”

In the car, I am seated on the black leather bench that backs against the driver’s seat while Memphis lies with his head on my lap, just like he warned. I rap on the partition, calling out “Hospital!” when the driver opens it.

“Tell him fucking fast. Not feeling all that good,” Memphis moans out.

“Fast!”

“No, say ‘fucking fast’.” He smirks, and then his eyes squint in pain.

“Fucking fast,” I yell, knowing it will make him open his eyes.

“You’re making me hard, sweet cheeks,” he mumbles.

I push his hair out of his eyes and lean down. “Aren’t you always?”

He smirks. “Lately, yeah.”  After a minute, he says, “Your father.” He shakes his head.

“What?”

“He made me this way.” His eyes get droopy.

“Give me your shirt.” I hold my hand out to the guys. “One of you, give me your shirt,” I snap. “He’s bleeding more.”

“You can have mine.” Memphis’s full lips curl up in one corner. “Oh, hell, take my boxers, too, Tales.”

“Very funny.”

“If I die, you’ll be so pissed you missed that experience.”

He’s bleeding everywhere. There’s blood on him, on me, on the seats and he’s still being… Memphis.

“Then don’t you dare.” I feel tears in my eyes.

Finn leans over and wraps his shirt around Memphis’s arm.

“Easy, motherfucker.” Memphis cringes. “I really don’t wanna cry like a little bitch in front of Tales,” he pauses and looks at Madison, who is hysterically crying into Billy’s shirt, “or Mads, man.”

I smile as he grins up at me, tears falling freely down my face.

“Aw, man. Don’t cry, sweet cheeks,” he groans while Finn tightens the shirt on his wound.

“How far?” I half yell, half cry to the driver.

“Five minutes,” he snaps back and hits the accelerator.

“How’s our girl?” Memphis asks me, and I know he’s talking about Madison.

“A mess, Memphis.” I push his hair back, then lean down and kiss him. “If you don’t get better, I’m going to die.” He looks at me like I’m nuts, and I don’t even care. I smile through my tears and whisper. “I want you that badly.”

I am shocked that I said that to him, especially now of all times, but you can’t take even a moment for granted and I needed him to know. I needed to give him ...something to look forward to? God, what was I thinking? Well it’s too late now.

His eyes open wide, and then his dark brow creeps up. “What do you want from me?”

I lean down, kiss his nose, and then whisper the truth, “I want you to get better fast, and then I want you to rock me your way.”

“I’m gonna rock you every way. Move back down here.”

I lean back down, and he inhales deeply.

“I’m not the guy you think I am, Tales, and you’re nobody’s groupie.”

I dig deep for courage. “I wanna be your groupie.”

“Fuck, you better not just be saying that ’cause I’m bleeding out, Tales.”

“Memphis, I’ve been your groupie since I was, like, seven.” Even if I become merely one of many, I will not regret admitting that to him, not ever. Not after the way it makes him smile.

“We’re here.”  I tell him.

I feel the car speed into the emergency room’s drop off zone.

“We’ll find you a hot nurse, man,” River says jokingly, and Memphis smirks.

I already feel stupid. So, so stupid.

“River, you’re gonna be my bitch, change my bed pan, give me sponge baths,” he groans as he sits up, then slips back. I catch him. “Nice save, sweet cheeks.”

“Anytime,” I say sadly and hang back.

He looks back. “Where you going?”

“What?”

“You were just right fucking here a second ago. Don’t duck out now. I’m gonna hold you to it, Tales.”

It gets really noisy and confusing when we go through the emergency entrance. Finn and River carry Memphis, and Billy is bleeding, too.

“Bar fight?” The ER nurse laughs.

“Excuse me, miss, but it’s really not funny,” Madison cries. “Not fucking funny at all!”

“Get her the hell out of here,” Memphis says as his eyes roll slightly.

“Come on, Madison; let’s go call your folks.”

She wraps her arms around my waist and cries as we walk out the way we came in.

“Want me to call—?”

“No,” she cries. “He has to be okay. He just has to be.”

“I know, and he will be,” I say, hugging her tightly.

I lead her to the bench to the right of the entrance, and we sit.

“No, he won’t be.”

“He will, dammit!” She looks up at me, surprised. “Sorry.”

“I know. I know! Tally, our parents—”

“I’ll call them.” I look for the car since my bag is in it.

“No, that’s just the thing. They aren’t okay. They split up six months ago. Dad came to see me at school during one of his trips. He stayed at a hotel. I … Well, I went to surprise him, and he wasn’t alone.”

“Your mom was …” I stop when I see her lip quiver, and she shakes her head. “Oh! Oh, Madison. Why haven’t you talked to me?”

“I haven’t told anyone,” she cries. “God, what a mess. What a fucking mess.”

Her face is in her hands, and she is trembling from her silent sobs. I place my hands on her leg.

“How did your mom take it?”

She shakes her head. “I couldn’t … I couldn’t tell her.”

My heart breaks for her. “You’ve gone through this alone?”

“I couldn’t tell Memphis. Dad told me I couldn’t, or I would fuck things up for him.”

“He put that on you?” She nods. “What an asshole.”

She smiles and wipes away her tears. “You have a Black mouth.”

“A what?” I wipe my face.

“Like a potty mouth, but worse.” She smiles, and I squeeze her in a hug again.

“How come you didn’t talk to me?”

“You lost your father, and I want mine dead half the time, Tales. I just couldn’t.”

“I understand.” I hug her more tightly. “Don’t do it again, or I’ll cut you.” I smile, repeating what she says to Memphis all the time.

“What’s up with you and my brother?” she asks, pulling free from my bear hug.

“What do you mean?” I look away for a moment, hoping she won’t see the lie on my face.

“Tales, if he hurts you…” She grabs my hand.

“Madison, it’s flirting,” I tell her, looking back at her.

She gives me the uh-huh look. “Talk to me when you’re ready.”

“I’m ready for you to call your parents and then go back in and check on Memphis,” I say, standing up from the bench we sat on.

“And Billy.”

“Talk to me about that when you’re ready.” I smile, taking her hand. “Let’s go get our purses from the car.”

When we walk in, Finn looks up and says loudly, “Come on.” The nurse gives him a look. “They’re his sisters.”

“And you’re all his brothers,” she says, obviously not believing him.

“That’s what he told you, isn’t it?”

She shakes her head. “Go on in.”

When we walk in, I can immediately tell Memphis has been given something for the pain. His eyes are not vibrant and showy like they always are. His arm is bandaged from the fingertips to all the way up past his elbow.

“You okay?” Madison asks quietly.

“No, I’m not fucking okay, Mads,” he slurs. “They think I have nerve damage. I have to have surg—”

“Ery,” River finishes for him.

Memphis covers his face, saying nothing.

“He is worried about the tour,” River whispers, none too quietly.

“I’m a fucking guitarist,” he mumbles. “I play fucking guitar.”

The room falls quiet.

“And you sing, Memphis,” I say, trying to give him some hope.

“Yeah, now we have to find another guitarist. Fucking bullshit.”

“You’ll be okay, Memphis. You’ll see.” Madison’s voice cracks.

“And how the hell do you know that? You a doctor, Mads? Or you just going to college to do him or him?”

“Memphis,” I gasp.

“It’s my best diddling hand, Tales, so you may want to rethink the groupie thing, sweet cheeks.”

I feel my face burst into flames as he looks out from under his arm.

“Still got my lap, though. You can still get yourself—”

I turn and walk out. I walk out of the room, out of the ER, and outside.

“Wait up.” I turn back to see River running behind me. “Tally, he’s all fucked up on morphine. He is a mess. He’s going on tour in just a couple months, and there is no way in hell he’s gonna recover that quickly.”

“He could,” I say, rather forcefully for me.

“No.” He runs his hands through his hair. “Pretty sure the doctor said, ‘There is no fucking way, young man’.” He smiles sadly and looks down. “He is going into surgery in about fifteen minutes. He has you and Madison, who by the way, is a train wreck of epic proportions, and that’s coming from me, the cause of most train wrecks of epic proportions. Fuck!” he roars suddenly. “Look, you are, like, the most normal person in his life who’s here; go tell him the bullshit about him being okay.”

“He won’t believe me,” I argue.

“He’ll want to. Fuck, tell him, if he pulls through, you’ll give him dome or some shit.”

“What?” I honestly have no clue what dome is.

“You have two point two seconds before I claim fucked up on drugs when I get arrested for throwing you over my shoulder and marching POW! back in that hospital.”

“What?” The word doesn’t even leave my mouth before he has me up and over his shoulder, walking toward the ER entrance. “I’ll scream,” I threaten.

“Like I said, I’m fucked up and will get off; trust me, Tales. I’ve been there, done that, gotten the T-shirt.”

“River, put her down, for fuck’s sake,” I hear Finn’s voice before I get dropped on my feet.

“He needs you. Pull your shit together, stop acting holier-than-thou, and man the fuck up,” River says as Finn takes my hand and leads me back in. No sense in fighting; he’s a damn house.

He stops in front of his room and releases my hand. “Madison is making a phone call. You do whatever you gotta do in there, understand?”

“I don’t like you very much right now; do you understand me?” I ask, straightening my skirt and trying to push my mess of a hair-do back in place.

“Don’t give one fuck, let alone two. Now go,” he says in a harsh whisper as he opens the door.

I turn to walk in and feel a sharp smack to my backside, and I turn around to see River.

“POW!” he whispers.

I would rather take my chances with the crude and rude Memphis than that motley crew.

Memphis gives a slight huff. “You came back.”

“Yeah, well,” I say as I walk toward him, “I just needed a break from tonight, you know? And, well, your band mates don’t seem to get that.”

“You left because I was a dick. That’s what Madison told me, anyway. But I need you to do me a favor.”

I sit down next to him and look into his drugged and hopeless eyes.

“Your dream of being with a rock star, that shit’s not gonna happen here, girl, so you’re off the hook.”

“Off the hook for …?”

“Me banging you into oblivion.”

“Memphis?”

“Seriously, you can walk. You deserve something better than a twenty-three-year-old coffee jockey.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ll be serving coffee again soon.”

“You’ll be singing onstage while you heal and melting panties in the process.”

“I’m all fucked up on pain meds, and I’m chubbing up, Tales. They should bottle you up and sell you to those poor fucks who can’t get it up.”

“They could replace that pink pill with your voice, Memphis.”

“Ooo, she’s good,” he says, looking up.

“He’s amazing,” I say, looking at him.

“If I ever hurt you, cut my dick off.”

I laugh. “What?”

“Hmm.” He smirks. “I don’t deserve a good girl like you.”

“Well, I am a hundred percent sure the girls who have had you would disagree.”

He is dozing off, so I take his hand.

“Tales?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t deserve you, but everything inside and outside of me wants to take you and keep you.”

“You should rest; you’re talking—”

“Truth. I’m talking truth.”

“Under the influence, so I won’t hold you to it, Memphis.”

He slowly drags my hand to his stomach and then down … there. “Take them with you.” He uses my hand to grab his … balls. “You should have them.”

Wow, just, wow. I am blushing from head to toe and slightly turned on, while he’s a mess. What the hell is wrong with me?

“Sweet cheeks?”

“Yeah, Memphis?”

“The least you could do is give them a tug.”

“A what?” I laugh.

“Hmm,” he sighs.

“You really want me to …”

“Fuck, yeah,” he says in a medicated, slow drawl. “When I wake up, I want them slapping POW!”

I’m totally confused, so I stand, hands still under his … on his … balls. I lean over him and kiss him.

“I fucking love your mouth. I can’t wait to taste your—”

I kiss him again, then tug.

He groans in my mouth, and … I do it again.

***

Four hours. That’s how long it has been since we arrived here at this godforsaken hospital. Between the band, Madison, and me, I think the nurses are growing tired of us.

I look up when I hear Finn say, “X-Man, what the fuck are you doing here?”

This guy… X-man is in jeans and a T-shirt. His arms are covered in tattoos and he’s bulky, like he works out. He’s very, very good-looking, just like everyone Memphis hangs out with, but none of them are as handsome as Memphis.

“Forever Steel, man. How is he?”

“Still in surgery. He’s a fucking mess.”

“How’s your head, man?” Xavier asks, walking around him.

“Twelve stitches. I’ll be fine,” Billy answers. “This shit’s my fault. If he can’t play, it’s—”

“Then you’ll play,” the man covered in tattoos that looks very intimidating walks over to me. “Rough night?”

I nod.

Finn introduces me and Madison, who is asleep on my lap, in his own way. “That’s his sister and the girl he wants to—”

“His sister’s best friend,” Billy interrupts.

“I’m Xavier Steel.” He reaches his hand out. “Someone call his parents?”

“I’m Tallia, and yes, Madison called them.”

“He has a great team of doctors; he’ll be fine.” Xavier sits down. When he’s not hovering, he looks far less intimidating. “Billy here is gonna learn acoustic—”

“I can’t.”

“The fuck you can’t; you will.” Xavier laughs, but I really don’t think he’s joking.

“Xavier …” Billy begins.

“Forever Steel, Billy,” is all he says before he turns back to me and shakes his head. “Where’s his head at?”

I look up at Finn and then River who is sleeping on the hard plastic waiting room couch.

Xavier clears his throat. “I saw you in the video monitor during our call the other day, saw him looking at you. So, I’m not asking them, I am asking”—he points at me—“you. Where’s his head at?”

I swallow back tears. “Scared, doesn’t think he’s going to be all right, but he will. I know he will. He has an amazing voice, and his talent is God given and—”

“Where’s your head at?” he interrupts.

“I don’t understand.”

“You gonna keep his head straight and mind focused?”

How? I scream in my head. How am I supposed to do that and what the hell is he talking about?

“I don’t understand,” I repeat.

He nods. “I see.”

I can’t find her. Fuck, I don’t even know who it is I’m looking for. I just know I need her, like now. Someone has me. Someone is keeping me away from her, and I don’t know who they are, either.

I look around. Darkness is everywhere. I see shadows, but nothing recognizable. They still have me, and I fight with all I am, all I have.

“Please, stop. Just leave him alone. God!”

I hear a cry, and then I see a light. And nothing good comes when you see a light. Fuck, what happened? Where am I? Why is she crying?

“Memphis, just open your eyes. Please just open your eyes.”

I force myself to do just that. I blink at the brightness a few times then finally …

“Fuck,” I groan.

“He’s awake,” I hear Mads. “He’s awake.”

“Shit, Mads, did you think I wouldn’t wake up?” I growl at her. “Fucking throat hurts.”

“You had a tube down your throat. That’s normal after surgery,” the nurse says.

“You shoved a fucking tube down my throat? You never said you were shoving shit down my throat. So help me God, you better not have fucked that up.” I try to sit up, but I can’t. “Am I tied the fuck down?”

“You were fighting. We had no choice but to restrain you for your own—”

“Un-fucking-believable,” I groan. It hurts. It hurts really fucking badly. “How long am I gonna feel like shit?”

“A few days. And you’ll—”

“Then knock me the fuck out. Fuck, I have to piss.”

“You have a catheter in—”

“Fucking masochists. I will end your lives if that shit doesn’t work again.”

“Memphis, shut it down, man. You’ll be fine.”

I look left. “X-man, if they fuck everything up for me, and I’m back to serving coffee—”

“I’ll hire you on to wipe River’s ass.” He smirks at me.

“Fuck you.”

“If it still works, I’ll get you a hooker, but you aren’t fucking me,” he jokes.

“Man, what a fucking mess.” I look toward Madison, who starts sobbing.

“I’m sorry. This is all my fault. If I—”

“Mads, you’re fine. Just muffle that cry; my fucking head hurts, okay?”

“I have to tell you something,” she says, standing beside me.

“Mom and Dad here?”

“No, I didn’t call them,” she says and that lip pokes out.

I laugh. “You didn’t what?”

“They don’t deserve to be here. They’ve only come to two of your shows and—”

“They’re busy, Mads. Shit, Dad busts his ass making bank, and Mom busts hers making everything perfect for all of us.”

“Dad’s been cheating on her. I caught him, and I don’t know how to tell—”

I gasp. “What the fuck did you just say?”

“Madison,” I hear X as the room spins. “Not a good time for this conversation.”

“Someone knock me the fuck out,” I beg.

***

I wake up in the dark. I swallow, finding my throat is still sore. I try to move my hand, but it hurts like a bitch, and my head is spinning, and not because of the drugs, but because of what Madison told me.

“I am gonna kill that mother—”

“You’re awake?”

I look right to find Tally is sitting there. I give a nod.

“You’re in pain?”

I nod again.

“The nurse said you can drink. It might make you feel better.”

“I don’t see how it could.”

She looks at me sadly.

“Don’t look at me like that, Tales. I mean, shit happens. Maybe not all at once like today, but shit happens.”

“You’re going to be okay.”

“Yeah.” I nod.

“Wasn’t asking.” She gets up and sits on my right side, taking the cup off the rolling stand then bending the straw as she leans toward me. “Hydrate, rest, heal.”

“It’s that easy?”

She nods. “Hydrate, rest, heal.” Then she leans in and kisses my head.

“Where’s Mads?”

“Your band mates took her back to the house to sleep. She’s kind of … tired.”

“She okay?”

“She will be.”

I take a drink, and then she sets it down and turns her body toward me.

“You will be, too.”

“My old man fucked around on a woman he told he loved every day on the phone or in person.”

“Things happen. I know it sucks, but they do.”

“You lost your old man,” I whisper because it hurts to talk.

“Madison said she wants to kill yours,” she says with a sad smile.

“She’s not alone.”

“Can I get you anything?”

I smirk, and she laughs, shaking her head.

“Even in pain, I want whatever it is your offering.”

“A kiss?”

“No.”

She looks hurt.

“Tales, I haven’t brushed my teeth in a while. It’s definitely me being a gentleman.”

“A toothbrush?”

“Now you’re talking.”

“I’ll be right back.” She walks towards the door.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“They did untie you.” She smiles a sweet smile.

“That was fucked up, right?” It still pisses me off.

“This is all fucked up.”

“Tales.” I stop her before she leaves. “Tell one of them chicks I am taking this tube out of my dick if they don’t get in here and do it. That shit’s not natural.”

The nurse comes in a few minutes later. “I’m Sandy. I’ll be removing the tubing.”

“Good. Can I brush my teeth first?”

She hands me a toothbrush with paste on it and a pan to spit in. When I’m done, she pulls the sheet away. I am looking down at my dick with a hose coming out of it. So fucking not cool.

“You may feel a slight tug or pull when it comes out, but it won’t hurt.”

“Gotcha.” I brace myself for it, anyway.

“You’ll feel relieved, but you might pass urine when you don’t want to.”

“You’re kidding, right?” I snarl.

She looks at me deadpan, and I realize Nurse Sandy isn’t fucking kidding.

“This is an incontinence pad.” She shows it to me. “Lift your bum.”

“I don’t have a bum; I have an ass.” I try my best not to be pissy, but fuck this shit.

She gives me that look again. “It’ll get better over time.”

“How much time?” I ask as she pulls the tubing out of my dick.

“Not long.”

“Sandy, when my dick is in your hand, I don’t wanna hear ‘not long,’ because it is.” She turns her back to walk out. “Tell me I’m lying?”

“Goodnight, Mr. Black.”

You have got to be fucking kidding me. I’m gonna lie here and piss myself, and she can’t even laugh at that shit. Fucking healthcare.

The good news is, I’m not pissing myself. The bad news is, Tales hasn’t returned.

I sit and wait and wait some more.

When she finally comes back in, she is all wide-eyed, and her face is red.

“You’re back,” I state happily.

“Yep.” She takes my water cup and holds it up. “Drink.”

“Not sure if that’s a good idea.”

“Your throat.”

I look at her, she looks at me, and neither one of us says a word. I see it in her eyes, though; she is questioning something.

I shake my head.

“Memphis …” she says in a warning, squaring her shoulders. “Hydration is necessary, so if you’re worried about”—she glances down at my dick; I swear to fuck she does—“something, just don’t. You’ve been through—”

“Worried about what?”

She glances down again.

I shake my head. “Spill it.”

“I heard the nurses giggling at their station,” she whispers.

“About me?”

She shrug. “Something about an ass and not a bum and then length and—”

“I’m not pissing myself, Tales.”

She holds out the cup. “Take a drink, Memphis Black, or you won’t be pissing at all, and then you’ll get an infection, and you might just end up all sorts of”—she pauses—“fucked up. Your hand, your throat, and your penis, Memphis. Do you want those things most important in your life to remain … injured, or are you more worried about a little leakage?”

“You said fuck, and my dick heard you.” I can’t help messing with her. “And it’s seems to have blood flowing in the right direction, so …”

“You’re a pig.” She smirks as she sits down next to me.

“Careful, sweet cheeks, don’t get too close.”

She laughs, and then her eyes fill up with tears. “You’re going to be okay.”

“Yeah, I’m going to be fine,” I tell her so she doesn’t worry, but fuck if doubt isn’t on stage under the spotlight, center stage in my head. “I brushed my teeth.”

“So did I.”

“You wanna lean down here and kiss me? Make it easier on me?”

“Of course.”

Her lips are gentle on mine, soft and sweet, not like before and maybe not ever again, but right now, nothing has ever felt so good.

***

I wake up to a blood pressure cuff strangling my arm.

“You people are bound and determined to fuck something up on me, aren’t you?” I cringe and open my eyes.

Mom.

“You’re okay?” she chokes out on a sob.

“I’m good, Mom,” I say through gritted teeth. I don’t know for how much longer, though. Shit, I don’t know how people survive in these places.

“The good news is that you can go home today.” She forces a smile. “Also good news, I’ll be staying here until they release you to fly, so I am going to spoil my little boy and help him get well.”

“Mom …” I whisper.

“Don’t, Memphis. I need to do this.”

“Yeah, well, when I heal, I have a thing or two I need to do, as well.”

She shakes her head. “Heal.”

“I will, Mom. So will you.”

“I’m worried about the two of you. You and Madison are my life.”

“He needs to get the fuck out.”

“He has.”

“Good.”

“He’s still your father.”

“He ain’t shit.”

“Memphis, I won’t have you talk about him like that. He provided a good life for us and—”

“He funded a life; you provided it.”

She sits down on the bed as tears spill out of her eyes, and I pull her head down to my chest. As she cries, my heart breaks for her.

***

I walk into the house where the guys are all standing there, looking at me.

“Is someone gonna say something? This isn’t a fucking funeral. I’m walking; my throat is fine.” I pull my mom’s head to my chest and cover the ear that is not crushed against me. “And my dick isn’t leaking and works just fine.” I look around, then let go of my mom. “Where are the girls?”

“Grocery shopping,” Mom says as she shakes her head. “And I heard you.” She starts to walk away while all the guys laugh.

“We have a cook available,” I call out to her.

“I came to take care of you,” she says, walking into the kitchen, “so the cook gets a break. I’m sure it’s well deserved.”

I look back as the Escalade pulls in. Tally is in the driver’s seat, looking smoking hot in that big thing.

Madison gets out of the passenger side and wipes her eyes. She’s been crying. Again.

I look at the guys. “Sorry shit’s messed up. I don’t like the drama. Really don’t like bringing it to you all.” The fucking hospital, the wreck my family has become, and now the fuck pad has been invaded by women no one can fuck.

“This ain’t fucking drama; this is life. Shit drama.” River chuckles as he walks down the hall.

I look at Finn.

“Step the fuck out of your bitch pants, man. Tear off the Depends.” He grins.

“Shit’s not funny. Could be leaking today because of this shit.”

“But you’re not, so tug on your balls, get laid, and look around, motherfucker. Life is good. We’re in Miami, baby, and because of you getting your ass kicked—”

“I didn’t get my fucking ass kicked, you asshole!”

“You may have busted a nose.”

I grin. “I broke his nose?”

“Hell yes, you did, and you were bleeding like a stuck pig when you did it. I’d high-five your ass, but I don’t wanna make you cry.”

I laugh and shake my head. “You think Billy can pull off lead guitar?”

“It’s acoustic; a trained monkey could pull it off. Now, if it was bass, we’d be fucked.”

Speaking of fucked, I smell her as she walks by, and my fully functional, heat-seeking missile is … fully functioning.

“Good afternoon, ladies.”

“Wow, someone’s in a good mood.” Tally smiles over her shoulder.

“I feel like I just got sprung after being in county for twelve months,” I say behind her.

River walks out, chuckling. “Hashtag: white boy problems.”

“Hashtag: suck it.”

“Hashtag: not my job, man. Oh, and hashtag: you sure it still works?”

I scowl at him and he smirks. I know the fucker’s just sucked on something, and its named chillz.

“Oh, darn it,” Tally says, looking through a bag. “We forgot the chicken.”

“How do you girls forget chicken when I am making chicken enchiladas?” Mom laughs.

“Hashtag: blonde moment.” River grins like a fool.

“You do know they’re both brunette, don’t you?” I comment, looking at his foolish face.

“Hashtag: don’t give a fuck. But hashtag: your mom has a smokin’ body.”

“I will fuck you up if you ever say shit like that in front of me again,” I hiss at him.

“Come on, River; let’s go for a walk,” Billy says, shaking his head. Then I hear him say, “You really should stop smoking that shit.”

“Mom, wanna come with?” Madison asks, grabbing the key fob.

“I can go,” Tally offers, grabbing her bag.

“No, I need some Mom time. Memphis has been hogging her.” She sticks her tongue out at me, and I smile.

“Be right back. We’ll grab your prescription from the pharmacy, too.” Mads and Mom walk to the door.

“They can deliver it, Mom,” I call to her as she walks out.

“I’m your mom, Memphis.”

I look over at Finn, then Tally. “I’m going to—” He doesn’t finish as he walks out.

“Tales,” I say.

She sighs and looks up. “You need to let her take care of you.”

“Come again?” I can’t help thinking about how badly I want to make her do just that.

“Your mom needs you to need her right now.”

“How about you?”

She nods, but her eyes aren’t sparkling. Emerald City has lost its luster, and I don’t like that at all.

“Wanna help me out?”

“With?” She tugs at her shirt. It has those robot-looking people on it. The green, red, blue, and pink– “Memphis?”

Aw, fuck it. “I need a bath. Run some water?”

“Sure.” She walks quickly by me, then stops and turns around. “I’m happy you’re going to be okay.” Then she walks back, grips my shirt, pushes herself up on her toes, and kisses me. Plants one right on me.

She starts to pull away, but I grab her T-shirt and try to kiss her. However, she manages to step back.

“Come on.” She all but runs into the bedroom.

When I get in there, the water is already running. She stands there, fussing with that shirt.

“Do you know how sexy you look in all those vintage tees, Tales?” I ask as I shut the door behind me. She shakes her head. “I always preferred the glamour shit, and now, when I look at you, I have no fucking idea why.”

“It might have something to do with the pain medication,” she says as she nervously tangles her long, wavy locks around her finger.

“The hair, too, Tales. I love it. I used to pick on you tirelessly about it, and now I’ve decided, when I get my first interview in Rolling Stone, I’m gonna tell all the little boys out there that the tight, kinky curls tame, and when they do, damn.” I pull my shirt up and then over my head, groaning in pain.

“Let me help.” She steps over to me and drags my T-shirt slowly down my arm. “Does it hurt?”

“At this moment, I have no clue, and I don’t really give a shit.” Tales is stripping me.

She folds my shirt and sets it on the counter behind me. Then she takes a deep breath and reaches out, her hands going toward my waistband.

“I’ll get these.” Her voice is no more than a whisper. She’s nervous and I swear if I say some stupid shit and fuck this up, I’m gonna kick my own ass but I have to make sure she knows it’s not an expectation.

“You sure you wanna do that?”

She nods, biting down on her lip, and then, as if she has found enough courage, she unbuttons me as she breathes out slowly.

I grab the back of her head and pull it so her forehead is touching my chest as I smell her hair before kissing the back of her head.

She pushes my jeans down until she is kneeling in front of me. Her eyes are wide, eye level with the bulge in my boxers.