Bry, if I can fucking find him.”
Her eyes went active. “Sure.” She bobbed her head. “That sounds great. Should be interesting.”
Yes, it should. I was reserving the bedroom for the entire night.
• • •
Lace
A lot to celebrate.
War didn’t mention my test scores because they didn’t even factor.
Sure, yay for the band. He had his dream. But shouldn’t he at least acknowledge mine was in the toilet?
It didn’t mean anything.
I gave Bryan my virginity and my heart, all dressed up in vintage chiffon, but he didn’t want it. He couldn’t get away from me fast enough.
No texts. No phone call. Nothing.
Yeah, it was starting to sink in. Two guys I gave my affection to, and it didn’t really mean shit. I didn’t mean shit to either of them.
“You look really nice tonight,” War said as we walked to Kyle’s that night, bringing me back to the moment while reeling me closer to him by the arm he’d slung around my shoulders.
“Thanks,” I said casually, like it wasn’t a big deal the hour I’d spent putting an outfit together and getting ready. “You said it was a celebration, a party.”
I might feel broken down and rejected, but I wanted to look confident and sexy. If Bryan were around, l wanted him to see that I went on with my life, that I was fine and non-clingy without him.
“Sorry it was only a shared pizza for dinner and not a fancy restaurant.” War stopped on the sidewalk and turned me toward him. “That will all change soon. Lots of things will. We’re so close to the big time, baby.”
“Band meeting tomorrow night?” I asked to clarify.
“Yeah, two great offers. Putting it up to everyone to decide. RCA or Zenith.” A shadow passed through his gaze.
“What time do I need to be there?”
“Show’s at nine. Meeting’s at eight.”
I tilted my head, wondering why he hadn’t mentioned the meeting until now. “No sound check before?”
“No. This is just a farewell performance. I should have said something before now. But you were giving me the stiff arm, remember?”
Yeah, I had. I allowed for that.
“Once we’re under contract, whichever label we choose will own our asses. They’ll decide what shows we do, negotiate with the clubs and all. Stadiums and concert halls one day.” His expression brightened as the wind whipped his light and dark caramel hair around his face. Beneath his bandanna, War was undeniably handsome.
War isn’t just some consolation prize, I reminded myself. He was unpredictable, sure, and scary when he felt wronged, but he was loyal to me, and I had no plans to get on his bad side again.
It was just prom, a lay, it hadn’t meant anything. Message received. Bryan wanted one time and done. He got that. He was out of my head and out of my heart.
But I could still feel him. His hard, sculpted body, the way he’d moved it, mastering me. His deep grunts of satisfaction. His approving eyes. His crisp pine scent lingered on my skin, though I’d scrubbed and scrubbed in scalding-hot water in the shower.
Would I ever be free of the hold he had on me?
“Sorry I missed prom.” War reached for my hand, brought it to his mouth, and kissed the back of it while peering at me with his copper-flecked brown eyes. “You forgive me?”
“Yes, of course,” I said, and guilt seized me.
No matter how badly War had treated me, we had an agreement and I broke it. I thought . . .
I swallowed hard as a huge ball of emotion strained the confines of my throat.
I thought War and I were over, that Bryan had come to claim me, that he was the fairy tale, that the love he offered me had been real.
But it had only been an illusion. Once the curtain had been pulled back, the silly, starry-eyed girl had learned her lesson. The dream wasn’t real.
“Love you, Lacey.” War dipped his chin. “You know that, right?”
“Yes, War. I love you too.” I turned over our joined hands. His silver and leather bracelets slid together as I pressed my lips to his knuckles.
“You’re mine.” He searched my gaze. “You know how Bry is. Missy isn’t the only one. You know he only took you out last night because I told him to. Because I knew it was important to you, and I look after you, right?”
“Yes, War.” My stomach swirled, a bitter, toxic stew. “I know.” I knew he looked after me when it served his purposes. I wasn’t exactly