the next twenty-four hours is sort of how we make things right.
Besides, on the other hand...she’s married. Despite the hope I hold fiercely onto, she gave zero indication that she’s waiting around for me, and as much as I want to wait around for her, at some point I have to move forward. I can’t keep spinning my wheels, and maybe there’s something to Tommy’s words. Or maybe he’s an idiot and I’ll wake up with regrets. Either way, sitting around pining for someone who isn’t doing the same for me doesn’t seem like the best way to move forward.
After I eat, I head to my bedroom to figure out who I want to bless with this booty call. Or curse, as the case may be.
I have the twenty-first century little black book: a list of names in my contacts of women I’ve slept with before. Women who understand my need for zero strings. Women who know how to have fun even if sometimes they’re just a little crazy.
I text Heather first, mostly because she was always a good lay.
Me: I’m back from tour. You around?
There’s no sense in beating around the bush. We both know why I’m texting her.
Her reply is immediate, which just tells me that even though more than two and a half years have passed since the last time I saw her, some things never change. This girl was always glued to her phone, and her replies to me were always immediate.
Heather: Good to hear from you, T. I’m actually engaged to the man of my dreams, but thanks for thinking of me.
So while some things never change, apparently others do.
Me: Congratulations. I suppose I’m not on the invite list?
She responds with a laughing so hard she’s crying emoji, and I move onto my next option, Alyssa.
Me: I’m back from tour. You around?
Alyssa: OMG it’s Tyler Caldwell! I’m fangirling, but I can’t tonight. I have a date.
Option number three, Kaylee, is married now. Option number four, Jazmin, exclusively bangs chicks. Option number five, Mel, doesn’t do one night stands anymore.
And the list goes on.
My life went on pause for two years when I was forced overseas with my band, but everyone else kept living. They’re involved in relationships now. They’ve grown up and moved on, and I’m still stuck in the past.
I head downstairs and find Tommy on the couch where Brett was before.
“Find a chick to fuck?” he asks lazily.
I shake my head. “All my top options have moved on with their lives.”
His brows dip and he sits up. “Then we need to find you someone new.”
Jesus, he’s really convinced that getting me laid is magically going to fix everything.
“Let’s hit a bar, I’ll play wingman, and maybe we’ll both find some sweet ass to take to bed.”
Admittedly it’s not my finest moment when I agree, but what Tommy wants, Tommy gets.
I pause for a minute at that. I’m blaming him when I’m a grown man with the capability of making my own decisions. I’ve blamed him for a lot of the things wrong in my life, but maybe it’s time to stop blaming somebody else. Maybe it’s time to take control where I can.
And maybe all that will begin in the morning when I’m more relaxed after releasing all those sex endorphins.
CHAPTER 15
TYLER
Brett pusses out on us, so Tommy and I head to the bar alone after we warm up at home with a few too many shots.
It’s been a long time since we did this—as in before we hit the big time. Before I was on TV screens across the country. Before our first album with Ashmark went platinum.
We hit up a place in West Hollywood where we always used to find the hottest girls, and from the moment we step out of the car that drove us here, something feels different.
And then the screaming starts.
“Oh my God! It’s Tommy Stevenson!”
A circle of women closes in on us, and it’s not just Tommy’s name I hear. “Tyler Caldwell!”
Thank God I took those shots before we left because holy fuck I’m not ready for this shit.
I thought being away for two years might’ve diminished some of the fandom, but apparently it intensified while we were away. And now it’s like these ladies have to make up for lost time.
Someone tugs at my shirt, and someone else squeezes my ass. These chicks aren’t shy, that’s for damn sure.
We both have our pick of whoever we want to go home with tonight.
Bar security shows up at