My heart hiccuped. In that second of confusion, he took advantage, swallowing my oxygen with a kiss that ate away my understanding of the world. I don't like him? I heard him exhale, felt his stubble on my flesh. No. He's right.
Pushing him away, I fought for the inch of air between us. It was small, but for what I wanted to say, it was enough. “I love you, Drezden.”
“That's better.” He covered me like smoke, took me down into the blankets. I was happy to suffocate there, but he wouldn't let me. His tongue found mine, brought fire to my veins. There was no way to die when he gave me such life. “Lola... I love you, too.” His teeth flashed. “Fuck, I really do.”
Circling my arms around his neck, I held him on top of me. Our chests caressed, hearts throbbing faster and faster. “Of course, you do,” I whispered. “Why else write me a love song?”
His body tightened. “You knew when I sang it.”
“I knew when I read the lyrics in your notebook.”
The edges of his lips shifted between amusement and wickedness. “You're amazing.”
The blush ran to my toes and beyond. “Hardly. Couldn't even finish the final show.”
“That wasn't your fault.” Stroking my hair, Drezden put his chin on my head. “Besides, you'll have plenty of more shows to perform. Plus a new CD to record, we'll want to release one soon with you on it.”
He didn't say 'and not Johnny,' but I heard it. The memory of being kidnapped was a wretched thing. But I'd have new memories before everything was done. Leaning up, I sought out Drezden's soft mouth.
When I'd started out weeks ago as a roadie for my brother, I could never have expected that I'd end up here. Yes, I thought, shivering under Drezden's expert fingers. I never expected any of this.
Lola Cooper.
Fucking rock star.
My world could never be the same...
And I was just fine with that.
Thanks for reading!
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Brenda's Story
Looking in the mirror of that questionable quality but oh-so-cheap downtown boutique, I thought two things to myself.
One: When would it be my turn to find love?
And Two: Were my eye-bags always this big?
Sighing, I pushed at my skin, making a face. I look older than I should because of how much stress this industry puts on me. You would think that, once he'd started seriously dating someone, Drez would have finally alleviated some of the craziness in his lifestyle.
Amazingly, he hadn't.
Between fans, kidnappings, someone hijacking the tour bus, and a party one night that had involved a giraffe and three clowns—life hadn't calmed down at all.
Maybe once he gets married? Fuck, that thought was probably crazier than everything else put together. I was still having trouble wrapping my brain around it. Drezden Halifax, a married man. I'd thought the wedding invitation was a joke until Lola had confirmed it.
Someone knocked loudly on my stall door. "Hey! People are waiting to change! Hurry up!"
Gently, I pushed my forehead onto the mirror. I'm doing just that: waiting for something to change. Tightening my jaw, I stood straight. No, what is this? I'm not sad, things are great for me! I've got money, status, a job the world is jealous of!
What more could I need?
Ignoring the tiny voice inside of me that said, "A serious relationship!" I kicked the door open dramatically. The lady who'd been knocking jumped back, her thin eyebrows shooting to her hairline. "All yours," I said, motioning like she was a damn queen.
Her eyes flicked to the dress hanging in the stall. "Don't you want that?"
I hadn't even tried it on. I hadn't had the courage to bother. "Nope! All yours, and honestly, green is totally your color." Pushing my sunglasses down over my face, I swayed past the gawking customers and out into the hot New York sun. My mental checklist burned as it realized what I was missing:
No dress for the wedding.
No date.
And no clear idea on why I felt so pissed about all of that.
****
I made it back to my hotel, grateful that the bar was open, even if I was the only patron.
The bartender looked up, his smile going crooked. "Didn't I see you this morning?"