There were many thoughts roaming my skull that evening. Most of them suspicious, dark things that traveled from the root of my past to the dawn of my problems cropping up on this tour.
Gripping Lola's hip, guiding her into Belly Up, I made a decision.
She was my main thought.
For that evening.
And for as long as I could keep her at my side.
- Chapter Twenty -
Lola
Sean wouldn't look at me during sound check.
Every lick of music I made was haphazard, my eyes trying to force my brother's attention towards me. By the time the set was done, all I had to show for my effort was a massive migraine.
I should have just told him. The guitar felt heavier than usual; a reminder that it, like my first, had been a gift from Sean. Should have just taken five minutes to tell him I'd gotten stalked at the mall, had a tire sabotaged, and then spilled my guts to Brenda.
Hanging my head, I snapped the instrument's case shut. I barely got off the stage before Drezden moved beside me. His words, his heat, clung to me. “Everything alright? You seemed distracted up there.”
Tossing a quick look at Sean across the room, I noticed Drez following my eyes. “I'm stressing over him ignoring me," I said.
“I could drag him over here for you,” the singer said casually. I wrenched my head around to stare at him; he was smirking like a champ. “Or... you could give him some time alone to think.”
Chuckling, I let my shoulders slide down. “Does that mean your offer isn't really on the table?”
Bending low, Drezden traced his fingers along the nape of my neck. Knowing everyone could see, that Drezden didn't give a shit, set my senses on hyper-aware. “I'll do anything you ask me to, Lola. Want me to drag him here kicking and screaming? Just say the words.”
A tremble shook me to my knees. How do words work? He was too talented at stealing my control. “No,” I rasped. “Giving him some time is fine.”
He kissed me once, teasing with his teeth. “You know,” he whispered, dragging a thumb-pad over my jugular, “They might need to put makeup on your neck tonight. You're covered in my hickies.”
I clasped a palm over my throat. “Shit, that's right.” I forgot about the bruises!
Straightening, his hands let me go... but his stare kept me ensnared. Tucking his fingers into his pockets, Drezden didn't hide the smoldering hunger in his angular face. “If they try, don't let them.”
“What?”
“Don't let them hide my marks.” Wild fire flickered in his green eyes. “I want the world to see what I did to you.”
One beat, four beats, a million beats; my heart couldn't take it. Unable to articulate my thoughts, I gave him a tiny nod. His instant, sly grin made my mouth feel fuzzy.
“Fuck,” he growled, “I want to get alone with you.”
“No. No no no.” Brenda strolled forward, a clipboard in her hand. She wielded it like a giant hammer, smacking Drez on the top of his head—lightly, but he still winced. “No one runs off. This place is going to get packed in less than an hour. I need you all to stick around.”
Drez lifted his eyebrows at her. Grabbing my wrist, the singer pulled me towards the rear exit of the bar. I let him take me, I didn't even struggle.
“Hey!” Our manager waved her arms, shouting at us, drawing every eye in the room. “What did I just say?”
“I'm not sure,” Drez said. "I think that clipboard gave me a concussion."
"I said get back here!" she shouted. "You heard me the first time!"
Chuckling, he kept on walking. "Okay, I heard you. I still need a smoke break." He spared only a second to glance down at me, mystery leaking from his muted smile. “I always smoke before a show.”
Behind us, Brenda was still yelling. It wasn't even words; just frustrated groans. We stepped through a door and into the parking lot. It was chilly, the air waking up the parts of my brain that Drez had managed to weaken.
I asked, “Are you really going out for a smoke?” In my heart, I knew he wasn't.
I just wanted to hear the truth out loud.
Peering around, taking in the fading light above, he answered me with a voice crafted from honey. “No. Of course not.” In the growing shadows, his face was a puzzle. “It's you I want. Lola Cooper... my new addiction.”