sure how prom fit into that. Maybe there was a tiny bit more that remained behind the curtain.
But I was in no hurry to pull it back.
“No romantic bullshit remaining in your head about him?” War’s lips quirked. “Just me in there now, the most handsome and soon-to-be most successful lead singer in rock history.”
“Just you.” From now on. Glancing down, I stroked my thumb across the cold bumpy surface of his rings. I glanced up, wiser, older, and hopefully less naive. “Are you planning for us to have some alone time this evening?”
“Yes, I am, baby.”
“Good,” I said firmly, though my stomach pitched.
“You look good enough to eat in that dress.”
Oh boy. War had that look in his eyes, and when he did, he got busy, and he got busy fast. He wasn’t deterrable. Then I remembered . . . I didn’t want to deter him anymore.
“You do too,” I said huskily, knowing well how he tasted.
His eyes darkening, War released my hand and traced the crisscrossed laces on the front of my tunic dress. The silver in his rings shone, reflecting the overhead streetlight. “This is very provocative.”
It was meant to be. I couldn’t have my dream to design ones of my own, but I could still use clothes to project an image.
“Ready to go inside?” He gestured to where the darkness gathered around the walkway to Kyle’s apartment. The motion light above his door was out.
“Yeah. I’m ready.” I pulled in a breath.
War took my hand again, and we went in.
War
Inside the apartment, Lace and I stood in the ratted-out living room, a line of people all the way to the kitchen waiting to offer their congratulations about the record deal. With bongs on the side tables, coke on the coffee table, drug paraphernalia basically everywhere, it felt fitting. Rock ’n’ roll wasn’t pristine. It was dark, defiant, and angry. It comforted the disturbed, and disturbed the comfortable. Why not here to receive the accolades due?
I was glad I’d missed prom. The high school stuff was pissant bullshit. I was soon to rule the world, and I had the best, the most beautiful woman at my side.
But just in case, I kept my arm around her. I wasn’t losing her tonight. Bryan might show. No matter what she said, there was something going on with them, and he remained a wild card.
As usual, my plan with him was to keep him close, use him as necessary, though I had yet to locate him. His mom didn’t even know where he was, or she did and wasn’t telling me.
The rest of the guys would make an appearance. The party at Kyle’s place was our reception, and our show afterward at Footit’s would be a final good-bye to Southside. We weren’t coming back. Ever.
I wasn’t returning to school. I told Lace there was a choice to make regarding which label. I’d told the guys the same thing, but it wasn’t true. I didn’t feel bad about the deception, not really. It was my band. I made the decisions. The meeting was just a formality, a necessary but uncomfortable one.
“Hey, loser.” Kyle stepped up, wearing the same shirt and jeans he’d been in the last time I’d seen him. “Congrats and all.”
“Thanks, man.” I clapped him on the back, careful of his Solo cup of beer. He clapped me on the back and dipped his chin to Lace, careful not to touch her and piss me off. He knew how I was about her.
“Your room is ready for you.” His gray eyes lit up like sparklers. “Left a little going-away present for you on the dresser.”
My mouth went dry in anticipation. I hoped it was coke and heroin. One would make me hard as fuck, and the other would send me flying. Tonight, I’d share all of it with Lace. There were many ways I planned to tie her to me.
“C’mon, Lace.” I took her arm. “Sorry, guys,” I said to those remaining in line. “Gotta fuck my girl.”
“War!” She tucked her chin to her chest as her cheeks turned dusky pink, the same color as the nipples on her amazing tits. “You’re embarrassing me.”
“Get over it. I’m not hiding shit with anyone how I feel about you, or what I want to do to you.”
“Wait.” Kyle grabbed my arm.
“What?” I narrowed my eyes.
“Just a heads-up. Martin Skellin is around.”
“So?”
“Dude, the drugs for your party are courtesy of him.” Kyle shook his head. “Be respectful. Don’t give that guy attitude.