Bayou Stix Series: Bayou Stix Limited Edition Box Set (40 page)

Grabbing a condom off of the nightstand and slipping it on, of course I do.

When we’re both sweaty and satisfied, I roll over pulling her with me. She lays on my chest and traces the tattoos. She sighs.

“What?”

She looks at me. Her hair is mussed up and sticking out everywhere and her face is flushed from the sex. She’s beautiful. “Nothing. Everything. In a bit, we have to go face everyone. They’ll know we had sex.”

I frown, “Is that a problem?”

She sighs again. “No. Yes. I don’t know. Lexi and Bradi already knew something would happen. I don’t know what you told the guys, but I don’t want them thinking differently of me. I don’t want Jude and Liam thinking any differently.”

Wait a minute, she cares what LIAM thinks. What the fuck is that? Jude, I get, they’re friends and they were whatever they were a long time ago, but why does it matter what Liam thinks?!?! Fuck that. She’s not hooking up with Liam.

I tense and say, “Why do you care what they think? I wasn’t aware that sleeping with me was something to be ashamed of.”

She pulls on my nipple ring and I feel it in my groin, but I’m pissed and feel strange. “What? No, I’m not ashamed. I just don’t want them thinking badly of me.”

Pulling back, I roll her off of me, and sit up. She looks at me warily. “Why would they think badly of you for sleeping with me?”

“I– I don’t know. I don’t want to be thought of as cheap. That’s all.”

Throwing myself out of bed, I grab my jeans and pull them on. She’s looking at me with huge eyes. I don’t even put my socks on as I shove my feet into my boots and grab my shirt and jacket.

“What are you doing? Where are you going?” She wraps the sheet around her and goes to get up.

Glaring at her, I pull my shirt on and start towards the door. “Away from you. Wouldn’t want to make you feel ‘
cheap’
now would I, Blue?!”

She jumps out of bed and comes towards me. “Wait a damn minute! I didn’t say
you
made me feel cheap. Stop putting words in my mouth! Why are you acting like this?”

“I’m not acting like anything, Blue.” I hold my hand up and she stops with the motion, watching me warily. “I wanted to fuck you and I did.” I smirk, but my chest is hurting, and I feel like pummeling something. “Now, I’m done. I have a concert to get ready for. Thanks for the good time.” I rip open the door and walk out without a backwards glance.

Since apparently all I’m good for is a fuck, I’ll beat her to the punch and leave. I don’t like this feeling and I don’t know what to do with it. Heading down the hall, I search out the gym. I need to let off some steam.

Blue

If he wanted to hurt me, he should have just hit me. That would hurt less. ‘I wanted to fuck you and I have. Now, I’m done.’ So, all I was to him was another notch in the bedpost. I could have sworn we might have been starting something, but I guess I was wrong. Big surprise, Blue. You’ve never been smart with men, so big fucking surprise. And you KNEW you had feelings for him, so shame on you. You idiot. Shame on you.

When he walked out, I gasped as pain shot through me and my knees gave out. Thank God this floor is carpeted. Once I can gather the strength, I roll to my knees, then to my feet, and get up. I head to the closet. Luckily, living out of a suitcase is something I’m used to, so I only have a few things to throw in. After cleaning out the bathroom, I take a look around, and call Lexi.

Twenty minutes later, I’m waiting for her in the hotel coffee shop. She walks in with Bradi. They both sit down and just look at me. Bradi is the one to break the silence.

“So, how was it?”

I look up at her and smirk. I want to scream, but I have to play it cool. “It was great. He’s a fantastic lover.”

Lexi gives me a strange look and looks at Bradi. They have some kind of silent conversation. “I bet he is. So, what now? What’s next for you two?”

I can’t help it, I laugh. “What now? Nothing.” I am cracking up. I’m losing my mind. “We had sex. It’s out of our system and now nothing. It’s a done deal.”

They look at each other again. Bradi looks at me like I’m crazy. “You fucked and now it’s nothing? That’s such bullshit. What happened?”

Lexi reaches for my hand, but I jerk it back as she says, “Blue, did something happen? Talk to us.”

I laugh again. Only I can tell it’s bordering on hysteria. “No, we fucked. More than once. It was great. And now I’m going home and he’s going home and it’s over with. Nothing happened. Nothing to talk about. Something has come up and I need to head out. My flight leaves in three hours, so I just wanted to see you before I left.”

“Are you sure you’re ok, Blue?” Lexi looks really concerned and Bradi is not buying it either. I need to get going before I crack.

I stand up and hug them both. I really do like these ladies, but I need to get home. To Los Angeles. Where my life is and where everything is comfortable. “I’m fine.” I smile. “Bradi, call me in a few days. We have a party to discuss. And Lex, we’ll talk soon too. We have the wedding in a bit. But, I need to get going; something urgent has come up. I’ll see you later. Enjoy the concert tonight.”

They look concerned, but let me go. I stop by my room and grab my bags and head to the airport. I’ll be home sweet home in a short four hours and I can put this entire tour behind me. Besides, I need to get everything straight back home and make sure my job has no “permanent issues”.

Jessie

D
ammit. I shouldn’t have walked out like that, again. Blue just makes me so fucking mad. She pushes my buttons like no one else. She looked shocked by my outburst. And then I said those awful things because I wanted to hurt her. I am the asshole she says I am. Shit! She makes me crazy! Dammit! I’ll make it up to her tonight after the concert.

Walking into the arena, I’m the last one there. The guys are all staring at me. “What? Why are you fuckers staring at me?”

Jude smirks and says, “No reason. Good night, man? You ready to knock this out of the park?”

I shrug. I’m not discussing Blue with him in front of everyone else. “Yup. Let’s do this.”

We go through the set and we sound great. It’s the last concert of this tour and we’re all ready to get home for some downtime. I just don’t know how I’m spending my break. I hope to be spending it with Blue, which is nuts, because I’ve never wanted that before.

We’re all getting ready to get into our mindsets before we head back here in two hours. Liam bumps my arm. “Want to grab a bite before you shower?”

I shake my head no. I have some apologizing to do and I’m not looking forward to it. I’m not used to feeling unsettled around women and I don’t like it. “Nah. I need to find Blue. I need to talk to her.”

His head swivels up and even Jude stops to look at me. He pins me with a look. “What do you mean? She’s gone.”

My stomach drops to my feet and I look at him with a blank face. “What do you mean ‘she’s gone’? Gone where?”

“Dude, she left. She went back to LA.” He takes in my shocked face and looks to Jude. “You didn’t know she left?”

“She left? She
left
! Motherfucker!” I throw the set list I was holding and run my hands through my hair. I need to hit something. “How do
you
know she left, Liam?”

He starts to get pissed at my tone. “I know because she texted me, asshole. She said something came up and she needed to get home. I’m guessing her sudden exit had something to do with you. What. Did. You. Do. Jessie?”

“FUCK!”
I kick the closest thing to me, a microphone stand, and it goes flying.

Liam grabs me by my shirt and gets in my face. “What the hell did you do? I thought it was strange she was leaving before the concert, but now I know. What did you do to her, Jessie?”

“Get the fuck off of me. Why are you so concerned about her?” I shove back against him. “I didn’t realize you and Blue were so fucking close. Are you fucking her too?”

His eyes flash and I don’t have time to move. I realize what’s about to happen a second before his fist connects with the side of my face. My head jerks back with the force of the blow. Punching him in the stomach, I tackle him. There are shouts all around us. We’re rolling around the stage, beating the hell out of each other. Both of us are raining punches wherever we can find an opening. I feel blood on my face and it runs into my eye.

Suddenly, I’m pulled off of him and my arms are held behind my back. Jude has grabbed me and is holding me so I can’t get away. Looking over, I see Dade with Liam in a headlock to prevent him from getting back to me. Cruz is picking up the mess we’ve made on the stage.

Jude grits out, “
What the fuck are you two idiots doing?”

I’m still struggling against him, trying to break free and get back to Liam, so he tightens his hold and shakes me. “Let me go! I’m going to kill, Pretty Boy over there!”

Liam grunts at me, “Fuck you! You piece of shit!” He’s also trying to break away.

Dade roars out, “Stop it! Both of you! What the fuck are you doing?”

“I’m going to let you go because I don’t want to break your arm, but if you so much as try to move towards Liam, I’m going to knock you on your fucking ass, you got it?” Jude says.

“Yeah, whatever. Let me go.” I’m breathing hard and my ribs hurt.

Dade lets Liam go and both glare at me. Jude is also glowering at me and Cruz is staring at me with a frown. This is just awesome.

Liam points at me, “What did you do to Blue, Jessie?”

His lip is split and his eye is swelling. I take pleasure in it.

“Why do you care, Liam?” I spit out as blood runs down my face from my split lip.

He growls and tries to step towards me, but Dade grabs his arm and pins me with a glare. “What
did
you do, Jessie?”

“I fucked up, ok? Are you happy? I’m a Goddamn asshole and I fucked up!” I’m raging it at him. “She
left…
”

Jude turns me to face him. His voice is lethally quiet. “What do you mean you ‘fucked up’? What did you do?”

Liam screams out at me, “You treated her like a whore, didn’t you? You son of a bitch!”

Closing my eyes, I grab my hair and pull. Blood is running into my eyes. He must have split my eyebrow. “Yes. No.
I don’t know.
” I point at Liam. “And are
you
seriously on my ass about my treatment of women?!” Shit my face hurts, but not as bad as the clenching in my stomach. I fucked up. Shit!

“Please tell me you did not treat her like a groupie, Jessie?” Jude is so pissed.

“I didn’t. Last night and this morning. Things were good. We fought, but we always fight. Then she said something and it pissed me off… so I lashed out. I hit below the belt… On purpose. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing with her.” My voice fades out at the end. I’m about to rip my hair out and I’m sucking on my lip ring so hard, I’m surprised I don’t pull it out. All I taste is blood and I can’t fucking see.

Liam stares at me. “You’re an asshole, Jessie. And for the record, I have never slept with Blue. What would be the point? She’s in love with you!”

My eyes go wide and I manage to get out, “
Wha– What?
You’re insane. She’s not in love with me!”

Jude is watching my face. He smirks and says, “Yes, she is. And you
are
an idiot.”

I’m looking from him to Liam to Dade. I manage to get out around the knot in my throat, “She’s in love with me?”

Dade smirks. “Man, you are such an idiot. Looks like you have your work cut out for you after tonight’s concert.”

Liam sighs and pulls away from Dade. Walking over, he stops in front of me. “I still want to punch you in the face, but it’s pretty messed up already. You look like shit. Hell, with that face, she’s going to slam the door on you anyway. You’re torn up. That’s good.” He looks at the ground and smiles. “Don’t play with her. She deserves better.”

Then he bumps my shoulder and limps away. I grin and call out after him, “I might look like shit, but so do you, Pretty Boy.”

He turns around and flips me off. “Yeah, but this will work in my favor. The chicks will love it. Now you…” He points at me and laughs. “Yeah, good luck with that.”