Bayou Stix Series: Bayou Stix Limited Edition Box Set (114 page)

“Where were your parents? I know you said they were deadbeats, but where were they?”

I laugh harshly. “Not at home taking care of their kids.” Glancing at her, I sigh. “They were junkies, Melonie. It wasn’t as bad when I was younger and my mom actually stopped with the drugs while she was pregnant with Clove. But that only lasted a few short months after she was born. Suddenly, they’d be gone for days at a time and I was alone with a tiny baby in the house. I cooked, I cleaned, and I took care of a newborn. She was a beautiful baby and really good. She hardly ever cried and I made sure she had formula, diapers, and clean clothes.

Occasionally, my mom would decide to act like a parent, but then the drugs would pull her back in again. At twelve, I started working by cutting grass or washing cars or really just doing whatever I could do to take care of her. I didn’t want her to be taken away. We had good neighbors who helped a lot and watched her while I went to school. They saw how dedicated I was to her. I was always smart. I graduated at the top of my class and actually got a scholarship and grants for college. The guidance counselor helped me fill out all of the paperwork.

At eighteen, I became Clove’s guardian. She was seven. My parents left on a drug run and never came back. My neighbor was a lawyer and he helped me petition the court. He was a character witness along with several other neighbors. They told the courts how I’d been caring for her since I was a kid myself. I had a job and could provide for her and the house was paid for and clean thanks to me.

I was granted guardianship.

I was a kid raising a kid, but I took care of her and myself. It was a lot to deal with though, so I played guitar and I taught myself the piano as a way to relieve stress. Midterms were over and I was looking for a way to decompress. I overheard some professors talking about George’s and how they’d bring their wives there for the live music at the piano bar.

I made my way over to it. George was at the door that night. He looked at me with suspicion, but he let me in.

I loved the music. It was awesome. I went a few more times before the night I was sitting in the dark, playing in my head and moving my hands across the table top as if it was a piano.

The chair next to me moved and George sat down. He was watching my hands. He told me he wanted me to go play when the performer was finished. I was shocked. But I did. My hands caressed the keys as if they were my lover and the music just poured out.

That was the first time I ever performed live.

It was a slow night, so I played for hours. When I was exhausted, I returned to my table and George joined me. We talked. He asked what inspired my playing and asked what my story was.

I found myself telling him. I’d never shared it with anyone before, except the neighbors who had helped me through the years.

George took me in. He’d give me advice or just listen to me. He became my father figure. Clove and I would spend holidays with him and when I graduated from SLU, he was there cheering me on.

He was so proud when I told him I’d joined a band and we were being signed.

Throughout the years, he’s become my family. When I show up, he lets me play.”

As I finish the tale, we pull into the lot and I park and sit in silence.

A hand reaches over and takes mine. She pulls it gently and I look at her. Her eyes are glistening. “You’re an amazing man, Dade Rodrigue. Not many kids could have done what you did and yet, here you are. Look at you. You’re a successful musician with an amazing family. I think it’s wonderful and I can’t believe that you went through that and are where you are. You’re inspiring.”

I’m not inspiring. I’m just me. I don’t want hero worship. I just want to continue with whatever is going on here and something is…

Smiling, I give her a yank. She’s caught off guard and she falls across the console. I catch her. Grinning at her surprise, I kiss her deeply and my groin starts to stir.

She moans into my mouth and tries to climb into my lap.

I laugh and push her off. Then, adjusting myself and opening the door, I call over my shoulder. “I’m not fucking you in my Hummer in the parking lot, Mel. Not during the day. Time to get out. I’m hungry.”

She growls at me and I laugh as I walk around to help her get out.

Melonie

D
ade and I had an enjoyable afternoon. We ate and talked in the restaurant and he told me about the concert and visiting the kids in New York. I told him about work. It was easy and the conversation flowed seamlessly.

He asked about my being here the other night. I told him that I was from Hammond and that my parents still lived here. We laughed about the chance meeting and the fact that we’d never seen each other here before.

After our meal, he asked if I’d like to take a stroll through Southeastern’s campus. It’s the weekend, so it should be pretty empty. The grounds are beautiful with a lot of trees. It’s a small campus, but it’s a really pretty one. I’ve walked through it a time or two.

I nod and we grab some dessert to take with us.

Dade parks close to the student union and we walk the short distance to Friendship Circle. The trees are old and beautiful here and Dade walks us over to a bench beneath one of the stately oak trees. We’re near what I’m assuming is the music center since there are a few people in front set up having an impromptu playing session.

Dade closes his eyes and tilts his head back as he listens to the music drifting on the wind.

“You love music?”

He opens his eyes and his dark eyes are swirling with something I can’t place. He nods. “I do. Music is life. No matter what’s going on in your world, you can find music to describe it. It can invoke emotion, cheer you up, depress you…

Music is magical. It’s one of the most amazing things in the world. It’s everywhere. In the richest or the poorest house. It doesn’t care who you are, what color, what nationality, etc. It allows those who can’t speak to express themselves. It’s one of the greatest treasures on earth.”

I smile at his description.

He smirks. “What?”

“Nothing. Just you. You surprise me.”

Nodding, he stands up. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

I nod with a question on my face as he walks towards the small group playing music. He talks to them for a minute and I see him sign something and then point this way. The young man smiles and hands him his guitar. Dade smiles as he walks back towards me with the guitar.

What is he doing?

He sits and starts strumming the strings. Then, he starts playing. He’s amazing. His fingers glide over the strings effortlessly. I close my eyes and listen to him play. We sit in silence as he plays until I recognize the song. My eyes fly open and he grins at me.

He starts to sing, too. I laugh in delight at his song choice. Before I can stop myself, I’m singing with him. This is one of my favorite songs.

Several other people have come closer to hear him play and there’s now a small crowd. I am having so much fun, I don’t even care that people are taking photos of us.

He finishes the song and plays another before he stands. People applaud and he pulls me up with him as he walks back to return the guitar and salutes as we walk away.

The young man is grinning ear to ear and asks Dade to sign the guitar. He does and thanks him for allowing him to borrow it. Then, he asks me if I’m ready to head out since we’re no longer under the radar and people are coming into the circle from all areas of campus.

Good lord!

I nod as I start to freak out a little. Taking my hand, we start to run back to the Hummer. A few people follow us while filming on their cell phones and calling out to Dade how much they love him and the band. He grins and tosses me into the vehicle. Standing in the open doorway, he calls out to the now large crowd, “Thanks guys! Have a great day and study hard! Education is important!” Scooting into the vehicle, he shuts the door and backs out of the lot.

He’s grinning from ear to ear as he glances over at me. “Sorry about that.”

I laugh. “Why are you sorry? That was great. I think it’s cool that you went to school here and returned back today. You probably gave those musicians real hope. You made it, Dade. They can, too. You showed them that. It’s cool. That was fun.”

“Yeah? The crowd didn’t freak you out?”

I shrug. “It was a little unnerving, but it was not too bad. And you sang me Luke Bryan!”

He chuckles and winks. “I happen to enjoy Luke.”

Throwing my head back, I laugh in delight. “I see that. You were great! You so get brownie points for that.”

I’m watching his face as he drives and he glances at me again as he smirks. “Yeah?”

I’m feeling invigorated from the afternoon and the crowd and the sprint to the Hummer has my blood singing through my veins. Glancing at him from under my lashes, I lick my lips. He glances over as I unbuckle my seat belt.

“What are you doing? Put that back on.”

Grinning, I scoot over and run my nails over his clothed thigh. He jumps. “Melonie, whatever you’re thinking, stop.”

Popping my lips, I look at him smugly and shake my head. My hand trails over his thigh and cups him through his shorts. He hisses his breath out through his teeth. “Melonie…”

Blinking innocently, I pop the button on his shorts. It seems like a sonic boom inside of here. I look around and see light traffic, so I lean down and unzip his fly while I reach in and stroke his satiny length. He groans and mutters, “Dear lord, what the hell are you doing?”

Licking my lips, I glance up at him. He’s white knuckling the wheel and staring straight ahead as he grits his teeth. Leaning over him, I lick the bulbous tip and his breath rushes out. Before he can say anything, I swoop down and take his entire length into the moist cavern of my mouth. My hands are on his manhood, with one hand cupping his swollen balls and the other pumping him as I suck.

I feel so naughty and the idea of being caught and someone seeing what’s happening has me drenched. My crotch is soaked and he’s starting to move and fuck my mouth as I suckle. I want him to lose control. I want to taste his cum. This is about pleasuring him. Seeing him at my mercy as he drives, has me elated.

Hollowing out my cheeks, I take him to the base. The head is hitting the back of my throat as I feel him swell even more. Finally, I glance up and he looks down. His face is tight. He’s close. My nails scrape his sack as I increase the rhythm. He’s moaning and gasping, “Melonie, I’m about to cum. If you don’t stop, I’m going to choke you.”

Yet, one hand leaves the wheel and is on the back of my head, guiding my mouth. Increasing my friction, I don’t stop. I increase the pace and he roars as he holds my head in place. He shoots into my mouth. Jets hit the back of my throat and I swallow twice. I continue to suck as he starts to soften. Licking him clean, I sit up and wipe the sides of my mouth before I wink at him.

He lays his head back and breathes deeply. “Holy fuck, Melonie. Where did
that
come from?!”

Giggling, I tuck him back into his shorts and re-fasten them. Scooting back over, I look down at my crotch. My white shorts are see through they’re so wet. He glances over to see what I’m looking at. His brows disappear underneath his hair and he laughs. Reaching over, he grabs me and pulls me back towards him on the leather seat.

I look at him sharply. He grins. “Take them off.”

“WHAT?”

Still looking straight ahead, he rubs me through the wet material. I writhe. “You heard me. Take them off. I want your bare ass on the seat.”

I look around. I can’t do that. I was bent over while I blew him, no one could see me, but I can’t take my shorts off. What if we get stopped or something!? I can’t do that.

He glances at me. “The windows are tinted, Mel. Take them off. Now.”

Another flood of moisture pools in my already uncomfortably wet shorts at his tone. My nipples also bead. Looking around one more time, I unsnap my shorts and wriggle them down to my knees.

I glance at him as my face burns in embarrassment and desire.

He’s watching me from the corner of his eyes. Reaching over, he clucks his tongue as he grasps them. “No,
OFF
.”

He yanks. Lifting my legs, I slide them down and my soaked crotch is on his leather seat. The smell of desire instantly fills the vehicle. He inhales deeply. “I love the way you smell.”

My face flames even more as he reaches over and taps my thighs, which are tightly clenched. “Open for me.”

I bite my lip and look over at him with wide blue eyes. He glances at me and smirks. My thighs spread. He runs his fingers through the moisture. “Good girl.”

I moan as he circles my nub with his finger. He lightly dips one inside of me to the first knuckle before withdrawing it and bringing it to his mouth. He sucks it as I watch.

“Do you play with yourself as you think of me, Melonie?”

I jerk back.
What? What does he mean?

I’m so taken aback, I stutter. “Wh-What?”

He smiles slyly. “After I left St. John. Did you pleasure yourself as you thought of me?”