No Going Back (24 page)

My fist connects with her mouth as soon as she pulls her head back enough. She stumbles backwards, falling over a bar stool and landing hard on the cement floor. I squat down beside her and lift her face up with my finger on her chin.

“I know he doesn’t like brunettes. I also know the reason he got off so fast was because as he was pounding himself into your slutty shriveled twat, he was thinking about me. I also know that he fucked you from behind. Wanna know why he did that? Because you’re nothing but a dirty little slut, and he didn’t want to look at your face while he got off. Why don’t you find yourself some self-respect and class sweetheart.” I stand up, straighten my skirt and turn around to find Seth staring at me with a look of awe and shock on his face.

“What?” I shrug. I can’t hold back the smile.

“That was the fucking hottest thing EV-ER.” He hands our drinks to Jesika and Derek. “Here guys, drinks on me. I’m taking my sexy ass fiancé to bed so I can worship her hot body.” I turn back around as we are walking away to catch miss Southern Belle glaring at me. Bitch be out!

“Who was that chick?” I ask. I try really hard not to act bothered by her, but hearing what she said does bother me. Hell, that’s why I had punched her.

Seth sighs. “I want to say her name is Becky. And I only know that because she seemed kind of stalker-ish. That whole show in there was probably planned out. She might have even been at the concert tonight. She’s just jealous of you.”

“I’d be jealous of me too.” I pinch his butt as we walk down the sidewalk back to the hotel. “Before we leave tomorrow, can me and you go to the beach? Find a secluded dune.” I look over at Seth.

“And…” he makes the humping motion with his hips and even acts like he’s slapping that ass while he’s tapping that ass.

“Yeah, that. Well, as long as you don’t make that stupid face while you’re doing it.” I giggle.

“So, fiancé,” he pauses, “do you have any special place you’d like to get married?” Seth asks as he tucks me under his tatted arm.

“Actually, ever since I went to Eureka Springs with Jesika and umm, Jake a few years ago, I’ve always had the idea I’d want to get married there. It’s one of the most unique places I have ever been. Plus you don’t have to worry about testing and having a waiting period before you can get married. It’s kind of like a classy Vegas.” I realize what I just said. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that towards you. I mean I know there was a lot of shit going on and I don’t want it to seem like I keep holding the past over your head because I don’t. I just wasn’t thinking.” I can’t stop rambling.

“Mallory,” Seth stops and turns to face me, “Chill out woman. Quit over thinking shit. I know you didn’t mean anything by it. Eureka Springs sounds perfect. You just tell me where, when and what to wear and I’ll be there, foxy.”

Chapter Thirty

*SETH*

I want to surprise Mallory with something on our wedding night. I’ve never been much of a romantic. I’m not fucking Romeo and I’ve never claimed to be. But Mallory makes me want to be swoon worthy, I think is the phrase. I know she’s happy with me just being who I am, and that makes me want to show her a different side of me that isn’t shown very often. I don’t do things the typical way. Yeah, I bought her flowers once, but that’s not my style. I like to do things against the grain to show how I feel through unconventional means.

We are supposed to meet the girls in two days in Eureka Springs. I decide that I’m getting a new tattoo before we go. I drag Derek along with me to Trick Daddy’s.

“So, what kind of tattoo are you getting now?” Derek asks on the drive over.

“I want something that captures Mallory.” I smile at the idea I have running through my head.

“How do you plan on doing that?”

“By using my creative mind. You should give it a try sometime,” I tease.

“I’m not going to lie Seth, I’d love to go on tour with you the next time you guys go. I just don’t know what to do about Jes and the kids. I don’t want to be like ‘Peace out. I’ll see ya when I see ya.’ Ya know?”

“That’s the best fucking thing I’ve heard since Mal agreed to marry me. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to hear you say that?” I pause momentarily, “Never mind, don’t answer that. How about we just let it all play out? You know Jes will back you no matter what. Hell, take the kids on the road too and home school them for a year. I’m sure they’d love getting to see kick ass new places.” He quietly stares out his window. I know he’s in deep thought. Wondering how he can have his cake and eat it too. But that’s what I’m about to be doing. Minus the kid part…which I plan to change one day.

“What are you and Mallory going to do once you start having kids?” Derek asks trying to figure out if he should take his family on the road, leave them at home and most likely feel guilty, or just not give into his dream at all.

“I haven’t really thought about it. I mean I’m sure even without kids Mallory won’t always want to be on tour with me. It’s not like she’s a jealous woman and has anything to worry about. I think for now it’s just the fact that she doesn’t have anything holding her back and she’s getting to see places she’s never been. Plus, she finally told me that in a few months she’ll be wrapping up her last classes that she needed to be our manager. I mean I’m sure you really don’t need schooling to be one because I could probably make anyone I wanted our manager, but she wanted it to be legit. She didn’t want to us getting any heat or any of the guys ever getting pissed saying that I just wanted to pay my wife for a job she’s not qualified for.”

“I get that. I’m glad she’s going to be the new manager. That Roger guy blows.” Derek admits.

“I have a feeling he blows in more ways than one.” I say as I fist my hand and motion it back and forth towards my mouth.

Derek laughs, “Yep, I totally got the vibe from him, but that’s not why he’s a sucky manager.” We both laugh at his pun.

“I agree. He definitely doesn’t have the bands best needs at heart or anywhere for that matter. All he cares about is dollar signs. And that’s not what I’m about. I mean duh, I want to make good money, but I’m fucking living my dream. I want to keep true to myself and who The Rifters have always been. No way in hell do I want us to be some fucking sell out band.”

“That’s what I admire most about you. You aren’t into fake shit or doing shit just to please others. You’ve always stuck to your guns. You’re a fucking stubborn ass, but for the most part it’s for the best.” Derek says before I pull to a stop in front of the tattoo shop.

“Yo yo Seth. What’s up brotha?” Trick asks as we do the whole bro hug — the one where you pull each other in with a hand shake.

“You know me. Just needing some more ink, but this time I actually drew something that holds meaning.” I pull out my shit drawing and unfold it. “Here’s the basic concept, but obviously drawing isn’t my strong suite, but I wanted to give you the basic idea. I need it all to be mainly red, it can have some black in it and even like a silver color, if that’s even possible.”

“This is pretty wicked dude. I want to meet this woman who has you whipped.”

“I want you to meet her too. She’s fucking incredible.” I admit not caring that I basically agreed that I’m whipped. If that’s what being in love is, than I’m fully onboard for it.

“Alright, let me draw this up and I’ll get started. It should take about two hours I’m guessing with all the shading and details.” I take a seat on the couch and get lost in the news as Derek sits beside me flipping through Trick’s portfolio.

“Holy fucking shit!” I exclaim.

“What?” Derek looks at me then turns his attention to the TV that I’m staring at. “Holy shit! Is that fucking psycho Allison?”

“That’s exactly who that is.” I grab the remote turning it up.

“The Tulsa PD was anonymously tipped off to the whereabouts of Allison Montgomery who is now being charged with attempted murder and murder of an unborn child when she pushed Mallory Prentice down a flight of stairs at Citi Complex over a year ago. Miss Montgomery had been on the run ever since.”

“Mallory is going to flip out. I mean it’s good that she’s been caught, but Mallory’s name wasn’t supposed to have ever been dragged into it. Fucking media,” I grumble. “I better call her and let her know what’s going on. I’d hate for her to hear it from someone else.” I dig my phone out of my pocket and go to my recent calls to call her.

“Hey baby,” she cheerfully answers.

“Hey. How’s Eureka?”

“It’s beautiful. The weather is perfect. Not too hot, and not cold at all. There’s so much we can do when you get here. I cannot wait. I miss you.” I can totally picture her pouty face with the tone she said it in.

“I miss you too Mal. I called you because there’s something that I needed to tell you.”

“Okay,” she says hesitantly.

“Allison has been caught. She’s in jail.”

“That’s fucking great news. It’s about time the skank was caught. Why don’t you seem so thrilled about it?”

“Well, because I just heard about it on the news. They also mentioned why she was in jail.” Mallory’s quiet for a minute before she realizes what I’m saying.

“Shit, guess the cats out of the bag now. Nothing we can do about it. Honestly I’m just glad she was caught. The only reason I dreaded having my name dragged in was because of my parents. It’s not like they’d care, but if for some reason they did think to call me, I’m sure it would have turned into a big fight and I would have been blamed for what happened.”

“About your parents Mallory, do you think they’ll see the news and try to contact you?” She’s never really opened up to me about her parents and I’ve never pressed it either since we both have issues in that department.

“I told you Seth, they don’t care. They never did. I was always the problem child they were happy to get rid of. I’ve accepted a long time ago that they will never be a part of my life, and I’m okay with that. It’s for the best.” Trick walks back out and mouths ‘
you ready?’
and I nod.

“Well, life is full of surprises baby. Maybe one day that will change. I’m gonna let you go. You girls have fun and don’t be hooking up with too many guys while we’re not there.”

“Seth!” Mallory says in her shocked voice.

“I love you soon-to-be wifey, and I’ll see you day after tomorrow. I can’t wait to do naughty things to you.”

Chapter Thirty-One

*MALLORY*

Even though Seth is all about having a big crowd while he’s on stage, he wanted our ceremony to be private and personal. I couldn’t agree more since besides him the only two people I really care about will be standing by our sides today.

We agreed to run off to Eureka Springs to get married. I had told Seth how beautiful it was there when I had come with Jesika and Jake a few years ago. I left out the part about Jake’s best friend Dylan being part of the equation. There was just something tranquil and beautiful about the place that I had always known I’d want to get married there if the possibility arose. The little wedding packages all the resorts had to offer were endless.

It was almost too overwhelming trying to settle on the perfect place. Since this was going to be our honeymoon as well, I wanted the place we were staying to be just as perfect as the place where we would be exchanging our vows. I stumbled across this place that had tree houses for you to stay in. They obviously weren’t tree houses, but they were like cabins on planks overlooking the woods. This place also had this beautiful rock waterfall area where they officiate their outside ceremonies. It was perfect. I booked it along with the horse carriage ride later that day.

Jesika and I leave the boys back home and arrive two days early. We want some girl time and need to make sure all the arrangements are set and finalized. I don’t want anything being screwed up. It’s nice being here with my bestie walking through all the stores. Jesika pulls my hand to stop me as we pass by a store with the doors open and Reggae music being played.

“You remember this store?” she asks while pointing at all the masks on the wall.

“How could I forget? Didn’t we spend hours in here?” She grabs my hand pulling me in the store.

“I think this needs to be like a ritual. That we make a pack to come here at least every two years and buy a new mask each time.” She turns around for me to tie her mask on and then I do the same.

“Agreed. But these two masks suck ass, let’s find really hot ones for the boys, not ones that make us look like clown/bank robber wannabes.”

“Agreed.” Jes says as she turns around to scope out the endless masks hanging on the wall.

Walking with our new purchases it’s now my turn to do the arm pulling. “Over here. I wanna check this place out.”

“Why? It’s a tattoo shop.”

“Duh, but they also do piercings.” I waggle my brows at her.

“You already have your ears pierced.”

“Gah, Jes! I don’t want my ears pierced. I’m thinking about piercing my hood.”

“What the hell is your hood?” I laugh at my innocent friend.

“Oh how I love you. The hood is the loose skin over your clit. It’s supposed to get you off like that.” I snap to emphasize the quickness.

“You want to do what?” she shrieks. “Seth is supposed to be the one with all the damn piercings and shit.” Jesika thinks I’ve lost my damn mind. Maybe I have.

“I know. But he’s been dropping hints about how sexy he thinks it’d be and I can’t help that I want to surprise him.” I smile.

“Yeah. I’m sure he’d be surprised by an infected clit for damn sure,” Jes jokes.

“Oh please. It won’t get infected. Plus the wedding is in two days. It will be good to go. I’ve had this talk with a few chicks that had theirs done,” I say with confidence.

I’m squirming like crazy as I sit in this chair with myself fully exposed to the chick who has multiple piercings, including some on her face. She’s really hot though. It’s not trashy looking at all, but instead very classy in a hot rocker chick type of way.

“Lacy. Your name is Lacy, right?”

“Yep,” she says as she has her back towards me, washing her hands.

“Maybe I should have asked this sooner, but I’m getting married in two days. I’ve asked a couple of friends about the healing process and all, but I need to make sure I’m not gonna screw my wedding night by getting my coochie pierced.”