Secrets in the Lyrics (9 page)

             
Waking up with my head resting on Gable’s chest, I hear the slow beating of his heart. 
I feel the rhythm of his breathing and realize this is my favorite place to be.  I
kiss his chest.

             
He moves in the bed.  “Good morning, babe.”

             
I smile.  “Good morning.  I’ve decided you are my new favorite pillow.”

             
He laughs.  “Oh, am I now?” He quickly shifts, rolling me onto my back.  He leans
down, taking my nipple in his mouth through my shirt.  “But you are so much softer
than me.”

             
“Mmm, but I like sleeping on something firm.”

             
I feel the hardness of his cock pressing against my inner thigh and he starts kissing
my neck.  “Well maybe we can flip back and forth.”

             
I smile.  “Maybe we can.”  I run my hands down his chest.

             
He slowly slides my shirt over my head, then slides my shorts down my legs.  Sitting
back on his knees, he works his sleep pants down.  He starts to slide into me, but
I stop him.  “Gable, condom.”

             
“Shit.” He jumps up and grabs one from his bag.  Rolling it on, he leans down and
slides into me.  “I’ve never been this careless about condoms.  I’m sorry.”

             
“It’s okay.  I just know we’ve already pushed our luck one time, we just gotta be
careful.  I promise, while we are home at Christmas, I’ll go back on the pill and
we won’t have to worry so much.”

             
“Sounds like a plan.”  He slowly slides in and out of me, paying attention, moving
like every move is going to be his last. This is the first time we’ve made love. 
We’ve had several rounds of hot, sweaty, body slapping sex, but this is a first. 
It’s slow and meaningful.

             
An hour later, we shower and dress to go visit my dad.  Gable knew I needed someone
to show me how much he cares before we went to see my dad.

             
Walking out of our room, the tour company’s SUV is waiting.  He must’ve talked to
someone while I was in the shower because it’s just the two of us.

             
“I talked to Jana, you know, the lady who is over our cars and stuff.  I told her
you had a family matter you needed to take care of just north of here, but that you
needed your privacy.  So, she let me drive you up for the day.”

             
I smile with tears in my eyes.  “Gable, you are the sweetest guy I know.  Thank you
so much.”

             
“Hey, don’t go around saying that.  I have a reputation to keep up after all.”  He
winks at me.

             
“Ha ha so funny.  So, how did you explain you driving me?”

             
He shrugs.  “I told her you wanted one of us to go and that the others were busy. 
She really didn’t pry.  I mean, we are a pretty quiet group compared to some of the
others.  So I guess she feels like she doesn’t have to babysit us like the other groups.”

             
“That makes sense, I guess.  I mean, Ransom’s End is constantly having hotel security
called on them. Hell, the only time security has even been called into our area was
the other night.”

             
“Right.  So I guess she’s counting her blessings with us being the good kids.”

             
We both laugh.  Truth is we aren’t that band that likes to go out, tear up a town,
trash hotel rooms and make a scene.  We are all pretty laid back people, and we know
that so many groups that act like it’s Spring Break every day, crash and burn all
too soon.

             
Pulling up in front of the prison, I get nauseous.  I step out of the SUV and run
to a trash can, emptying the food I ate late last night from my stomach.

             
Gable steps to my side, rubbing my back.  “Babe, are you sure you want to do this?”

             
I nod.  “Yes, I have to.”  I reach in my purse and grab some gum.  “Okay, let’s go. 
I looked and they are only visiting certain hours today because of the holiday.”

             
Twenty minutes later, we’ve been searched, our belongings have been checked in and
we’ve been patted down so many times I think I need a cigarette.

             
We sit down at a small table waiting for my dad to come out.  I hold Gable’s hand
under the table.  Once my dad enters the room, I realize how much he’s changed in
the past few years.  He looks so much older and tired.

             
He sits across from us.  “Ivie.  I have to say, I’m surprised by this visit.”

             
“Yeah well, I needed to know what all you know about the Chad situation.”

             
“Is that the only reason for this visit?”

             
“No.  I have a few other things to say, but I want to know the other first.”

             
He nods to Gable.  “Who is he?”

             
“Dad, this is Gable.  He’s in the band with me and one of my best friends.”  I feel
Gable flinch, but I turn my attention back to my dad.

             
“Once people asked me about you, I found out what he’d done.  Then I found out that
some, let’s just say, influential people had been made aware of the situation.  He
was informed to stay clear of you.  He decided not to listen to that advice and attacked
you.  Yes, he is in jail now, but if he’s ever released, watch out for yourself. 
He’s desperate and won’t think anything of taking you to hell with him.  If he gets
out again, they’ll kill him.  So please, just lookout for yourself.”

             
I roll my eyes.  “I always have.  So anything else?”

             
He shakes his head.  “Just I’m sorry.”

             
“Look, I just want to say some things and then I’m going to go.”  He nods.  “I think
you and mom were really shitty to me.  I walked around feeling like you guys hated
me.  Then, when you went to prison and told me to get better grades, it proved you
never knew anything about me.  I was at the top of my class, even though I never really
had parents to guide me.”  I swipe a stray tear I didn’t realize was falling until
it hit my cheek.  “Then, I had an aunt who treated me like a common whore.  She said
I was no better than my mother and she always made it painfully obvious that I was
a bother to her.  So, I quit caring, and once I got kicked out of school, she kicked
me out.”  I shake my head.  “I guess I’m just saying I’m pissed, and maybe you can’t
see past your own problems, but the shit you and mom did to me started a cycle.  I
know you said you are sorry for being a shitty father, but sometimes words don’t cover
it.”

             
He nods and I swear I see tears in his eyes.  “I’m sorry, I know that doesn’t cover
it.  I didn’t know your aunt was treating you that way.  She always made it seem to
me like you were a rough teen and that your grades were in the shitter.”

             
“My grades started out great, but once I lived with her for a little while, she constantly
reminded me that the only reason I was there was because of my check.  That she hated
my mother, even though she was her sister.  I didn’t care anymore and yes, my grades
went to shit.  As a sophomore, I already had colleges looking at me for their medical
programs, but I lost all of that.”

             
We make small talk for a few more minutes, in which he apologizes numerous times for
how I was treated.  I decide I’m ready to go knowing that I didn’t want this visit
to be very long.  I wanted him to know how I felt and move on.

             
After retrieving our things from the check-in area, we make our way out to the parking
lot.  Once inside the SUV, I slump down in the seat and close my eyes.

             
The ride back to the hotel has been quiet to say the least.  I feel the tenseness
coming off of her body.  I still feel a little twinge of anger that she referred to
me as her bandmate and best friend.  How in the fuck am I just that?  As we pull into
the parking lot, she looks over at me.  “I better get my own room tonight.”
What the fuck?  Is she running now?

             
I look at her like she’s lost her mind.  “Why?”

             
“Well, Scarlet is coming tomorrow.  Aren’t they going to stay with you?”

             
“No, she and Lover-boy already have a room for themselves.  You are staying with me.”

             
“What are you going to tell her about us?”

             
“It’s none of her business, right?  Besides, you said it yourself to your dad.  We
are
just friends
.”  I know she can hear the sarcasm dripping off my tongue.

             
“What’s the problem with that?”

             
I roll my neck around to get it to pop.  “So, we aren’t any more than that?  Just
friends that fuck around.”

             
She starts rubbing her temples.  “How do I explain it to my dad, or anyone for that
matter?  What do I say, then?  I’m not ready to label us.  Hell, we are still keeping
this a secret from everyone but the band.”

“If it was up to me, we wouldn’t be a secret from anyone.  I want the world to know
you’re mine, Ivie.  I’m nervous as fuck because I’m afraid I’m going to wake up one
morning and you’ll be gone.  The only reason I haven’t told you any of this is because
I’m afraid you’ll run.”  We’ve made our way into our room, slamming the door behind
us.

             
“That’s bullshit, Gable, and you know it.  If it all goes wrong, I can’t leave the
band.”

             
“Exactly, you don’t want to leave the band.”

             
She turns, grabbing her purse.  “Fuck you, Gable.  I’m going for a walk down by that
lake we saw on the way in.  Leave me alone, I’ll be back when I get back.”

             
With that, the hotel room door slams again. 
Fuck, they are going to call security on us.
  I sit around texting with Ryder about his and my sister’s trip tomorrow.  He said
he’s telling her tonight at Thanksgiving Dinner, so I’m sure I can expect a call from
her just after they finish.

             
After an hour or so, I pull out my guitar, thinking about Ivie.  I didn’t mean to
be such an ass, but it’s as if she wants to just blow off what we have.  I start fiddling
with the strings and humming.

             
You unlock the door and climb inside-

             
You don’t need seat belts for this ride-

             
You take my heart and hold it in your hands-

             
Taking for granted where you stand-

             
I’ve never been one to let go of control-

             
But with you I seem to do that more-

             
About that time, the door opens and Ivie comes back in.  I look up.  “Hey.”

             
“Hey.” She says softly.

             
I place my guitar on the floor and pull her by the hand to the sofa.  “Sorry about
losing my shit earlier.  You’ve had a bad couple of days.  You don’t need me acting
like some over possessive shitbag.”

             
She shakes her head.  “No, I can understand why you would be upset.  It’s just that
right now, I need some time to figure all of this out.”

             
I nod.  “Okay.  Look, I’m going to head down to the hotel restaurant and grab some
food.  Maybe a beer or two with the guys. You coming?”

             
“No, I think I just want to relax.  We have a pretty big show tomorrow night and it
could mean big things for us.  I just need to rest and put my visit, and everything
else, behind me.”

             
I nod, grabbing my wallet and heading out the door.

             
Sitting at the hotel bar, my phone rings.  “Hello.”

             
“Hey big brother!”

             
“Hey there.”

             
“So you and Ryder pulled one over on me, huh?”

             
“Yep.  So I’ll see you tomorrow?”

             
“Yes, I’m so excited!”

             
“I’m glad, kid.  Look, they are bringing out my food so let me go.  Text me when you
guys get on the road tomorrow.  Okay?”

             
“Yes.  I can’t wait to see you.”

             
She hangs up and I stare at the food that’s been sitting in front of me for ten minutes
now.  I hated lying to get her off the phone, but Scarlet and I have always been close
and I would probably spill my guts to her. 

  I can’t eat.  I want to feel Ivie’s soft body against mine.  I motion for the check
and ask for a take-out box.  I’m going to need some food in a little bit, after I
ravage her body. 

             
I quietly open the door to the room, noticing the lights off.  She’s asleep in the
other bed.  NO fucking way, she sleeps with me.  I put the food in the fridge, and
strip out of my clothes.  I pick her body up and place it on the bed below me. 

             
She stirs, startled awake.  I put my hand on her face.  “Shh baby.”

             
I slide her shirt up and pull her panties down her legs.  Picking up her leg, I start
kissing at her ankle and make my way up her thigh.  Hearing her breath catch only
makes my dick harder.  I start on her other leg.  Once I reach her center, I spread
her wet folds with my fingers and work her throbbing nub with my tongue. I keep tantalizing
and teasing it over and over.

             
“Gable.”  She sighs out.

             
I move and start making my way with my lips up her body.  I kiss her stomach and breasts. 
I take her nipples in my mouth, one at time, and I lick and suck on them until she
cries out.

             
She reaches for her shirt, sliding it over her head.  I slide into her, and our bodies
start moving together as one. 

             
Our movements become faster and driven.  We are both clawing and kissing our way over
each other’s bodies.  As I slam into her repeatedly, I feel her tighten around me
as she’s going over the edge.  She says my name as she comes.  Moments later, I explode
into her.

             
Rolling off of her, I cuddle her into my side.  I pull the blankets over us and we
both start to doze off quickly.