Wanting Reed (Break Me) BOOK 2 (37 page)

She pours. I drink. That was number three.

Since she’s gotten here, she’s been very particular and preoccupied with my appearance. She’s gone out of her way to help me find something to wear, put on my makeup and do my hair. She said I look best in red. So, red it is.

Piper’s phone rings as we all grab our purses to wait outside for the cab.

“Oh, shit.” She frowns, reading the text. “Opening act just bailed. Bus broke down. Link is on his way to pick me up. Can you guys meet me there? I’ve got to help the band set up,” she says in a flourish, running her hands over her black silk capris.

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” I say, checking my makeup in the hallway mirror.

“Sorry, guys.” She heads for the door. “Don’t forget to call me as soon as you pull up,” she demands, shooting me a pointed look.

“I will. I will,” I moan. “What is with you tonight? You’re like a mother hen.”

“Just promise you’ll call me. I need to get you in, and I don’t want you to miss the show,” she commands, waiting impatiently for me to respond.

“Yeah, I’ll call you,” I reply, shoving my ID and keys inside my purse.

“Good. See you there.”

The streets are crazy as we drive into Boston and pull up in front of the House of Blues. I text Piper like she asked, and she arrives at the door within seconds. She smiles so hard that it looks painful as she seizes my arms and shoos Evelyn and Mindy in front of us.

“What’s your problem tonight?” I raise an eyebrow, seriously debating whether or not Piper is insane or drunk.

“I told you already. There’s no problem. I’m just excited to see my band play. It’s going to be great. You wait and see.”

“You’re making me nervous.” I give her a stern look when she glances over her shoulder and smiles at me. I’m sure she has the best of intentions, but for some reason, in the back of my head I have an inkling that something more is going on, something
huge
.

“Don’t be,” she says as she continues to drag me through the mob.

“They’re not on yet?” I shout over the noise of the crowd as we make our way down the row to my seat.

“Oh, there’s a last minute fill-in for the opening act. I’ve heard him sing before. He’s amazing,” she bubbles as she finds a spot dead center in front of the stage. There is electricity in the air, and the crowd is starting to get restless as they wait for the opening act to appear on stage.

“You know I trust your taste in music,” I chime, blowing the hair away from my face. The rising temperature in the room is quickly getting to me.

“You’re really gonna
love
this guy.” She draws out the word
love
, smiling at me. “Listen. I’ll be right back. I’ve got to help with the stage lighting. Stay right here,” she says, letting go of my arm.

“I’m not going anywhere.” I cringe as I get bumped and pushed by an overexcited crowd. It’s going to be a long night as I watch Piper disappear toward the stage, leaving me to my own devices. Evelyn and Mindy met up with the band to wish them good luck before they went on stage. I glance around nervously. The crowd is growing increasingly unruly and boisterous. I doubt they will be able to find their way back to me before the band appears on stage. I hope to God I come out of here alive.

This is the night where it all happens. I’m going to lay it all on the line for her. I’m not holding back anything. I invited Luke to tag along. It’s the least I can do since he’s been my right-hand man pretty much since I’ve returned from Texas. I hope he doesn’t make me regret it.

It takes fucking forever to get to the House of Blues because the streets are lined with Red Sox fans cheering on Game Six of the ALCS against the Tigers. I think the cabbie almost ran over a handful of drunk bastards walking in the middle of the street. I’ve never seen anything like it, and it doesn’t help that Luke is hanging out the window and yelling at the top of his lungs, “Go fucking Sox!”

When we arrive at the House of Blues, Luke talks me into hanging outside on the balcony overlooking Lansdowne Street where he and a bunch of drunken goons are yelling smack to Tigers fans below. Shit. I’ve heard stories about Boston fans. They live and breathe this shit, and I’m getting a bird’s eye view of it tonight. I tell Luke I’m going to head downstairs and to meet me by the stage when he’s done heckling all the poor Detroit fans.

They announce over the speakers that the opening act’s not going to make it in time. Boos of disapproval saturate the air, and large groups of people head to the bar to purchase more alcohol to pass the next sixty minutes. Talk about some shitty luck. I hope this last minute change doesn’t alter anything Piper has planned tonight. I check my watch and like clockwork my phone chimes at exactly nine thirty.
Piper texts letting me know that she just pulled up and that Elle will be arriving in a few minutes. She’d planned to text Piper when she arrived so she can meet them at the door. I need everything to fall into place tonight.

I wait around apprehensively for Luke who appears fisting two beers. He elbows his way through the crowd hooting and hollering while making eye contact with any girl within two feet of him.

“Holy shit, dude. I hear the opening act is stranded somewhere. That gives me a little more time to work the ladies in the crowd.” He laughs, wiggling his eyebrows as he glances down a brunette’s top as she walks by us.

“You’ve got a one-track mind,” I grin, taking the beer he offers me. I turn to the stage and throw back my beer while watching the stagehands set up the sound equipment.

“Damn right, shithead. Or I could be like you with a fucking puss on my face,” he jokes, lifting his beer to his lips. “I’m thinking you need the other kind of puss on your face.”

“Fuck off, asshole!” I say, pushing his shoulder.

“Dude, I’ve got your back. I can pick you up a shitload of lotion if you’ve run out,” he banters, egging me on.

“Hey.” As I’m about to give him a fucking earful when I hear Piper’s melodic voice float through the commotion. I pull my eyes away and smile as she runs up a breathless like a woman possessed. Grabbing my arm, she pulls me aside and frowns sharply over at Luke.

“Glad you could make it,” I chide her, releasing a calming breath. God knows I fucking need her to pull through for me in a big way.

“Whoa... whoa... roomie…who is this hottie?” Luke coos as he rakes his hungry blue eyes over her, pushing me aside to get a better look. “Fuck, you’ve been holding out on me!” He shakes his head in approval. He reaches out and twirls a piece of her long black hair between his fingers. She snatches her hair out of his grasp and rolls her eyes. “Relax, baby... you got a name?” Luke drawls, stepping toward her.

“Who the fuck are you?” she asks blatantly, giving Luke the once-over.

“Man of your dreams,” he says, blatantly licking his bottom lip and tilting his head to check out her ass.

“Do you know this guy?” Piper glares, raising her eyebrows in disgust.

“Unfortunately.” I laugh. “This is my roomie, Luke.”

“We should get better acquainted,” Luke continues undeterred, taking another step toward her. “How come you never told me about your new friend?” He furrows his brow at me and then returns to eye fucking Piper. “Dude, you’re out of your damn mind!” I laugh.

“Speak for yourself, fucker!” Piper exclaims, throwing her hand on her hip. “I’m the girl that takes no shit from any guy
but
the lead guitarist of Crimzen.” Her cheeks flush red. “You, my friend, are the biggest jerk off, waste of breath I’ve met so far. Really Reed, if this douche doesn’t stop eye fucking me, I’m going to go all crazy bitch on him.” She pushes him on his chest with both hands.

“Shit.” Luke staggers back and lowers his head laughing. “And, she’s fucking feisty, too. Just how I like ‘em!”

“Where did you find this guy?” Piper cringes. “He’s a pig.”

“He’s fucking harmless,” I answer.

“Hey, I’m a badass. You’re the pussy-whipped one over here,” he counters, nodding his head in my direction.

“I’m sure you charm all the ladies with your pick-up lines,” Piper mocks.

“Baby, I’ve got all the lines and all the moves. If you ever break up with your man, I can show you a couple. I’d definitely blow your mind. One hundred percent satisfaction guaranteed. Five star, baby. That’s what they tell me, and that’s why they always come back for seconds.”

“Hmm...” Piper says, tapping her chin in contemplation. “Let me get my man over here to see what he thinks about all of this.”

“Oh relax, baby. I get you. You’ve got a man, and I’m an asshole. I’ve heard that before, but not often. They usually just scream my name over and over again instead.” He laughs, extending his hand. “Friends?”

“You’re a fuck. You know that?” She laughs, taking his hand and shaking it aggressively. “If you weren’t friends with this guy over here,” she says as she nudges me in the ribs, “I would have my man kick your ass on the spot.”

“Yeah, I can fuck and kick ass, too. There is nothing I can’t do, babe. One stop shop right here,” he exclaims, kissing his bicep. “Last chance?” He grins like he is offering her the chance of a lifetime. I chuckle to myself, thinking Piper is not like the girls he’s had in the past. She’s a rare breed, just like Elle.

“Oh, shit. Can we pick this up later?” She smirks. “I’ve got some business to attend to with lover boy over here.” She winks up at me, clutching my forearm.

“Hey, no problem. Let me get out of your way.” He smiles, scoping out the crowd. “I need to go mingle. There are plenty of good-looking women in here. I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Yeah, just don’t start any shit with anyone.”

“You know me, roomie.” He slaps me on the back. “I’m all about having a good time. I’ll be around.” He turns and heads toward the bar.

“Okay.” She laughs under her breath. “That dude is a major fucking accident waiting to happen,” Piper chuckles as she turns to me. “Let’s get back to business.”

“I’m ready for anything.”

“Good. Because I had a brilliant idea on the way over here.” She tilts her head up and smiles. “Promise me now that you’ll do it before I tell you what it is,” she declares as she glances toward the stage.

“Whaa...” I stammer, watching her frantically look around the room.

“Promise me.” She impishly punches me in my chest. “You’re gonna thank me for this.” She stares up at me and sticks out her bottom lip.

“Is this how you play your man to get what you want?” I laugh, glancing over at Link.

“Yep, works like a damn charm.” She takes a step back as she folds her arms across her chest. “Say it.” She smirks, tilting her head to the side.

“Fuck.” I lower my head and chuckle. “Fine.” I raise my eyes to her. “It’s the least I can do for you, whatever it is, since you are the mastermind behind this plan, and everything I’ve tried has gone straight to hell.”

“It’s not for me. It’s for you,” she bubbles. She turns around and yells for Link and waves him over. “Can I have your acoustic guitar?”

“Sure.” He swings it off his shoulder and hands it to her. “Be gentle with that. It cost me two months’ rent.” He hands it to Piper and kisses her hard on the lips. “You owe me later, baby,” he growls into her ear as she giggles and fists the back of his hair.

“I got choo.” She smiles over his mouth.

I get a fucking knot in my throat from watching them, so I look away to finish my beer.

“Take this,” she demands, handing me the guitar. “You’re going on stage tonight.” She deadpans without blinking an eyelash.

“Say what?” I throw my head back. “Oh. Fuck. No.” I moan, shaking my head and pushing back the guitar as I back away from her. “I’ve never sung or played in public, especially to a large crowd alone on stage. You know that,” I protest.

“You promised.”
She pouts again, and I have to look away. That look on her face is my downfall.

“That was before you told me this fucking brilliant plan.” I peek at her.

“Too bad,” she says, grabbing my arm. “Listen. The song I heard you sing the other day was beautiful. It was for Elle, right? Wait.” She holds up her hand, catching my eyes. “It is for her. Don’t you want her to hear it?”