You’re so pretty
You’re so smart
What a shame you own my wicked heart
The Present
“Peyton!” Karson screeching in my ear, snaps me back to reality.
“Sorry, what were you saying?”
“I was saying, we are gonna get you glammed up and we’re going out as planned. Fuck Wes. You don’t need that prick. I already sent out a text to Whitely to scratch taking Ruby home. We are gonna go get drunk and make sure you forget all about that jackass.”
I smile weakly and wince when it makes the cut on my lip crack open further.
An hour later Whitley is praying to the porcelain god. Food poisoning. Ruby Jane is insisting that Karson and I go without her and Whit. Promising they will catch up to us if she feels better. I don’t expect to see them and if Thea finds out we got Ruby Jane a fake ID, I’ll be dead. Wes will be the least of my problems.
I have to say Karson was cool and kept it quiet that Wes was even here. She covered my face heavily in makeup and dressed me up as if I am her personal doll. Although my fat split lip is still very noticeable.
Marauder’s is an old warehouse converted into a dance club. They have the largest dance floor in the city, and it is jam-packed tonight. I needed a night like this to cut loose from everything and everyone. We make our way to the bar to get some drinks. We shouldn’t have to wait long. My girls are pushed up and getting every guy in the clubs full attention. Which I’m not used to. I’m trying not to feel uncomfortable. I feel so on display like I’m for sale or something. I feel weird but I am trying to not think like that.
Dressed in a black bustier with a hint of peek a boo lace lining my cleavage, paired with Karson’s favorite denim mini, and favorite black Jimmy Choo heels, my is hair pulled into a high ponytail showing off my black angel wings tattoo on my back—my inner kitten feels sexy as hell tonight. I deserve a good time. I should feel confident and sexy. I have good reason to celebrate and an even better one to cut loose. I’m gonna be on TV and I am newly single. I never wear stuff like this but maybe I should start.
The bartender winks at me. “What are you pretty little things drinking tonight?”
“We’ll take some shots. Four Blowjobs.”
“Not wasting any time are we ladies?” The bartender laughs, his eyes lingering on my chest.
“Nope. I’m celebrating being single!” I wink as we down our shots pounding each one down on the bar. Grabbing a beer, I get out on the dance floor with Karson shaking my ass and letting go of all the stress that has been plaguing me.
Five sweaty songs later, we make our way to the bathroom to freshen up. After waiting forever for the bathroom, I see my friends have made it after all and Whitley is definitely feeling better. She’s found a random college aged guy. I spot her making out with him in a booth in the corner. Karson takes up his buddies offer to show her his moves. Ruby Jane is sitting in the booth where Whitely is sucking face and playing on her phone. She better not be telling her friends she’s out at a club.
I on the other hand am content dancing by myself. I feel so relaxed and I don’t care who’s watching as I shake my ass. My solo performance is interrupted when I am being grinded from behind. Feeling the heat within me rise, I push my ass into the crotch of my partner. When I glance over my shoulder, to see who my new partner is I am pleasantly surprised to hear a familiar rugged voice whisper, “Hey, Fancy” in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
Even with barely there lights and the ball cap pulled down covering his eyes I know it is him. And damn can he dance. Jameson slides his body against mine, looking all too much like the guy I once loved, smelling all too familiar...smelling of desire. I want more than anything to jerk that cap off his head and run my fingers through his hair and press my lips to his to remember how good we used to be together. How perfectly we once fit.
Drunk and in the anonymity of the dark club lights it is easy to pretend that he didn’t break my heart for one song. When he takes me by my hand, I feel electricity pass between our fingertips. His touch sends a shock straight through me. “I need you tonight,” he whispers huskily in my ear, singing along to INXS. He spins me around to face him and narrows his eyes at my face. An angry snarl crosses his features. “He do that to your face?”
I try to move back from him, but Jameson just tugs me closer. Hs anger is quite sobering and the fantasy…the make believe vaporizes and all the hurt and betrayal returns. “Did that bastard put his fucking hands on you, Peyton?”
“It was an accident,” I tell him softly. I don’t need him going after Wes and making shit worse for me. I don’t need him charging in like some hero to save me. I can take care of myself.
“That’s bullshit and you know it. I never thought you were a liar.”
“Yeah, well…I could say the same of you. I never thought you were a quitter. I guess we were both wrong.”
“Don’t play cute right now. Not with me. That bastard hit you, and I’m going to fucking kill him.” He storms off the dance floor. I watch him retreat to the bar as shock fills me. People are staring, but I don’t really give a shit what they think.
This night is turning into a disaster. I should go after Jameson to calm him down, but I don’t. He’s not my problem anymore and why the hell does he care so much anyways? He was the one who left me. He was the one who hurt me. Maybe he didn’t put his hands on me, but he sucker punched me way before Wes ever thought of laying a hand on me and his hit was much worse. I shake my head.
Maybe I should try to talk to Jameson and explain that what happened with Wes is because of the stupid show. Everything leads back to Jameson. The bad boy of rock ‘n roll. I have to work with him, for the show. I can fake it for the cameras, but if Jameson thinks he’s going to
get back in my pants after what he did, he’s got another thing coming. We’re over. We’ve been over for years. He’s not a mistake I want to repeat every again.
Should’ve known things would never change
Tell me you know it’s true