“So, you use your whole ass?”
“Always,” she said, sliding out of the booth. “And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to find us some tunes to listen to while we wait.”
She pulled her sweatshirt over her head and dropped it in the booth. I watched as she made the few short steps to the jukebox and could confirm she did indeeduse her whole ass. She pressed one hand over the machine, the other navigating the keypad. With squinted eyes, she leaned forward to see the titles, causing her black T-shirt to ride up, revealing a sliver of her olive skin. I noticed, and one of the creeps in the flannel shirts did too, as he slinked past her toward the sign for the bathrooms.
I wasn’t sure what exactly had driven McKenzie to drink, but I wouldn’t leave her side until she was home safe. Before she could look up from her song selections, I pulled my phone out of my jacket pocket and tapped out a quick text to Katie.
Ran into McKenzie at the burger place. She’s drinking by herself, so I’m gonna hang with her until she’s done and make sure she gets home okay.
Katie’s reply came fast.
OMG! Is she okay? She seemed a little down at work today, but when I asked she said she was fine.
I’m not sure. She doesn’t look like she’ll be going anywhere for a while though, so don’t wait up. I’ve got my key.
The dots appeared almost instantly.
Okay. :) Thanks for looking out for her. What about you? Are you good?
I glanced up at McKenzie whose hips were swaying to whatever song was playing. She had no idea how captivating she was just by being herself. And somehow, shegotme. She knew I needed to put my thoughts into something I understood, and that thing was music. It was something so simple, but it took her saying it to make me see it.
I’m glad I came here. This place is great.
But the company I’d found myself in was even better.
NINE
McKenzie
After choosing my song,I disappeared to the bathroom and caught a glimpse of my reflection in the cracked glass as I washed my hands. What would Brennan think if he could see me now—if he couldknowme? No longer the gangly teenager who wore her heart on her sleeve but a woman whose soul had been shattered, the pieces forming a mosaic of misery.
I splashed some cold water on my face and blotted it dry with a wad of paper towels before prying my tinted ChapStick from my pocket and swiping it over my lips. My skin looked a bit ashen, so I dabbed the plum color on my cheeks, blending it with my fingers in an effort to bring some life back to my complexion.
It was dangerous to wander the streets of Brennan after dark. Too many shadows lingered there in dim alleyways, waiting to rob me of the few happy memories that hadn’t yet been tainted by grief.
I forced my focus to Luca who had shown up looking devastatingly handsome in a leather jacket with his unruly hair. God, I wanted to tame those strands, gripping them between my fingers while he buried his face in—
Whoa.My thoughts screeched to a halt. He was Katie’s friend—Katie’s veryhotfriend. But still. It was a bad idea. He wouldn’t be sticking around Nashville forever, and even if he was, his reputation was that of the love ’em and leave ’em variety.
Even so, the image floated back into my mind like a cloud. It was the alcohol. The shots and the Bushwackers had gone straight to my head. At least, that’s what I told myself. Because why else would I be entertaining such absurd thoughts? He was a rock star. Well, aformerrock star, but fame like his didn’t disappear overnight, if ever. I was just some girl, a friend of a friend. I’d seen enough during my internet searches to know I wasn’t his type.
And yet…
The devil on my shoulder protested with more tantalizing visions, each one more delicious than the last. During those late-night googling sessions, I’d noticed a very distinct through line. He was never photographed with the same woman twice. Gossip columns and fan discussion boards had much to say when it came to Luca Sterling’s abundant extracurricular activities. Maybe it wouldn’t matter if I was his type. Perhaps he wasn’t that discerning when it came to the women who fell into his bed.
It was a terrible idea. But I longed for a balm to numb my pain, even if only for the night or for a moment. All I wanted was to forget.
Armed with a new mission, I strutted back to the table where my Bushwacker was already waiting for me.
Luca took a bite out of his burger, and I couldn’t help but imagine him taking a bite out of me. I leaned forward, wrapping my lips around the straw in the frosty cocktail in front of me. He could whack my bush anytime.
Oh God. Did I shave?!
“Are you feeling okay?” he asked, taking a sip of his soda.
“What? Yeah, of course. Why?”
He nodded toward me. “Your face just got really red.”
