Page 27 of Anthem of Love and Loathing

This time I outwardly roll my eyes and huff. “Oh great. That’s what I need. A song about how much he hates me following me around everywhere I go.” I push off from the wall and straighten to my full height. I have no clue where I’m going to go. Maybe I’ll ride the train all night. At least that way I’ll have shelter.

I scoop up the phone. It might be short-sighted to leave it behind.

“I don’t think you understand.” He too climbs to his feet. He drags his hand through the lengths of his sandy hair. “He hasn’t written a song for as long as I’ve been with the band. Then you show up. And he spends the wee hours of the morning writing our next hit.”

Damn it, Bronx. Is this what you wanted?

Is that why he asked me to mind a man I clearly can’t help? Because the band has been floundering between the hottest band on the planet or has-beens with no new music.

Motherfucker. He wants me to play muse to that asshole. “I’m going to kill Bronx.”

10

Kelsey

Istorm back into the party with Kodiak at my back. It doesn’t take me long to spot that Bronx hasn’t rejoined the main party. He’s probably having one of his own with some pretty little thing who came here with stars in her eyes.

I don’t fucking care. He lied to me. The deal we made... it wasn’t so my ex could use my emotional turmoil as fodder for his fucking songs. Does he have any idea how hard it is for me to hear the old songs on the radio? Coming from people’s headphones? Having to dance to them at the freaking Scarlet? No, because he isn’t the one that had his entire life turned upside down and inside out.

And he wants to do what? Feed what’s left of my broken persona to the man who is responsible for shattering me? Just so the band can have a new top hit and so Riot can tell the whole world how much he hates me?

“Hang on, Scary Girl.” Kodiak grips my elbow before I can reach for the handle. “You sure you want to burst in there and have this conversation now?”

“Let go of me.” I yank my arm free. I’ve seen Bronx in sexual exploits that would make a hooker blush. I don’t care what he’s doing, we are going to have this conversation. Now.

Shoving open the door, I charge into the room with Kodiak behind me. He turns to shut the door. Framed prints bounce against the wall with the vibration from the music.

I take in the empty room and the standard hotel bed with its luxury sheets. I slept the best I have in a long time in those sheets. And that was despite my run in with Riot and his groupies last night. Ugh. “Bronx!”

Bronx enters the room from the bathroom. Stripped down to his naked eight pack and ink. He’s using a towel to scrub the water out of his hair but hasn’t bothered to use a towel over any other, uh, part of his anatomy. His big cock swings lazily between his thighs.

I slam my eyes shut, heat creeping into my face at catching him nude. Which is ridiculous when we used to be so entwined. So much so that I’ve seen him fucking different groupies on multiple occasions. Only now I know what his tongue feels like on my pussy. The feel of his weight hovering over me as I kiss him.

No. No, I’m not recalling the details of last night. I’m angry at him. I open my eyes and glare at his co—I lift my chin—his face. “You lied to me.”

His smile droops. “Kels—”

“No.” I jab a finger into his bare chest. “You don’t get to Kels me. I’m not the type to succumb to your wayward charm, Bronx Halverson.”

Water droplets from his hair drip on the back of my hand while he tucks the towel around his hips, securing it and covering his manhood at the same time.

Why the hell is he showering instead of enjoying the party? It would make sense if there was a girl, or a guy, in his bed but there isn’t.

No, I don’t want to know.

He bows his head and gives me a sheepish grin. “You were into my charm last night.”

Hands on my hips, I let out a harsh breath. He would bring up what we did last night when I succumbed to my loneliness and my spite. This is exactly why it can’t happen again. “You told me you were concerned he was heading down the same path as Neil. You told me you needed my help to keep him in line, but you knew that would be impossible. So, tell me, Drummer Boy, what am I really doing here?”

“Damn, I like this chick,” Kodiak says over my shoulder. “Scary Girl, do you always breathe fire like this?”

“When it’s warranted.” I keep my eyes locked on Bronx’s.

“Fine.” Bronx’s gaze breaks away. “He hasn’t written a song in two years. He’s always numbing his shit out with alcohol and drugs. The label isn’t happy. They want us in the studio and working on a new album as soon as we get back from the tour.”

“You thought you could bring me on board as a muse, and it would fix his problems.” Riot’s troubles are numerous and not my responsibility. I have enough issues of my own. Most of which he caused.

“They fucking replaced Neil.” His face sags. He gestures with an open hand. “He needed L.A. Riot. He was getting better. And they kicked him out.”