AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry. Of course, be careful, and good luck saving the dog. Let me know how it goes and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, tomorrow.”
“You sure you’re okay? Are you upset about the dog? Or… your brother?”
“I gotta go. Bye, Cherry.”
“Okay, yeah, bye.”
The dial tone hit my ears before the last word left me. Wiping my eyes, I shook off the weird feeling the call had left me in and the emotional overhaul the song Slade had sung. As the heartbreak of the music faded, my anger returned. That wasn’t fair. He couldn’t come in here, to my open mic and sing a song thinking it would make everything okay. It didn’t work that way.
Knowing what I had to do, I walked over to the emcee and gave him my number. I was up after Carrie, who was on now. I didn’t see Slade behind the stage or in the crowd, but I knew he was there, and I bet Simon was with him. It was time they listened tome. All these years, and all the lies they’d fed me… Well, I had something to say about it.
“Alright folks, we get our last treat from crowd favorite, LJ Star, now. Let’s remind her how much we like her singing for us.”
Walking on stage, I smiled and waved, confidence filling me unlike ever before. I took hold of the microphone, ready to say my piece finally. Months I’d been wallowing, feeling gutted for the lies and secrets they held. They couldn’t come here now and try to win me over with a sad song. That might’ve worked on ‘before Lennox’, but I wasn’t that girl anymore.
“Good evening, folks. How are we doing tonight? Are y'all enjoying all the music? What about that new performer? Wasn’t it just heartbreaking? Yeah, I thought so too. So, this one goes out to him and his friend.”
Placing the microphone back into the stand, I glared daggers at the audience and belted out my anthem via The Chicks’, “Not Ready To Make Nice.”
The anger gave me a voice, and I felt vindicated in my performance. So many times I’d been told to ‘sit down, be nice’ or ‘that’s just how it is’. Well, I was tired of playing nice and accepting that my feelings weren’t valid. When the song ended, there was an uproarious applause, and I almost did a mic drop, an emotional strength surging through me. I felt powerful as I walked off the stage, confidence rising up in me.
I wouldn’t fold.
Nothing they could say would make me crumble.
He was waiting for me at the end of the hallway, and for a second, I faltered. It was unfair how good he looked. His hair shined under the lights, the silver a perfect shade. The only assurance I got that he might’ve missed me was his face looked like crap, his eyes full of grief.
“Lenn, can we, please, talk?”
“I think I said everything on that stage.”
“No, Peach. I don’t think you have.”
His voice came from behind me, and I sucked in a breath. They had me cornered, not willing to let me escape this time. Folding my arms, I leaned back against the wall so he couldn’t surprise me. Slade glanced at me, and, in a weird synchronization, they moved, facing off with me. Rolling my eyes, I decided to get this over with as quickly as possible.
“Fine.Talk.”
“In order to do that, Lenn, we should head somewhere quiet.”
Huffing, I stormed off, realizing I wouldn’t get to sleep or get rid of them until this was over. Waving at the bartender as I passed, I slapped a tip down for my drink. “Bye, Bear. See you next week.”
“Later, LJ. Be safe.”
He eyed the two men behind me, his face asking if I was okay. I nodded, smiling as I kept walking. It was comforting to know I could make my own friends. I didn’t talk as we walked out onto the strip, their footsteps heavy behind me. I could almost feel their eyes boring into my back and while I didn’t necessarily want them staring at my butt, I knew the leather pants and jacket I wore accentuated all my curves, bringing a smile to my face.
My wardrobe, another big change. Since Slade had made a comment, I found myself not wanting to wear my normal dresses and instead, went down the hardcore, dark, bad mama jama route with dark jeans, leather, and old band t-shirts. In a way, I blended better with my peers, helping me fade into the background. It was easier in the background.
We made it to the shop, taking the back entrance and headed up the stairs. I didn’t check once if they were following, that was their problem if they couldn’t keep up. Once I was inside, I walked to the fridge and grabbed some water. I didn’t offer them any, not feeling very hostessy at the moment and took up a spot on the couch, or well, the whole couch. Kicking my legs up, I made it impossible for them to join me, leaving their choice between a hardback chair or old recliner that smelled of refried beans.
Simon decided to sit in the chair, and Slade remained standing. It didn’t surprise me, and I rolled my eyes as I twisted the cap off my water and took a long swig. When I was done, I set my eyes on them, ready for this to get over with. When they still didn’t speak, I groaned, throwing my head back on the couch for good measure.
“For Pete’s sake, we’re here, so why don’t y’all start talking already?”
Slade smirked, and I hated how it instantly made my panties wet. I didn’t want to admit it, but from the moment I saw both of them, I’d been panting. At least I had confirmation that part of me wasn’t broken. I just didn’t see Thane that way anymore. It was a shame, but chemistry couldn’t be faked. It would be so much easier if I could choose him over these two.
Slade grabbed another chair from around the table, spinning it as he sat in it backward, folding his arms on it.
