“You think you’re so funny, huh? With your mind games, sexual teasing …“
“Sexual teasing? I want in on
those
games!” Nick hollered from across the stage.
I flipped him the bird before continuing my tirade at Ollie.
“I get it, you’re bitter and you’re pissed at me. Now can we grow the fuck up?”
Pressing his nose against mine, he smirked.
“You got something you need to get off your chest? Go ahead.” He gestured at the mic and stood aside, almost daring me to take it. I looked over at Mel and Amy who immediately got to their feet and hurried over to join me. I skirted around Ollie and grabbed the mic. The high-pitched squeal caught the crowd’s attention, and suddenly a familiar adrenaline was coursing through my body. I was back on a stage, under a spotlight with my band and my girls. I felt like I was officially back home. Whistling at Eric, I curved my finger and signaled for him to come over. He gave Ollie a nervous glance before sauntering over. Whispering into his ear, I told him my song of choice. The corner of his mouth curved up slightly as he nodded and began playing the intro to
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
by Pat Benatar.
I toyed and played with the mic as I sang each lyric, casually casting my eyes over at Ollie every now and then. He’d retreated to the booth, and sipping at his beer, he watched me intensely. Licking my lips and stroking the mic stand, I teased, danced, and threw myself into my performance. Amy and Mel backed me up with vocals, and I was sure that they probably approved of my choice of music. Ollie bit his bottom lip and shook his head gently, shifting in his seat as he watched me. When we were done, I left the stage with a feeling of triumph and victory. Mel and Amy rushed to my side and each draped an arm over my shoulder.
“That was so much fun. Did you see his face? I think he was a second away from actually coming in his pants,” Mel teased.
Amy cringed. “Eww … though I bet that warm-up in the bathroom probably helped rev his engine.”
I laughed sarcastically. “Nothing happened in the bathroom.”
Mel rolled her eyes. “Sure it didn’t.”
I was clearly not going to win. Reaching our booth, I glared at Ollie who grinned at me with a distinct expression of enjoyment.
“Nice performance, Jennings.”
Sliding into my seat, I shrugged. “I’m a hell of a performer.”
He nodded in agreement. “That mouth of yours sure has some talent.”
Cocky asshole.
Ollie and I didn’t speak for the rest of the night. I was too pissed at him to even find the words. Every now and then he would shoot me a playful smile or cocky grin, but it only fueled my anger. He’d changed so much that I hardly recognized the guy that was sitting across from me. Drowning my sorrows in cosmopolitans, I tried to forget the disaster movie that was my life. The lights in the bar came up, and as people began to filter out, Eric, Nick, Mel, and Amy made their way toward the door. My head spun from the alcohol and the brightness of the lights. Sliding out of the booth, I moved to stand but catching my heel on the leg of the table, I stumbled and tripped over the edge of the booth. A hand reached out and caught me under the arm, and looking up, I saw Ollie smiling down at me.
“You’re drunk off your ass.”
I giggled and shook my head. “I’m fine. I just need to go home and go to sleep.”
Ollie looked at me disapprovingly. “I don’t think you should go home tonight. Your parents shouldn’t see you like this.”
I gave him a confused look.
“Come on, super star.”
Hooking his arm under my legs, he lifted me from the floor and carried me out of the bar. I tried to protest, but my eyes were getting heavy and my need to sleep off my booze was over powering. Wrapping my arms around Ollie’s neck, I snuggled in to his shoulder.
“I’m sorry I hurt you, Ollie,” I slurred.
Sighing deeply, he nodded and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I know, baby. I know.”
Opening my eyes, I squinted and winced as the bright sunlight streamed through the window and onto my face. My head was fuzzy and the pounding in my temple was blurring my vision. Jared was right; I really couldn’t drink. Well, getting it down my throat wasn’t the problem; it was surviving the withdrawal the next day that knocked me on my ass. Throwing my forearm across my eyes, I groaned and shifted uncomfortably. A strong, thick arm draped around my waist, and removing it, I glanced over and found a mop of dark long hair and the glimmer of an eyebrow ring beside me. Oh God.
Gently taking his arm off of me, I slid from the leather couch and out of Ollie’s reach. I looked down at myself and felt a distinct feeling of unease to see that I was wearing only my underwear. A blanket covered Ollie, but I could see he was at least shirtless. The tattoo on his arm caught my eye and moving a little closer; I inspected it. It was a heart puzzle, but a piece was missing. The words, “You are the missing piece of my heart,” were written across it. I felt a pang of jealousy. Whoever the ink was honoring, they were incredibly lucky. Ollie Green was a hopeless romantic. My back rested against the couch as I rubbed my eyes and took a long, deep breath. I scanned my surroundings and breathed a sigh of relief as I realized I was at Amy and Mel’s apartment. Trying desperately to be silent, I got to my feet and crept toward the kitchen. A floorboard creaked beneath my feet and cringing, I turned around to find Ollie leaning on his elbow and smiling at me.
“Where’s the fire?”
I whimpered as I held my hand to my forehead. “I need coffee.”
Throwing off the blanket, he nodded. “Sounds like a good idea. “ Oh thank God that he was still in his jeans! At least one thing was certain, we clearly hadn’t had sex, but aside from our moment in the bathroom, there was very little I remembered about the previous night. He swung his feet onto the floor and swept his fingers through his hair. I couldn’t help but stare at him. His arms were thicker, muscular, and definitely bigger. His abs had deep and defined lines and the curve of his Apollo’s belt only reminded me of what lie beneath his zipper. Ollie was gifted, blessed, and incredibly sexually charged. He had a weapon of mass erotic pleasure, and he was an expert at using it. Catching my line of sight, he laughed.
“Enjoying the view?”
I pulled my attention back to his face, but those big brown eyes of his were equally as distracting.
“I was just thinking how you’ve changed. That’s all.” I tried to seem unaffected and non-chalant.
Chuckling, he stood and sauntered past me and into the kitchen. “Sure. Pervert.”
Following him in, I snorted a laugh and shook my head. “Says the guy who just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to cuddle up behind me.”
“For your information, I stayed because you were throwing up, and I didn’t want you to choke in your sleep. So don’t flatter yourself. Believe it or not, you’re not
that
irresistible, Princess.”
I fisted my hands on my hips and scowled at the back of his head as he began making a pot of coffee.
“And let’s not forget that it was you gripping onto my cock last night in the bathroom, too. Don’t act all high and mighty. You’re just as depraved and sex hungry as I am.”
I scoffed a laugh. “Does that ego of yours ever take a break?”
Shrugging, he pulled two coffee cups out of one of the cupboard beside the sink.
“Can’t deny I like to be stroked. Vigorously, playfully, gently, and in oh so many positions. If I remember correctly, you weren’t so shy about stroking it before.”
I flushed and felt my cheeks heat. “Well, that was … before. Things were different.”
Handing me a steaming cup of fresh coffee, the corner of Ollie’s mouth curved up. “What was different? I still have all the same guy parts and you still have the same girl parts. Not that I’ve seen them in a while but I’m happy to inspect you to be sure.”
He winked at me, and I rolled my eyes. “You are such a dick.”
Bowing slightly, he smirked. “Oh baby I’m not
a
dick. I’m
the
dick. And last night you were practically salivating for it.”
Slamming my cup on the counter, I pointed my manicured finger in his face and was about to read him the riot act, when Mel breezed into the kitchen as bright as a button.
“Morning!”
I ran my hand over my face and tried to calm my mood. Plastering on a smile, I gave her a small hug.
“Morning. Thank God you’re here,” I whispered in her ear.
Ollie raised an eyebrow, but said nothing as he took a long gulp of his coffee.
Mel eyed my scantily-clad body from head to toe and gave me a confused look before casually walking over and pouring herself a cup of coffee.
“So, Ollie, you ready for our trip?”
I looked between the two of them with curiosity. Ollie nodded, and catching my bemused expression, Mel smiled.
“I’m driving Ollie to the state pen.”
I immediately turned my attention to him. “What the hell did you do?”
He snickered and shook his head. “I didn’t do anything … unless you can get arrested for inflicting multiple orgasms. Or reckless fucking.”
I winced at the thought of Ollie with other girls. I wasn’t an idiot, I knew he’d end up fucking someone sooner or later, but I didn’t need a reminder.
“I’m going to visit my dad. I made a fucking promise to my mother, and now I have to make good on it. It was my bargaining chip, and she’s cashing in.”
Mel put her hand on his shoulder compassionately. “You sure you’re ready to do this? I mean, it’s been a long time and it’s no secret how you feel about the guy.”
Ollie sighed heavily. “I have to. If I don’t, I can’t play my card with my mother either.”
Finishing her coffee, Mel grabbed her keys and nodded toward the door.”
Well, I’ll go start her up and wait for you downstairs.”
Ducking into her bedroom first to no doubt say goodbye to Amy, Mel left the apartment with a spring in her step. I had no idea what exactly she had to be so happy about, but whatever she’d slipped into her coffee to make her that bouncy, I wanted a whole heap of it!
The moment the front door closed, Amy came bounding out of the bedroom, and seeing Ollie and I standing in the kitchen, she quickly halted and attempted to appear natural. It was an epic failure.
“Oh, I didn’t know you two were in here.”
Liar
. It was obvious she had been given all the details by her meddling and gossiping girlfriend. Ollie tousled his hair briefly before walking past the two of us and into the lounge to search for his shirt. Watching him carefully, Amy pressed her hands on my chest and urged me across the room and out of his sight.
“Oh, my god, Layla! Did you two hook up?”
Hushing her, I shook my head fiercely. “No! I woke up dressed, and so did he. He said he stayed the night with me because I was throwing up. I kind of hoped you could fill in the blanks!” I whispered.
She shrugged. “All I know is he insisted on bringing you here because you were so drunk. He called your folks from your cell, too. Mel and I kinda crashed as soon as we stumbled through the door. He must have got you out of your clothes and put you to bed. You threw up a couple of times in the bathroom first, though. The first time I barely made it out of the room when he came barging in, carrying you, and dropped you in front of the toilet. Seriously, Layla, can you hold your booze at all?”
I gave her a surprised look. “Coming from you? Do you not remember Cosmo and taco night? Or your ring of fire the next morning?”
Biting her bottom lip, she winced as if in pain. “Don’t remind me.”
“He’s so fucking confusing. He’s running hot and cold all the time. One moment he’s teasing, tormenting, and being a cocky asshole. The next, he’s sweet, caring, and carrying me home.”
Amy took a glass from the cupboard and poured herself some orange juice.
“Layla, he had his heart broken and stomped on, did it occur to you that maybe, just maybe, he’s trying to hurt you? He might be cocky, arrogant, and screw anything in a skirt, but he’s still Ollie.”
I scoffed at the idea. “Still Ollie? That guy in there,” I pointed toward the living room, “is not the Ollie I remember. And what do you mean screw anything in a skirt. How many have there been?”
She looked uneasy. “A … few. But what does it matter? You dumped him; remember? And he
is
still the same Ollie. You just gotta crack through that shell he’s hidden himself under for the last few fucking months. I swear, I am so sick of it. Every now and then a glimmer of the real him peeks out, and I hold on to hope that he’s finally ready to drop the act. But he doesn’t.”
“The act?”
She nodded and took a sip of her drink. “The ‘I’m totally a bad ass rock star who can fuck anyone he wants and I’m so over Layla’ attitude. It sucks. And it’s all completely false. Everyone knows it.”
“Yeah, well so far he seems pretty convincing to me.”
Putting down her glass, Amy checked again to see if Ollie was within earshot before hurrying back to me.
“You have to fix this, Layla. Maybe spend some time together, talk, and remind him how much fun you guys used to have. You were friends too once, you know.”
Letting out a long and heavy breath, I closed my eyes quickly and thought about Amy’s suggestion.
“Even if I thought it would work, which it wouldn’t by the way, there is no way I am spending any length of time with the Ollie that’s been torturing me like this. Not going to happen.”
The sound of the front door slamming caught us by surprise. Mel, cursed, yelled, and stomped around as she entered the apartment. Leaving our conversation for another time, Amy and I headed out to see what the racket was about. Mel and Ollie were sitting on the couch, and Mel’s face gave me the impression that she was pissed.
“What’s up babe?” Amy asked as she sat down beside Mel.
“The fucking pile of shit I drive has decided that today is the perfect time to totally break down on me! It clunked, clanked and died when I tried to start it up.”
Ollie chuckled. “And there was me thinking you had a magic touch with the ladies. Not the mechanical kind, obviously.”
Mel shoved him on the arm. “You’re just relieved because it means you don’t have to go and actually face your father. Pussy.”
Ollie frowned at her. “Bullshit. I told you I had to go. I don’t have a choice. This is my bargaining chip with my mother; remember? Screw it, I’ll take the bike.”
Amy gasped in horror. “No! It’s too far, too long, and too dangerous to drive there on the Monster.”
Standing in the doorway in my bra and shorts, I shifted uncomfortably as Mel and Amy’s eyes landed on me. Oh no, you don’t Melanie!
“Layla, you could totally drive him! Your car is probably desperate for some open road and loud stereo time.”
Ollie raised an eyebrow at me. “Relax, I’m not expecting you to drop whatever high society plans you have today to drive my ass to the state pen.”
I scowled at him and fisted my hands on my hips. “For your information, I don’t have any plans, high society, or otherwise, smartass.”
Amy bounced in her seat. “Then it’s settled! You’re not busy today, Layla, and Ollie needs a ride.”
Ollie snorted a laugh. “Judging by that look on her face, I’d say Layla’s the one in need of a good ride.”
Dick
.
Storming over to him, I shoved my finger in his face. “I’ll drive your ass to the state pen, I’ll even wait for you, and haul it back here, but if you even utter one more fucking insult at me, I am throwing you out of my car. I won’t even slow down. Tuck and roll, asshole. Tuck and roll.”
Leaning back on the couch, he shrugged at me. “Whatever you say, boss.”
I rolled my eyes at Mel and Amy who simply shrugged back at me. Everyone seemed to either be shrugging or rolling his or her eyes at me lately. Maybe it was something I was doing? Picking up my clothes from the back of the couch, I headed for the bathroom to clean up and get myself ready. It was going to be a long day.
* * * *
Sitting in the passenger seat of my car with his feet on the dash, Ollie stared out of the window. We’d been driving for almost an hour so far and hadn’t spoken a word to each other.
Taking a deep breath and swallowing my pride, I offered him an olive branch.
“You said this was your bargaining chip with your mom. She got some hold over you?”
He shook his head. “No. We made a deal. I visit this asshole, and she agrees to move with my brother to L.A. With all this music contract stuff, I need to be in California.”
“You’re moving back to Long Beach?”
He sighed in frustration. “Looks that way. Don’t worry, I won’t cramp your style or stalk you.”
I groaned slightly under my breath but chose not to rise to it.
“So, you nervous about seeing him?”
He continued to stare at the passing landscape. “No. There’s nothing to be nervous about.”