Jaded (Rock Star Trilogy) (13 page)

“
No, it's my record company's choice,” I shake my head.

“
So get a different label.”

“
I can't just... get a new label...” I explain. “It'd be a long process with lawyers...”

She cuts me off. “But you don't actually
have
to get a new label. You just have to
look
like you're trying to. I'm sure your label doesn't want to lose
Scarlett Ryan
. I mean, come on! You're a freaking superstar goddess.”

I like where her thought process is going. “I like it. Now, I just need to start looking for a new manager. My
father
is not up to the job.”

“
We'll think of something...” she promises.

Monday, September 14

6:30 am

I hate Mondays.

My alarm clock goes off at 6:30 on Monday morning, and I decide it's official: Mondays are my new least favorite day of the week.

I get a shower, get dressed, and head downstairs where Bridgett is pouring us both a cup of coffee. “About time you get up.” Her voice is perky.

Oh my god. My sister is a morning person. I personally don't like to speak to anybody until I've been up for at
least
30 minutes.

“
We really are opposites,” I grumble, sitting down at the bar in the kitchen. She passes me a cup of coffee, and I take a sip. It's exactly how I like it – lots of cream and sugar. “How did you know?”

“
I like mine the same way. We may be opposites on a lot of things, but I could tell you were a cream and sugar kind of girl.” She takes the seat beside me. “So, I am going to need your cell phone. Today you need to go to school
phone free
.” She holds out her hand.

I glare at her. “No way.”

She glares back. “Scarlett, I've seen your twitter. You tweet during class. You obviously don't need the temptation.”

“
Come on! I haven't done that since like... Last Monday! I know better now. I promise, no texting, tweeting, or emailing during class!”

“
Wow. It's been seven days... Fine,” she caves. “But if I find out otherwise, I will
hide
your phone tomorrow morning.”

“
Deal,” I agree, because she's probably right. The doorbell rings, and I get off the stool. “That would be Stephan. If you need to go anywhere, you can take the Mercedes. See you after school.”

“
I'll probably just chill by the pool all day,” she smiles. “See you after school.”

I walk outside, and Stephan is waiting there for me. “Hey, Beautiful,” he greets me.

“How do you know I'm not Bridgett?” I challenge him.

“
Because,
Scarlett
, even though you two are identical, I can easily tell you apart,” he says, kissing me gently on the lips.

When he pulls back, I ask, “How is it so easy to tell?”

Stephan leans closer to me, and whispers in my ear. “Bridgett doesn't look at me like she wants to rip off my clothes, and have sex with me on top of my car.”

I throw my head back, and laugh. “About that...” I bite my lip. “You're hot and all, but I've decided I'm
not
going to have sex with you until we're in love. Which, like you said, could be a
very
,
very long time
.”

He pouts. “But
lust
is so much
fun.”

“
I have no doubt that fucking you would be very
fun
.” I lean closer to him, and trace his bicep with my finger. “But I'm not going to ruin our relationship for one night of fun.”

“
Oh, trust me, it would be more than just
one night
,” he kisses his way down my jaw, and to my neck.

I want so badly to take him up on his offer, but instead push him away. “We have school.”

11:05 am

Only mine.

I am very aware of Stephan's presence in study hall today. In fact, he hasn't stopped playing with my hair since class began. I turn around and swat his hands away.

“
Stop that,” I whisper. “You're distracting me.”

“
You like it,” he counters.

I narrow my eyes at him. “I know exactly what you're doing, Stephan Montgomery. And it's not going to work on me.”

“What is it you think I'm trying to do?” He questions with his eyebrows raised.

“
You're trying to seduce me. And trust me when I say, I'm not an inexperienced high school girl. It's going to take a lot more than sweet words, kissing, and touching to break me.”

He smiles.

“And considering how much grief it took to get you to kiss me, I'm surprised you want more.”

He leans forward in his desk. “Trust me, Scarlett, you're a lot more than just a hook up to me. I want so much more.”

I want to smile at his words, but I don't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he's got to me.

“
What is it that you want?” I ask.

“
I want you to be
mine,
and
only mine
.” He's very to the point, and that is what I like about Stephan. I never have to wonder what he is thinking.

I am unable to hide my smile now. “Why, Stephan, if I didn't know better, I'd say you just asked me to be your girlfriend.”

He shakes his head. “No. I'm not asking you to be my girlfriend in
study hall.
I will, soon, but when I do, it's going to be special.”

“
I look forward to it.”

I turn back around in my chair, and try to focus on my homework in front of me, but I can't. I've never had a boyfriend before. I mean, sure, I've had boyfriends for
publicity
, but it's never been real before. Stephan is my first crush, and he has the possibility of becoming my first
love
.

Ok, love is a bit premature... I know that what I'm feeling is
not
love. But whatever
this
is, it's powerful, and it's real.

Lust
, I remind myself.

Love grows over time, and could possibly happen between us. I'm definitely sticking around to see what happens.

12:06 pm

I seriously LOVE you right now!

Mona approaches me at lunch time. I'm seriously over high school drama, but I paste a smile on my face anyway. I tell myself over and over again that this is for Ethan.

“
I want to apologize for my friend, Demi. She can be... extreme,” she smiles sadly. “It is no secret that Stephan and I have reasons to hate each other, but it's not Ethan's fault that his dad married Stephan's mom. If you and Ethan want to eat lunch with us, you're welcome to.”

“
Thank you, Mona, but I'm not sure I fit into your group.”

“
I understand. The offer is good for anytime.”

She turns to walk away, but I stop her. “Hey, so what's the deal with you and Stephan?”

She clears her throat. “It's personal, and it's not something I like to talk about.” She quickly changes the subject. “By the way, I'm having a party tonight. You are welcome to come.”

I want to say
no fucking way
, but once again I think of Ethan. What does he see in this girl? “What kind of party?”

“
Just a small gathering. I'm having a bonfire on the beach, a few beers, and just chilling. It would be a great way for you to meet people. Bring Ethan.”

“
I think I will.”

She walks away, and I pull out my phone to text Bridgett. I figure since she's my sister she should have my phone number.

Scarlett:
Hey Bridge, it's Scar. Don't worry, it's lunch! I don't have my phone out in class. Just wanted to check on you :)

She responds immediately.

Bridgett:
Glad you're following rules. I'm great, just chilling by the pool and reading a book.

Scarlett:
How do you feel about going to a high school party? I've never been to one, and it sounds fun.

Bridgett:
I guess it will be a first for both of us then. Can't wait.

I feel a tap on my shoulder, and jump. I look up at Ethan. “You scared me!”

“Sorry. I was just wondering if you were up for tutoring tonight?”

I shake my head. “Actually, I'm going to hold up my end of the bargain tonight. We are going to Mona's party tonight.”

He looks shocked. “Seriously?”

“
Yes.”

He smiles, like a huge smile. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen him so happy. “I seriously
LOVE
you right now!”

I wave him off. “It was nothing. But keep Tuesday night open! I have a math quiz on Wednesday, and you owe me an A.”

2:59 pm

Teenage soap opera.

“I'm
NOT
going,” Stephan tells me on the drive home. “I hate that bitch, and I'm most definitely not going to be spending time with her at her home. Besides, I'm pretty sure I wasn't invited.”

“
I
was invited, and
I
invited you. So technically, you
are
invited.”

“
Still, not going.”

I roll my eyes. “Well, I have to go. And I really want you to come.”

“You don't
have
to do anything,” he counters.

“
Yes, I do! Ethan and me made a deal. Tutoring, in exchange for hooking him up with Mona. He get's the girl, and I graduate high school. I need this. And I understand if you don't want to come, but I would appreciate it if you did.”

He sighs, and I can tell he's caving. “Fine. But I'm not into drama. I'm not sticking around if tonight turns into a teenage soap opera.”

“I agree to your terms.”

“
Why didn't you tell me about your arrangement with Ethan before?” he asks. “I kind of thought you two had a thing for each other. You know, with him being
god like
and all.”

“
The more I get to know Ethan, the less he looks like Thor. It was the blue eyes...”

“
And his blue eyes don't affect you anymore?”

I shake my head. “No way. Blue eyes are overrated. Besides, I'm kind of into this green eyed boy.”

“I don't think blue eyes are overrated,” he disagrees. “I find myself lost in your baby blues way too often.”

“
Cheesy pick up lines don't work on me.”

“
It wasn't a line.”

Damn. I am in over my head.

7:55 pm

I've heard enough Taylor Swift songs to know that heartbreak sucks.

The party starts at 8 o'clock, and Ethan is wanting to leave. In fact, he's pacing in my living room, waiting for me to finish getting ready.

“
Party rule number one, nobody is
ever
on time,” I tell him as I walk down the stairs. “
Chill, Ethan
.”

Stephan is waiting for me at the end of the stairs. He puts his arms around me, and kisses my lips hard. “You look... incredibly hot.”

Tonight, I'm wearing a pair of designer jeans, yellow pumps, and a yellow tank top. It's tight, and shows off my curves. I already have the reaction out of Stephan that I was hoping for.

His hands travel south, and he cups my ass. I pull his hands back up to my waist, and give him a stern look.

“If you two are done raping each other, I'd like to go,” Ethan says, reminding me that there are other people in the room.

“
I am going to need an eye transplant after that,” Bridgett tells Ethan, and they both laugh.

“
It's not my fault your stepbrother can't keep his hands off me,” I counter.

We take two cars to Mona's party because Stephan is convinced he's going to need to leave early. I drive my Lamborghini, with Bridgett, and Stephan rides with Ethan.

“
This car is awesome,” Bridgett says, climbing inside. It's her first time riding in this car. “How did you find a black and pink Lamborghini?”

“
My dad had it custom made for my nineteenth birthday.”

Her eyes get big. “I got a cake with the family, and a new dress for my nineteenth birthday. So unfair.”