Page 37 of Talk Nerdy To Me
Chapter 13
BASE
I’m dressed and waiting in the living room with Sticks as we wait on the other guys to arrive, and for Britt to come out of her room.
“You’re seriously walking a thin, very fine line of super creepy; just sayin’,” Sticks says as I finish posting some pics to Instagram from Monday night’s show.
“I’m perfectly aware that I’ve already crossed that line, but Britt has zero friends outside of her brother’s circle. Even those role-playing people just know her as the Valkyrie princess and not as herself. I’m going to change that so it feels like I’m giving back.”
“How generous,” Sticks says dryly.
I flip him off, since he makes me sound like a dick.
“That’s not what I mean and you know it,” I tell him distractedly.
Before he can fuck with me anymore, Britt emerges, and I forget all the words. And all the music. And everything else. For a solid fifteen seconds…
My eyes rake over her very fucking tight, strapless, black dress and stilettos. I quickly forget we’re not in the room alone.
Sticks clears his throat and mutters, “You’d better be a motherfucking saint, you stupid bastard.”
Her long, silky, red hair looks even brighter against the black as she stares at us, blinking. Expressionless. Though I can tell in her eyes she looks uneasy.
“Am I not dressed right?” she finally asks.
“Oh, you’re dressed like a Sterling girl…that’s for damn sure. Forgot why the girls of that circle were so out of our league until right this second,” Sticks goes on as he tugs at his collar. “But the place we’re going is less Fifth Avenue and more Second Street beside the tracks.”
Her lips purse.
“He means jeans would make you blend easier, but you’re more than welcome to wear that dress,” I tell her, watching as her body starts to relax.
“I’ll change,” she says, her smile returning as she turns and ducks back inside her bedroom.
I slap Sticks on the back of the head. “Don’t speak in euphemisms.”
“Sheesh, sorry. Didn’t realize that was an issue,” Sticks says, though there’s a mocking grin on his lips.
I’m tempted to slap the shit out of him for it.
I hear the roar of Taylor’s hideous Scooby van—yes, he has a fucking Mystery Van, fully replicated. It takes a lot of confidence to roll up at gigs in that damn van.
Just sayin’.
Laughter and doors shutting sounds just as Britt walks back out, a pair of jeans that will also be testing my restraint, but not nearly as bad as the dress. I wish there was more shirt to her shirt—that would be a lot of help.
“Motherfucking saint,” Sticks mutters again.
“Killin’ me,” I tell her, drawing a confused expression from her.
“Still not right?” she asks seriously.
“Can we keep her?” Sticks says. “Like even if your shit dries up tomorrow?”
Her shoulders slightly ease down, and she lowers back to her heels, her body visibly relaxing.
“Seriously, you look perfect, Red,” Sticks says to her. “Let’s roll before they bust up in here again and wreck your house. I think Base has invaded your home enough for all of us.”
I shove at him as I go to drop my arm around Britt’s shoulders and begin steering her toward the door. She’s strung so tight that I’m worried she’s going to snap if I turn her too abruptly.
