Page 10 of Contrition

The group only responded with a resounding chorus of “yes,” “yeah,” and “sure.”

Start a band with the grumpy emo kids you met in college,they said.It’ll be fun,they said.

Well, it was pretty fun, in all actuality. But man, did their communication suck.

“Beautiful,” I responded as I rubbed the back of my neck and walked closer to Zack. The scent of fresh cut grass filled the afternoon air, and while I would generally act like a golden retriever with a frisbee over the warm air, I could have sworn that the prickle of awareness had only gotten stronger. I looked down at my watch to check the time as I reached his side. “If that’s the case, then I guess we’re free to roam. Just don’t stay drunk the entire weekend. And if you do—for fuck’s sake—staydrunk or have an assistant go pick up some Pedialyte, because we cannot afford the hangover at this one.”

“We’re literally sharing a hotel suite. I think we’ll be checking in on each other more than you think,” Tyler scoffed.

It was my turn to eyes to roll obnoxiously.Fucking liar.“Like you boys won’t be buried in pussy the whole time. Stay out of the suite with that shit. Some of us are good, behaved men who don’t want to hear your pornos.”

“Awe, what if I wanted to have live action porno? That sounds like a fun time.” My head snapped up and to the right as a female spoke, and I felt Zack immediately tense right alongside me at the sound of her voice. “I could call you a good boy if it makes you feel better.”

Estrella.

Estrella…and…a wiener dog?

“Estrella,” I said. It was literally the only word that entered my head, and it bounced around like a ping-pong ball. She stood mere feet away from us, carrying the sausage-like animal, though had yet to even look at us as she signed a check-in slip. She grabbed the staff lanyard and a black wristband with green accents from the assistant in front of her.

Fuck. She was beautiful.

Her hair, split in half with black and neon green color blocking, twisted itself into braided space buns. She wasn’t wearing any makeup—like she even needed it—and wore the simplest outfit of an oversized t-shirt, tucked into her bra to show off her midriff, and skin-tight, black short-shorts.

And…tattoos. So many tattoos. Light florals and butterflies on her arms, paired with heavy ink of skulls, quotes, and lyrics all along her opposite leg.

Like beauty and chaos, all in one.

Granted, I had seen pictures of themandher, but they did her no justice. Not in person.

Don’t get a boner, don’t get a boner, don’t get a boner,I chanted to myself.She hates you and will cut off your dick.

Her tone held all the sarcasm as she finally looked at me, ignoring everyone else entirely. Including Zack. “That is my name, yes. I’m glad to see you’ve remembered it after so many years.Good boy.”

My jaw ground down as Alex barked out a laugh. “Oh, I like this one.”

Estrella smiled at him as she looped the lanyard around her neck. An intense strike of jealousy lit down my spine, seeing her smile directed at someone else. That and knowing her moment of praise was more brat and humiliation than anything. “Thanks! I dig the hand tattoos. I bet you give the prettiest hand necklaces.”

I could have sworn Alex nearly blushed. His voice contained his swagger as he continued, though. “We can always test that out, ya know.”

Zack spoke next, and I was actually surprised at how firm and possessive he sounded. “Paws off, motherfucker. Go find another one to test that theory on.”

“Lame…” Alex muttered.

Estrella only chuckled before she pet the head of the wiener dog. It whined in her arms, scratching at her to be let down, but she only cooed at it as if it was a baby. “C’mon, Mildred. Just a few more minutes. We got this. It’s just some gross, testosterone-filled men. Your daddy will be back soon.”

…Daddy?

I finally found the courage to speak again. “You look…good.” I swallowed roughly.

“That sounded confident. Great flirting, asshat,” Alex mocked me.

“Ah, don’t worry about it. They haven’t seen me in eight years. Ya know, walking away from a whole life and shit. I’m surprised he’s even found his words,” Estrella said before nudging her head in Zack’s direction. “He’s yet to say much though. That—well, that I certainly expected, given his communication over the last decade.”

Somehow, simultaneously, Tyler, Alex,andElijah whistled at the exact same time.

The fuckers.

Elijah spoke next. “Holy shit. You’re…”

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