Page 7 of Pedal to the Metal

Her scent is intoxicating, and the traffic is moving at a painstakingly slow pace. Mostly, because it's Friday night and also because most of the traffic in front of us is heading to the same place we are, JamesTown. Def Leppard comes on the radio and on instinct I turn it up, they've always been one of my favorites. I hear a small giggle and see Londynn's honey colored hair dancing back and forth and she bounces to the music. At least she has rhythmunlike me. She giggles again and it's a sweet sound that I have feeling she doesn't do often enough. I can't resist the urge to ask, “What's so funny?"

She looks over at me and shrugs but a small smile tugs at her perfect lips. In an instant my mind is day dreaming on what it would be like to kiss those lips. What the hell has gotten into me?, “I was just wondering if you listened to anything from this decade." I raise my eyebrows in question and she studies my face a moment before continuing but not before the blush creeps up to her cheeks. “I mean you guys are all named after 80s musicians and you all drive vintage cars, well except for Ace."

"Yeah, Ace was always the one that tends to keep up with the times. He just walks down his own path. And to answer your question, yes, I do listen to music from this decade. Actually, I'd think you'd be surprised to find the vast decades of music on my iPod."

A smirk crosses her face and I swear my heart rate picks up, but I don't know why. Yes, Londynn is gorgeous but it's not like I'm the relationship type guy anymore and she is definitely that girl. I need to keep reminding myself of that. “Is that so?"

"Yes. So, do you have a favorite musical artist?" I ask.

"Doesn't everyone?" She counters and I'm not sure if it's because she doesn't want to tell me or what?

I shrug while inching the car forward with the flow of traffic. “I guess they do. What's yours?"

"Depends really but if I could only pick one, Kings of Leon."

"They're good. I saw them when they played in Vegas last year," I tell her, and she instantly looks at me with that pretty mouth of hers wide open.

"You're kidding me!" She exclaims, and I shake my head no. “It's official I'm beyond jealous of you right now. Were they great?"

We continue to talk about Kings of Leon for at least ten minutes then a hushed silence falls over the car. Londynn is staring at the beach as we drive by and I could almost see her wheels spinning but I didn't know what she’s thinking about. Once we pass the beach she turns back to face me. “So, who’s your favorite and why?"

"Whitesnake."

Her eyebrows knit together as if she's trying to figure out if I'm serious and if it wasn't so adorable it might get on my nerves. “Whitesnake?" I just nod. “First of all, I don't think I know them and second of all, why?"

"There's this song by Whitesnake calledIs It Love?it was my parents’ song. I remember so many nights I'd sneak out of my room when I was supposed to be asleep and sit on the floor where I could look around the wall and see my parents dancing to that song. It was their song and the way they looked at each other and held each other..." I shrug.

"It made you believe in it all," Londynn says in almost a whisper.

"Yeah, I guess they did," I say as we pull into a parking place in front of JamesTown.

I get out and walk around so I can open the door for her. I take her small hand as I help her out. Its silky soft next to mine. For a moment she stares up into my eyes and I swear she can see what an ass I've been the past five years and for the first time I care that I've beenthatguy but its short lived because Farrah walks out of the door. Well, more like stumbleshollering Londynn's name. Londynn releases a deep sigh, one that's deep enough to make her shoulders come close to her ears then fall back down. A small smile falls over her face, “I better go take care of that but thank you for the ride and for sticking up for me."

"The pleasure was all mine," I reply giving her a wink and a smile that has always sealed the deal for me. I watch as she walks away, and I wonder what in the hell has gotten into me? It's not like Londynn Parrish, queen of the rich and perfect, would ever even consider anything with me unless it was to make Ryce jealous. So, why does my heart feel like some of the ice has been chipped away?

****

Londynn

I was kind of glad for the distraction of a tipsy Farrah. Jagger was causing me all kinds of butterflies and he knew it. He kept giving me that smile that had probably gotten him in more beds than the 80s stars he was named after. I couldn't let myself fall for someone like him. He had a reputation, they all did. Yes, he was ridiculously good looking and smelled amazing and his eyes had those little crinkles that appeared when he smiled. Yes, his deep, husky voice sent shivers down my spine and made everything tingle but that didn't make it a good idea. Actually, it made all of this a bad idea.

With guys like Ryce I now knew what to expect. To be wanted but only because of the money and ego boost that comes alongwith me. It wasn'tmethey wanted, it was the image. I couldn't ever remember Ryce telling me his favorite song or asking me mine because we didn't really talk. I hadn't realized that though until tonight. But with guys like Jagger they were charming, and they knew it. They had the looks and knew how to use them. In the end I knew I'd get my heart broken and yes, Ryce had broken it too but I didn't see it coming from the beginning. Allowing myself to hold any kind of fantasy about Jagger would definitely lead to heartbreak and I’d known it from the get go.

Farrah was sitting in Connor's lap and Kynlee had basically been all of over Ace since we sat down. He wasn't complaining but I doubt any guy would. She was the type of gorgeous that was intimidating, and her ice-cold attitude didn't help. The only saving grace at this table was Sadie. She had sat down beside me while Axell, Bowie and Jagger tended to something in the back. We had been sitting in silence, well, not total silence since we had to hear the make outs going on at the table and the music that filled the bar. Sadie cleared her throat and looked at me. “So, how's the first day?"

I shrug, “Getting by. Thanks for asking," I add with a small smile.

"You look good. I'm really proud of you for sticking up to Ryce the way you did. You really needed to do that for yourself," Sadie says patting my hand on the table.

I give her half a laugh, “Well, I don't know how much I did considering your brother-in-law had to step in."

"Fixing to be brother in law and also he didn't have to but the James' boys can't stand guys like Ryce and they were raised where you didn't talk or treat any female that way. It's just in their blood but even if he hadn't stepped in you would have been fine," she says with a reassuring smile.

"I don't know," I say quietly but she manages to hear it.

She shakes her head, “No, Londynn remember what you've learned. You deserve better now make sure you get it. Stop doubting yourself."

"Okay," I say giving her a smile that will get her off my back. “I’m going to see what’s on the jukebox," I tell the table as I make my away across the room. As I’m looking at the jukebox I feel the heat coming off his body as he stands behind me. He leans forward and places a hand on the glass next to mine. I can smell cinnamon coming off his breath before he whispers, “Find anything good?” I shrug in response, “Just browsing.”

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