Page 52 of Rock Out Together
This year it’d been her turn to pick what we did for our week off.
“Stop being such a pickle face. You're gonna have a great time,” Zara's voice softened, her eyes piercing me with the infectious confidence I envied and adored.
I sighed, choosing to believe her. She blasted Steele Horizons' music all the time throughout our shared apartment, and while I wasn’t a metal person, I loved the lyrics. Their songs had a raw, poetic edge that made my bookworm heart flutter, even if I'd never admit how their songs lingered in my mind long after the music stopped.
“I feel naked,” I said, as I pulled down the short skirt she’d pushed me into wearing. Not to mention, the waist was too big. The outfit had disaster written all over it. If I bent over, the world would see my Care Bear underwear. The thought sent a flush of panic through me, and my fingers itched to cover myself.
At least I had on my “I like big books, and I cannot lie” tank I got at Space Coast. I might seem like a good girl … but I read all the naughty stuff; and I wasn’t ashamed of it.
Zara grabbed the hem of my tank and tied it at my waist, exposing a daring sliver of skin at my waistline that made my stomach flip.
“Hey! Careful. The skirt is too big. I don't want it sliding off.”
“We’re at a Steele Horizons concert, Em.” She plucked my glasses from my face and tossed them into the car with my book. When she noticed I was about to argue, she held up a hand. “You don’t want to feel out of place, do you?”
“The hell?” I squinted, trying to focus. I could see without them, but not as far as I’d like. “Guess I can't see, but I can still listen, eh?”
“We’ll be close enough for you to see them, girl. Real close.” Zara licked her lips and grinned. “Close enough to count the tattoos on Jake’s abs, if you’re lucky.”
“That doesn’t sound very appealing.” My voice was dry, but I felt a tiny spark of curiosity flicker in my chest at the thought of Jake Steele’s rumored intensity. Would the man be as gorgeous as his songs suggested?
Zara rolled her eyes. “Girl, wegotto get you laid.”
I snorted, crossing my arms. “Please. I don’t need a man when I’ve got a romance novel and a vibrator. Ol' faithful never leaves me wondering where I stand.”
Zara cackled, throwing her head back. “Oh, Em, you're gonna eat those words when you see Jake up close. That man's a walking, talking romance novel. He's got more than batteries to offer.” She wiggled her eyebrows ridiculously, and I burst out laughing at her silly face.
Zara wore a sleeveless halter composed of what looked like small, mirrored plates, paired with silver foil shorts. The outfit looked amazing against her warm cocoa skin and long black hair. It caught the sunlight like a disco ball, turningheads as we walked through the gate. Her confidence was like a beacon, and I felt a pang of insecurity watching every eye follow her effortless strut.
She was right about something—it was strangely empowering in my short sleeves and shorter skirt next to her.
I felt sexy. It was different and … nice.
But still ….
Reaching into the car, I snagged my yellow, long-sleeved cardigan.
Zara watched me and sighed. “Really? It’s ninety degrees out.”
“It could get cold later!” I clutched the cardigan like a security blanket, my voice sharper than I’d meant.
“The color doesn’t even match.” She shook her head. “You’re gonna roast, but fine. You do you.”
She grabbed my hand, dragging me to the beach like a kid running downstairs on Christmas. The festival’s pulse thrummed louder with every step. The hot air was thick with salt and sunscreen, and the distant growl of the hard metal Zara loved so much. I had a gut feeling that I was walking into something that would change me forever, and the thought both thrilled and terrified me.
I was so out of my element. This wasn’t the natural habitat of Emily Lane—bookworm junior at Florida University—but I couldn’t continue living life between the pages of a book. It was time to step out and actually live it.
two
. . .
Care Bear in the Crowd
“No, I will not say something funny.”
~ Jake Steele
Jake
