Page 32 of Tempted
I know there’s no use in trying to defendGage, so I don’t. Besides, that would just be rubbing salt in hiswound. “I know we can’t be friends, but…I don’t want you to hateme, either.”
He takes a deep breath and cups my cheek,stroking it with his thumb. “I could never hate you, Raven.”
I throw my arms around him before the look inhis eyes reduces me to tears. Real, raw love that everyone searchestheir whole lives for – that’s what I saw there. The little tingeof hurt behind it grabs my heart, squeezing like a fist. Will Gageever look at me like that? Or will his four-letter “L word” foreverbe “lust”?
“I’m here for you, Raven…if you ever needme.”
“I don’t deserve it, but thank you.”
The door opens and we release each other.Chrissy and three other girls stand in the doorwayuncomfortably.
“Are we interrupting?” His sister asks.
“No. We’re good,” Chris answers.
He smiles at me and steps back inside.We’regood. It’s more than I could have ever hopedfor, so I’ll take it.
“You ladies have fun.”
Chrissy takes my hand and gives it a littlesqueeze.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” I reply. “You ready?”
“Yup.”
“Happy birthday. You look awesome.”
Her black and gold sequined, chevron dressclings to every curve of her body. As a matter of fact, they alllook awesome.
She pulls me into a bear hug and rocks sideto side. I return her embrace, thinking she’s more of a sister tome than Lonnie’s ever been. She takes the gift bag and places itinside then introduces me to the other girls – Morgan, Rachel, andBrandi. We cram into the Charger and Chrissy pulls Ron to her,planting a wet kiss on him.
“Happy birthday, gorgeous. Fuck, you lookamazing.”
“Thanks. Now, let’s go raise some hell!”
There’s a line around the block when we getto the club. Ron pulls over at the curb and tells us to wait forhim while he parks. The name of the club shines in red neon abovethe door, the “S” a double-edged scythe.
“You sure we can get in?” Morgan asks.Apparently, I’m not the only one under eighteen. I look to Chrissy,hoping she hasn’t told them exactlyhowwe’re gettingin.
“I told you, Ron talked to Gage. We’ll befine.”
Thank God.They still lookapprehensive but accept her explanation. Ron returns and hooks hisarm around Chrissy’s neck.
“How the fuck I get so lucky? Five gorgeousladies on my arms.”
The other girls giggle and I roll my eyes.“Let’s go, Casanova.”
He ushers us to the front of the line and thesecurity guy moves aside. Another guy stamps our wrists with askull and crossbones symbol that glows in the dark. Ron explainsthat it indicates we can’t be served alcohol. He disappears to getus drinks and we head straight to the middle of the dance floor.The club reminds me of the Mustang – black and red, reapers andscythes all over. The strobe lights flash red and machines coverthe floor with smoke. In the middle of “Touchin’ Lovin’,” the DJscratches the record and the song stops.
“Chrissy, where you at?” He shouts. “Come onup!”
She turns to me wide-eyed, hopping withexcitement, then screams and grabs my hand, pulling me up to the DJbooth with her.
“So…today is this lovely lady’s birthday.Everyone wish her a happy birthday!” The DJ says.
Noise erupts from the crowd, and Chrissywaves at everyone enthusiastically. When the noise dies down, theDJ hands her an envelope.
