Page 37 of Songbird: Black Kite
“I’m totally gonna fuck Hawk tonight,” one of the girls said, her voice practically vibrating with excitement. “This is the third time I’ve seen them in concert, and I know tonight is the night.”
“I don’t care which one I fuck,” her friend replied, her hands delving inside her tight black tank top as she walked, lifting her boobs higher and squishing them together dramatically. “I just want to be able to tell my grandkids I got me some rock star dick.”
“Weird thing to tell your grandkids, but okay,” Sabrina whispered to me, and I rolled my lips in to keep from laughing.
“Alright, ladies,” Charlie said, stopping before a black door and turning to look at us. “You are about to enter the holy land: backstage at aBlack Kiteconcert. There are some rules you need to know, and they will be enforced without question.
“First, you will respect the talent’s choice. These guys will choose who they want to spend their time with this evening. If it’s not you, tough shit. There will be no drama, no cat fights, and for fuck’s sake, no crying. They fucking hate crying.”
Licking my lips, I swallowed and looked around. What the hell was going on back here that Charlie was worried one of us would end up crying? I slid my gaze to Sabrina to get her thoughts, but she was just smiling like a crazy person, bouncing on her toes with anticipation.
“Second, there will be no photos,” Charlie went on, oblivious to my inner thoughts. “This is not a meet and greet. You don’t get a souvenir photo and an autograph. The talent is off the clock, and they owe you nothing. If you are not okay with that, turn around and leave now.”
“What, exactly, do you think we have gotten ourselves into?” Bri asked, whispering conspiratorially.
“No idea,” I said, my pulse thrumming under my skin like a live wire. “But I’ve never been this excited for anything in my entire life.”
“Alright then, ladies,” Charlie went on, apparently satisfied that he had sufficiently laid down the law. “Welcome to the party.”
Reaching behind him, he swung the door open dramatically, sweeping his arm wide and offering us a dangerous smirk as music and smoke began to pour out into the hallway.
As though a starting pistol had been fired, the other women all rushed for the door, shoving and elbowing their way into the room with the same aggression I’d seen on the men of the senior lawn bowling league when it was all you can eat wing night at the diner. Not wanting to catch an errant elbow to the chin, I held back, snickering at the way they surged ahead as though the room would somehow disappear before they got there.
“Yikes,” Bri said, shaking her head. “Smells like desperation.”
“It’sBlack Kite,” I emphasized, just in case Bri had forgotten. “I’m feeling a little desperate myself.”
“Desperate enough to sleep with a rock star?” she asked, eyebrows wiggling.
“Sabrina!” I gasped. “That isnotgoing to happen.”
“It could.”
“It won’t.”
“Why the hell not?” she pressed, and I frowned, rolling my eyes as I looked away. “Seriously, Wren. Why in the world wouldn’t you try to bag yourself a rock star? You’ve been obsessed with this band for years and now we’re here, just steps away from them. This could be the culmination of every schoolgirl fantasy you’ve ever had.”
I laughed, my cheeks heating. I would never admit it out loud, but Hawk Jameson had been the star of more than one sexy dream over the years. As my best friend, Sabrina was privy to all my most intimate thoughts, although I was regretting sharing that information with her now.
“I just don’t think I should have any kind of expectations,” I told her, swallowing the lump that had suddenly developed in my throat. “I’m not looking to hook up, and as much as I’d like to justtalkto him, I am sure that Hawk will be very busy making hischoicefor the evening. I doubt conversation is on any of these guys’ minds.”
“Ugh, you are always so practical,” Bri complained, throwing her hands up in the air. “Just promise me one thing. If the evening does take a turn, and you have the opportunity to explore some of those fantasies, don’t let the moment pass you by. At least pause long enough to consider it, alright?” Reaching out, Sabrina pulled me into a hug, and I sank against her, grateful for her presence. “This is a once in a lifetime chance, babe. You’ve got to seize the day. Carp a dime, or whatever.”
“Carpe diem,” I corrected with a laugh. “Alright. I promise. Should one of the fabulously gorgeous and insanely talented rock stars happen to look my way, I will consider taking things to a more carnal level.”
“God, I love it when you talk dirty,” she teased, taking my hand and towing me through the door and into the room.
Chapter twenty-three
Hawk
Fifteen Years Ago
Iwasbuzzin’whenI entered the room, my whole body feeling like a lightning storm was brewing in the distance. I could feel the low rumble of thunder in every step I took, the gentle fizz of electricity dancing across the small hairs on my arms. The vodka had gotten me started, but the Molly would get me rollin’, the wave of good feelings just starting to build under my skin, leaving me fidgety and excited. I felt like the whole world was holding its breath in anticipation for something big.
I had no idea what the fuck to make of it, but the night felt full of promise, like life was a ticking time bomb, and the countdown was fuckin’ on.
I stared around the room, the guys all splayed out on various couches, groupies perched on their knees pulling every trick in the book to be one of the lucky ones for the night. I few of the girls held back, scanning the room and the other crew members in it like predators on the hunt, their tits plumped up high and their eyes narrowed as they eyed up the competition, waiting for their chance to strike.
