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“What are you talking about? I’m fine.” My white lie was the most innocent color in the dark building. I tugged his hand, taking the lead, and pushed the door.
He pulled me back, still not wanting to enter. His chest played my hero for the dozenth time tonight, saving me from falling.
He opened and closed his mouth multiple times, like he had so many words balancing on his tongue, all ready to pour out. Yet he chose to say something cryptic and confusing that had him narrowing in my view.
“Sometimes, it’s better to give them what they want. Being drunk might help with that.” His hand moved to the door. “After you.”
I rolled my narrowed eyes. “It’s a good thing you’re hot...because you’re very confusing.” I laughed, then hiccupped. The scent of alcohol had given me courage, but the musty odor of this place still tried to overpower it. “And your cryptic words are only good when you sing them beautifully.”
I skipped away, pulling him along as I whizzed around corners of the dark corridor. Hypnotic aromas of cherry and strawberry led the way, pushing away the sick smell I felt lingering around me. Excitement pulled me forward. Rhylie wouldn’t believe what had happened with Remi, and I couldn’t wait to tell her, even if it would get me into trouble. I could hear her now, telling me that it was stupid to fool around with a rockstar. Telling me if I didn’t catch feelings, it would be a disease...
But as I rounded the corner and found myself in the center of a red room, I didn’t hear Rhylie. I didn’t see Rhylie. I didn’t see anyone I recognized from the show.
Four men crowded a tiny bar in the corner of the room, all in suits, all laughing and joking about how tight some girl’s rear end was.
They all turned at once to the sound of my shoes on the floor. All eight eyes were on my body, undressing me.
I pulled Remi’s jacket up over my shoulders with one hand, feeling vulnerability drift over my skin with each of their stares. My other hand squeezed Remi’s, feeling nervous and then grateful because he squeezed back.
“I’m sorry. I think we have the wrong place,” I muttered, feeling a little sick again.
I stepped back, but Remi’s unmoving body stopped me. I looked up at him with wide eyes. His face was frozen, like his body.
One man climbed from his seat. He was unattractive and older than the others. He walked towards us, his creased suit creasing more every time his legs bent.
He lit up a cigarette with a silver lighter, and I found myself focusing on the logo—the image of a woman getting licked out by the devil made me turn cold. “Thought you’d had second thoughts, kid.” His eyes weren’t on me. They were locked on Remi, who I stared up at again, seeing nothing more than his jaw ticking and his throat working. I saw no emotion...still. He wore a mask. A pretty one I’d fallen in love with. One that had prevented me from seeing the danger beneath.
“No, Sir.”
The orange flame chewed through paper and tobacco. The creep holding the cigarette flicked ash to the ground, which landed on my lace sneakers, sullying the toe. I wiggled my foot, shaking the embers to the floor.
Lifting my head, I came face to face with a tarnished golden smile.
My fingers went slack as Remi’s hand slipped away. I hated the emptiness, my fingers instantly wiggling to grip something. Anything. To call him back.
But he didn’t come back.
And I felt cold without his warmth over me, even with his jacket protecting me and all my goosebumps as they rose up to defend me when no one else would. Every muscle in my body tensed when a calloused hand touched my cheek. I turned away from it, loose curls falling over my face, replacing the harsh touch with something soft.
“Remi,” I whispered.
One of my laces had come loose, and I tripped on it as I tried to step back.
“You can go, Remington.” The creep with gold teeth smiled, revealing tarnished fangs. “Get some rest in for tomorrow’s show.”
I shifted back, dismissing the shoelace that tried to put me on my ass again, and I forced my hand back into Remi’s. My palm was sweaty against his cool skin. His grip didn’t tighten. His gaze stayed locked on Gold Teeth, no emotion showing to the man or me. All the excitement from our night and the show was gone.
“Yes. I think that’s a good idea. Let’s go, Remi.” I squeezed his hand, keeping it locked in mine, glued via my sweat, and I pulled him in the direction of the door. He followed, walking in my shadow.
The music stopped. And then Remi stopped. And my heart stopped, too.
“Come on,” I encouraged, jerking his arm. The ruffling of his leather jacket seemed loud again in the silent room. So did the snarls of the wolves nearing in, dressed up like humans—seedy businessmen, all drooling over me.
I yanked Remi’s hand in mine, jolting faster movements from his legs as I led him down the hallway, which felt like it had gotten longer since we’d entered only minutes ago. His heavy boots stomping behind me echoed as I forced him to pick up speed. I breathed heavily, and my strained heart raced.
The door was in sight. I pushed my body harder, determined to get out of this place.
A sharp stabbing pain in my chest halted me. I stopped for only a second, my hand moving to my chest in an attempt to soothe the pain. I failed, and the pain continued.
