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CHAPTER SIX

Skylar

“So, this is delicious!”

It’s actually not. What I thought was going to be a romantic dinner has turned into eating fried chicken at a popular fast-food chain. It’s not even the good kind either, super mid, but I’m trying to keep a positive attitude. Ashton was nice to pick me up, and it is our first date, so the least I can do is be grateful.

Chewing with his mouth open, Ashton digs into his food. He’s devouring the thing… Passionate! That’s what he is. Just so very, very passionate about fried chicken. I mean, all he’s done is eat. Maybe I need to try harder to spark up a deep and meaningful conversation in the parking lot of the restaurant.

“Tell me about your family,” I say, picking at my fries. “Are you close with them?”

He snorts, little pieces of food flying out of his mouth as he does. “They’re a bunch of bastards. Don’t need them anyways.”

Okay, that’s reasonable. His family is probably horrible, and I can relate to that. “I totally get that. You know, I was?—”

“Are you going to eat that?” He gestures at my untouched chicken sandwich. “Don’t want my money to go to waste.”

Well, technically, it’s my money. I paid for it…

“No,” I say sweetly, handing him my food. “You seem really hungry.” When he doesn’t answer, I gulp. “Um, do you think we can roll the windows down?”

“And let in all that fucking humidity?” He shakes his head and bits of ketchup drips into his beard. “Are you dumb?”

I wince at that but keep a smile on my face. I guess that was kind of stupid, right? It’s insanely hot out and he has the AC on. “Right. Sorry. So, what do you do for work?”

“I don’t,” he says quickly, then pounds his fist against his chest and burps. “The fuckers fired me last week. Apparently, they don’t appreciate an independent thinker.”

I cock my head at that. “Oh? What was it you did that?—”

He interrupts me again, burping once more as he rolls down his window and tosses his trash outside. Then he turns to me, and my eyes widen as he starts unbuckling his belt. “Let’s get to it then.”

My brow furrows. “To…what?”

“Dick sucking,” he snaps as he lifts his hips to pull down his pants. “I’m fed and horny. Let’s just cut to the chase and get it over with.”

I shake my head and have to cover my mouth when the ugliest dick on the planet is revealed to me. Jesus Christ, it’s just… No. I might be hurting after a week without sex, but I can’t be this desperate. “I don’t think so. I was hoping we could talk some more?—”

“Why?” he asks, looking genuinely confused. “This is where the night’s going to lead, right? Suck my dick now, we’ll get ice cream or some shit like that, then I’ll fuck your brains out.”

That sounds…not very nice.

I shake my head again. “I don’t think so. I’d love to get to know you, though. Maybe?—”

“Hey—”

“For the love of God, stop interrupting me!” I shriek, throwing my hands in the air. I gasp because that was very un-date-like, but what the actual fuck? “Don’t you want to know more about me?”

He scoffs. “Not really.”

Oh. My heart sinks a little. Ashton seemed so promising when I talked to him online. Granted, it wasn’t a long conversation, but I really thought there was potential there. Maybe if I just give him another chance, things will get better! I can understand needing to come, and he might have had a bad day, so?—

“What are you doing?” I shout when his hand comes to the back of my head. “Are you seriously still trying to get me to suck your dick?”

His jaw tightens. “You’re being stubborn.”

“I’d like to go now,” I say as calmly as I can while slapping his hand away. “Please take me home.”

He looks at me like I’m an idiot. His jaw drops, then closes, then drops again. After a second, that dumbfounded look turns into an angry one. “You’re a fucking tease, you now that? Wearing this slutty-ass outfit and expecting a guy not to get some.”

I look down at what I’m wearing. I didn’t think it was slutty. It’s just a cute pair of shorts and a long-sleeved sparkly top. The shirt is cropped, but that’s just because I wanted to show off my stomach. I have a very nice body, you know. I’m a total ten in that department.

I start to feel uncomfortable with the very obvious predatory way he’s looking at me. His hostility makes me itchy, and I hate that feeling. Swallowing harshly, I cast my eyes down, because maybe I did give him false hope. “I’m sorry. Please, just take me home, and we can try again another night.”

“You think I want to take you out after this?” He snorts cruelly as he puts his dick away. “No fucking way. Get the fuck out of my car.”

My eyes widen. “I?—”

“Get the fuck out!”

At his aggressive tone, I grab my purse and scramble out of his car. Actually a bit fearful, I nearly trip on my feet as I exit. I don’t even get to look behind me before he’s peeling out of the parking lot, leaving me all alone.

I will not cry. I will not cry. I will not cry.

But my lower lip wobbles anyway. Tonight was a disaster! All I wanted was a nice little date, maybe a kiss at the end, something cute and sweet. I teased him instead, gave him false hope, and ruined everything.

So stupid.

You’re such a freak.

Why do you think no one loves you?

The dark thoughts come back, creeping around the edges of my brain, and making everything a bit blurry. With tears in my eyes, I search through my purse for my phone, grateful when I find it.

You’re nothing, Skylar.

Why can’t you be normal?

You do this to yourself.

I sniffle as the thoughts grow louder and louder, hoping that this call will make them go away. After only one ring, he picks up.

“Sunshine, what’s wrong?”

Cass’s question is shouted, and I can hear his set in the background. I suddenly feel like an idiot for calling him at work. He’s busy. He doesn’t need me adding any stress to his night.

But still, I can’t help it. I spill everything to him. “H-He l-left m-me in the p-parking lot!”

“He what?” The anger in his voice nearly has him growling. “Where are you?”

I tell him the street, which is unfamiliar to me, and the pit of dread grows in my stomach. I’m being such a baby. I could just call a ride and go home. I don’t need Cass to?—

That’s such a lie. I always need Cassius.

“I have your location,” he says, the music fainter now in the background. “I want you to stay right there. I called you a car, sunshine. You’re coming to XO.”

Even though my heart feels lighter knowing I’m going to see him, I resist. “I’m really o-okay. I just n-need a m-minute. I can g-go home?—”

“No,” he snaps, but it doesn’t fill me with the same discomfort like when Ashton did it. “I need you here with me. Just stay on the line until your car gets there.”

I don’t bother arguing with him, because that’s exactly what I want. “I’m s-sorry about your s-set.”

“Don’t be. You’re more important than anything.”

I close my eyes and let his soothing voice calm me. Licking my chapped lips, I go over to the sidewalk and sit. He doesn’t say anything else, and neither do I, but just knowing he’s here makes it all okay.

It takes about ten minutes, but my car finally gets here, and I rush to it without a second thought. The driver is an older woman who seems really sweet as I get in. She gives me juice and cookies, probably seeing my mascara-streaked face. She makes polite chitchat with me as we head to XO and it’s a little comfort that has me giggling every few minutes. I thank her kindly when we arrive at XO and even slip her an extra ten because she was just so nice.

“Skylar,” Butch grunts as I approach the entrance. His brow furrows as he reads me. “What’s wrong?”

I sniffle and shrug. “Bad date.”

“Another one?”

“Yup.” I rock on my heels, holding my juice box. “I thought he was nice.”

Butch shakes his head and awkwardly pats my shoulder. “Hang in there, kid. The right one will come along.”

“Thanks, Butch.” I smile as I hug his stiff body, chuckling when his hand lands on my head like a lead weight. Pulling back, I reach into my purse. “I have some extra cookies if you want one.”

He shakes his head and thumbs the line beside us. “Gotta watch the door, but thank you. I’m sure Cass wants to see you.”

I nod and blow him a kiss. I need to shake this off. Be my sparkly fabulous self. Ashton was just another blip, another little speed bump. I’ll do better next time!

The club is crowded when I enter, and I automatically stop when I see Everest hanging out behind the bar. How he manages to do his homework through all this noise and chaos is beyond me, but I think he just likes being close to Rhys.

I pull up the divider and skip toward him. “Baby Hill!”

“Hey!” Everest smiles brightly and sets his homework on the ledge beside his chair. When he notices my face, he frowns. “You okay, Skylar?”

“Oh, yeah, totally,” I say, waving away his concern. “Just wanted to say hi before I went to see Cass. Do you need anything? I could unlock one of the offices upstairs for you if you need to concentrate.”

He shakes his head. “No, I’m good. Thanks for thinking of me, though.”

“Okay!” I quip, leaning up to kiss his cheek before I leave. “Have a good night! Stop by the stage and say bye before you go!”

He blushes and nods. I take that as my cue to leave and head to the stage. I have to shoulder my way through all the people enjoying Cassius’s amazing music. I don’t even make it past the front of the stage before he sees me. In a move that’s so entirely heroic, he hops off the platform like a superhero and races toward me. I can’t deny it makes my heart swoon, and I rush to him. He opens his arms to me, and I jump, wrapping my legs around his waist. Catching me easily, he starts kissing my cheeks.

And everything clicks into place.

“Are you okay?” he shouts in my ear. His hands move to my ass, holding me steady as we walk toward the back stairs. “Sunshine, did he hurt you?”

I shake my head, my smile as reassuring as I can manage. “No. Just feel a little stupid, is all.”

When we get behind the stage, he sets me on top of a speaker but doesn’t let me go. He runs his hands up and down my thighs, pressing deep into me, and I lull my head against the crook of his neck. He always smells so good. Like something spicy mixed with the scent of strawberries, thanks to the shampoo we both use.

I feel safe. I feel at home. I feel protected.

I feel loved.

“Thank you,” I mumble against his neck, giving the skin there little nips. When I pull back, I pucker my lips. “Kiss please, Cassy.”

He slams his lips against mine without hesitation. I relish it. The warmth that overcomes me is sweet. I take it greedily, running my tongue along his, whining softly when his bruising grip moves to my hips. Throwing my arms around his neck, I pull him closer, tightening my legs around his waist, and my cock hardens when he growls.

He pulls back breathlessly. “Do you want to go home, sunshine?”

I nibble on my swollen bottom lip. Cuddling with Cassius until I fall asleep sounds wonderful, but I can’t make him lose out on any money. I shake my head and kiss him once more. “No, thank you. Can I just watch you work until it’s time to go home?”

He analyzes me warily, but ends up-nodding. Squeezing my hips, he’s reluctant as he steps away, and I’m even more reluctant to let him leave me, but I get it. There’s work to be done.

Turning to go, he stops. He drops his forehead against mine and cups my cheeks. His nose touches mine as he mumbles against my lips. “Remember, whatever he said, whatever you’re thinking, it’s not true. You’re perfect. My perfect ray of sunshine.”

I nod, and he kisses my forehead before returning to the stage. I think about his words, and even though I don’t believe them most days, the fact that he does is enough.

At least for now, until I fuck it all up again.