Page 13 of Hard Rock Love

“What have you been up to?” I asked, trying to deflect from the flush on my cheeks. “Aside from drumming for Cherry Lips, I mean.”

His eyes went bright again.

“I’ve been trying my hand at writing some songs all by myself.” He sat straight up, his hands flailing eagerly as he talked. “In both bands I’ve been in, the others have mostly done the composing. I helped, of course, but there’s never been a song that’s completely mine until this album. Now there’s two songs I did all by myself. Well, Ever helped look over my lyrics, but still. It was almost all me.”

He sounded more than pleased with himself.

“Is that something you always wanted to do?” I asked. “Write your own songs?”

He looked thoughtful.

“Not really,” he replied. “I had fun, but it was a lot of work. A lot of brain power, you know? I think from now on I’ll leave the composing to the experts.”

“Aside from music, have you been doing anything else?” I asked.

A wicked grin crossed his face.

“I’ve been trying to create the ultimate cocktail,” he said. “We like to play drinking games, but it’s boring with regular shots. So a while ago I decided to spice things up by coming up with new and exciting drinks. Over the years I’ve gotten more and more creative.” He rubbed his hands together like an evil movie villain. “The others hate me.”

“And that’s a good thing?” I asked.

“Oh, definitely,” he replied confidently.

“Okay then,” I asked, thoroughly confused, but willing to humor him. “So you like to drink?”

“It’s not really the drinking I’m into,” he said. “It’s the social aspect. We work so hard, it’s important to have fun.”

“I don’t think I even know what that means,” I confessed. “The one time I went to a party—”

I cut myself off before I could say anything further.

“I don’t really let loose like you do,” I said. “But I also don’t have as stressful a life as you. I can’t imagine the pressure of touring and performing.”

“I’d never say I regret getting into this job, but it can get a bit much,” he said. “Sometimes I just want a normal slice of life.”

“Is that why you’re trying to get your diploma?” I asked.

“I suppose so,” he mused. “It’s important to get my education. But it is nice to sit in class and take notes and not think about whether or not I’m going to fuck up on stage during our next show.”

“I bet you never fuck up.”

“Did you just say the f-word?” Seth mock-gasped. “I never thought I’d hear something so profane from such innocent lips. What a dirty mouth you have.”

“Just because I don’t make a habit of swearing doesn’t mean I don’t do it.”

“So what other dirty things have you hidden from me?” A slow, seductive smirk spread across his face. “Are you really a bad girl inside?”

I fought a flush.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I shot back, pleased that I’d been able to respond with a witty comeback instead of just melting into a puddle.

Seth stifled a hearty laugh, not wanting to cause a scene in the library.

While he held back a chuckle, loud laughter punctured the hushed murmurs. A group of students had congregated on the third floor study area. I looked over to see if a librarian was around to shush them.

One of them turned his head. When he saw me, he smirked and nudged one of his friends, who turned to me with his own smirk. They spoke quietly to each other. The guy’s friend laughed, sneaking another peek. Then he winked at me.

My stomach dropped. It was the exact opposite of Seth’s wink. His had been playful, cute. This wink was lewd, vulgar. I knew exactly what kind of ugly thoughts this guy was thinking, and it made my stomach turn.