Page 262 of Second Sets Omnibus

Fuck the future. Live in the now.

And right now?

It’s just the five of us. Ly is at a sleepover until tomorrow morning.

Stay in the now. It’s something I’ve repeatedly told myself through the years after falling victim to memories assaulting my mind.

Water softly pelts against the glass when Kieran throws the car into park in Callum’s driveway, instead of pulling into the two-car garage. The dark house looms before us in all its empty glory.

“We’ll load everything in tomorrow,” Asher says, looking around the car for approval. “That way our things don’t get soaked. It’s coming down out there.” He eyes the heavy droplets dripping down his window with furrowed brows.

He rubs his chin in that calculating way I’m used to seeing on him. Except now, Asher isn’t using it against us to tear us apart. He’s using his brain to unite us as one.

“Sounds good,” Kieran agrees. “How are you feeling, River Blue?”

How am I feeling? I’ve drank my weight in tequila. Saw a boy from my past. Had a song dedicated to Lyric and me. Also, I sobbed in front of people. God, how embarrassing. I bet someone filmed it, too. My beautiful, snot-caked, tear-stained face will be on all the gossip sites by tomorrow. I can see it now.

River West fucking an entire band! Love declarations! How long will it last?

So, you know. Just fucking peachy. But instead of telling him the truth of how chaotic my emotions are whirling around inside of me. I simply say the first thing I imagined when the rain started falling from the sky.

“Like a dance in the rain,” I say, mesmerized by the brisk rain drenching every inch of the earth outside, puddling on the grass.

The rain comes down so thickly it’s like staring through static, unable to see your hand in front of your face.

“Must still be drunk,” Kieran quips with a smirk.

Assface.

I wrinkle my nose. “You know what they say about people who assume things…”

“Makes an ass out of you and me,” Callum snorts, completing my sentence.

Good boy.

“Exactly. So, no. I’m not drunk. I’m stone-cold sober,” I grunt, extracting myself from between Callum and a reluctant, clingy Rad.

“Pretty Girl, come back,” Rad whines, reaching for me as I plop on Callum’s lap and open the door. “I need to feel your skin against mine.” I raise a brow when he folds his hands together pleadingly. He even goes as far as pouting his bottom lip with a soft whine, trying to entice me back into the vehicle and near him.

“Calm down, psycho,” Callum murmurs jokingly, intently watching as I waver at the open door. I may be perched on his lap, but he doesn’t stop me when I look out into the wet world with wonder.

Little sprinkles mist, wetting my hand as I reach out, letting the cool rain soak my fingertips. Goosebumps rise across my flesh, and shivers run through me at the icy feeling crawling across my skin.

The beautiful sound of the rain pounding into the grass greets my ears like a symphony playing through the speakers, begging me to come and play. I extract myself from the car with a serene smile stretching my lips. Heavy droplets pound against my skull, dropping down my hair and soaking every inch of me. Tentatively, I take a few steps, letting mother nature thoroughly soak through my clothes. Through my joy, I swirl with my arms stretched wide, capturing the moment.

“Little Star. What are you doing?” Callum asks in a raised voice, clutching his seat.

I chuckle, throwing my head back. The bitter rain beats down on my face when I stick my tongue out and collect the drops in my mouth, swallowing mouthfuls of fresh water. This is living.Feeling. This is fucking breathing for the first time in so damn long. There’s no work bogging me down. No heartbreak at the corners of my mind, haunting me.

I’m free.

My clothing clings to every inch of me, winding around my flesh like a second skin, stretching too tight and restricting my movements. My chest heaves. My fingers beg to tear into the fabric and remove it from the situation.

“Have you ever danced in the rain, boys?” I ask, lifting my T-shirt over my head with a grin, shivering when the ice-cold water pelts my bra-covered chest.

Water drips down my abdomen, making my stomach suck in from the chill spreading through me. No doubt I’ll need a hot, steamy bath with four hunky rock stars after this. Maybe some hot coffee to ward off the chill. And then, a cuddle pile to end the night.

Without hesitation, I do the same with my socks, shoes, and my jeans. Leaving them in a heap in the muddy grass as I take a few steps back in nothing but my bra and thong.