Page 85 of Life of the Party

CHAPTER 34

The week went by way too quickly. I had to share Grey during the day, with work and his constant band practices, but at night he was all mine. We would hole up in my room and get high and just…be together. There were no distractions, no interruptions, just Grey and I, hanging out, having fun. With every moment I spent with him, I dreaded his leaving that much more.

I was happy when the guys decided to cancel their regular Saturday night gig at the Aurora that week, even happier when Grey chose to spend the night at home with me. Don’t get me wrong, I loved to party, nothing cheered me up faster than a night out on the town. But I loved being alone with Grey even more.

He leaned across my bed, handing me a railed-up mirror carefully. I bent over and snorted the blow, pulling back on my forehead as I sniffed in.

“That’s good,” I commented, sniffing the drugs deep into my sinuses. I could feel their effects almost immediately. I smiled shakily and took a drag of my cigarette, aware of Grey’s eyes on me. Ever since the overdose, he’d been extra cautious when it came to my coke use…how much I did, how often I did it. I didn’t mind, though. The bruises covering my legs had just begun to heal, but they were still a little sore. If Grey’s concern would keep me from having a seizure again, I was all for it.

“Your turn.” I passed him the mirror and fidgeted with my smoke, crossing and re-crossing my legs, smiling at the warm energy permeating my being. He took the mirror from me and sniffed back the lines of soft, chalky powder.

I studied him closely, taking in his every feature, committing them to memory so I could imagine his gorgeous face when he was gone. His cheeks were tan and covered in coarse dark stubble, his eyes the most beautiful blue, his lips full and curved intothe usual smirk. His dark hair was short and messy, sticking out from under his hat. The shirt he wore was plain and black, he had leather-studded bracelets on his right wrist; his arms were dark and tattooed and muscular and strong.

“What?” He chuckled when he noticed me staring. I shook my head, biting my lip, pulling my fingers absently through my long, dark hair.

“Nothing. I’m just going to miss you, that’s all.”

“It’s only for a month…or so, but it’ll go by faster than you can imagine.”

“Yeah.” I nodded, though I didn’t believe him. I knew the time was going to drag by, at least, it would for me. I chewed my nails. “Promise you won’t forget me?”

“You mean, while I’m off making myself famous?”

“Richand famous.” I corrected.

“Right. I forgot you were spoiled.” Grey teased. “Can’t forget rich.”

“Shut up.” I slapped him playfully. His fist clenched tightly around the offending wrist and pinned it back against the bed. I tried to fight him with the other hand, but it suffered the same fate as the first, trapped in an iron grip against the mattress. Laughing, I lay back, pinioned by him as he leaned overtop of me.

“Grey, Grey…stop…” I choked out between laughs. “…I’m serious…”

“If you’re so serious, why are you laughing?” His voice was suddenly thick, his eyes heady as they scanned my face. His face hung just inches from mine.

“I’m not,” I whispered, the last traces of mirth disappearing from my voice. I smiled at him, pleadingly. “Grey, promise me.”

“Promise you what?” Grey bent and kissed my collarbone, just below my neck, sending a shiver of pure heat through me. Then his lips moved slowly, achingly down my breastbone, beyond my ribs, gliding across the smooth skin of my stomach. He let go of my wrists but I didn’t move them. My heart was beating loudly in my throat; my breath was shaky, faster.

“Promise you won’t forget me.” I pleaded.

“Forget you? I could never.”

Grey stopped his trail of kisses just above the waistband of my jeans. His lips curved into a smile as he looked up at me, his blue eyes gleaming wickedly.

“What about you? Would you forget me?”

I shook my head, breathless.

“You won’t after this.”

The alarm clock clicked on early Sunday morning, humming with static, rousing mefrom sleep. It took me a few minutes to come to, a few minutes to assimilate the heavy weight of Grey’s arm around my waist. Once I understood, a smile broke over my lips. I snuggled against his hard form, reaching over to hit the snooze button.

Holding onto him for as long as possible.

Grey stirred. “Morning, " he whispered in my ear, his voice low, like velvet. His stubble rubbed against my cheek. My heart wanted to burst; I was so content. I tried to enjoy the moment as best I could while it lasted.

“Morning.” I brought his hand to my lips and kissed it. I thought quickly about doing some more cocaine, but pushed the thought from my mind. I had to save my rations, I’d need them after Grey left. “Do you want a smoke?” I asked instead.

“Sure.” He answered. I’d recently discovered the brilliance of smoking in bed. I grabbed my pack from the nightstand and lit two cigarettes, turning over and handing him one. We smoked in satisfied silence a moment.

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