Page 57 of Doesn't Count

He plants himself next to me with very little space between us. As he smiles, wrinkles form on the outside of his eyes revealing that he must be atleast thirty.

“Hey, I’m Adam.” He introduces himself, sticking his hand between us.

Adam... what a normal name.

“Ash.” I let myself take it, giving it a good shake before letting go.

“I, uh, couldn’t help notice you over here alone.”

“Yep.” I pop the P, nodding as I look toward my laptop. “Just finishing up some work.”

“Oh, cool. What do you do?” He asks.

“I’m a journalist for Musical Genius. Currently working on a project for Night’s Deadly Deeds.” I answer and his eyes light up.

“No kidding! I love that band!” He smiles and I want to groan.

Then suddenly a devilish idea pops into my head, “They’re playing across the street, want to go see them? The set is probably half over, but I can sneak you in.”

“Hell yeah! Let’s go!” He jumps up, throwing a couple twenties on my table, more than enough to cover all my drinks and then some.

I lead him to the Van Buren Theater, sneaking him in through the back entrance. Only we don’t hang out backstage. Instead, we push through the crowd and force a spot in the front, right under Khaos. I watch them from the crowd, sweaty bodies pushing up against me, all begging for a piece of the mysterious creature on stage.

Adam dips his head to my ear, yelling barely loud enough to be heard, “This is incredible!”

I shrug, smiling up at him, pretending that there isn’t an ulterior motive for me being here. He grabs me around the waist as I watch intently, waiting for those masked eyes to peer down at me, to catch me doing exactly what I said I would.

There’s a plume of smoke that coats the floor of the stage,Khaos crouches, his cloak spread around him. Sweat beads down his bare, black painted chest, streaks of his actual skin peeking through. The second his eyes find mine, the growl that barrels out of his mouth blows through the speaker as if all that rage is directed my way.

Without flinching, I hold his gaze as he screams, the vibrations from his chest lashing out and crawling into mine. It only makes the crowd go wild, but it’s a warning for me. There’s a threat in the tone of his voice when he sings the remainder of the show, I can see the uneasiness in every movement, especially when I wrap my arm behind me to hold onto Adam’s neck.

As the end of the setlist plays out, I make my move, pulling Adam’s head down. I twist my neck so that our lips can meet and when they do, feedback screeches deafeningly through the speakers. I look over to the stage, catching Khaos’ back, his mic rolling across the floor.

The crowd starts to shuffle out of the venue, a sea of bodies providing me the perfect cover to lose Adam.

When I get back to the bus it’s empty, the bed calling to me after the day I’ve had. A part of me knows I’ll be kicked out when Khaos returns, but I’ll welcome that fight. I’m still pissed at him for using my past against me and airing our dirty laundry.

What’s new?

Hours later I’m woken up from a deep sleep, the mattress bouncing beside me. I’m surprised he’s not dragging me out by my neck. I roll over to confront him but am met with a mess of blonde hair and gyrating bodies.

“What the hell!” I scream in disgust.

The girl's eyes pop open, widening in horror. She looks at me and then at Khaos before breaking out in a fit of drunkengiggles.

“Might want to leave now if you don’t want to watch.” He warns, his fingers hovering over the button on the girl’s jeans.

“Youmight want to leave before I rip your mask off so I can see your face when I murder you!” I threaten.

“Yo, what is going on?” Kokytos comes into view, stumbling and clearly intoxicated. “Awe, shit, Khaos. What are you doing?”

“Getting laid.” He answers nonchalantly.

“No, you aren’t. Come on.” Kokytos grips the girl's hand, tugging her out from under him. “Time for you to go.”

He rushes her out of the bus and returns with a bottle of water in his hands.

“Wait,” He holds his palm out, meeting Khaos’ chest, keeping him from pushing past through the door and forcing him to sit back down. “You guys need to hash this out. It’s not healthy.”

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