Page 5 of We Own Tonight
I’ll never live thisdown.
Music plays from the two opening acts. I sing along because . . . their songs were my jams when I was a teen. I would blare their screw men anthems through my speakers, windows down, singing off key, and belting every note because they were my idols. I owe many of my breakups to them telling me that I didn’t need to takeit.
“Ah!” Danielle squeals after the second band finishes. “FBD is next! I had the biggest crushon—”
“Shaun,” Nicole cuts her off. “We remember you licking hisposter.”
“Oh my God!” I giggle. “I remember that. She straight made out with it.” I guzzle the rest of my beer and shake my hairaround.
“I wanted him to be my first kiss,” Danielleexplains.
We all did. Hell, I may have had multiple fantasies with Eli, but I wouldn’t have kicked any of them out of my bed. They were everything when we were younger. I think somewhere in my mind we’re all frozen intime.
“Want another beer?” Kristinyells.
I’ve had three already. I’m halfway to drunk. I shake my headno.
“Yes, she does,” Nicole answers for me. I look at her with my mouth open. “I’m driving. You’re having fun.” She turns back to Kristin. “She’ll be drinking allnight.”
“Oh,” Danni laughs, “this is going to beepic.”
“Shut up, I’m a gooddrunk.”
In mymind.
“You’re good for a laugh,” Danni tackson.
The lights go out, and the mood shifts. All of us start to scream and hold hands. This is Eli and Randy’s hometown, so it’s extra special. Their homecoming concerts are always louder andlonger.
“Are you ready, Tampa?” PJ’s voicebooms.
We all yelllouder.
“We said,” Shaun’s voice comes through this time, “are youready?”
I bounce with Nicole, unable to control myself. I allow the energy of the room to fill me. I’m probably the loudest of the four of us. I don’t give a shit, either. “Hellyeah!”
Kristin looks at me with a huge grin. So unlikeme.
“That’s it, Tampa!” Randy’s face flashes on the screen on the side of the stage. “The Walsh brothers are home. And we want to hearyou!”
Eli’s face. I sigh. “Did you missus?”
“Fuck yeah I did,” Iscream.
“Good.” The screen displays both Eli and Randy. “We missed you, too. And you’re about to see a whole lot of us. FBD is back, and we’re ready to blow yourminds.”
The arena goesblack.
And slowly, I see something rise out of thestage.
I standmesmerized.
The light shines in my eyes, blinding me, but when I can see again, I would swear that Eli Walsh is staring right atme.
Emerald-green eyes pierce through me. His dark brown hair is cut short on the sides and the top falls errantly around his forehead. I take in every ounce of his perfect body. The way his arms pull against the fabric of his shirt, the pants that hug his perfect ass, and the span of his broad shoulders, makes me want to climb him like a tree. Then, with our gaze connected, he winks and throws a wicked grin myway.
Holyshit.
