Page 595 of Rock Me All Night
"Fuck off. You were the one doing coke with him in the bathroom." Tom frowns.
"Yeah, but I barely liked coke," Miles says.
Okay, I have to laugh. "Did you really say that?"
Miles shrugs. "It's true."
I clear my throat. "There isn't much to say about me. I'm going to law school. I'm from Long Island. I loveThe Hunger Games." I push myself to my feet. "And I need to get some air. It was nice talking to you guys."
Pete is still in the kitchen. His gaze flits between me and Aiden. I point to the outside patio. A nice quiet place to think. Hopefully.
It takes great effort to move through the party. I spot Ethan with a model on his arm. She has a platinum pixie cut and a very short dress. She claws at him like she's already ready to take him home.
He nods hello. "You okay, Jess?"
Damn, am I that transparent? "Just getting some air." I nod to his date. "Have fun… later."
He laughs. "Let me know if I need to kick his ass for you."
I play dumb. "I'm not sure what you mean."
"Yes, you are." He nods to Pete, still in the kitchen, still staring at us. "I'd help you make him jealous if I wasn't busy."
"That's okay. I… uh, I guess I'll see you later."
"Dangerous Noise is opening for Sinful Serenade on their US tour next year. Should be interesting, me being Drew's replacement's replacement." He nods goodbye. "You'll be sick of me soon."
He thinks I'll still be around by the time the band is on tour again. I'm not sure if it's sweet or pathetic that everyone is assuming I'll be around for good.
Finally, I find the patio. It curves all the way around the house, to a small side yard. There isn't much room—a tall, wooden fence housing the next door neighbor's side yard is four feet in front of me—but there's a patio table.
I collapse in the plastic chair.
Ah, quiet. Sort of.
It only makes my thoughts feel more jumbled.
I need to keep my eye on the prize. School comes first. Whatever is happening with Pete is secondary. Even if the strength of my feelings for him is going to swallow me whole. Even if I feel sick over lying to all these people.
A nasally voice grabs my concentration. "Miss James, is it?"
Aiden is standing by the fence. The sight of him does nothing to help in the holding down my dinner front.
Still, I smile. "Yes. How are you?"
"I can see why he went with you." His gaze fixes on my chest. "You're prettier than you seemed at first."
What the hell? From the polite expression on his face, this is his idea of a compliment.
He continues. "It's working. His fans are going crazy, wishing they were the normal girl he'd fallen for. Girls love him. Especially the teenagers. That's why marketing wants him with someone nice."
"Okay."
His eyes narrow. "He really believes you care about him."
"I do."
He stares back, incredulous. "You think I was born yesterday, honey?"
