Page 57 of Hard Rock Tease
"You think I don't get it? If you opened up once in a while maybe you'd see that you're not the only one who's experienced pain."
"You think you understand?" His eyes burned with resentment. "Poor Jennifer. Her mom was sad all the time. What a terrible childhood."
Anger rose in my chest, pushing down the devastating pain his words had caused. I clenched my fists so hard they shook, resisting the urge to punch him. "You can be a real jerk sometimes, you know that?"
"You say this like it's new information."
"I'm just trying to help you. If you don't stop acting so pissy—"
"Who says it's an act? This is how I am." He put his back to me and brought his beer to his lips to take a swig of his beer.
A storm raged through my chest. I wanted to punch something. Kick something. Namely, Noah.
"If that's how you're going to be, then fine. Feel free to wallow in your unresolved guilt issues forever. Finish your goddamn song on your own."
I turned on my heel. I waited a moment to see if he would stop me.
He didn't say a word.
I stormed away, blinking back tears.
Chapter Nineteen
"Hey there gorgeous, where you going in such a hurry?"
I stopped on my way out the door, eager to leave the party, only to find Cameron Thorne laughing with the twins, Damon and Ian Drake. I didn't necessarily want to talk to them, but now that they'd seen me I couldn't be rude and ignore them.
I made my way over with my rumpled, beer-stained dress, frazzled hair and tearstained cheeks, trepidation rising in my chest.
As soon as I approached them, Cameron was immediately concerned. "What's wrong? Are you crying? You should be creaming in your panties at the chance to party with rock stars."
I resisted the urge to sniffle and wiped at my cheeks with the back of my hand, getting rid of the evidence of my tears. "It's nothing."
"I can guess why you look so upset. It's because of Noah, isn't it?" Cameron looked pissed. "I've said it a million times. That asshole doesn't know how to treat a woman."
"But you do?" I shot back.
Cameron's eyes narrowed, an evil expression on his face. "Hell yeah I do. I can show you personally if you like." His bright red hair fell over one eye, turning the evil look sultry. As tempting as it was, I knew better than to encourage a man like Cameron Thorne.
"That's okay," I backpedaled. "I'm good."
"Is His Royal Highness giving you problems?" one of the twins asked.
"I always liked that nickname. I've just been calling him Mr. Cranky Pants."
The twins laughed uproariously. They both wore light blue jeans with identical rips and matching Metallica t-shirts. Even this close, I couldn't tell a single difference between them.
"Holy shit," one of them chuckled.
"That's genius," the other continued.
"He'd kill us for calling him that."
"All the more reason to do it."
They smashed their drinks together in a cheer.
"Best way to get over the guy who broke your heart is by getting under another one." Cameron handed me a beer with a lecherous grin. "I'm happy to volunteer as tribute."
