Page 61 of The Star

I hang both garment bags back up, then head to the shower and turn the water on a degree above Hell. I strip out of my clothes, step into the glass shower stall, and eye all the products lined up on the shelf on the wall. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash, something calledbody gelato,and a nice big loofa to wrap it all up.

Seems unnecessary, to be honest, since I’m only here for two nights, but I can always take it home so it doesn’t go to waste.

I stand under the spray of the water, letting it run over my face as I lean my head back and get lost in my thoughts.

If you had told me a few months ago that I would be standing in a shower in a five-star hotel room, on the night before my father’s wedding to one of the richest women in the state of North Carolina, I would have probably cracked a rib from laughing so hard.

It feels unreal, even after so long in Luxington and my new life. I’m still waiting for someone to pinch me, to wake me up from this insane dream I’ve been dropped into. I’m waiting for the morning I open my eyes and I’m back in our little run-down house in Franklin, my mom burning French toast in the kitchen.

Sighing, I rub my hands down my face to get the water from my eyes as I look down at the floor. One more year until college, then I can leave Luxington behind me.

twenty-nine

LOGAN

Before I head downstairs for dinner, I take one last look in the full-length mirror in my hotel room.

I decided to straighten my hair, so it’s hanging down my back pin-straight, the darker strands on top hiding the white underneath until I start moving. The white pieces that frame my face make the bright glitter in the corner of my eyes stand out against the black liner and thick lashes.

I covered my lips in a dark, burgundy lipstick that almost looks black until it hits the light, and when I smirk at myself in the mirror, my confidence level shoots up another notch. I look good as fuck, dark and delicious, but still appropriate for a rehearsal dinner.

The black dress hugging my curves is gorgeous, and I realize then that Sara knows what the fuck she’s doing when picking out fashion. My cleavage spills out the top of the V in the dress just enough to entice, and the slit up my leg gives a hint of sexy without being slutty, even when I take a step in the three-inch heels and my black garters show through the split in the beaded, lacy fabric.

I go to the bathroom, slip some hoops through my ears, blow myself a kiss in the mirror, then go to the door. Grabbing the little clutch Sara paired with my dress, I slip my phone and room key inside and pull open the door to my room. Unfortunately, the door next to mine is opening at the same time, and the three stooges appear in the doorway as I’m letting mine close behind me.

“Jesus fucking Christ.”Carson stops dead in his tracks when he sees me, making Levi and Hayden bump into him from behind.

“What the fuck, dude?” Hayden growls, the cigarette behind his ear dropping to the floor, but he’s quick to shut up when his gaze finds mine. Levi stands speechless with them, and I give them each a little grin of my dark lips.

“Good evening, bozos.” I flutter my eyelashes.

They’re each dressed in suits, Carson in his dark grey one, Levi in all black, and Hayden in a light grey that seems out of character for him.

“Holy fucking shit, Logan!” Levi yells, waving a hand up and down my body as his eyes bug out of his head.

“You look like a…” His words trail off, and when his gaze finally falls back to my face, I chuckle.

“Like a…?” I turn my head to the side in question.

He rubs his palms together. “I don’t know, like you’re going to eat my soul or some shit, ma.”

“I am.” I raise an eyebrow, then start walking down the hallway to the elevators.

I hear all three of them jogging to catch up to me, and when they reach me, Carson grabs my hand, pulls me to him and groans, “Logan.”

Rolling my eyes at him a little, I snap my fingers, then wave my hand in the air in a circle. “Walk and talk, caveman. We have a dinner to get to.”

I start walking again, and his grip leaves my hand, but they all follow after me in silence.

Hitting the button for the elevator, I slip my phone from my clutch, so I have something to do with my hands, but Hayden slides up next to me. “How ’bout we skip this thing… head back to your hotel room instead.”

I snort, looking at him from the corner of my eye just as Carson smacks him on the shoulder. The motion irritates me a little, because it’s him being allI peed on her, so she’s mineagain, so I turn to face Hayden and curve an eyebrow.

“Oh? What do you want to do in my hotel room?”

His mouth curls into a savage smile, and he takes a step closer to me, putting his face about three inches from mine. “That lipstick would look great smeared all over my dick, to start.”

I hum between my lips, moving my gaze down his body and back up once. “Tempting.”

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