Page 101 of Dirty Rock

Julia was standing beside me, staring into my eyes with hurt shining from hers. Her skin was paler than usual, and her face was tight. She didn’t have to say a word for me to understand she had a lot to say.

The two of us looked at each other for what felt like a lifetime before Jules leaned in between Molly and me, and she reached for a glass of champagne. When she leaned back, her familiar perfume floated under my nostrils, sending my head and heart into a fucking frenzy. Those eyes I’d gazed down into so many times looked foreign now.

There was so much I wanted to say to her. So fucking much.

But pride was a man like mine’s weakness, and no matter how much I wanted to reach out, take her in my arms and kiss her, I couldn’t force myself to do anything but stare.

Jules swallowed lightly before she broke away and turned to Molly.

“Hey, M,” Jules said sweetly.

“Hey, gorgeous,” Molly replied, sounding like they were familiar.

“Be careful with this guy,” Julia told her. “He’ll promise you the world.”

“I can handle anything he has to throw at me, don’t you worry.”

Jules smiled tightly, unable to fake that one.

She didn’t look at me when she turned away and walked over to Hawk, Big D, and Coops. A few seconds later, someone stood behind her, blocking my view completely. I was lost in a daydream when I sighed heavily, hating the distance between us.

“So…” Molly said. “You’re fucking the publicist then.”

My head snapped in her direction. “What?”

“You and the delicious Julia. You’re screwing, no?

“Shit. It’s that obvious?”

“Just a little.” She pinched her fingers together and smirked.

“Iwasfucking her,” I said, seeing no point denying it. “I think it’s safe to say that ship has sailed.”

“Honey, when there’s that much fire in a single look, nothing is over. That ship is anchored down for a long time.”

I scowled, searching her eyes.

“I’ve got a question for you,” she said, running her tongue over her teeth. “You think I’m pretty, right?”

“Jesus, you just come right out with whatever you’re thinking, don’t you?”

“Come on. Answer me.”

“Yeah, you’re pretty. Fucking stunning, actually.”

“And if your publicist hadn’t already fried your brain and made you short circuit, you’d be interested in feeling me up, taking me back, and screwing me senseless, right?”

“Christ.”

“That’s twice you’ve used the Lord’s name to stall. C’mon, pretty boy. Tick tock. I haven’t got all night to waste playing therapist. This one’s for free. Take it or leave it.”

I ran a hand through my hair, messing it up and feeling the back of my neck beginning to heat up. “I’d be interested.”

“But…”

“Don’t make me do this.”

“But?” Molly smirked again.

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