Page 41 of Rocked: The Price of Dreams

Crap. I didn’t mean to upset him. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He grabbed the cords box from the back of the stage and placed it at my feet. “She wasn’t the woman I thought I married.”

I tossed my cord on top of the others. “I’m not sure she’s even human.”

He laughed at that. “I’ve already packed and want to leave early. So I better say goodbye now in case you crash at the party or stay at one of the guys’ places.”

Tears loomed in my eyes. Derek was the coolest stepdad. He’d been like a father to me. But yeah, he hadn’t been around much. A new emptiness and loneliness hollowed my chest. “Where are you going? Can I come stay with you? I hate living with Mom. So fucking much.”

“I know. But hang in there. You only have a few months until you graduate. Then you want to move to New York with the guys and follow your dreams.” He cupped the back of my head. “Don’t let Janine or anyone else stand in your way. But if your plans ever change or it all turns to shit, I’d love to have you. I’m moving in with my brother in Tennessee. I’ll always be your backup plan. Okay?”

He drew me into a hug.

“Okay.” I sniffled against his shirt. “I’ll always have VIP backstage passes for you to come see our shows when we make it big.”

“Deal.” He chuckled and held me tight. He kissed me on the temple. “You’ve been the best stepdaughter a man could ever ask for. Love you, kiddo. I’ll be your biggest fan. Next to Claire.”

With tears and hugs all around, each one of us said goodbye to Derek. My heart hadn’t ached like this since my real dad left years ago. I’d miss Derek. Always.

After Derek and Claire drove off, we caught a taxi to Ewan’s place. As we drove along the palatial tree-lined streets, my solemn mood transformed to awe as I gawked at the huge extravagant houses, each one bigger or more opulent than the next. Although it was only several miles from home, Princeton was a completely different world compared to the back streets of Montgomery. I was out of my league amongst all this grace and grandeur. But if I wanted to be famous, I’d better get used to it.

Oh yeah. It was time to party.

Chapter 15

As I stepped out of the taxi in front of Ewan’s house, blaring music hit my ears. Groups of college students laughed and veered toward the huge stone mansion highlighted by white picture-frame windows. My stomach flipped and fluttered. My first college party. So cool. And I’d get to see Ewan again.

I linked arms with Kyle and Hunter, and we headed inside. Two things struck me like lightning as I walked through the massive front door. The stench of beer and the mass of people. There had to be more than two hundred people here. Guys knocked back red solo cups of beer at the keg in the kitchen. Girls danced, holding drinks, in the living room. Other partygoers hollered and shuffled through the hallways and spilled out into the pool area. This outdid any high school party I’d ever been too. Oh yeah. This rocked.

We tossed our coats onto the pile in the front office and headed into the throng of people.

“Don’t let go of me.” I clutched onto Kyle’s arm tighter. I was sure to lose Hunter in this place, but Kyle was still dating Laura. I’d stick with him.

“I got you.” He squeezed my hand. “Always.”

“Ahhhh.” Some girl shrieked as we passed the living room. “It’s Hunter. From Everhide.” She rushed over and kissed him like there was no tomorrow. Other girls ran over and crowded around him.

Hunter pulled back from the kiss. The biggest shit-eating grin lit his face. “Hi.”

“Hi. I’m Petra. Come dance with me.” Before he could argue, she grabbed his hand and hauled him toward the makeshift dancefloor.

“He’s so gonna get laid tonight.” Kyle chuckled.

Lucky him.

After we greeted some of the partygoers, Kyle nudged my arm. “Wanna drink?”

“Sure.” I scanned the crowd but there was no sign of Ewan.

After grabbing cups of beer from the kitchen, we headed outside. We sat at one of the poolside tables by ourselves. While I took in our surrounds, stunned by the outrageous party, Kyle’s gaze stayed glued on me.

I took a sip of beer, then spoke over the rim of my cup. “Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something wrong with my face? Has my makeup run everywhere?”

“No.” He shook his head. “I’m just still reeling after our show. I loved playing beside you tonight.”

“Same.” I bit the edge of my cup. That weird ripple of warm air I felt whenever he got sentimental wrapped around me. I never truly understood it or comprehended it, but I loved it. His friendship, love, and support meant the world to me. “We nailed it. Hunt rocked upfront, too.”

“We blew everybody’s socks off.”

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