Page 60 of Rocked: The Price of Dreams

“Hunt’s right.” I rested my head against Kyle’s shoulder. “But I’m sure one day, you’ll find someone who will love you. But she’ll have to be pretty damn special because you’re the best, and you don’t deserve anything less than phenomenal.”

He rested his head against mine and rubbed my arm. “Thank you. She’ll have to be fucking incredible to come anywhere close to you.”

He’d really drunk too much. I giggled, nudging his side. “Awwww...that’s so sweet.”

“Look on the bright side, bud.” Hunter took a swig of JD and grinned. “You’re single again. It’s time to stop this girlfriend nonsense. We finish school soon. You don’t want to be tied down in a relationship. We’re gonna go to more college parties. Play bigger gigs. We’ll have groupies and fans. We’re about to enter the best time of our life. So let’s go crazy, have a truckload of fun, fuck a ton of girls, and play music. We don’t need anything else.”

Staring at the trickling creek, Kyle’s brow furrowed. He sucked in a deep breath then slouched. “But I loved her.”

“We know. I’m sorry.” Hunter’s shoulders slumped as he handed Kyle the bottle. “But there are plenty more fish in the sea.”

Kyle took another swig, then shuddered. “Ergh!” He pressed his fingertips against his eyes. “I can’t get the image out of my head. Quill’s dick was in her...pounding her against the lockers.”

“Hmm.” Hunter leaned back on his hands, crossed his ankles, and grinned. “I’ll have to try that position next time I fuck someone. Sounds kinda hot.”

“That’s what you get out of this?” Kyle grimaced, puffing air through his nose. “A new sex position?”

“Yeah. Absolutely.” Jerking his chin back, Hunter’s eyes shimmered in the evening light. “Something positive has to come out of this mess.”

I raised an eyebrow. Hunter had a knack for changing the subject when he didn’t want to talk about the topic at hand. Broken hearts and break ups weren’t his favorite items for discussion; sex and music were. He could take any comment or conversation and turn it dirty. The guy truly had talent.

A smile curled the corner of Kyle’s mouth. “You’re crazy.”

“Yep.” Hunter splayed his hand over his chest. “That’s why you love me.”

“That I do.” Kyle downed another mouthful of whiskey, then handed me the bottle. “And you too, Gem.” Wiping his mouth on the back of his hand, he let out a deep breath. “You two keep me sane. Can you please stop me from ever getting involved with a girl again?”

“We’ll do our best.” I doubted we’d keep him from falling in love. He loved being in love. But one day, he’d make some girl very happy. He’d be devoted and true, loyal and faithful. Whoever claimed his heart had better love him as much as he’d love her. His love would own her soul forever. Just like our uncanny friendship, it would never be severed.

Whoa! My head spun. Too many crazy thoughts. Too much whiskey.

It was way past dark by the time we’d polished off three-quarters of the bottle. My skin tingled. My words slurred. I swayed from side to side. Yep...I was drunk. So were the guys. We’d laughed about school and our gigs, and tightened up our plans to move to New York.

Around nine o’clock, Kyle turned quiet. He closed his eyes and lowered his head.

“Hey?” I swiped his hair back off his face. “You okay? Or just drunk?”

He shook his head and sniffled. “This sucks. There’s this ache inside my chest. I fucking hate Vicki. I hope she rots in hell. Drinking was supposed to make me feel better, not worse.”

“Well, fuck.” Hunter let out a low belch. “Did we get wasted for nothing?”

“Nah, this has been awesome.” I held up the bottle of JD and waved it at them. My vision blurred as I tried to focus on the label. Epic fail. “I found something I like to drink. JD has my name written on it.” Beer, wine and flavored vodka drinks hadn’t done it for me.

“Okay.” Hunter’s laugh rumbled low in his throat. “You got me. Totally worth it. JD rocks.”

But Kyle didn’t say anything. He swayed from side to side.

Or shit...was that me?

“Hey?” I slapped his leg. “You gonna pass out on us?”

“No.” He half grinned. “Maybe.”

“You can’t do that.” I staggered and stumbled to my feet, then held out my hand to help Kyle stand. “Come on. I have another cure for heartache. Let’s go.”

He stared up at me like I was an idiot. “What cure? We gonna kill the bitch?”

“No.” I had something way better...well...at least we wouldn’t end up in jail. Fire blazed through the whiskey burning in my belly. “We’re gonna play music. Write lyrics. Jam until the sun comes up.”

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