“Listen, bitch.” I stepped forward and pushed an index finger against her chest. “I don’t know what you have against me, but I’m sick of your attitude.”
She batted my finger away and gave a high squeal of laughter. “Oh, like I’m scared—”
Something dark came over me. For years, I’d put up with her crap and I couldn’t take it one more day. My hand shot outward. I grabbed her by the front of her shirt and pulled her close, my face close enough to smell her alcohol breath. “I’ve had enough of your shit, Katrina. You try to embarrass me again, trip me again, evenlookat me again, and I will fuck. You. Up. Got it?”
Fear flashed across her face and her fingers pried at mine. “Whatever.” Her eyes widened and her face paled. She no longer looked like a pristine princess. Instead, a shabby, bony scarecrow stared at me.
I released her and stepped backward.
She stumbled for a moment, then regained her balance and straightened her shoulders. Without another look my way, she careened toward the crowd.
Damn. That felt good.Why hadn’t I put my foot down before?
Paxton began singing a new song, the melody slower with a somber tone.
Almost as if I couldn’t help myself, I moved closer, stopping at the back of the group.
Most of the girls still had smiles on their faces as their eyes locked on Paxton. The guys nodded their heads to the beat, the mosh pit forgotten for the moment with the mellow tune.
For most of the song, he kept his eyes closed. When he didn’t, he ran his stare over the crowd. He didn’t let his attention linger on anyone, though, because he seemed absorbed in the song and his guitar.
He really is stunning.Through his lyrics, I could hear his tragic past. Music had carried him through the tough times. I could feel his loneliness, his anger, and his sadness through the words and my heart wept for his soul.
Pride and love beat inside of me, and I wanted him to know I was here, that I came for him, that I wanted to see where our relationship could go.
He finished the song with a flourish of the guitar and a bright, beautiful grin.
I weaved through the crowd, eager to get to the front so he could see I chose to support his dream.
He lifted the instrument from his chest and set it on a table at the back of the stage, turning back around to the cheering crowd.
I joined in with the raucous yells, making devil horns and waving my hands with the other kids, pushing my way to the steps on the side.
As I broke away to take the first stair, from the other side, Katrina hefted herself onto the stage from the front and threw herself into his arms, forcing him to catch her or let her fall.
I froze in place with my foot still poised above the wooden steps.
Push her away, Pax.
But he didn’t.
Katrina wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his face to hers, sealing their lips in a lingering kiss.
He still didn’t pull away.
Sickness roiled in my stomach, and I clutched at it.
“No!”I thought he and I…I shoved a fist into my mouth and fought tears.I thought he and I would somehow find a way to be together.
But obviously he was done with me.
He broke the kiss and moved his gaze directly to mine, those deep-blue ocean eyes bright in the spotlights.
I couldn’t stand anymore and twisted toward the crowd, tearing through the throng of people, pushing past those who wouldn’t move, tears flooding my vision.
“Terri,” he shouted.
No matter what, I’m not stopping.I was a fool for ever thinking he’d be attracted to me.
