“His name isKyle, and we’re off and on, I guess.” I turned off the phone’s screen and set it onto my pile of papers. “I think we’re more fuck buddies than something serious.”
It was true. Kyle was a great guy, yet our relationship lacked something I couldn’t quite define.
“Well, Love, I don’t thinkhesees it that way.” Kyle and Viktor had toured a few times in the past and apparently kept in touch.
Yet he can’t remember his name.
I shrugged. “Maybe I’m just not into long-term flings because it kind of negates the whole point of a fling, ya know?”
He settled his forearms on the counter and pushed his face forward. “Have you never found someone who makes your heart sing, your blood burn, your panties wet?”
“Ugh. Never talk about my panties again or I’ll punch you in the face.”
With a chuckle, he stood and held his hands out, palms up. “Cross my heart.”
For some reason, an image of Paxton rose in my head and an old familiar ache throbbed in my heart. That last day he’d left without a word, never looking back as he drove away.
I’d sent hundreds of texts begging him to tell me what had happened between him and Dad, yet he never responded. Not even once.
After crying for a week, Dad sat me down and explained Paxton had received an exclusive invitation to AMA. It had meant he wouldn’t be back, that the company’s outreach program had been proven a success.
The only success I saw was it had taught Paxton how to break a girl’s heart. Mom had been right. Once he’d fucked me, he’d thrown me away like used tissues.
“Oh, so youhavefound someone to light your fire.” Viktor’s face beamed.
“Once, maybe, but he didn’t feel the same way.” I shoved those memories into a box and pelted the top with a mental hammer. “He used me and my family to get what he wanted, then left without a word.”
“Then Terri?” The smile dropped from Viktor’s face, and he caught my gaze. “He never deserved you in the first place.” Inhaling sharply, he pounded the counter with a fist, his bracelets clanking softly. “Fuck. Look at me. I’m becoming a goddamn sap giving out relationship advice.”
“I should be terrified.” A harsh snort escaped my nose. “Except I’ll be damned if it’s actually halfway decent and not full of sexual innuendoes.”
From behind, a door slammed shut and footsteps approached.
“About bloody time.” Viktor pushed from the counter and held out his arms, his grin widening to a brilliant smile.
Angela passed me with a chuckle, then pushed into his embrace, her long, brown hair hanging down her back.
Viktor’s eyes closed as he hugged her tightly.
She pulled back and looked up at him. “Hey there, Mr. Hotshot with the number one album in ten countries.”
“Eleven,” he said, giving her a passionate kiss before pulling away. “Let’s celebrate.”
“We already did last night.” She smacked his black shirt.
“Yes, but that was under the sheets—”
“Ugh.” I pretended to cover my ears. “Please spare me the details.”
“And now…” He didn’t even cast a glance my way. His attention was consumed by Angela. “I want to show you a proper celebration.”
“Oh?” Angela’s voice rose and she gave his tie a tug.
“Yes. Let’s pretend I’m a normal person.”
I snorted, amused by his attempts at humility.
“And we can use these”—he glared at me, then turned back to Angie and pulled concert tickets from a back pocket—“VIP passes to go see your favorite music artists…well, besides me.”
