Ninety-nine percent of why is that he’s irresistible, and the touch of his thigh against mine every time we go around a corner is making me want to do it again, right here, right now, most especially in front of Jon.
That other one percent, I take full responsibility for. That’s my fault. I was careless, reckless, it was dangerous, but how was I supposed to stop myself? Watching that fucker wield a power ballad against him like that. Stupid hair with his stupid guitar.
When we pull into the car park at the college, I breathe out a sharp sigh of relief. Finally, I can escape this hot and crowded van, all these men stinking of sweat and body odour and booze. Richie rips the door open, and I can’t tumble out fast enough. In fact, I lead the way, hoping to keep August’s goodbyes short so I can then shove him in a taxi and know he’s safe at home again.
But Richie jumps out.
Is he stretching his legs?
Then, a second later, Jon, stepping between me and August, like he’s a friend of ours.
Even Tico and Dave are climbing out, and I’d really like them all to kindly fuck off just about now.
“I could really use a drink,” Amber exhales, stretching out her back.
“There aren’t any bars open around here this time of night,” I hasten to inform her. “Maybe back in Camden?—”
“We can’t go back there!” And fair, but they can’t stay here?—
“Plenty in the van,” Richie suggests.
“Didn’t you say you have some calculations to look at?” Shashi asks me.
Finally, someone gets it. “We do, actuall?—”
“Would you?” August asksher. “I didn’t want to ask. You were having a night out and?—”
“You can always ask me.” She shoves him playfully, andthis is not happening. They’re walking towards the entrance like I don’t even exist, and this is not happening!
I’m about to run after them and say exactly that when Jon grabs my arm. “If you’re August, then… what does that make us?”
Is this fucker for real? “That doesn’t make us anything!”
“What about the me in your world?”
“There is no you in my world.” Not that I know personally, anyway.
“So then, you’re meeting me for the first time?”
It’s like a tsunami of self-aware, arrogant, primed and targeted sexuality smacks me in the face. His lips quirk, his eyes narrow while keeping deep contact, and I could swear he lifts his chin a little just to give me his best angle.
I think I’m going to be sick.
“Hi, I’m Jon,” he says smoothly. “I think we got off on the wrong foot.” He holds out a limp hand, a tired, bohemian movement, like all he does is sex and music and he knows of nothing else.
Motherfucker.
August’s at the door, talking away with Shashi. The others have got a bunch of beers from the van and look like they’re about to have a party in my basement.
I leave Jon and his dumb hand to run over to August. “Listen, the room’s a bit small for this. Maybe we can do this some other time.” Like never.
“Just for a minute,” August begs. “Shashi’s really interested in this.”
Is that supposed to mean anything to me? Yes, it is quite interesting, I suppose, but she can go read a science-fiction book instead of delving into my real life. “I don’t think it’s a great idea.”
“Come on. Your place isn’tthatbad. How do you get in anyway?” He runs his eyes up the building. Someone cracks a beer. Amber laughs loudly, and I just want them all out of the way before security does a sweep and catches them, possibly revealing my hiding place.
“Fine.” I click the pass I stole from admin, and we’re in. I try to move them across the floor as quickly as possible, then we all crush into the elevator. It’s too ridiculous. I’m squeezed between August’s big and lovely biceps, and Richie’s naked arm, also muscly, but for his part, I guess that’s a guitarist thing rather than a health thing. Wouldn’t hurt him to put on something more than that vest now he’s off stage. And some deodorant.
