When Poppy detaches herself from Connor Cobalt’s magnetic hold, she whispers to me. “This is the boy Rose is seeing?”
“Yep.”
Poppy smiles. “She did well.”
“Yeah, but she probably thinks she can do better.”
Poppy laughs and then touches my arm. “We’re sitting a few seats from yours. I’ll see you after the show.” She hesitates. “And Lily, I’m glad to finally meet your friends.”
I smile, but it hurts. Because deep down, these friends may as well be bought and paid for.
Poppy and Sam go find their seats, and I settle in mine with a weight heavy on my chest. The only thing that takes my mind off of it is sex. And once I start focusing on photographers, especially the scruffy one in the corner, my body starts to switch again.
I’ve trained myself to self-medicate with sex for so long that stopping seems so unfeasible, like trying to break a high-speed train before it crashes into a cement wall. So I’ll crash. I’ll splinter and break. But it’ll feel damn good going two hundred miles an hour beforehand.
That’s all I concentrate on. The thrill, the high and endorphins from rocking against another body. Any body. Hopefully Lo. No other thoughts enter my mind and my knees practically bounce in earnest hunger.
People dip into their chairs as the time ticks by, and I can faintly hear Ryke asking Lo about Daisy’s modeling career. I don’t hear the answer, too fixated on the way the photographer holds his camera. His muscles flex and I imagine him holding me instead.Stop.
I inwardly groan and rub my sweaty palms on my dress. I’m a junkie who needs another hit, and I hate that the quickie in the bathroom didn’t satiate me. I’ve already fucked up. How angry will Rose be at me for not going backstage?Stop.
I don’t want to think about that.
The lights dim. “Lo,” I breathe. “Lo, I need to…” I can’t say it, but the tone of my voice speaks for me.
“The show is about to start, Lil,” he whispers. “You have to hold out.”
I don’t know if I can. I squirm in my seat, battling the cravings for my favorite natural high.
And then my parents start to enter. Ryke rises and stretches his arms. “Hey, I’m going to go to the bathroom before the show starts.” He’s going to the bathrooms whereIwant to go. Lo’s brows bunch, staring at him until he disappears.
I cross my legs, sweat gathering on my skin. I can’t do this. I need someone…I need to relieve this…I stand.
“Lily,” Lo protests, jumping up with me. “Lily,your sister.Think about Rose.”
“I can’t,” I whisper, bolting towards the exit, leaving Connor between three empty seats. His usual content expression has fractured. He looks pissed.
Lo says, “Think about afterwards, Lily.Please.” I’ll feel horrible. Yes. But I can’t stop my feet from moving, or my breath from hitching. There’s a place so deep down, a compulsion that must be sustained. I need this. I need it more than breath, more than air, more than life itself.
It’s a stupid thought. One that makes no right-around sense. But it’s what drives me.
I pass my parents as they look on with confusion. Lo stays back to spout off some excuse, and I head outside. In the freedom of the city. In the parking lot where the cars line up like black dots.
I unlock Nola’s Escalade that my parents I’m sure used to get here. Thankfully she’s not inside. I slide in the backseat and hike up my dress. Before I do anything, the door opens, and Lo crawls in. He coarsely grabs my ankle and yanks me towards him. I’m lost to these feelings.
I’m lost to him.
When I come down from the high and after the stimulating hormones leave, everything rushes back and tears begin to burn. “What’s wrong with me?” I choke. I start to dress quickly, finding my bra littered on the Escalade floor. Lo moves at a much more sluggish pace, and he looks sick to his stomach.
“Lil,” he says softly and reaches out to touch my hand. I pull back instantly, too frantic and shamed for such comfort.
“No, we have to go before it ends. Maybe she won’t notice…” As I open the car door, people already begin to pool out into the darkened parking lot, swinging gift bags in their hands. What? It’s over? I missed the entire thing?!
“Lily…” His suit jacket is draped on his arm, and he hesitates a moment before placing a hand on my shoulder.
“Did you know the time?” I question. “Why didn’t you stop me?”
“I tried,” Lo breathes. He swallows hard, pained. “Lil, I tried about five times.”
