Rye

The hotel bar is high-profile and I'm not in the mood, but I know what the label wants so I make my way inside and sprawl myself out conspicuously. We have a ton of security, and the staff here have been cool about shutting out the super fans, but from my position I can easily wave through any woman of my choosing—or women if I really want to jump right in. I can also watch for Launi and make sure her ass gets up to her room where she'll be safe.

"Rye," a young woman in a skintight dress bounces a little as she waves to me from just beyond the security guard. Her tits are on full display and those are for sure not the lips the Lord gave her, but overall, she's good looking. I wave her through and motion for the bartender to serve us two drinks. I hope he won't bother me with the details. I don't care what he pours as long as it's no frills and goes down smooth.

The whiskey is slid in my direction and my guest is served some sort of vodka concoction with a tiny black straw. What a hassle.

"Oh my God, that was such a great show," she coos in a voice that borders seductive but remains safely on the side of try-hard.

"Thanks," I say, snaking an arm behind her to pull her close. I can see a few cameras out already. People think they're being stealth but have all the grace of a grandma trying to take pictures on Christmas. A quick glance towards security allows me to wave through two more ladies. Perfect. Let's get this night over fast. I'm tired and want to go to bed.

"Hey," one of the girls says, taking a quick look at the others. I'd laugh at the awkwardness of it all but now's not the time. I have to watch my facial expressions.

I'm sweaty and hot from the show, but that's not stopping the women from putting their hands on me every chance they get. I understand the allure of it all, the rockstar life and the money, but the irony is I have neither right now—not super famous, not rich.

I see her out of the corner of my eye as she makes her way into the lobby. She's looking around for someone and I catch the exact moment her eyes meet mine. Her brown hair is wet and peaks out from beneath my hoodie. The sight alone feels like a shock wave in my chest. She was my dream girl—my adolescent fantasy—and now she's wearing my clothes. My lips curl into a smirk as peace washes over me. She's inside now and on her way to bed. She'll be away from all of this, tucked safely behind a locked door keeping this world out of hers for one more night.

I lift my chin in greeting just as a girl makes herself comfortable on my lap. By the time I get past the extensions and fight for purchase on my legs by the other women, Launi is gone. The cameras are still out, one in the hands of a young woman in the corner booth and another by some old man at the table in front of me. He'll sell the picture to some site later. I smile and lightly brush my lips along the neck of the woman on my lap, helping him get his bag. I shouldn't be the only one to make some money off this show, and anything he posts will only help my "bad boy" reputation.

Motioning to the bartender again, I make sure we all have another round. I should mix in a water, but there will be plenty of time for that in my room later. Just a few more pictures and we should be good. The rest of the band makes their way through the lobby, women hanging from their shoulders and a few running along behind. I'd hate to be the cleaning crew.

There's a hand on my thigh working its way up quickly when Launi steps inside the bar area. What is she doing back down here? She's changed. Her hair is slicked back, and her face is clean and beautiful in an effortless way. Her dress, however, is diabolical. I'm not even convinced it is a dress, maybe a toddler shirt stretched to the max to cover only the essentials. My back stiffens as I adjust my positioning. I don't like this feeling at all.

Launi pulls her phone from a tiny black purse and begins recording me. "Hey girls! Having fun with our newest member?" she asks, panning the camera around all the women. Fuck, I forgot she's here to do a job.

The women are loving every minute of this. They scootch in closer and play up their sex appeal for the camera. I nearly lose an eye to a bright red nail and the hand on my thigh is now in the danger zone. Launi doesn't miss it. Her eyes dart from the offending hand to my eyes. She tucks her phone back into her purse.

"Well, have fun!" she says with a perky smile. Then she turns in her black shiny heels and takes off towards the lobby exit. What the fuck? Where is she going? I try to extract myself from the women, but I quickly remember I'm here to do a job also.

I motion for one last drink, shoot it down, wiping the remains from my lips with the back of my hand. She can't possibly know the city. Does she have friends here or is she going out alone? My mind is on fire with the need to chase after her, but I'm not even dressed.

Security is doing their best, but word is out now that we are staying here, and the entire lobby gets flooded with fans. I take it as my opportunity to leave. I make eye contact with the bartender and point up towards the room. He nods. We'll figure it out another time, he knows the bill will be settled. I gently slide the woman from my lap and kiss each of them quickly on the cheek. "It's been a fun night," I say, "see you at the next stop."

I'm at the elevators before they can say much in return. Security is working out how to get the fans out of the lobby and I dip inside the doors as soon as they open to escape the flashes and loud screams. I stop two floors below my room and opt to take the stairs for the remaining levels in case anyone was watching the elevator. I'm sure I'm being overly cautious, but the last thing I want is some chick banging on my door in the middle of the night.

Once safely inside my room, I turn on the shower and kick off my pants. I should get rest. I should clean this concert sweat off my body, crawl into this inviting bed, and fall asleep because we will be sleeping on the bus soon enough.

That's exactly what I'll do.

I step under the heat of the water and feel the salt from my sweat rinse down my skin. I lean forward, letting the flow move over my hair and I shake it out as I try to push the thoughts of Launi and that damn dress out of my mind. It's none of my business where she is. She is a toy that's been off limits since we were children. Look, but don't touch. Her father would have me out of this band so fast I'd lose the house and possibly the use of my fingers because I'm sure he'd break each one for good measure. What's that old saying? The juice isn't worth the squeeze. Afterall, she probably thinks she's too good for me now that I'm in the band she fled from.

I towel off and put on my sweats. It's fine. I'll just turn on the TV until I fall asleep.

Who am I kidding?

I slide my feet into my shoes and grab my wallet from the dresser.

Damn it.

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