That was the last time I asked my dad for anything, and the last time I held this guitar.

I had no desire to play it again after that day. I don’t really know if I’ll ever play it again, but if I’m leaving Ruxton, I want to take it with me. Because once I’m gone, I’m fucking gone. I’m not coming back here. I know what coming back here will do to me. Being in the same town as Tessa Kelly is slowly killing me, and I won’t be my father. I won’t let the memory of someone consume me.

At least not any more than it already has.

“No. No. No. Oh, God. What in the hell is this?”

I hold up the strange-looking top I must’ve purchased drunk off my ass. That’s the only reasonable explanation for owning such a hideous looking piece of fabric. It’s suede, with a very unfortunate amount of beading work. Who the fuck buys suede? Tossing it behind me, I continue rummaging through my closet for the hottest bonfire-appropriate outfit I can put together.

I need to look slamming tonight, rendering Tyler and every other man at this thing speechless. Because let’s be real; if he turns out to be a gerbil-loving freak like SteveMD, I’m dropping all standards, grabbing the nearest willing male, and fucking out my frustrations. Especially since I’m going to have to endure the Luke and Leah show, which has me on serious edge right now. My stomach is twisted in knots, and I know my nervousness will only amplify the closer it gets to 6:00 p.m. I really want to like this guy, and I’m praying his weird phone behavior yesterday was just some testosterone-driven I have a penis, so therefore, I’m a dumbass moment.

I swear. Men can be such idiots sometimes. If they weren’t so stellar in the pussy-loving department, I’d take up celibacy and worship something else besides cock.

Other than his desire to push me toward other men, there’s really no reason why I shouldn’t like him. We have great phone chemistry, he seems to know exactly how to make me come, and he’s got everything going for him in the looks department. So, I’m trying to be optimistic about tonight, even though I’m one strike away from deleting my Ignite account.

First show me your titties guy, then gerbil lover. Seriously? There should be a disclaimer on that website.

My phone alerts me of a text as I hold a floral tank top against my body. I lay it on the bed next to the jean skirt I picked out and grab my phone from my nightstand, rolling my eyes at the name of the sender.

Tyler: How was the date last night?

I sit down on the edge of the bed and type my snarky response.

Me: Fan-fucking-tastic. We’re moving in together and I’m already picking out wedding venues. Thanks for suggesting I date other men.

My phone immediately starts ringing, which I half expected. I wait until it almost goes to voicemail before I answer.

“Yeah?” I ask, lying back on my bed and trying to sound as uninterested as possible.

He laughs. “You’re mad at me.”

“Why would I be mad? You tell me to go out with another guy, as if I need your permission, when I’m clearly interested in you. It was fucking weird.”

“The date? Or the fact that I suggested it to help ease your anxiety over meeting up with a stranger you met online?”

“Both.”

He exhales heavily in my ear. “All right. I’ll admit I was a little nervous suggesting you go out on a blind date. I knew there was no way in hell he wouldn’t like you, so believe me when I say I paced my fucking apartment last night.”

I lick my lips as I picture him, worried and unable to sit still while I endured one of the worst dates in history. I twirl my hair around my finger. “You did?”

“Of course I did,” he affirms. “I don’t like to share, so yeah, I was fucking worried. But I want you to be relaxed with me tonight, and I thought getting last night out of your system would help. Did it?”

“Not really.”

He laughs again. “Well that plan was a complete waste of time. How are you feeling about tonight?”

My smile cracks through the mask of aggravation I’m wearing and I turn my head, eyeing up the tank top next to me. “I’m excited, and nervous. But more excited than anything.”

“I’m dying to kiss you. Would it be weird if I did it as soon as I get there? ’Cause I might not be able to stop myself.”

“Are you trying to get decked?” I ask, playful smirk in place.

“Hmm, I like it pretty rough so, maybe I am.”

“How rough?” My voice teeters on the line between seductive and pure curiosity. His breathing grows louder in my ear before a beep alerts me of an incoming call. “Um, can you hold on a second? I’m getting another call.”

“If you wanna know how rough I like it, don’t keep me waiting.”

I bite my lip, holding my phone above me and seeing Mia’s name flashing on my screen. I accept the call.

“You better be calling to tell me you’re in labor. Tyler was just about to give me explicit details on how he likes to fuck, and I have a feeling he isn’t going to be shy about it.”

Her soft chuckle is tense, edgy even, and the reason behind it hits me when I remember what day it is.

“Shit. Hold on one second, okay?” She responds with a soft “Hmm mmm” before I click over to my other call. “Hey, I’m sorry, I gotta go. My friend needs me.”

“Yeah? Well, get that outta your system now. I’m coming to this thing tonight to see you, not to tag along with your friends.”