Taming the Storm

I hope Robbi is a hellraiser. That’s exactly what I’m in the mood for tonight—raising some hell.

I pick the shot up and throw it back, relishing the burn from the alcohol.

I turn back to Robbi and look at him from under my lashes, giving him a coy smile. “I bought this one myself.”

His eyes darken on me, and I like the way it makes me feel.

“A girl like you shouldn’t be buying herself drinks,” he says, leaning a little closer to me.

“Smooth.”

He throws his head back and laughs that contagious sound of his.

I imagine that sound has women dropping their panties left, right, and center.

“So, can I finally buy you that drink?” He gives me a panty-dropping grin.

“You can.” I smile.

Leaning over the bar, he lifts a hand, catching the bartender’s attention.

“Another shot?” Robbi asks me.

I shake my head. Probably not a good idea for me to do shots and get shitfaced. “A beer, please.”

“Two beers,” he says to the bartender.

I turn and lean against the bar, looking around. I see Van chatting with some girl and Sonny with his tongue down another girl’s throat. Cale is not in sight.

I scan the crowd for Tom, and I see him across the room. My stomach ties into a thousand knots, and I feel like I’m going to throw up. He’s sitting on the edge of a stool, his long legs spread out, and standing between his legs is Ashlee. She has her hand on his chest, saying something into his ear.

His eyes meet mine across the room, and the burn I feel is painful.

Finding it odd that Cale isn’t around and not wanting to watch Tom with Ashlee, I get my cell from my purse, and I check to see if Cale has texted his whereabouts.

Sure enough he has.

Taking that chick from earlier back to the hotel. Tom said he’ll make sure you get back safely. I would have come over before I left, but I saw you talking to Robbi. I didn’t want to interrupt. ;) Love ya. x

We’re staying at a hotel tonight since we have two shows at two different clubs in Pittsburgh. One was tonight’s show, and the next is tomorrow night. So, Tom decided we could do with a night off from sleeping on the bus, and this was the ideal time while we’re not in transit.

I quickly tap out a reply.

Have fun. And you wouldn’t have interrupted. I’m just having a drink with Robbi, that’s all. I’ll see you at breakfast. Love ya right back. x

Robbi holds a beer bottle in front of me. Taking it, I lock the screen on my cell and put it back in my purse.

“Thanks.” I smile.

“So…” he says.

He seems nervous. It’s cute.

I turn my body toward his. “So?”

He runs a hand through his hair and shifts on his feet. “Okay, I’m just gonna put this out there. I really like you.”

“Okay…” I bite my lip, a little unsure how to respond. I wasn’t expecting this.

“And you make me really nervous.”

I let out a laugh. “I make you nervous? I highly doubt that.”

“Seriously.” He moves a little closer to me. “I never get nervous around women, but you…I do.”

I put the bottle to my lips and take a small sip. “I’m not sure if me making you nervous is a good or bad thing.”

Lifting a hand to my face, he tucks my hair behind my ear. “Good. Really good. You’re seriously gorgeous, Lyla. It’s a little unnerving.”

“Unnerving?” I frown.

“Yeah. You could have any guy you want in this room.”

His fingers run down my jaw, and he leans in even closer. His bottle clanks against mine.

“And that unnerves me because I want you to want me, and I want it more than I’ve ever cared for before.”

He’s looking at me like Tom looks at me.

Only, his stare isn’t having the same effect on me as Tom’s does. There’s only a warmth in my stomach, not the blazing heat I get from Tom.

Demi Lovato’s “Heart Attack” starts to play loudly through the speakers.

With Tom in my mind and being aware of the fact that he is just across the room, I move back a little, leaving Robbi’s hand stranded midair.

He quickly retracts it, putting it around his bottle before holding it to his chest. A look of distress flickers across his face. “Have I moved too fast and scared you off?”

“No.” I shake my head. “It’s not that.” My eyes drift, and that’s when I see…Tom kissing Ashlee.

I feel like I’ve been slapped, punched, and kicked for good measure.

The music dulls to a painful throb in my head.

Everything has stopped. Time. My heart. Life. The earth spinning.

Jesus. This hurts.

Everything ceases to move, except for what is happening across from me right now.

He’s kissing her.

He’s actually kissing her.

And his hands are on her arms, holding her.

And he’s…kissing her.

Jesus.

I’m going to throw up.

Tears are burning my eyes, and a pain is scratching its way up my throat.

I know I have no right to feel this way. I pushed him away.

But that fact doesn’t make the pain any less.

“Lyla?” Robbi’s voice pulls me back.

My eyes meet his. I’m fairly sure he can see something in them.

Then, he says, “Tom…” He turns his head in the direction of where Tom and Ashlee are. “Are you two—”