“I thought you were writing a break-up song?”
“Well, I have to remember what I’m giving up before I can write about the pain of losing it all,” I say. My hand stops when it reaches the elastic of her panties and I shoot a quick look over at the door that Nick and Benjy exited through. Maybe I can take a quick taste. I duck my head under the blanket but Cherry scoots away.
“No?”
She wrinkles her nose. “Come here and tell me what’s going on between the boys. I know they were fighting.”
I resettle myself and pat the cushion beside me. Cherry comes over, folding her legs underneath her and tucking herself under my arm.
“Benjy’s dad got laid off today and so he’s feeling tight.”
“Oh no, but I figured it was something serious since those two never get mad at each other. It’s usually you and Benjy.”
“We never fight,” I protest.
“Only every day ending in ‘y,’” she teases.
It’s true that Benjy and I argue about the best quarterback (Mahomes of course) and the proper way to cook a steak (medium) and dream cars (Audi R8 coupe), but on the important stuff like beats, melodies, and lyrics, we’re of one mind. Nick was using too much snare. I can’t imagine making music without Benjy--or Nick, for that matter. We’re a team.
“What do you think Benjy is going to do?” Cherry asks quietly, picking up on my train of thought.
“I don’t know. I can’t make any music without him, but if he feels like he can’t practice or do gigs because he needs to get a job to help out at home, I can’t stop him.”
“What about you?” She pokes my side.
“What about me?”
“Your plan has always been to get a job working at the factory. Graduation is a month away and if they haven’t hired you by now and they are laying off people, that’s probably not a good sign. Are your parents still after you about college?”
“You know we can’t afford that. Besides, this layoff is temporary. Things are slow there but once orders pick up, they’ll need workers. Until then, I guess I’ll work at the gas station or something. There’s always work if you look hard enough.”
Cherry scratches a spot on my jeans. “What about your music?”
“I still plan on playing. Tim says we’re welcome anytime, remember? And there are some bars over in Eastwood that have shown interest.”
“Nick says you guys should put together a mixtape and send it out.”
I scrub a hand through my hair, pushing my too-long bangs out of my eyes only to have the hair flop back down. “That’s for rappers and pop stars. We’re a band. I don’t think anyone is really interested in band music these days but bars and clubs. I’m okay with that, Cherry. I’ve got you, my friends, and my music. As long as there’s someone willing to listen to me, that’s all that matters. I’m not going to chase worthless dreams. Besides, if I make it big, that’d mean touring and time away from you. You don’t want that, do you?”
She tilts her head so she can get a better look at my mug. “I want you to be happy. That’s all.”
Lifting her onto my lap, I say, “Then kiss me because I’m happiest when my lips are attached to you.”
A smile lights up her face. “I can do that.”
She cups my jaw between her hands and holds me in place while she kisses me sweetly. I clamp my hands around her ass and push her panty-covered pussy against the hard-on in my jeans. It’s not the skin-on-skin contact that my body craves, but I’ll take it. She rocks slowly but steadily until I can feel the wet heat of her cunt through our layers of clothing. Life’s good for me. A guy would kill to have this and nothing more.
Chapter Four
Cherry
I shoot off one email after another hoping that I’m not stepping over the line. Linc and I have never really had any. They all blurred together a long time ago. After listening to him the other night, I knew I had to do something. I want to help in any way that I can and this is the only way I could think of.
I’m not sure Linc really knows how talented he is. He has a gift and he should be able to share it with the world. I don’t want his dreams to be lost. I want him to have the accolades he deserves. But most of all I don’t want him to be stuck in this town when he has the opportunity to get out of it. Well, he doesn’t have it yet, but that’s what I’m working on.
This could not only set him up for life but Nick and Benjy too. I love all of them. It would hurt to see them leave without me, to have this whole other life, but it would hurt just as much to not see them live out their dreams. Linc can work out the rest later. We’d somehow make it work. We always did.
He doesn’t have to be with me for me to know he loves me. People think we’re too young to be so deeply in love, but I beg to differ. I would trust Linc with my life. I know deep inside of me that he would never do anything to intentionally hurt me. I may be young but I know that solid relationships are built on trust.
I hit send on the last email, dropping back in my chair. I have no doubt that someone will call. I probably sound like every other person that sends this stuff out. But you know what they say: you gotta be in it to win it. The worst that could happen would be that there was no response.
The good thing about that is I’d be the only one who would ever know. But I know that won’t be the case because they are all beyond gifted. I just have to get them out there. Once they get into people’s ears, they won’t be able to stop listening. I sent emails with links to tracks to everyone I could think of. From agents to labels and all the local radio stations. I could be doing it all wrong, but it is something.
“Are you doing homework?”
I tab out of my emails, pulling back up an admissions application to a local college. I am getting good at doing these. I’ve applied everywhere at this point. It isn’t about getting accepted; it’s more about who would offer me the most aid. I knew my grades would stand up just about anywhere, but my financial situation is pretty much nonexistent.
“More applications.” Linc pushes my hair off my shoulder, kissing me on the neck.
“You say I’m the one that’s going to make it big. I think we know it’s your brain that is going to take us places.” He picks me up, setting me back down in his lap.
“How was practice?” I try to keep filling in the form, but Linc’s hand slips inside of my shorts. My head drops back to rest on his shoulder.
“Good. Still a little tense but better once I told Benjy you booked us for next weekend.” Linc plays with the seam of my panties. I wiggle against him, pushing down on his cock. The man is always hard. “You are always coming through for us.” He kisses me under my ear this time. My eyes fall closed.
It’s nice when we have the house to ourselves. I pretend in my mind it’s our reality. That we live a peaceful life together. One where I don’t have to leave to go back to my parents’. I hate it so much there.
“I could be coming in other ways.” I turn my head and offer him my mouth. Linc doesn't have to be asked. He takes the kiss. My lips part for him as his tongue slips into my mouth. He pulls my panties to the side as his legs part mine, spreading my legs wider for him.