“A Rebels Havoc always brings in a crowd, so be ready.”
I hadn’t even realized they’d be playing again tonight. Brix and I have managed to stay clear of each other the past few days. It’s one thing to be surprised and find out your mom went off and got married. It’s something else entirely when you realize your new stepbrother is the same jackass who used to get off on making your life a living hell growing up.
It’s for the best if we avoid each other for the rest of the summer. Although it’ll be hard to do with him sleeping in the room right next door to mine, I’ve gotta try.
The night kicks off, and Oaklyn is right; it’s busy. It’s shortly after eight o’clock when the bouncer near the door mentions we’ve hit capacity. A Rebels Havoc isn’t even set to take the stage until nine.
I’m able to sneak away for a quick minute to run to the bathroom. I swiftly wash my hands before I slip out the door, past a crowd of people leading back out to the dance floor. There’s a swarm of people standing near the stage, waiting for the band to start. I hear him before I see him, his mouth pressed against my ear. Glancing down, I see the ink covering the top of his arm banded around my waist, holding me against his front.
“Don’t you think you should fix your shirt? You’re a little underdressed.”
“Excuse me,” I bite back, pushing his hand away, turning to face him.
“I said, fix your shirt. No one wants to see that.” He reaches for the toothpick sticking out of his mouth, gesturing toward me like the way my shirt is knotted is the most outrageous thing he’s ever seen.
“Well, that’s funny. Wasn’t it just a few days ago you were saying how you were picturing sneaking into my room to have, what was it you called it, hate-sex with me?” I hold my hands up using air quotes.
He scoffs, looking at something over my shoulder before his eyes find mine once again. I swear to God, I want to smack the smug look off his face. The only reason why he’s even treating me like this is because he’s mad that I rejected him. Twice.
“Rejection isn’t a good look on you.”
His eyes narrow, clenching his jaw. He knows I’ve called him out.
“Nah, Poison Ivy. I hated you then just like I hate you now.”
The mention of the name he used to throw at me still stings like it did all those years ago. He was the instigator of all the bullshit I went through. The mere mention of the name makes my blood boil.
He’s full of shit, and we both know it. If he thinks I’m the same scared girl who’s going to cower in the corner, he has another thing coming.
Pressing my palm against his chest, I step in closer to him, removing all distance between us until we’re standing toe-to-toe. Wrapping my hand around his neck, I pull him until our foreheads are nearly touching.
The move takes him off guard. The subtle scent of his cologne hits me, and for a second, I wish he was anyone else other than who he is to me.I swear I can feel his heart hammering against my hand, his breath feathering across my lips. His eyes narrow, falling on my mouth. I wonder if he’s thinking the same thing I am, before meeting my eyes once again.
Lifting my leg, I carefully brush my knee over the front of his pants. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear I could feel his hard dick straining against his zipper. His jaw ticks from the movement when I quirk my eyebrow up at him, a smirk lining my mouth.
He knows I’ve caught him.
“I think your body gave you away.”
Running my hand down his chest further, I stop when I reach his waistband. His eyes drop to my hand, waiting for my next move, when I step back, releasing my hold on him.
“Like I said, Brix, rejection isn’t a good look on you. That’s the closest I’ll ever get to your disease-infected dick. No worries though, by the looks of this crowd, you’ll have no problem finding a place to get it wet.”
The arrogant grin returns. He slips the toothpick back in his mouth. Not bothering to waste another second of energy on him, I shoulder past him through the crowd back toward the bar.
I feel terrible for getting caught up with Brix. I left them hanging longer than I intended. Judging by the line forming, they’re in desperate need of my help.
Stepping behind the bar, his voice filters through the speakers surrounding us.
“Well, hello there.” His voice is deep like it’s dipped in sex.
The women in the crowd cheer and I can picture the arrogant smile on his face without even bothering to look up at him.
“Fuck yeah.” He laughs. I give in and glance over. Even from here, I know he’s staring right at me. “I’m lookin’ to bring one of you home with me and want you yelling just like that, all night long.”
He punctuates each word with his hips thrusting toward the crowd.
“Where were you?” Jayde asks, coming up behind me to grab a bottle of vodka.