Chapter One
Missy
“Are you ready?”
I looked up from the concrete to Valeria’s wide green eyes. Her hand was hovering over the door to Club Freedom, a wide grin on her pretty face.
Muffled music blasted from the building and assaulted us every time someone opened the door. My throat was constricted and a large nervous lump was ready to strangle me.
But I was so ready.
I’d been waiting for this day for the past two years. Valeria and I made a pact at the beginning of eleventh grade. If we hadn’t lost our virginity by the time we were going to college, we’d go out in hopes of losing it.
It seemed like a great idea at the time, but now that I was standing outside where my potential first could be, I was freaking out. My potential sex partner was waiting for me on the other side of that blacked-out door.
I wasn’t going to be a virgin anymore.
And I was happy.
Being in the spotlight because of my older brother’s band Fringe, my appearance had played a huge part in my dating life. That’s the reason I didn’t have one. Dad had made sure people knew who I was and what not to expect from me: sex. Only two of my potential boyfriends had asked me out more than once, and only because they were trying to get close to my dad who managed my brother’s band.
Walking into that club meant I could find someone who wanted to be around me without knowing who I was. Without my dad finding out. Without anyone finding out.
“I’m ready,” I said.
Valeria grabbed my hand and swung the door open. I felt like I was walking into adulthood, as lame as that sounded. An X was drawn on our hands with glow-in-the-dark markers that lit up bright green so the bartender could see the underage drinkers coming.
The music vibrated in my head and it was oddly numbing. Valeria and I beat a couple to the last bar table available.
“We’re really in a club,” she said, looking around like she may miss something important. For some reason I didn’t think anything important happened in clubs. “Let’s try to find you a guy.”
I frowned. “Let’s see what happens first. No rush.”
Her green eyes narrowed as she pulled at the hem of her Band-Aid dress. “Missy, don’t back out on our deal. Do you really want to go to college a virgin?”
No I didn’t. Going to college a virgin made me feel even less ready for the experience. Not that I thought you had to be unvirginized to get in but I wanted to be prepared for the social part of it. I didn’t want a guy running for the hills when he found out that I was a virgin. College is where you meet your soul mate people!
“I’m not backing out. I just want to dance a little. Or something.”
Val waved me off and started scoping the floor anyway.
“Blond or brunette?”
I shrugged and pulled my dress down my thighs. I was more exposed than I had ever been, besides a swimsuit. The V in the front of my dress was a little too low, but nothing compared to the shortness of the dress. What was I thinking? “Either or, it doesn’t matter I suppose.”
Valeria frowned and rapped her knuckles against the table. “It would help if you looked too, Missy. If you don’t want to—,”
“No, I do.” I sighed and took ten breaths to calm myself. “I’m just nervous. My pits are sweating.”
She gave me a knowing look. “You’re right. Let’s go dance. Just let loose.”
Valeria took my hand and guided me out into the middle of the dance floor. Some rap song was playing, but it was so loud that I couldn’t pinpoint which one. Valeria grabbed my hands and held them over her hand and started to sway her hips.
Dance, Missy. I know how to dance. I can do this.
Ten minutes later, we were covered in a thin layer of sweat and both of our heels were in our hands above our heads. I’d never been to a club, since I’d just then turned eighteen but something about the freedom and dancing was invigorating.
Valeria motioned her head toward the bar, and I followed her. She sat down on a stool, and I was happy to see I wasn’t the only one sweating like a pig. “I need something to drink, I’m about to die,” she gasped out.
She flagged down the bartender and ordered us two Shirley Temples. I leaned down to rub my feet but when I looked over at Valeria she was gaping over my shoulder. “Don’t look now but Rocker Hercules is totally checking you out.”
Rocker Hercules? What? I frowned. It didn’t really sound that appealing. Slowly, I turned to pretend to pick at my dress. As casually as you can, I let my gaze drift upward and toward the opposite side of the bar.
Oh, my.
Holy Heck.
Rocker Hercules fit him just right. Hercules’ body with tattoos and piercings. Tattoos and piercings. I had never liked them before but on him they looked good enough to eat. Where was a spoon when you needed one?