The Bad Boys of Summer Anthology(233)

“You were drawing earlier?” Gage questioned, bringing my eyes back to him. “Is it something you enjoy doing a lot?”

I nodded. “It’s a passion of mine. Just like singing is for you.”

He raised an eyebrow, head nodding. “I can understand that.”

“What makes you love singing so much, anyway?” I asked. I was beyond curious. I knew every singer had a reason behind his or her passion. Gage sang so powerfully that it seemed like he blacked out, got lost. His voice was beautiful and carefree. The deepness of it always made my legs quake and my belly roll.

He finished his cereal quickly, drinking his milk before dropping his spoon into his bowl. “I grew up singing with my sister,” he said. “She was eleven years older than me, but whenever I heard her singing in front of a mirror or even in the shower, I sort of fell in love with singing in general. She had a voice—a beautiful one. I remember when I was five years old and she’d sing me to sleep.” He chuckled, running a hand through his hair. His face then grew pained, as if he were reliving memories, and I grew even more curious about his past. As he brought his hand down, I caught the name tattooed near his elbow, in between the hues of green, red, and blue. Kristina.

“There’s just something about music and singing that takes me away. It takes me to depths so deep I don’t even realize how far I’ve gone until I’m done. Unlike them, where they can release it with their hands,” he said, pointing at the boys with his thumb, “I can feel it coming out of me. All I’ve had stored within me from years before is released and… it’s, like… I don’t have to worry anymore, you know? It’s, like… when I sing, there are no doubts. No problems. It has to be when I’m at my most peaceful—when I really just don’t give a shit and can actually let it all go.”

I stared, wide-eyed, as Gage looked me straight in the eyes. His response had caught me completely off guard, leaving me unsure of how to respond to him. It was deep—something I thought Grendel could never be.

“Sorry,” he said, his chuckle nearly dry. “I made myself sound like a damn idiot—”

“No.” I shook my head as he ran another nervous hand through his hair and lowered his gaze. “No. That was beautiful, Gage. Who would’ve known you had such a way with words?”

“Who do you think writes the songs?” He smirked. “Roy helps out, but most of the lyrics come from me.”

“I just… wow.” I laughed as I shook my head. I was speechless.

“Did you think I was that much of a dick?”

I giggled. “Well… yeah.”

“Nah.” He inhaled deeply, leaning back. “I don’t think I’m that bad. Just have to get to know me. I’m sure you’re the same way.”

My head tilted, eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I know there’s more to you. You seem like the kind of girl who’s careful of not getting too close—the kind of girl who’s always cautious. You’ll take risks, but only when you’re left with no other choice. Behind those eyes I see a girl who would love to let it all go and be herself for a change.”

“I am myself,” I argued. A part of me became afraid because he was sort of right. I was trying so hard to be casual, but to Gage I was probably transparent—especially since I retorted so quickly.

“You’re yourself when you wanna be,” he said matter-of-factly. “Last night showed me a little bit about you. I look at people in a different perspective. I saw you differently. Shy with a smart-ass mouth. Reserved, but you know exactly how to cut loose. Girls like you I have to watch out for. Girls like you are the deadliest ones.” He winked.

That caused me to laugh. “Are you considering me a threat?”

“No. I’m considering you a challenge.”

Gage’s features solidified as he leaned forward. His eyes were hard on mine and he didn’t dare look away. I couldn’t force myself to look away either. How was I a challenge? To Gage, I could have been the easiest girl on the planet, but I guess I was doing something right if he considered me a challenge.

“Dude, Gage, keep your balls in your pants, man.” Montana coughed from the couch, thick puffs of smoke spurting out as he held his chest. Gage’s stare fell a little before he turned to look at Montana. He then forced a smile at me, grabbing his bowl.

“Cereal was great, Ellie. Maybe when we get to Texas I can take you out for some real southern dinner.”

“Yeah,” I breathed, pushing from the table and grabbing my bowl. “We could try that.”

He winked after placing his bowl in the sink and then carried himself toward the couch to sit beside Montana. Roy and Deed were still focused on their videogame and I sighed, folding my arms and trudging toward my room.

I shut the door behind me, flopped onto the bed, and stared at the sketching of Gage for a little too long. No wonder he raided my dreams. Because he had a way with words. He had a way of making me melt and getting my heart to pump. I wasn’t sure about what he meant by me being a challenge for him and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to find out because he was too close to discovering who I used to be. What I used to do. How I used to survive.

I told myself I didn’t want to know what he meant, but it was a lie. A part of me did want to figure it out sooner or later.





TEXAS

The next morning, I woke up in Texas. The sun was high in the sky; I could even hear roosters crowing from a mile away. It was a great feeling—a refreshing feeling, especially since I didn’t have to deal with waking up in the middle of the night because of harsh memories.

It was best to get my day started early, so I pulled my blankets away, climbed out of bed, and grabbed a towel along with my toiletries. I heard snoring and figured the boys were still sleeping. As I drifted off to sleep last night, it sounded like they were all wide-awake.

I hurried down the hall, hoping no one was awake to see my morning hideousness. It was relief to see the bunks were empty. I neared the bathroom door and grabbed the knob, but it twisted before I could even move my wrist. I gasped, taking a leap back, and considered running for my room, but I didn’t—only because I didn’t have enough time to do so.

Montana appeared behind the door. His glassy, light-blue eyes widened at the sight of me. His toothbrush was hanging out of his mouth and his dirty-blond hair was mussed. Bedhead didn’t only look good on Gage; it looked just as marvelous on Montana, too. “Morning, cutie,” he said, stepping around me and gripping the handle of his toothbrush.

“Morning, Montana.” I sighed.

“Where’re you going so early?”

I shrugged. “I thought I’d go catch some coffee and breakfast somewhere or something. Why are you up so early?”

He shrugged. “Had to kick a broad out.” I rolled my eyes. “Just kidding. I was hot. Couldn’t go back to sleep.” He ran his fingers through his hair, looking me over. “It’s been a while since I’ve been out with someone other than the band, though.” He stepped around me to get into the bathroom and spit into the sink. He rinsed out his mouth and the sink and then turned to face me. “Mind if I come with you?”

“Sure, why not?”

He raised an eyebrow, his right cheek lifting to form a smirk. “You don’t sound so thrilled.”

I sighed, dropping my things on the counter. “It’s called sarcasm. Since girls are always throwing themselves all over you guys, you probably haven’t heard it directed toward you in a while.”

“Are you always this feisty in the morning?” he asked, pressing his palms on the walls outside the door and leaning in. “It’s kinda hot. You’re hot.” He winked, smirking charismatically.

“I’ll see you after I’m done, Montana.”

I slammed the door in his face and he laughed behind it. After I showered, I wrung my hair out and then wiped the fog from the mirror. I stared at myself, the spitting image of my mother—oval-shaped face, button nose, soft, crystal-like blue eyes, naturally full lips. Sometimes I wondered where she was or what she might’ve been doing. I wondered if she’d gotten better over the years. It sucked knowing what she’d done to me, but oh well. I couldn’t do much about it.

I rushed for my room before anyone could see me and locked the door behind me. I couldn’t afford to have anyone getting a glimpse of my tits by accident. It seemed like a pretty warm day so I went with letting my hair air-dry. I grabbed a turquoise blouse Ben bought for me, some light-blue skinny jeans, and then a pair of jeweled sandals to add a little spunk. I guess I wasn’t so bad at making myself look presentable.

I checked the wall mirror, sort of excited about my appearance. Ben had great taste, and the outfit was really hot on me. I had to give him some credit for making me look more like a lady than a little girl. We’d made a deal that as long as I was comfortable in the clothes, I would wear them. Of course, with the club dress he bought, I had no choice. I could’ve gone with what I’d worn at the show, but I felt it was too simple for a club. I didn’t want to look like too much of a fool. I had to fit in somehow.