“I was feeling down, actually.”
Latson groans, making me laugh. He steps forward and I step back. He sets his hands on either side of my head, against the wall, boxing me in. “I’m tempted to pick you up and carry you out of here.”
My pulse pounds. That would be okay.
Really.
“But since our places are occupied,” he leans forward, “I’m going to go home. So I can think of ways to chase you.”
“Make ‘em good,” I tease. “I can run fast or I can run slow. It all depends on you.”
He searches my face for a moment before flashing his sexy smile. “Little Bird, I don’t care how fast you run. Just as long as it’s toward me.”
My heart doesn’t know what to do with itself and I feel a little dizzy. He kisses me again, and a thought pops into my head. Dare I think it?
I’m sorry Ed, but you may have to move over.
When Latson walks away he does so slowly – and backward. “Goodnight,” he says.
“’Night. Thank you for dinner.”
“Anytime.” He makes it to the stairwell door and cracks it open. “Don’t stay up too late thinking about me. I’ll be the one above you, all alone, in a big, cold bed.”
He attempts a sad puppy-dog face and I laugh. “You’re the one with a kid at home.”
“You’re the one with a brother.”
Touché. “Go work on your chasing skills. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Count on it.” He smiles before disappearing. I wait a few seconds and when I’m sure he’s gone, I let out a sigh. A big, relaxed sigh. A slightly dazed sigh.
A holy-shit-this-night-was-amazing sigh.
I open Jules’ clutch – yet another item borrowed – and hunt for my key to Pete’s door. He had an extra made so I could come and go, and tonight I took it off my key ring because I had too many keys to fit in the purse. Where in the hell is it? There’s, like, two pockets in here. I pull out my driver’s license, my debit card, a little cash, my phone, and my lip gloss. I could’ve sworn I put it in here. Giving up, I put everything back and knock on the door. I impatiently tap my foot while I wait for Pete. When he doesn’t answer, I knock again. He’s probably asleep. I take out my phone to call him and when I hit the wake button, there’s a message I missed:
I’m with Jules if you need me.
Great. I’m locked out. I start to dial his number when I remember someone else has a key. A certain someone I was just kissing.
I make my way upstairs with a smile. Latson will probably assume I’m lying to see him, but that’s okay. Two can chase, right? When I reach the top of the stairwell I open the door only to hear voices. I stop short and peer into the hallway. Latson is talking to Heidi. I’d recognize that red hair anywhere.
“You came here to complain?”
“You had a party and didn’t include me.” She pouts and tries to set her hand on Latson’s chest. “What’s going on?”
He moves out of her way. “I thought Dean would have invited you.”
“Well, he didn’t.” Heidi crosses her arms. “Has he found out if he’s going on tour?”
“Ah,” Latson snickers. “The real reason you’re here comes out.”
“Just tell me.”
“No. He hasn’t heard.”
“If he goes will you go with him?”
“No.”
Heidi tips her head and sticks out her hip. “It’s because of that girl, isn’t it? Julia or Genevieve or –”
“Her name is Jen.”
“What-the-fuck-ever.” She rolls her eyes. “Is that where you were tonight? With her?”
Latson looks irritated. “That’s none of your business.”
“It is,” she insists. “You know I promised Audrey –”
“You didn’t promise her shit.” Latson stands to his full height. “You need to stop using that excuse.”
Heidi tries to look innocent. “She was my best friend. I told her I’d look out for –”
“Stop.” He cuts her off again. “The only one you’ve ever looked out for is yourself.”
Heidi steps back like his words hurt. “I care about Oliver.”
“No. You use him to stay close to me.” Latson leans forward. “I’ve told you before. You need to stop hanging on to something that doesn’t exist. The band is done. I’m not going back to that life; you won’t get your minute of fame from me. Move on.”
Heidi’s back stiffens. “Did it ever occur to you that I stay close because you remind me of your sister? Because I miss her?”
Latson’s laugh is sarcastic. “Maybe you should have thought about losing her before you did lines together.”
Heidi’s eyes grow wide. “That’s not fair! When she and I ... you know it was once or twice. It wasn’t a problem then. Levi is the one who ruined her, not me.”
“And we all know who introduced them, don’t we?”
“Why are you being so mean?” Heidi hisses. Then, her voice turns venomous. “It’s Jen, isn’t it? She’s putting thoughts in your head because she doesn’t like me.”
“We’ve never discussed you.”
“She’s a bitch,” Heidi says. “I can’t believe you hired her and I can’t believe you let her spend time with Oliver. Audrey would hate her.”
Latson’s eyes flash. He sets his jaw and steps into her personal space. “My sister would have loved Jen and you know it. I won’t let you talk trash about her.”
“You won’t let me?” Heidi looks unimpressed. “You don’t control me, Gunnar.”
“But I do,” Latson says. “Utter one more word about Jen and you can kiss following Dean’s tour goodbye. All it takes is one call from me and you’ll be thrown out on your ass so fast you won’t know what hit you.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Oh, but I would.”
Heidi’s eyes narrow. “Fine. It’s only a matter of time before you find out what she really is anyway. I’m just trying to warn you.”
My mind reels. What does she think I am? We haven’t said one word to each other since we met. The idea of her running her mouth when she knows nothing about me pisses me off. I think it’s time to end this conversation and put her in her place.
Stepping into the hallway, I open the door with enough force for the two of them to hear it. Heidi quickly turns and Latson’s eyes swing to me as I walk toward them.
“Speak of the devil.” Heidi looks smug. “Eavesdrop much?”
“Only when I hear my name and bitch in the same sentence.” I stop walking a few feet in front of her. “Is there something you would like to say to my face? Because I’m all ears.”
Heidi looks shocked for a second. Then, she flips her color-treated hair over one shoulder. “You don’t know who you’re messing with, little girl. You’re in my territory now.”
Confusion creases my brow, and I glance at Latson. “What in the hell is she talking about?”
He lets out an exasperated breath. “I don’t know.” He brushes past Heidi and to my side. “What do you mean ‘territory’? Are you an animal?”
I can’t resist and clap my hands. “Oooooo! Are you going to piss a circle around Latson to claim him? I’d love to see that.” I start to open my purse. “Hang on. Let me get my phone so I can take a video.”
Latson covers a laugh as Heidi’s face turns red. “You think you’re funny?” she snaps. “Why don’t you just tell him what you want and save him the trouble? Then we can all go on our way and pretend like you don’t exist.”
What have I ever done to this woman? Sure, I may have given her an irritated glance or two, but nothing to warrant her shitty behavior. “I don’t know where you got the idea that I want something. I don’t want anything.” I look at Latson and his eyes dance. He’s clearly enjoying this. My gaze falls to his mouth and I decide to mess with Heidi a little more.
“Wait,” I say, holding up a finger. “I changed my mind. There is one thing I want.” Reaching over, I grab Latson’s shirt and pull him to me. I find his mouth with mine and press my body against his. He leans into my kiss and reciprocates, his hands sliding around my waist and down to my ass.
“Just like I thought,” Heidi snipes. “You’re nothing but a gold digging attention whore.”
Latson’s lips leave mine and he growls, “That’s enough.” He steps back and takes my hand, pulling me toward his place. “Go home, Heidi. If you want to know about Dean, ask him yourself.”