Don’t need to be on somebody’s arm to look good
(I like who I am)
I’m not saying I don’t wanna fall in love cos I would
I’m not gonna get hooked up just cos you say I should
(can’t romance on demand)
I’m gonna wait so I’m sorry if you misunderstood
God, this song is perfect! I totally suck at singing, but who gives a f**k? This song gets my point across.
When I come down from the stage Layla doesn’t even notice me standing beside her, she's too focused on Chase who is currently singing. I decide to make my way to the bar. Before I get there, a hand grips my wrist. I spin around and come face to face with Kade.
“Nice song,” he tells me with a sly grin.
“Yeah, I hope you got the message. Let me go,” I tell him.
He hesitates, then smirks, and lets my arm go. “Just because I let your arm go doesn’t mean that I’m letting you go!” he blurts out before walking away. I shake my head to clear it and order myself another drink.
As the night wears on, I start talking to some guy. He seems interesting enough; maybe he’ll help me get over this Kade funk. Kade keeps glaring our way, I have no idea why since he's chatting up some woman, too.
I’m about to make my way back over to Layla when I notice a man invading Layla’s personal space, putting his hands on her. I see Chase walk back into the bar after heading out to take a call. Instantly, the atmosphere in the room gets thick. I pull Layla away as Chase charges over, and starts to beat the shit out of this guy. Kade and James pull Chase off of the man, and after Chase cools down a little, Layla and he go home. Kade grabs my hips and pulls me into him as I try and walk back into the bar. “We’re going home.”
“Can you just take me to my house? I’ll get my mom to swing me by tomorrow to grab my car.”
“No, it’s too far away. You can just sleep in Layla’s room,” he says with a small grin.
“Right, like I’m supposed to trust that you won’t try anything with me,” I mumble to myself.
“For f**k's sake, Nikki, I’m not even like that. I want more with you. Yes, the sex is amazing, but I want all of you.”
He stomps off and James comes over to me and pulls me into his side. “I think Kade is more pu**y whipped than Chase,” he says with a twinkle in his eyes.
With that, we both burst out laughing.
I hop into the Hummer and we head to Chase’s place. I go into Layla’s room and once I hear both Kade and James close their doors I do a detour. I head out to my car, jump in, and drive home.
KADE
I have never in my life been rejected by a woman before and I find that I don’t like the feeling. Nikki has been avoiding me, dodging my calls, and not coming over to visit. I even went to her class twice, but she wasn’t there- she always managed to leave early. I’m turning into a f**king stalker. I sigh, and run my hands through my hair in frustration. Nikki is the first girl I’ve ever considering something more permanent with and she doesn’t want me. The rejection burns.
After a week of her ignoring me, I’ve had enough. I’m sitting in my favorite bar having a drink. The place is quite shabby looking, battered leather stools, an old pool table, and it’s occupied by rough looking bikers. My gaze takes in the room and I cringe when I see three girls I’ve already had. Definitely can’t bring Nikki here. The thought of her causes me to take a huge swig of my scotch. I brought Layla here once. She stuck out like a sore thumb, it was funny as hell. A few of the men asked about her and I had to tell them she was not f**king available.
Liam, the bartender, pours me another drink. Liam is in his forties, salt and pepper hair, with a muscular build. No one messes with him. I haven’t been here in a while. I’ve been too busy chasing after Nikki. Here I am though, back at my bar, feeling sorry for myself; never thought I'd see this day. A few drinks later, I’m playing pool, pressed against some woman named Kelly. I even remembered her name- see how mature I’m getting? She's completely stacked with a body I’d like to get to know better.
“Wanna get out of here?” she purrs into my ear seductively, giving the lobe a little nibble.
Why the f**k not? We jump in a cab, because let’s face it; I'm way too drunk to drive. We rush from the cab into the house, stumbling slightly now and again. I open the front door and lead her straight to my bedroom. Our clothes are thrown messily on the floor and for an instant I hesitate. The face of a fiery redhead flashes in my head. I shake my head, getting rid of the image. Nikki doesn’t want me, but this woman does and I’m going to please her.
I wake up the next morning, not feeling satisfied, but feeling like complete shit. I shouldn’t have done this. I know Nikki and I aren’t together or anything, but it doesn’t feel right. I walk into the kitchen and make myself a strong cup of coffee. I hear the front door open; James must be home.
“Hey, Kade?” I hear Nikki say softly.
Fuck.
NIKKI
Kade has been calling me almost every day, but I have nothing to say to him, so I don’t answer. The truth is, I’m terrified. I’ve always had the upper hand with the men I get involved in, but not this time.
In the last week Kade has stopped calling, and I’ve realized how much of a dumb ass I’ve been. Time to man up, Nikki, or so to speak. I am going to visit him.
“Hey Kade,” I mumble as I walk into Layla’s house. Kade narrows his eyes on me silently. He's leaning against the kitchen table, bare-chested while pouring himself a cup of coffee. He looks edible.