Lead (A Stage Dive Novel)

I mimed sliding a blade across his throat, still hopping toward him as fast as panic and a med boot would allow. When I got within snatching distance, Jimmy slid an arm around my waist, stopping me from reaching up. I stretched and strained but my mediocre height was firmly against me.

 

“You’re not helping,” I hissed. “Stop it.”

 

“Yeah, I guess I am Lena’s protector. Or maybe I’m just the only person prepared to call bullshit on this whole situation.”

 

“Give me the phone.” I tried to climb him to get closer, but my fingers slid over his slippery sweaty shoulders. Damn his hot body.

 

My sister’s voice sounded small, far away. I couldn’t quite make out the words. Her tone however carried fine, all worked up and pissed beyond belief. You could just bet the perfect princess wasn’t enjoying this conversation one little bit. Part of me kind of enjoyed that, but the larger part wanted to tear Jimmy to pieces for sticking his nose in where it did not belong. Despite everything, I did not need to go to war with my sister. And war was exactly where we’d be if he kept this shit up.

 

“Give it to me.”

 

He ignored me.

 

“Jimmy!” Frustration bubbling over, I slapped his face (I know, I shouldn’t have, but I did). It got an immediate reaction. He scowled down at me, then he slapped me good and hard on the ass in return. I yelped, my wobbling butt cheek on fire.

 

“Don’t do that again, Lena,” he said.

 

“Give me the phone.” I grabbed at his arm, trying to force the far-too-damn-strong limb down.

 

“You are fucking kidding me,” he said into the cell, voice incredulous. “Why on earth would you ever imagine your sister would be willing to step in and be one of your bridesmaids when you’re marrying her ex? Why should she save your ass, huh? This friend of yours that dropped out, you fuck her man too?”

 

Much distraught shoutiness came from my cell.

 

“She wants me to do what?” I asked, confused. I must have heard him wrong. Alyce couldn’t possibly ask me something so horrendous and tacky. Me standing up at the altar while she married my ex, the man she done stole, just as Jimmy said. “No way.”

 

Rage made my blood hit boiling point. I could feel the steam pouring out my ears.

 

“You god damn thoughtless, insensitive, spoiled, fucking cow!” I screeched plenty loud enough for my beloved sister to hear.

 

Jimmy’s brows jumped.

 

“I don’t believe you, Alyce.”

 

He handed me the phone.

 

I held it to my ear. “You seriously expect me to step in and be a fucking bridesmaid? I left. I did my best not cause drama because everyone was so damn thrilled about your engagement. But how dare you think it mattered so little to me. You’re supposed to be my sister! Does that mean nothing to you?”

 

“Lena,” my sister said, sounding distinctly surprised. “Um …

 

“You never even said sorry. God, Alyce, if you’d just once admitted that would you did was wrong I would have gotten over it, you know? I would have forgiven you.” I leaned against Jimmy, borrowing his strength. “But you acted like he was your god-given right and fuck anyone who got cut in the process.”

 

“I-I love him.”

 

“Yeah? Well I loved him too. And it hurt. It really hurt, what you did to me. What you both did to me.”

 

Jimmy’s hand stroked up and down my back, his other arm holding me tight. I rested my cheek against his chest, feeling him breathe, hearing his heartbeat.

 

“I’m sorry,” she said finally, breaking. “I … you’re right. What we did to you was wrong and I’m sorry. I should have said it to you at the time.”

 

Finally. All of the air left me in a great rush. My shoulders collapsed and I had the worst feeling a few tears had managed to escape my eyes. “Thank you.”

 

“Will you please come back for the wedding? I’d like you to step in as bridesmaid since Tiffany took off on me. But I’ll understand if you say no. It just feels wrong for you to be missing. You’re still my sister.”

 

Oh, man. I didn’t know if that was something I could do. The stupid joyous occasion was only in three days. Jimmy gave me a squeeze, just letting me know he was there. It helped.

 

“I don’t know, Alyce. Let me think about it.”

 

“Okay, I understand. Thanks, Lena.” She hung up.

 

With my arm around his waist and my face pressed up against him, I stood there, taking a moment to get my bearings. “That was unexpected.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“Don’t answer my phone again.”

 

“Don’t slap me again.”

 

“Sorry.” I set my chin on his chest, gazing up into his flawless face. His hands settled on my shoulders and he frowned. Perhaps now he’d push me away, reclaim his personal space and stop all of this touchy feely nonsense. But he didn’t.

 

“My butt stings,” I said, just making conversation.

 

“Good. You going to your sister’s wedding or not?”

 

“I honestly don’t know. She seemed sincere, but …”

 

He crossed his arms, looking all kinds of big, strong, and drop-dead gorgeous. How protective he’d been of me with Alyce warmed the cockles of my heart.

 

“Would you come with me if I did?” I dared ask.

 

He pulled a face. “I don’t know. I’m not so good with family stuff.”

 

“Yeah, maybe it’s for the best.”

 

“If you brought me as your date, I’d have to meet your whole family, and that would be awkward considering the nature of our relationship”

 

I squinted up at him. “And what is the nature of our relationship Jimmy?”

 

“I’m your boss and occasional hookup partner,” he said, giving me a jaunty wink.

 

“You are?” I said, my voice completely devoid of expression.

 

“Well, yeah. Though speaking of hookups, I heard wedding sex is supposed to be pretty hot, so maybe …”

 

“That’s quite alright Jimmy, no need to overcomplicate our casual relationship. Now if you’ll excuse me.”

 

“Christ Lena, what did I say now?”

 

“Got work to do!” I gave him a wave on my way out. It was probably more than he deserved.

 

 

 

 

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