The Dragon and the Rose Read online

  Right now, the only thing I want to do is love on the girl I’ve lusted after for as long as I can remember. She’s finally mine. And I intend on keeping it that way.

  All of the pent up frustration, the rage, the glory, the beauty of being inside Skyla comes to a head, and I release into her body with a gut-wrenching moan.

  This is the woman I was made for.

  And she for me.

  Logan

  A week drifts by, and I have Dudley help me stalk my nephew night after night, but, so far, he’s gone nowhere. I think maybe that incident with Skyla has him spooked. She said she nearly beat Emily senseless—that Gage pawned it all off as a dream until he briefly confessed to joining the Barricade—nothing more. He also confessed to teaming up with Chloe—Chloe of all people.

  I shake my head as I spray the crap out of the filthy shoes on the counter. The bowling alley is getting ready to close down to the general public. Brielle rented out the place for the night. At first, I turned her away—told her there wasn’t enough money in the world for me to close on a Friday night, but she proved me wrong with a stack of mean looking Benjamins three inches high. For that sum, I’d rent out the bowling alley night after night and score myself a three thousand percent hike in profits. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact Bree and Drake are rolling in it. Who knew all I needed to amass a fortune was a magic marker and a container full of plain white tees?

  “Boo and I are here!” Bree shrieks from the entrance. “Let’s get this party started!”

  And here they are, my two patrons for the evening. I bet they’d rather have the place to themselves. I’ll probably have to disinfect the lanes come morning.

  Brielle skips in as Drake trudges behind, schlepping about a dozen shopping bags.

  “Let me help,” I offer and take a handful from Drake. “What’s the occasion?”

  Bree gives a nervous glance to her “Boo” before settling in on me again. “Promise you won’t get mad.”

  “Have I ever gotten mad?” I’m twice as curious now because Bree has never been afraid of my nonexistent temper.

  “No, but—” Her lips contort in all sorts of funny ways, and it doesn’t hit me until I see her glassy eyes that she’s about to cry.

  “Just spill it.” Drake huffs as he turns the bags upside down and dumps the contents onto the floor—red Solo cups and ping pong balls, penis straws and a handful of tiaras, a plastic chalice that reads Bride. “She’s throwing a bachelor party for Gage and Skyla.” He starts rifling through the pornographic crap rolling around on the floor, and I stop breathing for a second.

  “I knew it would affect you.” Brielle hops over and lands in my arms. “Do you forgive me?”

  “What’s there to forgive?” I try to sock away my emotions. “Let’s get this place decorated.”

  “Are you really okay?” She touches her cool finger to my cheek. “Because I know that you and Skyla were once—you know, husband and wife.” Brielle takes in an enormous breath before that smile she’s known for bounces back in place. “And, I also know that you will be once again. Skyla told me all about it right after graduation because that’s what BFFs do. They don’t leave out a single detail.” She gives a little wink. “Especially the juicy ones. You, Oliver, are a freak between the sheets. And if I weren’t hitched myself, I’d get you to the back room and confirm this theory.” She flicks my earlobe before getting to the task of tramping this place up. A dull smile rides on my lips. Skyla said I was a freak. I’d shake my head, but my inflated ego won’t let me.

  “It’s co-ed,” she adds. “Plus it’s a total surprise. I sort of wanted to do something nice for them since they didn’t exactly give me a chance a few months back—you know, eloping and all. Plus tomorrow night is their reception, so it totally makes sense. They’ll be here in about an hour. I texted Skyla and begged both her and Gage to cover my shift and Lexy’s. They’re forever complaining they’re strapped for cash, so they were like, no problem!” She does her best imitation of their enthusiasm. “But it won’t be just us. Don’t worry I totally invited everyone I could think of. There are going to be tons of people, so I want you to keep that kitchen open. On top of what I paid you, you’re bound to make a fortune off all the walking, talking, breathing, eating people that are about to crash through those doors. Do you think Skyla will mind that we’re having it at the bowling alley? At first I thought—hey? Maybe we should have it at the Gas Lab! Then I thought no. Skyla hates the food there. No offense to nuChloe and Pierce. Then I thought about having it at the Landon house, but her mother would want to stick around with all those kids hanging off her tits. She’s nosey like that. Then I thought—”

  Brielle rattles on and on at a million miles an hour while Drake and I decorate every last inch of the place. Brielle dims the lights and turns on the neon lamps we use for bowling in the dark. Right on cue the crowd bursts in. It’s like a West High reunion with everyone and anyone who was in our senior class. I’m not too sure Skyla or Gage would have wanted an event this big—especially now that penis straws are involved.

  Emily, Michelle, Lexy, and Nat congregate near the table laden with snacks—correction snack. Brielle and Drake sprang for never ending nachos. The way Brielle keeps throwing money at me, I’ll be able to retire in a few short hours.

  Ethan and Drake are busy bowling a game with a slightly familiar looking dude. It takes a good second for him to register as Brody Bishop. Every time he frowns, I swear I see Chloe.

  “Lo—” Ellis comes up from behind and slaps me hard over the back. I have a feeling this entire night is going to feel like a nice, hard slap. “What the hell?” He mock punches me in the stomach. “You’re supposed to leave all the ragers to me, remember?”

  “Believe me this is one rager I wish I would’ve. But I didn’t have much say in it.” I don’t have much say in anything anymore. And what the hell has gotten into me? I thought I was good with Gage being with Skyla? I guess his downgrade to Fem—his pledge of allegiance to the dark side, has me rethinking things. Maybe that’s why Candice gifted me the Treble? Maybe she wanted me to kick some Fem ass and take my wife back like a fucking caveman. My stomach turns at the idea. I could never hate Gage. And, believe me, I’ve tried.

  Liam steps in beside me. “I’ve got your back, little bro. I know this isn’t easy for you.” He gives my arm a quick squeeze. “Who’s the hot blonde at five o’clock?”

  Brielle spins into us. “That’s my sister, Brooke. She just finished up with school, and now she’s back living with my mom. Brookey!” She jumps and waves until the blonde clicks her way over in ankle-breaking heels. She’s a bit taller than Bree, same sweet face, perhaps a bit fiercer in the beauty department. I vaguely remember Brooke. She was one of the older kids on the island, but again I was far more interested in girls my own age at the time, so I didn’t pay much attention.

  “Well, I’d better go and say hi.” Liam pops the collar on his polo shirt as he struts in her direction.

  “We’re really going to have to work on his moves,” I say to Ellis.

  “His moves?” Ellis shakes his head. “Dude, he’s the one getting laid.” His shoulders droop for a moment, a good indication that he isn’t and I very much approve.

  Giselle springs up and lands her hands over his eyes. “Trick or Treat!” Giselle is still a little confused regarding pop culture, which is expected since she missed out on the formative first decade of her life.

  “Shh!” Brielle runs in a spastic circle. “They’re here! Everybody hide!”

  “Hide? This is a bowling alley,” a female voice snips, and I turn my head in that direction. I’d recognize that witchy drawl anywhere—Chloe.

  “What’s Bishop doing here?” Unlike Gage, I’m not a fan.

  Bree cinches her shoulder up one side. “I invited her—and her creepy Gage lookalike boy toy, too.” She shakes her head in sympathy. “I bet it really ticks off Skyla that Chloe found herself a Gage. What are the odds?” She jumps ar
ound the room shushing the masses as the bowling alley effectively quiets to a whisper.

  Skyla and Gage stumble in with a mild look of shock.

  “Logan?” Skyla calls my name, and it pierces me like a barb. This is the exact place where I proposed to Skyla—where she proposed to me first. My heart fractures just thinking about it. This was our special place, and now Brielle and Drake have defiled it with dozens of plastic body parts that I hope to God Giselle can’t identify.

  “Surprise!” Everyone shouts out of rhythm. Someone flicks on and off the lights before diming it to neon again, and the music comes back a little louder than before.

  Skyla and Gage are swarmed with old friends from West. The guys take turns high-fiving Gage as the two of them make their way over.

  “So when’s the baby due?” Someone shouts from deep in the crowd, and a rumble of laughter fills the room.

  “No baby here.” Skyla holds her arms out to expose her flat stomach.

  “You mean you got married on purpose?” A girl howls in laughter, and everyone else follows suit. It’s true. It’s a little odd to some people that Skyla and Gage got hitched so quickly, so young. But I’m not surprised. I think it was a smart move by Gage—after all, he followed in my footsteps.

  “Did you do this?” Skyla gives me a brief hug. Her hair smells like lilies and vanilla with the slightest hint of cinnamon, and I try to soak it in, drink it down, memorize it for the lonely shower I’ll be taking later.

  “Nope.” Brielle interjects by throwing herself over my back. She slides down and blows a dick horn in my face. “I did it all by my lonesome. You can’t blame Logan for a thing.” She gives me a wink. “Come on, Skyla, we need to mingle while you’re still single.”

  “I’m not single.” Her voice fades as they move into the crowd.

  “So what’s going on? Are my folks here?” Gage takes the soda Ellis offers.

  “Nope.” I wince, thankful at the thought. “That would be your wedding reception. This, my friend, is your bachelorette slash bachelor party. Two clashing themes, one unforgiveable night.”

  “Sounds like my kind of party.”

  I turn to say something, and Gage pops up on my other side as well. My head jerks back, and he’s still there so that means… “Wes.” I slap his back good and hard. “You having a good time?” While plotting to kill half the people in this room.

  “Wish I could say it’s true.” He glares across the way, and we follow his gaze to Laken and Coop.

  “Looks like it’s the shit parade for you.” I give his shoulder a sympathetic smack, but I’d rather smack his face. “But hey, you’ve got Chloe. She still morphs for you nightly, right?”

  His lips pull to one side. “I’m not having her morph anymore.”

  “Cutting her some slack.” I nod as if playing along. “You’re a good man.” And I’m a damn good liar.

  “She wants to start a family.” He shrugs as if he weren’t entirely opposed to the idea.

  Gage and I exchange glances. I’m not sure why he’s acting surprised. I could have told him Wes was after dominion. Wes is determined to knock both Gage and Demetri off the wicked throne. Power is Wesley’s favorite drug, and he’s focused with a laser precision on attaining all he can.

  “Listen up!” Brielle sticks her fingers in her mouth and whistles until our ears bleed. “We’re going old school tonight and playing spin the bottle. Break off into groups of ten to twelve—one of each sex! Let’s get this party started!” She whoops it up, passing out bottles at random.

  “Looks like I’d better get into the right group.” Wes takes off into the crowd.

  “Skyla isn’t going to fall for this,” I assure Gage. “Maybe you guys can supervise. Rate the best kiss.” It won’t be mine. If Skyla is out, so am I.

  Skyla scuttles over with her hand on her mouth as if she’s secretly having the time of her life. “We are so not playing.” She shakes her head at Gage with laughter in her eyes.

  “We are, too.” He leans in and whispers until her eyes grow wide with surprise.

  “Well, then”—she pulls back without taking her loving eyes off his—“it looks like I’m in, Oliver.”

  They take off toward Bree.

  I remember when I was the one she called Oliver. It’s sickening feeling sorry for myself, but, lately, pity seems to be my drug of choice.

  Brielle hounds me until I sit in the ridiculous “boys’ circle” between Ethan and Drake. Gage, Wes, Coop, Liam, Ellis, bonehead-I-don’t-know number one and two, and, surprisingly, Nev rounds out our nest of testosterone. I offer a brief wave to Skyla as Brielle rattles off a bunch of rules.

  “Kisses must take place on the lips and must last five complete seconds!” Her voice echoes off the walls. “Of course, the all-important rule you’ve been waiting for—tongues are optional.”

  I distinctly remember doing this in high school, but I must confess it felt a lot less dirty lusting after Skyla back then. Just because it feels wrong, doesn’t mean I can stop doing it.

  I shoot a quick text to my least favorite Sector who is ironically my favorite supervising spirit.

  Bowling alley. Now. Invisible. Bottle lands on me. You’ll know when.

  Bree takes a seat, and our little sect starts in on the game. I glance around, not that I’d be able to see Dudley if he were invisible, instead I see several couples already making out as the different games get underway.

  I check out the girls’ circle as the bottle stops in front of Laken. It looks like it’s Coop’s turn to sweat it out. Ethan gives the bottle a spin, and it lands on Drake—and it’s still moving? It turns slowly until it lands square on my least favorite Fem, Wes.

  “Nice. Not suspicious at all.” I give him a mock thumbs up.

  Laken looks over and glares at Wes a moment. Hell, Laken can squeeze his balls until they pop like balloons just by that look alone. Chloe sits next to her, rolling her eyes. I wonder how Bishop feels, always being second best. On second thought, I’m beginning to understand.

  “I think I’ll pass.” Laken nods at Coop as if she wanted to assure him of her affection.

  “No can do.” Bree holds out a hand. “It’s in the bylaws. Now kiss and makeup.” There’s a devilish gleam in Bree’s eye as if she’s secretly getting pleasure from tormenting poor Laken.

  “I’m out, too.” Wesley turns the bottle back to Drake.

  Bree’s nostrils flare at the sight. I take it she’s not feeling those bylaws so much anymore now that the bottle is pointing at her “Boo.”

  “I’ll take one for the team.” Coop hops to his feet, and Laken joins him halfway. Their heads conjoin for a sweet kiss that spans far longer than the required five seconds.

  Bree sticks her fingers in her lips and blows a shrill whistle. “Let’s get on with the game!”

  Next up on the girl’s side is…Giselle. Ethan gives our bottle a spin, and Ellis wastes no time in stopping it at himself. They hop up and start in on a tongue lashing that requires both Gage and Liam to physically break it up.

  “Dude”—I sock Ellis as he takes his place next to me—“don’t you realize she essentially has three older brothers here? You need to learn to play it cool around us.”

  “I get it.” He inches his head back as if this were real news. “So like I save the good stuff until we’re alone.”

  “No, definitely not that.” I’d hate to set his dick compass pointing toward a private suite at the Paragon No Tell Motel.

  The girls give their bottle a vigorous spin, and it lands square on Lexy.

  Skyla makes a face like she’s about to be sick. I know what she’s thinking, but the odds of it landing on me are—the bottle comes crashing to a halt right in front of yours truly.

  Shit. Nothing could piss Skyla off more.

  Lexy springs up and swings her hips in my direction. Crap. I’m going to look like a wuss, like a whooped wuss, if I don’t do it. I get up reluctantly. I’d give Brielle back every dime if we could somehow re
verse this nightmare.

  “Five seconds!” Bree screams.

  On second thought, I might just charge her extra.

  Lexy licks her lips and calls me over with a wag of her finger.

  “Come here, bad boy.” Her fingernails hook into my arm as she reels me in. My lips seal tight as she tries to spear her way into my mouth with her tongue. I count to five sans any of that Mississippi bullshit and head back to my seat. Then, out of the blue, it happens again, and again, and again, and again. The bottle seems to love me tonight.

  Fucking Dudley.

  Nat, Emily, Bree, Michelle, and Chloe are all glowing like fireflies after partaking in what they’ve dubbed the Loving Logan Long Time Hour.

  The girls’ bottle spins and slowly, ever so slowly, lands on Skyla.

  And there it is. My heart sings. My overtired lips actually curve into a hopeful smile. Let’s hope Dudley keeps his streak up. Ethan spins our bottle, and it travels endlessly before slowly coming to a halt right…in front…of… me. Well done, Dudley. I go to get up, and Ellis smacks me.

  “Dude, it’s still moving.”

  The bottle twitches to life and turns to my left, smack on Gage. Now there’s a plot twist.

  “Looks like you’re out of luck, buddy.” Gage slaps his thighs as he starts to rise.

  “Dude!” Ellis points at the bottle as it gives a hard turn to me. “That bottle is fucking haunted.”

  I’ll say.

  Gage glares at it until it turns towards him again—and so it goes until Bree throws herself over the curious glass.

  “I think it’s time for a dance party,” she says weakly.

  Before we know it the entire place is on their feet and on the tables, throwing pins, shoes, and penises, all of which I’m guessing are indicative of a pretty good time.

  Skyla is on the makeshift dance floor ripping it up with Bree by her side. I nod along with the music unable to peel my eyes off her. That wild mane, those pale crystal eyes—that body that just can’t quit. It’s like I’ve run right over the fact she’s sporting a wedding ring. I’ll have to throw myself in that icy mud puddle out back before I ever hit a cold shower tonight.