This Is Forever Read online

  Winter grinned at that. Colin thought himself a bad ass but he did drive slower than a turtle stuck in cement.

  “Serves Nyx right for forgetting her laptop.” Rhys said and shook his head. “Colin I sure as hell hope you don’t fuck like you drive or its going to be a very lonely senior year, I don’t care how hot you think you are… word gets around.”

  “Hey asshole,” Colin growled. “High school girls don’t know any different isn’t that what you always told me?”

  Winter looked up at Rhys who blanched. He has said that.

  “You’re taking the ravings of an extremely inebriated individual as gospel?” Rhys asked and smirked. “I thought you were better than that. I am. Ask Saffron.”

  Colin made a retching sound and Saffron laughed. “Be there in five. I think that put the lead back in his pencil.”

  Rhys hung up and shook his head. “That kid…”

  “Is exactly like you used to be back then…”

  Rhys frowned. “You think I was a bad lay back then?”

  Winter grinned. “Who says your any better now?”

  Rhys flipped him the bird. Winter unwrapped a tootsie pop and stuck the sugary goodness in his mouth. They were quiet for a few minutes, Rhys once again checking his messenger bag, digging through its endless pockets. He finally broke the silence with a sigh.

  “You still freaked about flying?”

  Rhys looked at him and rolled his eyes. “Obviously.”

  “Why? I mean it’s not the first time…”

  “Every other time I was hammered. I haven’t been on a plane sober since I was ten. And if you remember correctly, that was no picnic either.”

  Winter did know. They had taken a trip with his parents, one of the few times he had ever went with them on a vacation. Rhys had tagged along as his counterpart, Nyx for Phaedra’s. What was supposed to be a cool ten days at some resort in some tropical climate turned into the flight from hell complete with a fifteen thousand foot drop in altitude, and an engine to go out. The four of them thought they were going to die. Luckily that wasn’t the case, but they never made it to said resort and the experience left Rhys so shaken he didn’t fly again till after Phaedra’s death, and only stone drunk.

  “Well this time you got Saffron to hold your hand.”

  Rhys smirked. “And other things.”

  Winter frowned. “It’s a commercial flight man.”

  “All the more reason to join the mile high club.”

  “So not going to happen” Saffron said as she shut the door of Colin’s tricked out PT cruiser. “Nyx just got a text that Tosh and Chand are already at the airport. Where the fuck is Solomon and Dex?” She grabbed her work cell and walked off punching in numbers.

  Nyx kissed Colin on the cheek. “Thanks kid, even if my iguana walks faster than you drive.”

  Colin frowned and Nyx turned to Winter. “So? Still planning your end game? I saw that little altercation with Lo at Sally’s… doesn’t bode well for you.”

  “Eat my ass will ya Nyx?” he mumbled.

  “Hey, to be fair, it’s not like he can just waltz back in and expect her on her knees for him. She’s not a feather for god’s sake.”

  Winter hated the most recent name the groupies had given themselves. Feathers. Ugh was anything as desperate as declaring yourself for something that… well sad? Winter liked girls, hell he liked the girls that he considered his groupies, they were always ready to go, and what more did a guy need. Didn’t mean he respected them, or gave a shit who they were outside of the room he was in with them. It was just the way it was. None of them could touch that hidden part of him, and he knew it, so he didn’t try to think too deeply on them.

  But there was something oddly wrong with a bunch of groupies, not even fans, groupies, banding together and declaring to the world that they were on the market for your pleasure. What guy wants the world to know how many groupies he’s got around the country, well except that guy from KISS. Cuz really that’s exactly what the feathers were doing, advertizing who punched that ticket. It was like that goddamn ‘Stand up and be counted’ shit.

  And no one in the band was particularly excited about the new development, well except Rhys, who was reveling in the attention. Saffron thought it was funny and sad at the same time, but really, Winter didn’t want anything to do with it. Especially now. Yes, he would have to deal with these girls while on the road, but he took a page outta Rhys’ book, and realized that you can balance both when trying for forever. So long as the girl you want forever with understands the person you have to be in the public eye.

  “Solomon had to fire someone, apparently, so we are picking up new staff in New York. Dex says they are ten out, so we should be ready.” Saffron offered as she walked back.

  “Another firing?” Winter sighed. “Why?”

  Saffron shrugged. “I don’t fuck with his side of it he doesn’t fuck with mine. X hired him because he’s the best at what he does, so I don’t question. He says a guys gotta go, he goes. Roadies are not my problem.”

  “Whatever. So kid? You coming to Atlanta?” Rhys said to Colin.

  Nyx turned to Winter again as Rhys was occupied with his brother and smiled. “I’m just fucking with you Wint. I know how much she means to you. It will work out. She loves you, you know.”

  God, he hoped so, because so far all he was getting was the “Danger Will Robinson, Danger” vibe from her. Stranger things had happened on tour, maybe this was his happy ending… if he could convince her.

  THREE

  Lola looked over her shoulder into the mirror behind her, amazed as the fact that the lines that were painted on her flesh were disappearing. She blinked twice and they were gone, replaced by pale skin, with just a smattering of freckles, her normal view when she could see her back.

  She turned back to the woman across from her, with the horse hair paintbrush in her hand. They were in her living room, the third floor loft apartment full of band posters, pictures and lots over oversized furniture. “So this is just like Rhys’?” she asked and looked over her shoulder again. The walls that reflected behind her were sapphire and emerald striped, creative, but not Lola’s style. She couldn’t see living in a house that looked like a circus tent, no matter how stunning the colors were.

  “As close to as I can get it.” Xxieda offered and sighed. “We aren’t bound like Rhys and I are, so I don’t know how long it will last Lo.”

  Lola nodded. “And you can redo, strengthen it if need be?”

  Xxieda nodded. “If you’re feeling the pangs, you call, Dante and I will be there to help.”

  Lola nodded and then sighed. The witch was merely putting a band aid on a broken leg, but it was the best she had found to combat her little… problem.

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t help more, But this should make things easier for you while touring. Less mishaps and such. I still can’t figure out how this happened. I mean it’s not…”

  Lola shrugged. “You think I haven’t asked myself the same thing? The last thing I need is for Shesha to make an appearance, not when…”

  Xxieda nodded. “You do know you’re going to have to tell him, we can’t keep it a secret forever, and, Lo, I have to stress, if she gathers strength she can override the barrier.”

  Lola nodded. She knew all too well Shesha’s nature. It was why she acted so contrary at dinner. If the entity though Winter was someone Lola cared for… “I know. But not in the beginning. I need to fix this, fuck I tried to since it happened. This is the closest I have felt to being alone in my skin in almost a year and a half X. After everything that happened, and this bullshit, I couldn’t get us back to where we needed to be. But this is going to help X, the tour, the barrier. Thank you so much for everything.”

  Xxieda grinned. “I only did the barrier hun. The tour is all him.”

  Lola gave her a hopeful smile. “Really?”

  “Yep. I think he has finally gotten it through his head. You two belong together Lo, I always thought
so. Past bullshit shouldn’t matter, and if it’s meant to be, you will both figure it out. Look at Rhys and Saffron, me and Dante? Still, you know you can always come to me. Or Saffron. She will kick his ass for you. I don’t need to tell you Winter has a stubborn streak a mile wide.” She winked.

  No she didn’t have to. Lola knew him better then he knew himself, which was why she was hopeful.

  Rhys had suggested, after a lengthy phone call where she told him everything that had happened at dinner, that she visit with Xxieda as soon as she got into New York for a barrier spell. It had helped him on tour, and after the insanity of the last tour and the support staff issues, she didn’t want to put the band or the staff through that again. Yes it was her problem, and her cross to bear, others shouldn’t have to suffer it as well. Especially him. Winter was her end game, if she could figure out how to get free of the entity that decided to squat inside her and come out at inopportune times to fuck with Lola’s life.

  She had been deemed a diva, a lunatic, bi polar, and several other not so nice names because of Shesha’s interference, and she couldn’t have it happening anymore. No, the band needed this; they needed to keep pushing forward. It was hard enough having a female fronted band without all the complications of a fucking ethereal squatter. So the barrier made sense on that level.

  Then there was the issue of Winter Tulane. Shesha would just love to fuck with Winter, and that was something Lola wouldn’t allow. With the barrier, and the help of her friends, she felt confident she could pursue him again, and they could figure out a solution to her problem together. If he really was into it.

  By all accounts he had been busy on tour, and if the message boards were to be believed, she was one of countless girls that now knew the meaning of the words ‘Long Hard Winter’ when it came to him, even if she was the first.

  Hell, if Saffron could get over Rhys’ slew of women still throwing themselves at him, she could with Winter. It wasn’t like she didn’t have her own admirers, though the extent and nature of his was well past hers. But that was the way of it wasn’t it? She was in love with a rock star, a rock star she had once, and wanted back.

  She smiled at Xxieda and put her shirt back on, smoothing the material down as Xxieda’s boyfriend, Dante, walked in.

  “Oh right, sexy Goth girl is here for her fitting…” he mumbled and then kissed Xxieda on the cheek. “All done then?”

  Xxieda nodded. “Her name is Lola, Dante, and yes.”

  “Well is she joining us for dinner?” he asked and looked at Lola with a smirk.

  Lord, the man was too sexy for his own good. She shook her head. “Sadly no, I have to get back to the hotel, Toro is going to be vibrating if we don’t hit Max Brenner’s tonight. He’s been whining about it all week. Thank you for the invite though.”

  Dante inclined his head. “Well then that’s me off, Have a lovely evening.” He winked and walked further into the flat, towards the back bedroom. Lola and Xxieda both watched him walk, eyes glued to his backside.

  “I swear to god his jeans fit better every damn day.” Xxieda offered and then sighed. “Well get on with you, I have an appointment with a shower and a horny fire demon.”

  Lola threw her a questioning look.

  She turned and showed Lola the singe marks on the sides of her baby tee. “It’s his less then subtle way of telling me if I don’t take it off and join him its getting burned off.”

  Lola’s eyes went wide. “He’s kidding right?”

  Xxieda shook her head. “Hazards of loving an Ardesco. I lose more clothes that way.” She mused. “Go on, unless you want a front row seat…”

  Lola left the apartment as Xxieda was moving towards where Dante had disappeared. She smiled to herself. Things with Winter used to be like that. Crazy, and sexy and wild. He was always so clever and creative. They could be again. A guy doesn’t change the man he became when he was in the moment, and of every man that has ever been in her life, Winter Tulane played that part the best. She just had to get him to play it again for her.

  FOUR

  New York City unfolded beneath Winter in three directions, the sunshine just snuffing out as the city came alive with light and neon. It was one of the things he really liked about it, how vibrant it was at any given time--- How alive. He watched the buildings from his room on the 2oth floor of the W hotel, imagining it breathing, as if it was a living entity.

  Darkness, for as much as it was held at bay in the city, came on swift wings, making the night beyond, and the Hudson river an inky black mess in the distance. New Jersey lay just beyond, its lights a pale comparison to the vivid splendor of the city.

  They had touched down a few hours before, met at the airport by screaming fans, and an entire contingent of Feathers. For the most part, they made it out with minimal fuss, and thank the air gods, all their luggage had made it to NY with them. It would be another day and a half till the bus got to New York, so until then they had some time on their hands.

  Rhys and Saffron went to her new loft in Soho, spoils of her ridiculously generous salary from Will It! Records for putting up with all their shit on the road. Chandler had ducked out soon after coming in with two of his best friends, Los and Lissa, who both were in college at NYU. That left Winter, Nyx and Tosh to hit up the W alone, which was fine by him. He had plans anyway, and knowing that Nyx and Tosh would be engaged in each other helped to cement them. Or so he thought.

  “Did you hear me Winter? Stoli is downstairs with Gatsby. Should I send them up?”

  Winter looked over at Nyx who was standing just inside the doorway to his suite. She was holding his cell phone in her hand, and looked to be reading the screen.

  “Oh. Um…”He sighed. Stoli and Gatsby. No they weren’t the girls’ real names, but they were the nicknames they adopted, like many girls in the scene did. They were more than hook ups to him, which was why Nyx was asking. Normally he spent his time in New York with them, as they were seriously fun girls, both in the bedroom and out.

  Did he really wanna open that can of worms? With all his planning involving Lola, he hasn’t stopped to think about the girls he would be seeing, his regulars, in the different cities they would go on this tour.

  But Stoli and Gatsby weren’t just girls. They were friends…

  “Yeah.” He gave Nyx a smirk. “Why are you in here answering my cell and not riding Tosh?”

  Nyx gave him a jaundiced look. “I think we are both beginning to think this was a bad idea…”

  Winter frowned. “Why?”

  She sighed. “We both want different things.”

  Winter knew that was code for Nyx wasn’t ready to commit. She had used it countless times. He felt for Tosh, not that the guy wouldn’t bounce back, he always did, but for him to want more… who knew the outcome of that debacle?

  He watched as she pressed the touch screen of his phone and then smiled at the ding she heard. “Beauty. They are on their way up.”

  “And what are you going to be doing if you’re not rocking Tosh tonight?”

  She shrugged. “Hitting Times Square with X and Dante. Probably Hitting up BARCODE for some drinks and Skee-ball.”

  Winter nodded. “Well then enjoy,”

  She dropped his phone on his bed and then turned. “You too... Don’t hurt them…”

  He chuckled. If she only knew. Those girls were a force unto themselves.

  As she gained the door he heard two familiar voices coming from the hallway and smiled.

  “Damn Nyx you look amazing!”

  “Where is that tall drink of water Tosh?”

  The conversation was muffled by what he assumed were hugs and kisses and then Nyx said her goodbyes and the girls walked in. And the air in the room got sucked out.

  He was never sure why the uber hot ones dug him, but here were two of the sexiest girls in New York, dressed like a present for a back alley rapist, standing in his suite. And he wasn’t going to do a thing about it.

  Stoli, a tall blonde with g
reen eyes, far too much, if artful, eye makeup and two stunning sleeves of gorgeous ink grinned at him. “Hey there stranger. You look… Strange.” She frowned and then looked over at Gatsby. “I don’t think we are getting laid tonight.” Her voice was husky, thick like she was a pack a day smoker without the grit.

  Gatsby, a very pretty lithe creature with white blonde hair and black tips cocked her head. “No…” she said in her wisp of a voice, “I don’t believe we are going to. At least not by our lovely Winter… What’s wrong sweetness? The Feathers make a play?” she grinned.

  “Hardly. And how do you know you’re not getting any?” he asked, not liking how well they could read him.

  Gatsby shook her head and sat, then reclined on the large bed. “It’s in your eyes. So who is she that’s got your nuts in a twist?”

  Stoli sat next to Gatsby and petted her shoulder. “Yes, tell us. If we can’t engage in our usual when your back in the city, the least we can do is listen. Maybe help?”

  Winter shook his head and chuckled. It took a special kinda girl to understand the kinda lifestyle he lead, and an even more special kinda girl to not freak out when the guy they were all up on was clearly interested someone else. But these girls, Stoli and Gatsby, knew the drill. They were above the petty groupie, they were friends, friends with benefits, and friends that if Lola wasn’t high on his mind right now, he would be indulging in, like in times past.

  He knew if he told them the score, they would be supportive, not like the bullshit Rhys had to go through after he and Saffron went public. Stoli and Gatsby would support his decision, and while they would all mourn their past relationship being over, he knew they wouldn’t be too broken up about it. He was but one of many in their stable. They were collectors, first and foremost. It was how it worked.

  “So?” Gatsby said and unzipped her boots, slipping her dainty feet out of them. She scooted back onto the pillows and got comfortable, Stoli following suit, cuddling into her friend.