Escaping Me (15 page)

Chapter Sixteen:

What Happens in Vegas is a Clusterfuck

The next day is a complete blur.  We check into our hotel for the week, where Gray and I are sharing a room.  Which shouldn’t seem like a big deal because we have slept in the same room all along but it is like we are making a statement.  I guess we are though aren’t we? 

After settling in our rooms
we all head down to a restaurant to eat before the guys have to leave for sound check.  Cam and I are planning to go shopping before the show.  Which is more code word for she wants details on Landon than anything.  Then of course there is the fact that I want to beat some sense into her so she doesn’t walk off on Aiden wrecking them both in the process.

I can’t tell Gray
that secretly I don’t want to go to sound check because I don’t want to run into Landon or Tad yet.  I don’t want to have there be a fight that will possibly ruin the show tonight.  I know that Landon was right for suggesting that we meet afterword.  I also don’t know what can be solved by talking it all out but I hope it is enough to keep the peace. 

If Gray and I are going to make something work between us I don’t want it to come between them.  I have let myself foolishly think that there can be a Gray and me even when I know Cam is right.  Shaft
is about to hit the big time so the last thing they need is to be tied down in their prime.  Even though I have these feelings for Grayson that I am pretty sure he feels at least a little bit in return for me I don’t want to think about the cliff I am teetering on.  I can fall at any time into the abyss. 

Can I really put everything out there just to shatter when I land because Gray isn’t on the same page as me?  He feels for me though.  I heard him last night, I know that I did.  I just have to get through this with Landon then find out where Gray and I stand.  Like Cam said I can always just get out before it gets too deep right?  Oh who am I kidding
? I am just as caught up as she is and I know it.

“Are
you sure you don’t wanna go to sound check with me?” Gray asks pulling me from my thoughts as he nuzzles my neck in the booth while Henry pays the check.

“No.  I don’t want to see Landon before the show, plus I need some girl time.”
I murmur.  My fingers twisting in his hair as he sucks a patch of skin on my neck then lightly nips with his teeth. His hands running inside my jacket, sliding under my tank top making me ache for him. “Gray…” I whisper but it comes out more like a moan.

“I know.  I know.” He says pulling back.
  He puffs out his bottom lip in the sexiest damn pout I have ever seen.

“Stop pouting Sex and Sin.” I say nipping at his lip ring. “As soon as you’re done tonight, I
’ll go have a chat with Landon then I’m all yours for three whole days until your next concert.  Whatever will we do with all that down time?”

“Lots of room service…” He says trailing his mouth along my jaw. “Plenty of naked friend time…
  I plan to have tons of naked friend time.” He nibbles along my ear. “Oh and your new list.” He says pulling back making me nearly whine as he grabs it from his back pocket. “Let’s see here…” Gray scans the list. “You have ink but can always get more if the mood hits you.  Then there’s plenty of fun to be had in Vegas Wildflower.  We’re going to have lots of fun.”

“So which song are you
singin’ tonight?” I ask hoping for a hint.

Kissing my lips he shakes his head. “No hints, except it’s for you. 
Always for you.”

“Let’s go guys.” Aiden calls from the door where he is saying bye to Cam.

Gray stands pulling me up with him. “I’ll see ya before the show baby.  Buy somethin’ hot.” I nod as he kisses me sweetly then I watch as he walks out the door with the rest of the guys. 

Walking over
, I hook an arm through Cam’s as we walk through the doors. “Well where to?” I ask since I know she grew up here.

“Down the street is a great store where we can get you in some leather and something that will show off that
tatt!  You’re not coverin’ that up.  Landon needs to see that shit!”

“I can’t just walk in there like I am perfect after everything that happened Cam!” I shriek. 

She stops on the sidewalk staring at me like I am crazy. “Oh yes you damn well will.  I told you men are visual.  If he sees that you don’t give two fucks that he flaunted shit in your face like he did then that’s only going to fuel him.  But…  If you flaunt your shit, show the world you are Grayson’s now because honey you are.” She says with a wink. “Then that will show him what he lost out on because fuck him for being so damn stupid to give you up so easily.  What did Landon expect you to do?  You have this explosive chemistry with Gray that could start wildfires.  You two are so damn hot together that I swear they’ll be fining you for contributing to Global Warming.  Landon pretty much did nothing but push you right to Gray so he has no right to complain.  Even if you walked right on stage and stuck your tongue down his throat.  Which I’d never do but hey if it turns you on go for it.”

“Speaking of which what’s the deal with you the last couple days?” I ask.

Cam immediately tenses. “What?”

“You know what I mean.  I watch while you freak out over thinking you’re
gonna strip at a club if we had lost that bet.  Then you nearly beat a bitch at the club for talking shit, which I do get that.  I totally would’ve fucked her up if she’d touched Gray.  Then though you tell me all about your relationship with Aiden while saying you’re bolting on him.  I get that you don’t want the limelight but shit Cam you have to take what you want.  You want Aiden.”

“I do w
ant Aiden” She says jerking my arm, pulling me with her as she walks. “I love him.  I want him so badly that I fuckin’ ache in my goddamn bones at the thought of leaving him.  That’s why I have to Daisy.  He cares about me but he doesn’t love me like that.  He’s my Dom or whatever label you want to slap on our pretty little box so he has to protect me, cherish me, and see to my needs.” Stopping at the edge of the road she throws her hands up in the air. “That doesn’t mean that he loves me and that most definitely doesn’t make me the woman that can take being flaunted in front of everyone as his girl while everyone falls all over him.  They lust over him all the while whispering how unworthy of him I am.  I can’t take that Daisy.  It makes me crazy to be here with him but never wholly have him.  I won’t because he isn’t ready to settle down.  Fuck I wouldn’t believe him if he said he was.”

“Well for now I’ll let you have this Cam but when you and Aiden are screaming your undying love for one another from the rooftops…” I say with a shrug. “I’m
sayin’ I told ya so.” I say nudging her with my hip. “Now when are you plannin’ the great escape?”

“I don’t know.  It was supposed to be a full month but shit is getting’ heavy.  It gets harder to leave him every day.” She chokes trying to hold back the sobs in her throat.

“Alright.” I huff knowing I have to let the subject go for now. “Let’s go get some hot shit to wear.  We have a Shaft concert to rock!” She relaxes then bumps my fist.

“Come on Daisy you have a
fuckin’ red leather mini in your future, maybe even some thigh high black boots.  Gray is in so much trouble when I’m done with you.” Cam says with a huge smile then drags me into the store.

She isn’t wrong either.  Here I am standing at the mirror in a red leather mini that barely covers my ass with a black tank top that my tits nearly jump out of because it’s cut so damn low.  Of course Cam finds the hottest damn black
boots ever.  They go all the way up to my thigh and have a four inch heel. “Gray is going to die…after he comes in his pants!” She says walking out in a cheetah print halter dress.  Cam nearly falls over as she hops from foot to foot putting on five inch silver stilettos. 

“The guys are so screwed.  We’re
goin’ to rock this shit so hard!” I say sliding on my leather jacket while the cashier runs my credit card.  Once she has our stuff bagged up, we hurry back to the hotel to get ready for tonight.

After primping f
or possibly an hour too long on top of having a dumbass for a taxi driver we finally arrive at the small arena that the guys are playing at tonight.  We really wanted to be there in time to be with them in the staging room but Vegas traffic is crazy as hell after the sun starts going down. 

Henry waves us in with a wink shows us the way down the hall to the staging area. “You ladies look beautiful.” He sa
ys opening the door for us.

“Thank you Henry.” We both say in unison.

All of the air is sucked out of the room when I meet Gray’s eyes from where he is sitting on the couch.  His gaze starts at my toes then moves seductively up to my face.  He spins his fingers in a circle so I turn for him, making him growl in approval.  I watch as he stands to his feet taking him in.  He’s wearing his tight black jeans with just a plain white t-shirt.  The sexy tattoos that I love so much are flirting with me through the thin fabric as I make my way over to him. 

“You look so
fuckin’ edible it should be a crime.” His voice oozes sex in every word making me stumble as I reach him.

“Why Sex and Sin you don’t look
so bad yourself.” I tease sliding my hands up his arms.

“Sex and Sin huh?” Hunter asks from the couch looking
Gray over carefully. “You’ve obviously never had real sex or sin if that’s what you call him.”

My eyes meet his over Gray’s shoulder. “So
Cunter how’d it go after we left last night?”

His eyes light up. “I made four hundred bucks.   Then I blew every damned cent on a hotel room,
some good booze and a red-headed bitch named Chase.  That crazy bitch stole my fuckin’ balls when she left me sleepin’ in the bed.”

“You paid her?” I ask biting my lip to keep from laughing.

Hunter laughs, “Fuck no.  I paid to get her drunk then I fucked that pussy so hard I think we broke some records.  I told her to call Guinness but she passed out after she came on my face.”

Gray turns us so that he can look at Hunter, “What the hell?”

“Bitch will never forget my name.  I’d bet anything.  Too bad I’ll never see her again.” He says scratching his chin.

Gray nuzzles my neck.  The feel of his stubble, all rough and scratchy against my skin makes my legs wobble.  Aiden and Cam are lost in their own little world in the corner. 
Aiden’s forgotten chicken wings sitting on the table in front of them while he mauls her face.

“Hunter…” I mumble. “If we
ever run into Chase again, I’ll bet you weren’t that memorable.” I say taunting him. “I bet you she won’t even remember you.”

“Oh you got a bet baby
.  Name your terms.” He says standing to his feet tossing a beer bottle into the trash can.

I
wink at Gray, “Alright then.  Hunter if I win this you have to wear a dress the next time we go to a diner.”

Hunter doubles
over in laughter, “Okay babe.  If you win you can even put makeup on me if that gets you off.”  Straightening, he meets my eyes, his face completely serious. “If I win I get a kiss.”

Gray’s eyes snap to his, “The fuck if you do.  That mouth is not
goin’ anywhere near yours asshole.”

Hunter grin spreads
wickedly, “Who said anything about kissin’ her mouth?”

“Fuck you!” Gray roars making Hunter jump back and hold up his hands in surrender.

“Just playin’ dude.  Chill the fuck out.”

“
Hunter if you win I will stock the bus with a week’s worth of bacon.  That I will cook for you.” I blurt.

Hunter’s eyes go wide, “As much as I can eat?” He asks so I just nod.  He jumps up and down like a little kid with a huge smile. “I never tell bitches I love them but I
fuckin’ love you.” Grabbing me from Gray he swings me in his arms. “Go buy that pig Daisy.  I have a Tiger lily to find.”

“Not now you don’t dickhead.” Aiden says as his phone dings. “We have to go give Vegas the Shaft.”

As usual Henry escorts Cam and I to left stage, where we take our places on our stools.  I haven’t heard anything from Landon which makes me think that he is going to dodge me.  I glance out onto the stage as I listen to the crowd chant for Shaft.  This is the biggest venue they have played but they aren’t nervous at all.  I watch as the three guys charge the stage as if they owned it.  Although in this moment they do.  Hunter’s voice surrounds us all as he sings.   The crowd goes absolutely wild when Aiden throws his shirt then dives into a drum solo.

“Aiden
motherfuckin’ Chesterfield thumpin’ the skins for you Las Vegas!” Hunter yells into the mic. “Now bend over and grab your knees babe, you’re about to get Shafted!”              

We scream
along with the audience as they rock the hell out of the show song after song.  Grayson is flawless with every chord.  Every time his eyes meet mine he winks at me grinding against his guitar.  Memories from the first night I watched him play flood my mind. I mean it’s only been almost two weeks!  So much has happened since then that I almost don’t feel like the same person.  I feel my old life slipping away almost like I am escaping into this new life I could have.  I feel like I can almost grab either one.  I can go back to the safe, secure life that I had before.  I could go home right now but what would I be leaving behind?  Do I want to go back to that or do I want the crazy, fast paced life that I could have with Gray?  My feelings for him are growing into things that I never expected. I keep pushing it out of my head but it keeps creeping back up on me more powerful each time.