Ceaseless (Existence Trilogy #3)(21)

Miranda let out a sad laugh, “I love you, Pagan.”

“I love you too,” I replied.

“Could we watch season two of The Vampire Diaries tonight and eat ice cream? I need it. The first time I think I like someone after Wyatt and this happens. It sucks,” she hiccupped.

“I’ll go get the ice cream. You dig out the DVDs.” I told her as I got down from the counter.

“I miss him, Pagan,” she sounded so sad and defeated. I didn’t have to ask whom she missed. I knew she meant Wyatt. I missed him too. But I knew her loss was completely different.

“I know. Finish your shower and I’ll be back soon with plenty of ice cream and two spoons.”

“’Kay.”

***

Miranda’s phone had finally stopped ringing. Once I’d barred the door and informed Nathan that if he came in, I would call campus security and have him arrested, he’d finally given up and left. That was two days ago. I’d been holed up in our room with Miranda ever since. We’d watched seasons one, two, and three of The Vampire Diaries. We had eaten more galloons of ice cream than should be legal. I doubted I would fit into my jeans on Monday.

I glanced back at the clock. It was after four and I knew Gee would be barging in here at any minute to get us moving. Miranda was better today. She and I had laughed most of the morning. The only thing that had caused her to frown was the ringing of her phone. It had finally stopped sometime around lunch. Either Nathan had given up or he was moving to plan B since plan A sucked. Miranda was not going to answer that phone. Sometime around lunch yesterday she’d gone from being sad to being angry. She had even barged out of the room saying she was going to get fresh air, go running and maybe flirt with some boys. I felt much better about her recovery.

The door opened and Gee stuck her head in, “You ready to be a sexy-ass groupie tonight? You’re VIP, baby,” she finished her comment with a wink.

I hadn’t seen Dank since the incident with Miranda. He’d called and texted me a few times having gotten my number and permission to call through Gee. Last night he’d even been a little naughty in his texts. I’d secretly gotten a thrill out of it but he hadn’t let it get too far. Before I got hot and bothered, he’d said goodnight and told me to go to bed so I’d be rested for tonight.

“Yeah, I’m ready, but I am not a groupie,” I replied.

“You are so a groupie. The only kind of groupie that Dank Walker will let get near him.”

Chapter Eleven

Dank

The rest of the band had crashed in the main lounge area back stage. I liked them enough but generally before a gig they had groupies with them and they got on my nerves. I could smell the sadness and disease in many of them. What human men saw as sexy often repelled me because all I could see was the soul. Their souls were weak and damaged.

I sank down on the leather sofa and propped my feet up. Pagan would be here any minute, along with Gee and Miranda who would want to meet the rest of the band. Miranda was going to be disappointed. They were just like any other rock band. They had their addictions. They thought all females worshiped them. They were everything Pagan feared I was.

A knock at the door surprised me. I figured Gee would walk right in.

“Come in,” I called out and stood up to go greet Pagan. I wanted to show her around. It wasn’t Pagan. It was a groupie I’d seen with Loose earlier. Groupies weren’t welcome in here. “You got the wrong room,” I replied sitting back down to wait on Pagan’s arrival.

“Oops,” she giggled and stepped into the room closing the door behind her. Did the girl not speak English? She also had herpes. I could smell it on her body.

“Go. Out. Now.” I ordered pointing to the door. I’d be seeing her soul again much sooner than I should if she kept the drug use up.

“Demanding. I like it when a man is the boss,” she slurred walking over toward me. Her soul was tarnished. The outward appearance had all the things humans looked for but the inside was ugly.

“This is your last warning. I’ll call security and you’ll be thrown out.” This happened once or twice a gig. It had become a game to the groupies to see if one of them was talented enough to get me to let them stay. They didn’t understand that what I saw wasn’t appealing.

“You’re a grumpy pants. I was warned before I came in here. I bet I can make you a happy pants,” she was almost to me when I moved out of her way and she stumbled forward and landed on the couch. Pulling my phone from my pocket I dialed the backstage security number.

“I got one in my room that refuses to leave. I want her out of the building.”

“On it Mr. Walker,” was the quick reply.

“Oh poo, you didn’t even let me show you how very talented I am,” She whined from her sprawled out position on the couch.

The door swung open and in walked Gee followed by Pagan and Miranda. At least I was on the other side of the room from the half-dressed girl laying out on the couch like she was waiting on me.

“Do I need to call security?” Gee asked as she looked over at the girl whose damaged soul was also the only thing Gee saw.

“Already did. I’m waiting on him to come pick her up.” I replied stepping around her to reach out and take Pagan’s hand.

Before her memory loss Pagan had seen this before. During the time my fans knew I had a girlfriend it had gotten worse. We made a game out of it. Pagan would guess how many girls we’d have break into my room before the show. Now, she just looked concerned.