A Dose of Pretty Poison: Chapter 21

I have to admit, I’m a fucking asshole.

It could have been the alcohol. The age-old saying about a drunk mind speaking a sober heart or whatever the damn thing is. But that’s not an excuse. Arguing with Laiken, on her birthday of all days, was uncalled for.

The next day, when I found her in the kitchen before Cam woke up, I apologized for it. She didn’t seem to mind, but I did. She deserves so much better than a prick like me. And if she knew that, she would run.

But she stays—and I’m too selfish to tell her to leave.

Pulling up to Mali’s house, I check to make sure I have everything we need. The concert is an hour and a half away, and if we have to turn around for any reason, we risk missing it.

Tickets? In the glovebox.

ID? In my wallet.

Bottles of water in the cooler for the drive home, when her throat hurts from singing along? In the back seat.

The front door opens, and Laiken comes out. She looks amazing, but that’s nothing new. She’s wearing a pair of jeans and a crop top, with some boho jewelry on her head. The flip flops aren’t exactly what I’d recommend for a concert, but if it becomes a problem, I’ll just let her jump on my back.

“Hey, you,” I greet her, kissing her the moment she’s close enough.

She melts into me and smiles as I pull away. “Hey.”

The lip gloss she has on brings all my attention to her mouth—instantly catapulting me into the other night. Honestly, I thought I was going to have to walk her through it. After all, the last time she tried, she told me to teach her, but I was too eager to be inside of her.

She proved me wrong though, sucking me off and choking on me like she needed it as much as I did. I’m never going to settle down, but fuck. The way she wrapped her lips around my cock had me mentally writing my damn vows.

“Wait!” Mali calls, flying out the front door.

Laiken cringes. “Shit. Run!”

My brows furrow as Laiken goes around me and tries jumping into my truck, but Mali catches up before I can even process what’s going on.

“Laiken Rose, you get out here and let me take your picture!” Mali demands, like a soccer mom on the first day of practice.

Laiken’s eyes close as she exhales. She climbs out of the truck, grumbling under her breath the whole time. Meanwhile, Mali looks like she enjoys nothing more than embarrassing the shit out of her.

“Last time you ever try trapping me in my closet,” Mali tells her with a dark look.

A bark of laughter shoots out of me. “You did what?”

Laiken sighs. “You’ll see why.”

“What?” Mali asks. “It’s just one picture. It’s your first date together. It needs to be memorialized.”

My lips press into a line, and Laiken gives me an I told you so look.

“Mali, I don’t—”

“Yeah, I know,” she interrupts, waving me off. “This isn’t a date. You two are just messing around. It’s not serious. Blah, blah blah. I know all the lies you’re telling yourself. But I’m just going to take the picture, and you can thank me for it later, ’kay?”

Laiken grinds her teeth together. “Mali!”

“Smile pretty, darling,” Mali coos, holding up her phone.

If I know anything, it’s that fighting with Mali is pointless. It’s only going to delay us. She’s still going to get her way, so we may as well give it to her.

I put my arm around Laiken and pull her in next to me.

“You don’t have to—” she starts, but I don’t let her continue.

“Just smile.”

We both grin, letting Mali take pictures until she feels satisfied. When she’s done, Laiken glares at her then climbs back into the truck and shuts the door.

I, on the other hand, step closer to Mali. It may be stupid, showing my cards to the one person who would use them against me if it meant making her best friend happy, but right now I can’t find it in me to care.

“Let me see them.”

She hands me her phone, and I scroll through the pictures. Once I pick out the best one, I send it to myself. The vibration in my pocket tells me I received it.

“Thanks,” I tell her, handing her phone back.

A smug grin appears on her face. “Nice. Very messing around of you.”

I flip her off as I walk away and over to the driver’s side of my truck. When I get in, Laiken is looking at me curiously.

“What was that about?” she asks.

Leaning over, I kiss her just because I can. “Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. You have your ID?”

“Yes,” she answers. “We should stop by the police department. My cop friend would be so proud of me.”

I chuckle. “Maybe next time.”

As I put the truck in drive, my phone vibrates once more. I pull it out of my pocket to see a second message from Mali. And when I open it, it’s a picture of the kiss I just gave her with a small note underneath.

I roll my eyes and save both photos, then type out my response.

“Everything okay?” Laiken questions.

I nod, slipping my phone back into my pocket. “Yep. Ready to go see Thomas Rhett?”

“Yes,” she says, beaming. “I have a playlist made for the ride there and everything.”

It takes everything I have not to cringe. Nothing against him. I’m sure he’s great. Country music just isn’t my thing. But it makes Laiken happy, and that is my thing, so I smile happily and pull out onto the road.

“Sounds great, babe.”

THE WHOLE HOUR AND a half ride is spent in the best way possible—listening to Laiken sing along to the music, cracking jokes with each other, and laughing. I think that’s part of why I can’t seem to get enough, no matter how much I’m around her. She has this way of making me feel like I’m hanging out with one of my best friends. There’s no judgment, no anxiety. It’s just us, enjoying our time together.

The only lull in the drive is when she starts talking about what her, Mali, and Monty got up to yesterday. Apparently, Mr. Moneybags had the brilliant idea of bringing them to lunch at one of the most expensive places in town, followed by a shopping spree where Laiken bought the outfit she’s wearing. I have half a mind to ask if she’s the one that paid, or if he did, but the last thing I want right now is to start an argument.

We pull into the parking lot, and I show my pass to the gate attendant. She scans it, telling me which way to go. The whole place is swarmed with people decked out in country attire. Seriously, if you’re looking for a guy in a cowboy hat or a girl in boots, just come to one of these things. You’re practically guaranteed to leave happy.

We’re directed into a parking spot, and I put the truck in park, turning to Laiken. The smile on her face almost makes me second guess what I’m about to say, but I have to. She’s not going to like it, and I will hate to wipe that smile off her face, but just being here is a risk in itself.

“Listen,” I tell her softly. “We have to be careful. And by careful, I mean no PDA.”

Sure enough, she stops smiling to roll her eyes and sigh. “We’re literally over an hour and a half away, and Cam is all the way back in Calder Bay.”

“I know, but someone else might be here. He’s a popular performer.”

Leaning over the center console, she kisses me softly and then grabs the door handle. “There are so many points I could make right now, but fine. No PDA.”

“Thank you,” I say, but what she doesn’t know is that there’s a part of me that hates the idea too.

THE SEATS ARE AMAZING, right in the middle of center stage and as close as we can be without being in the pit. Laiken looks around in awe as she takes everything in. Watching her and seeing the wonder in her eyes, I’m already mentally kicking myself for the no PDA rule.

I bought the tickets thinking she would take Mali with her. The two of them are constantly blasting his music in Mali’s car. I pictured them both driving here, all dolled up, and having the time of their lives as they jumped around and sang along. But as much as I may have fought against coming with her, I’m really glad I’m here to see this.

No matter what show is put on that stage tonight, it won’t even compare to the view beside me.

OKAY, I HAVE A confession.

I don’t completely hate the concert.

The crowd goes wild when he comes out, and they only seem to get louder as they sing along to every song. Laiken sways with the music, her mouth moving with each word. And as he starts singing “Craving You,” I feel her hand brush against mine.

It’s not completely breaking the rules, but it’s walking the line. Still, I can’t find it in me to stop her, even as her fingers tangle with mine. Since the second we left my truck, I’ve wanted to touch her again. To feel her body pressed against mine.

As I listen to the lyrics, I realize exactly why she chose this song to test my limits. Every single word is spot on—hitting its mark dead in the center. It’s exactly how I feel about her.

I make a mental note to add it to my playlist later.

The playlist she’ll never know exists if I have anything to say about it.

While the concert goes on and he moves into another song, I notice the guys on the other side of Laiken keep looking over at her. If the way they glance between the two of us is anything to go by, they’re trying to find out if we’re together or not.

And if there’s anything that will get me to break all my damn rules, it’s a couple pricks checking out my girl.

Without second guessing myself, I slip my hand into her back pocket—pressing a kiss to the top of her head and glaring at the guys who can’t seem to realize the stage is in front of them. Laiken is too into the concert to know anything is going on, or that I’m staking a claim I don’t actually have, but I feel much better as they realize she’s not free game and take their attention off her.

And since I’ve already damned my own rule to hell, I may as well enjoy it.

I move her so she’s standing in front of me and wrap my arms around her waist. She leans back against me, acting like it’s no big deal, but the pink tint to her cheeks tells a different story.

OUT OF ALL THE things I expected tonight, getting metaphorically punched in the chest by another one of his songs was not on the list. But as he starts singing “Marry Me,” that’s exactly what happens.

The whole time, I can’t stop picturing it.

Laiken in a white dress, clutching a bouquet with one hand and her dad’s arm with the other.

Her hair done all nice with a veil placed perfectly on top.

And her walking down the aisle to someone who isn’t me.

Just the thought alone puts a pit in the middle of my stomach. It’s not like I wouldn’t be there. Her brother is my best friend. Even if she tried not to invite me, there would be no excuse she could give him.

I’d have no choice but to stand there and watch as she promises to spend the rest of her life with someone who probably won’t even realize just how lucky he is.

And it would absolutely fucking destroy me.

The song comes to an end, and I find myself pulling Laiken in impossibly closer. I know there may be a time where that becomes my reality. I’d be naive to think she’ll just be happy with our situationship forever. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to take advantage of the time when she is mine.

It’s everything I’m going to hold onto when she goes off and finds her prince charming, and I’m left remembering the girl who made me feel things I didn’t know existed.

THE CONCERT COMES TO an end, and it’s all going too smoothly. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, good luck is not something I have. It’s never on my side, like the universe enjoys laughing at my misfortune. So, it’s no surprise when Laiken wants to stop at the merch stand before we leave and the girl beside me starts crossing boundaries she should really avoid.

“You should get that hat,” she says, pointing to a gray and blue snapback. “It would look really good on you.”

“Thanks,” I say dismissively. “I’ll think about it.”

Hints must not be her strong suit, because she giggles and grabs my arm. “I’m serious. How about this, we’ll trade. I’ll do the world a favor and buy you the hat, and you give me your phone number in return.”

There is literally no part of me that’s interested. Don’t get me wrong, she’s attractive, but she’s not my focus right now. And the one who is looks ready to level this chick.

“Thank you,” I tell her, trying not to be rude. “But I’ll pass.”

Removing my arm from her grip, I walk away and pull Laiken with me before she really does get arrested this time. There’s an obvious shift in her mood, and maybe I shouldn’t ask her about it, but it’s a long ride home—one that will only be longer if it’s spent in silence.

Besides, we’ve had a good night. Why let something as small as this ruin it?

Laiken is walking a couple steps ahead of me when I stop her by grabbing her hand. She turns around, looking at me expectantly but saying nothing.

“What’s wrong?” I question, even though I know the answer.

I need to hear it from her, but she’s not going to make it easy on me.

“Nothing,” she lies.

“Come on,” I plead, pulling her closer. “Just talk to me.”

She shakes her head and looks anywhere but at me, and it strikes a nerve. If it were her asking me, she would press until she got the answer. So that’s exactly what I plan on doing.

“I’d really rather not spend the entire drive home with you pissed at me.”

Her eyes roll as she scoffs. “Fine. I’ll take an Uber then.”

Spinning on her heels, she takes out her phone and goes to walk away but I stop her. No way in hell is she getting in a car with some random ass driver and expecting them to take her the hour and a half home instead of to some abandoned building they run a sex trafficking ring out of.

Plucking her phone out of her grasp only angers her more, but I don’t care. She’s going to talk to me whether she likes it or not.

“Give me my phone,” she demands.

“No. Not until you tell me what’s wrong.”

“You know what’s wrong!” Her voice carries enough for people to look over at us, but that’s not my concern right now.

Feeling embarrassed, she turns to walk away, but I didn’t let her before and I’m still not going to now.

“Stop,” I growl. “Just tell me what the hell I did that has you all pissed off.”

“I don’t know, H,” she snaps. “Maybe it has to do with the girl that was just all over you.”

I snort at her choice of words. “She touched my arm. That hardly qualifies as all over me.”

But she’s not amused. “Whatever. Call it what you want. I didn’t like her hitting on you.”

Smiling the same way she did the night of her birthday, I raise my brows at her. “Now who’s the jealous one?”

“Says the guy who literally set another guy’s number on fire,” she counters.

“That was different. I didn’t like him.”

“Well, I don’t like her.”

What? “Why not?”

She throws her hands in the air. “Because she hit on you! Keep up!”

Laughter bubbles out of me, but Laiken clearly doesn’t find it funny. She turns away from me, and when I try to come closer, she pushes me away from her. It’s the first time she’s ever done that, and I hope it’s the last, because I don’t like it.

There are enough people telling me I shouldn’t be anywhere near her, me included. I don’t need her saying it, too.

“Come on,” I say hopelessly. “What did you want me to say? Sorry, don’t touch me because my secret girlfriend is right there mentally burning you alive?”

She tries to hold onto her bad mood, but it quickly dissipates as she smirks. It’s such a fast shift that it threatens to give me whiplash. And the way she looks at me has me questioning what the hell changed in the last three seconds.

“What?” I ask.

Taking her bottom lip between her teeth, she can’t seem to contain herself. “You just called me your girlfriend.”

Of course she caught that.

I don’t even think it’s the first time I’ve done it, but it is the first time I’ve done it out loud. By all definitions of the word, she is my girlfriend. It’s not like I’ve even thought about hooking up with someone else from the moment we started blurring the lines between us. But even with as happy as it makes her, I can’t help it.

I need to fuck with her about it, especially after the argument we just had.

“Yeah,” I say, pretending to be confused. “You’re a girl who is my friend.”

The smile drops right off her face, and she goes to storm away, but I expected it. Hell, she’s done it enough in the last five minutes alone.

Not giving a shit anymore, I grab her wrist and pull her back. She spins around and crashes into my chest, looking up just in time for me to kiss her in the middle of the crowd.

She gasps against my mouth, but I use it as an opportunity to deepen the kiss. Her tongue moves against mine as my fingers lace into her hair to hold her in place. It’s everything I need after that argument. Even as short as it was, every single second was miserable.

I can add her not wanting to be around me to the list of things I can’t seem to handle.

As we break the kiss to catch our breath, I keep my forehead against hers.

“You may not have the title, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re the only one who has my attention.”

She smiles and goes to kiss me again, but just as her lips brush against mine, someone clears their throat.

My first thought is Cam, and I mentally ask God for forgiveness. If I’m about to die, now’s the time to do it. But as we look over at the culprit, we find Monty standing there, looking disapproving and heartbroken all at the same time.

Something tells me this isn’t going to go over well.