Rise (Rock God 1)

Jason just stares at her as if she’s some sort of genius. I look at her smug face and then at Axel who starts strumming his guitar.

“You kidding me? That’s it? That’s all you’re saying to her?” I ignore Jason who’s laughing.

Axel grabs the baby powder for his hands. “Dude, relax. She’s seven. She doesn’t understand what those gashes are talking about.”

My hands clench because this is fucked up. “Axel. She needs friends her own age, not this shit.” I motion to the crying mess of Stephanie and her posse.

Axel looks at me and Gia who is sticking her tongue out at me. “Knock it off, Gia. What happened to your blond-haired friend… Katie?”

“You mean Kelly. Her mom won’t let her come over if Mommy isn’t here. Apparently, she thinks you’re scary.” She rolls her eyes.

Axel frowns as if this is a shock to him. It dawns on me that there is a reason Axel is Axel. He’s completely out of touch. Either that or he doesn’t care. Which is fine for him, but he’s allowing Gia to become exactly like him.

He does one loud strum, nodding his head as he smirks. “Well, fuck her then.”

“Christ.” I shake my head and glance down at Gia who stares at me victorious. “Go play in your room,” I snarl.

“You’re not the boss of me, and I’ll never be like those girls, crying because you don’t love them. When I grow up, I know you’re gonna love me the best,” she announces, spins around, and walks back to the girls.

“Fucking Brat.” I take another deep swig of Jack.

“Granger, you did this, man.” Axel glides his hand up and down the neck of his guitar. “Wrap. It. Up. That’s what we all do. That’s what you didn’t do.” He stares at me as I fight the urge to throw the bottle against one of the walls.

“And leave Gia out of this. My sister is fine.” He starts to strum and tune his guitar.

I nod, the blood pumping in my temples. “Fuck this.” Just one day it would be nice if I could play my music and not have drama. As long as I can remember, drama has followed me. My mom, and then the girls, and now this. I look around the garage and take a deep breath. Everything seems to be pressing down on my chest like a fucking heart attack that takes away your breath.

“Skylar?” I bark at the one David says has piercings. She looks up and smiles as she pushes off the wall.

I’m done trying to be good, or even trying to be understanding. I’m not perfect, but I don’t deserve all this shit either. I take her hand, ignoring the shriek from Stephanie. Her loud cursing in my direction is lost on me.

Stephanie’s right. I’m bad luck, but I don’t care. I drag Skylar across the street, my head swimming with music. It starts soft, and by the time I have Skylar pushed up against the back door of my house, it’s pounding and vibrating through my head.

I take her lips. This is what I am, and I’m done feeling guilty about it.

I might be the worst, but at least I own my shit. I should have a warning tattooed on me. Because they all deserve better.

I thrust my tongue into Skylar’s willing mouth and groan at the large barbell that twirls and fucks my mouth.

I pull back and look at her flushed face. “What?” She cocks her head and smiles.

I lean down to murmur in her ear. “I’m gonna fuck you.”

“Okay.” She shudders, excitement radiating off her.

“Then after I’ve blown my load…” Her chest is rising and falling in somewhat of a pant. “You’re gonna pierce my cock.” She puffs out some air and looks down at my erection. Reaching to grab it, she rubs it hard.

“Absolutely.”

GIA

Past – Eighteen years old

UC Berkeley, California

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Julianna, my roommate and bestie, flops down on her bed and looks at me.

“What are you talking about? This is the opportunity of a lifetime.” I pivot and reach up for a pile of jeans, then toss them into my suitcase.

“I can’t believe you actually pulled this off.” She lies down, resting her head on her hand as she watches me pack.

“Jul, I’m kind of insulted that you doubted me.” I shoot her a glare as she laughs, falls onto her back, and stares up at the ceiling.

“Rhys Granger. The Stuffed Muffins. This is crazy.” Her long blond hair covers most of the pillow, and for one small second, I’m grateful that I’m the only one going. Not that I think Rhys would be into her, but Julianna is beautiful. What’s wrong with me? I never feel like this.

“Hello? Gia?” My eyes focus and I realize she’s holding my cell phone, which is playing “Lost in You,” the Stuffed Muffins’ latest hit.