Rise (Rock God 1)

“This is actual footage of the Rome concert yesterday.” She sounds bubbly, excited.

“How is this up?” I say, because seriously this looks like Sebastian’s stuff. It’s up close and clean, not gritty like a fan shot it from below.

“Shhh, you’re gonna miss the best part.” Dolly cuddles up with me as my heart skips at what I hear next.

“Fuck you, Gia.”

Dolly pauses it. “I’ve got goose bumps.” She lifts her arm so I can see them.

I have to hear it again.

“Fuck you, Gia. One. Two. Three. Four.”

I bite my bottom lip as the dreaded tears I’ve been holding back spill and I hear his voice sing.

Smoke and whiskey, I can almost smell him as he grabs the microphone.

Baby, I don’t want to see you cryin’. But I can’t live without your love. This hunger that eats me up, only your lips can cure. Ammo’s guitar comes in hard and fast as it builds. I make everyone bleed. But that’s nothing compared to my heart. It bleeds for you.

It’s strong and powerful. And mine beats for yours. Nuke’s drums add the beat, and I’m mesmerized as I watch the magic.

It beats for you. Dolly’s hand takes mine, hers warm, mine cold as I watch him fucking destroy me with his voice and words.

Let me match your breathing; let me steal your breath, rest my racing mind. For this moment, I’m at peace. I can’t make you love me. I can’t control your heart. But baby, mine is yours. It beats for you. It beats for you.

The crowd starts chanting “beats for you.” Like someone addicted to pain, I swipe my finger to go back to the beginning.

“There’s been a lot of talk lately about my personal life. Shit that means nothing. But this meant something. I wrote it for another, but it belongs to you.” I jump when another video comes on of him. And I hand the phone back to her as I sit and smoke, the room filled with his black magic as all three of us can’t help but hear his voice in our heads.

“Well?” Dolly says.

“Well, what? That video means nothing, except that he’s drunk and wrote a song to me, then gave it to his real true love: his fans.”

“Snap out of it.” She claps her hands in my face. “You love him, he loves you.” She holds the phone up. “That was hot, and you know it.”

I clear my throat and wipe under my eyes. “He’s a rock star. I will agree he’s beautiful, but it’s way more complicated. I can’t always be worried he’s cheating or getting someone pregnant or dealing with his fans and the band—”

“Please. Welcome to our world. Why do you think I fucking stabbed Edge?” Dolly waves her hands, then leans back and crosses her legs like that’s a normal thing.

“Dolly?” We both jump as Eve walks in and looks at all three of us.

“You showed her?” She puts her hands on her hips.

“Of course I did. It’s freaking hot,” Dolly retorts.

“Are you okay, Gia? We all agreed to let you see it after the wedding.” Her eyes narrow on Dolly who answers for me.

“She’s fine.” Dolly turns to me and frowns. “Well, she will be.” She rubs my shoulder as I shake my head and stand.

“At least I know why you guys were looking at me weird.”

“We were not looking at you weird,” Eve says, shaking her head at Cindy who keeps staring at the wall in front of her.

“Let’s go. They’re ready to make a toast, and brunch was already served, plus they’ll be cutting the cake soon.” Eve motions for us.

“Let me fix your eyes.” Dolly stands and grabs my hand.

“Cindy? You coming?” We all look down at her.

“In a minute,” she says to the wall, then turns and looks at me.

“Stop it, Cindy. You’re definitely cut off. I’m serious.” Dolly frowns at her, then pulls me as we follow Eve.

“We need to get Charlie to handle Cindy,” Dolly states.

“Agreed. What is she on?” Eve hesitates. “Which one is the bathroom again? This house is huge.”

“That’s it.” Dolly points to the far door. “I know she’s on a new antidepressant. You think it’s that along with the alcohol?” she whispers, already digging inside her giant purse. She pulls out her makeup bag as Eve opens the door.

Only it’s not the bathroom.

We all three stop in horror. I think I scream, or maybe it’s Eve, but Julianna’s eyes pop open. Her blond hair and pink dress are like a flare alerting us. That, and their loud groans, along with her legs wrapped around Ryder’s waist as he fucks her against the bedroom wall.

“Holy fuckkk.” Dolly drops her bag with a loud thud.

Julianna screams.

Ryder doesn’t even seem bothered. He keeps thrusting, snarling for us to get the fuck out. I go to back up only to bump into a pale-faced Cindy.