Page 444 of Call Me Baby: Side

it smacks against the wall.

Music and noise crash in.

My head jerks toward the door.

Andrew turns.

It’s barback guy, from when I first walked in,

standing in the doorway,

eyes drifting from me,

to Andrew,

back to me.

His brow lifts,

a smirk spreading as he folds his arms,

leaning into the doorway.

“Jesus, Andrew. Every time I open this fuckin’ door, you’re wrist-deep in someone new.” He nudges his chin. “Don’t forget. You hogged the last one. You got five minutes before I’m knockin’ for my turn, bro. I want this one next.”

21 /BEAST OF BURDEN

THE ROLLING STONES

I freeze.

Can’t move.

Can’t speak.

Can’t even blink.

Wrist-deep. Five minutes. Next.

I think I stopped breathing somewhere between all three.

His words weren’t meant for a real person.

I’m just the skin he bounced them off of.

But it was a joke, right? He’s lying.

This guy’s pissed off I rejected him,

and now he’s stirring up shit.

Andrew’s not moving either.

His hand’s frozen on my thigh,

breath stuck in his chest,

eyes are locked on me.