Chapter 6

Richie was unusually quiet as they boarded the now up-and-running tour bus. He had feigned sleep when the guys got back so he didn’t have to endure the inquisition he was sure to get from Jon about Billie.  He had waited til the last possible second to drag himself from the lumpy mattress to the bus to avoid the rest of his friends as well.  Now, they were halfway to wherever the next stop was and Jon dropped into the seat next to him.

“So, you gonna stop avoiding me and tell me what happened last night?”

“No.”  Richie continued to stare sightlessly out the window.  He wasn’t quite sure how to explain the fact that he wished the bus hadn’t been fixed.  Or how to tell Jon he wanted to be able to spend more than one night with a girl so he could get to know her a little better than just her name and what her tits and pussy looked like before taking off to the next city to do it all over again.

“Come on man” Jon elbowed Richie.  “You always want to talk about your sex-capades.  Why not this time?  She didn’t look like she’d be a bad lay.  And if her mouth was any indication, I’d bet she gave great head too.”

Richie whipped his head from the window to his friend’s face, “shut up.”

Jon shrugged.  “So what’s the problem?  Don’t tell me you couldn’t get it up.  The King of Swing couldn’t swing?  What is the world coming to?”

He shoved Jon, nearly knocking him off the seat.  “Shut the fuck up already.  That wasn’t a problem.  Believe me, it was all good last night.  All good.”

Jon settled himself back against the seat, “so what has you all pissy this morning?  You got your period or something?”

“No” exasperation colored his voice.  “I’m fine.”  He looked out the window again, “do you ever think about actually getting to know a girl?  Keeping one around for longer than one night?”

Jon’s lip curled up into a smirk and he shook his head lightly.  His friend had fallen for that little blonde waitress.  She wasn’t just an easy lay.  That was the problem here.  “Who has time for a relationship man?  We’re in and out of every city so damn fast there’s no way to get into anything more serious than a quick fuck back stage.”

Richie sighed.  “But do you ever think about it man?  About finding that one someone special?”

“Maybe there’ll be time some day, but-” he stopped at the commotion that was coming from the back of the bus.  “What the fuck is Alec doing now?”

Jon and Richie stood, taking careful steps toward the ruckus. 

“Jesus, dammit.  Ouch, what the hell you bitch. I need that hand and arm to play.  Fuck!”

They found Alec on his knees, his arm shoved up behind him and Billie standing over him.  “Don’t ya ever touch me again ya little weasel.”  She tightened her grip and he winced.

“Stop fucking pulling on my arm goddammit!”

Jon and Richie joined David and Tico.  “What the hell is she doing here?”  None of the men had an answer.

Richie was dumfounded.  How the heck had she gotten on the bus?  Why was she on the bus?  What the hell had Alec done to her?

He waded between the guys and laid his hand over Billie’s.  “Billie, darlin’, what are you doing here?”

She blew out a breath, ruffling her bangs.  “Right now I’m trying not ta kill your bass player.”

He stroked his fingers over her hand and up her arm, “let him go darlin’.  He’ll behave.”  He glared down at Alec.  “Won’t you?”

Alec shook his head.  “Yeah, sure.”  Right now he’d say whatever it took to get her off of him.

Richie looked over to Jon.  “Take him back up front man.”

Billie loosened her grip and gave him a shove, sending Alec over onto his face on the floor.  “Creep.”  She folded her arms across her chest and stood there watching, waiting.

He stood and made to lunge at her, but Jon caught him and dragged him back out of the way.  “Come on man, let it go.  You ain’t gonna hit a girl.”

“What the hell is she doin’ here anyway?”

Jon shook his head.  He had no idea.  He looked over at Richie, “figure this out man, quick.  Doc ain’t gonna like this.”  He nudged Alec and they disappeared.

Richie turned to face Billie.  She still had her arms folded across her chest, but she was shaking now too.  “Are you okay?” 

She nodded her head and rubbed her arms up and down.  Her adrenaline was fading away, leaving behind the fear she had felt when Alec had discovered her stowed away on the bus.  “I’m fine.”

He could see she wasn’t.  He wrapped his arms around her and dragged them both down to sit on one of the bunks.  “What happened Billie, why are you here?”

“I just needed a ride Rich.”  She rested her head on his shoulder.  “I needed to get out of that Diner, away from that one-horse town.  I’m going nowhere there.  My cousin owns the garage so I went over there first thing this morning, unlocked the bus and hid myself away.”  She hadn’t been planning on Alec finding her though.  She shuddered at the thought.

Richie rubbed his hands up and down her back.  “It’s okay darlin’.  Alec’s gonna leave you alone now.  You shouldn’t have hid on the bus though Billie.”

She sat up, “I know, but I didn’t know what else to do.  Please don’t make me go back.  I just want to get to New York.  I know I can find work there and start making things happen for myself.”  She peered up at Richie through the fringe of her bangs.  “Please?”

Jon walked back in time to catch the end of her story.  “Why didn’t you just buy a bus ticket like normal folks do?”

She met Jon’s angry gaze.  “Because the bus don’t come through town every day.  I woulda had to wait another two weeks for the chance to get out of there.”

She got off Richie’s lap and grabbed her bag.  It was obvious to her that Jon didn’t want to help her out.  “Look, I’m sorry I hid on your bus.  If you want to stop and drop me wherever, that’s fine, I can take care of myself.  I’ll figure something out.”

Richie stood and dragged Jon back toward the bathroom.  “Look man, she just wants to get to New York.  Can’t we let her ride with us that far?  I know Doc’s gonna have a cow but come on, we can’t leave her out here in the middle of no where.”

Jon was shaking his head.  Doc was gonna have a coronary.  “You tell Doc.  I’m not taking the shit for this one.  This is all you.”  He turned to Billie, “you can stay.  Just stay away from Alec.  He’s ready to break your arm or something.”   He stalked back to the front of the bus.

Richie pulled Billie to sit down on the bunk again.  “You sure are one tough little girl Billie.”

She flipped her hair over her shoulder.  “In case you’ve forgotten last night already, I’m not a little girl.”

He shook his head and smiled, no way had he forgotten that.  “What are you going to do in New York?”

She smiled brightly, “make my mark, Richie.  I’m gonna be a star.”

He held her closer, he had no doubt she was right.

***

Chapter 5

Was it good for you? Was she kidding? It had been fucking amazing. The best blow job he’d had to date.


Richie hauled her close, his mouth a mere breath from hers. “Fucking incredible.” His lips slid over hers, nibbling lightly before diving in for the full kiss. Her lips were still slightly swollen from pleasuring him and she tasted faintly of him. It didn’t bother him. In fact, he kind of liked it.


It was his turn to explore and discover. While his mouth learned every nook of hers, his hands cupped her lace covered breasts. They were a perfect fit for his palms. Sliding his fingers around her sides, he flicked open the catch and dropped the white lace to the floor. He pulled his mouth from hers so he could look at the treasure he had uncovered. “God damn, you’re gorgeous.”


She smiled and wound her arms around his neck, her mouth seeking his out once again. She had been right earlier. His lips were as soft as they looked. And he tasted amazing. She groaned into him as his hands moved over her. Those long fingers of his were teasing the hard points of her nipples; the echoing ache in her womb had her hips arching to his.


His lips left hers, traveling the long line of her neck, nipping cross her chest. Dipping lower, he circled one pretty pink nipple with his tongue, teasing it endlessly before finally sucking it into his mouth.


Her head dropped back, banging against the locker.


At the loud noise, Richie let her breast go and looked up at her and then he took a glance around the room. “Maybe we should move over there” he indicated to the small loveseat against the far wall.


She nodded and followed him the few steps it took to cross the room. Standing in front of the dingy love seat Richie dropped to his knees, hooking those long fingers of his into the lacy strings at her hips. Slowly he slid the white lace down her slim hips, uncovering the rest of his treasure. Letting the lace fall to her feet he once again had to thank the God above for the bus breaking down. She was blonde all over and that had him hard and ready to go again.


Feeling his warm breath against her thigh she looked down. He was just staring at her. “Are ya all right?” she whispered.


He raised his eyes to hers, the brown so dark and intense. “You are so fucking beautiful Billie.” He pressed kisses to the soft skin of her abdomen, dipping his tongue into the tiny dimple of her navel. Sitting back on his heels his lips slid lower, his breath fluttering the soft hair that hid her from him.


She mewed softly and had to brace a hand on the wall and widen her stance as his tongue and lips explored.


His hands slid up to her hips, his thumbs dipping in between to open her to him. His tongue found her clit and worried it mercilessly. Her knees threatened to buckle and he tightened his grip on her hips, holding her steady. Easing up, he stroked her lightly, slipping inside, fucking her with his tongue.


Billie dropped her head back, her fingertips white where they pressed against the wall and she groaned against the onslaught of pleasure he was flooding her with. Her free hand wound into his hair, and as his tongue found its way to her clit once again her hips bucked against him and his name was a blessed cry from her lips as she came.


Lessening his grip on her hips he took her hand from his hair. “Come down here darlin’.” Slowly he helped her settle on his thighs, his cock standing tall and proud between them.


Leaning back, she fished around for his jeans. “You have a condom, right?” She wanted him so damn bad she almost didn’t care, but she wasn’t that reckless.


He grabbed the pants from her and dug into a pocket. He held up the foil packet, “always have one darlin’.”


She took it from his fingers. “Let me?”


He nodded and watched, biting back his own low groan as her fingers slid the rubber down his rigid length. Catching her hands in his he helped lever her up over him and slowly she slid down, taking every last inch of him. He closed his eyes against the intense pleasure of being inside her warm, wet, tight pussy. It was the closest thing to heaven he could imagine.


With her hands on his shoulders, she rolled her hips, undulating against him as she moved. She dropped her head back, purring as she rode him.


He watched her move, her tits bouncing right in front of him. Leaning in he took one pretty pink nipple in his mouth, sucking lightly. Her movements sped up and he was sure she was going to cum again. Letting her nipple go he grabbed her hips again, slowing her down before easing her to her back on the floor.


On his knees with her legs draped over his forearms, couldn’t help but watch as he slid from her body and then slowly entered her again. He could see her getting wetter with each thrust. Looking up he nearly lost all control. Her breasts were bouncing enticingly with each of his thrusts and she was unabashedly watching him. He decided to push her, see just how far she would go. Taking her hand he trailed down her body, resting it just above her mound. “Touch yourself baby. I know you’re almost there, do it for me.”


Never taking her eyes from his her fingers slid down, stroking him as he moved in her before slipping up to circle her clit. The closer she got, the quicker her fingers moved. “Rich” she groaned and bucked her hips to his.


He took that as his sign and he drove into her hard, each push of his hips pounded her into the floor and her scream of release echoed around them and mingled with his hoarse groan.


Laying half on her, he turned his head and pressed his lips to her shoulder. “Damn Billie.”


She ran her fingers up and down his back as she tried to pry her eyes open, “you can say that again. Holy shit.”


He chuckled and moved, rolling over to his back then getting to his feet. “That floor is hard darlin’.” He held out his hand, “let me help you up.”


Taking his hand she stood, “thanks.” She stepped around him, picking up her uniform and tucking it into her bag to take home. She rolled down her stockings, dropping them in with her uniform. “We should get out of here Rich. If someone sees the lights still on they’ll wonder what’s going on.”


He nodded and went to take care of the condom and washed his hands. When he came back she was dressed in the tightest jeans he had seen outside a concert and she was pulling a brush through her hair. He almost wished the bus wouldn’t be fixed in the morning. With a quiet sigh he grabbed his jeans and t-shirt off the floor.

Chapter 4

The pink polyester slid from her shoulders and pooled at her feet. Richie scanned her slowly from ankle to shoulder, thanking God and everyone else he could think of for the bus breaking down that day. She was all creamy skin in white lace, garters and stockings. He never would have guessed that this is what her uniform had covered. She was like some sort of erotic barbie come to life. And she was all his. At least for tonight anyway.

Letting out a low whistle, he took a step forward. She could have been a centerfold in Playboy or Penthouse or any of a number of other magazines. “Darlin’ you should not be working here. Your picture should be in magazines or something.”

Blushing, she dipped her head slightly, “well, I don’t know about the magazines, but you’re right about not working here.” She held out her hand, “let’s not talk about that now though, okay?”

He nodded and took her hand, “whatever you want darlin’.” He dipped his head and, finally, finally he got a taste of those luscious pink lips. She was as sweet as he hoped, and there, he thought as he angled his head slightly, there was the heat he knew would be lurking at the edges.

Taking a step as her flavor flooded his senses, he pressed her against the locker, dragging her thigh up to his hip, grinding against her where they stood. He was so hard he was sure his dick was going to burst out of his pants on its own.

Her body arched and she pressed against Richie’s chest when her back hit the cool metal. He was all heat and long lines against her. Her hands slid under his shirt, pushing it up, forcing him pull to his mouth from hers to tug it off. She roamed his surprisingly smooth chest, her fingers ruffling the few hairs he had there; worrying the tight, male nipples, circling them with a fingertip.

His quiet, impatient groan tickled her and she slid her hands up and over his shoulders, tracing circles on his hard biceps. His skin was hot and his tan lingered, or maybe that was just his natural skin tone, it didn’t really matter. God he was nothing like those other boys she had been with. He was all man and he was hers for the night. Lowering her leg she slithered down to her knees; her mouth leaving a hot trail from his nipples to his navel.

He braced himself against the locker, hands widespread so he could look down and watch how she was slowly killing him. Her warm breath and soft lips were going to have him cumming in his jeans if she didn’t hurry the fuck up already. When her tongue dipped into his navel he nearly lost it. “Darlin’…” he didn’t get to finish the thought. Her mouth moved lower, nibbling along the hard length of him trapped behind the heavy denim.

She purred against him, thrilled at his size. But could she take him all in her mouth? She was going to find out. As she nuzzled him, her hands roamed down his long legs and back up to finger his button and zipper. Looking up her excitement kicked up a notch, clearly she was driving him as crazy as he’d made her that afternoon.

Watching her through hooded eyes, his hands curled into fists against the locker trying not to just rip his pants open and bury his cock in her mouth. He didn’t know what it was about this little blonde beauty, but she was making him ten kinds of crazy. He opened his mouth to say something and then stopped and his whole body went very still. Her tongue was teasing his head where it had pushed itself out of his jeans and the click of his zipper seemed as loud as his heartbeat.

Before he could take a breath, her mouth was all around him. The flat of her tongue hugged him as she slid him further into her mouth. Would she be able to take all of him? He hadn’t found a woman who could yet, and it wasn’t for lack of trying. He blew out a low string of curses as her mouth moved again, his head knocking at the back of her throat.

Relaxing her jaw and her throat she took him as far as she thought she could. Christ there was so much of him. Sliding her head back she wrapped her hand around him, moving it in tandem with her mouth.

He couldn’t help but watch her. She had nearly every inch of him in her mouth. Flexing his hips he wanted to see if he could get her to take it all. “Fuck Billie,” he groaned. “Come on you can do it” he urged as he looked down at her.

She raised her eyes to his as her lips moved back and forth, her cheeks hollowing out as she sucked him. Giving a slight nod, she relaxed even more and waited.

He pumped his hips again, and this time, the entire length of him disappeared into her mouth. “Good Christ” he groaned, it was better than he ever imagined. Unable to ignore his body’s natural urge, he pumped his hips, fucking her pretty mouth.

When he felt her hand caressing his sac he forced himself not to move any faster. He was this close to blowing his load and he didn’t want to choke her. Her grip on his hips tightened and her low groan vibrated through him. He closed his eyes, he couldn’t stop it. “Billie...” He pumped his hips faster. “Darlin’... fuuck!” He let go, flooding her throat in long spurts.

She swallowed every drop, sucking gently as he continued to throb in her mouth.

Forgetting where he was, he let his head drop back. It hit the locker with a loud clang. “Shit!”

She jerked back, letting him slip from her lips. “Are ya all right?”

He closed his eyes, rolling his head against the cool metal. Fuck it all. “Yeah.” He looked down at her, “come up here.”

Her body slid along his as she rose to her feet. His lazy grin answered the question she was about to ask. “So, was that good for you?”

Chapter 3

Richie had been right. The Motor Inn was the kind of place he suspected some would rent by the hour. The pool out front had been drained and broken chaises littered the cracked cement. Half the lights across the front of the building were burned out and the paint was peeling from nearly every corner.

The room he was sharing with Jon wasn’t much better. The air conditioning was barely working and the hum from the window unit was loud enough to wake the dead. The bathroom fixtures all had rust stains and his bed had a dip in the middle. God he couldn’t wait to get home.

Sitting at the end of the bed he picked up his guitar. He was blessedly alone. Privacy was a precious commodity these days, not that he minded sharing a room, but it was nice to have some alone time once in a while.

The guys had discovered the bowling alley across the way. And where there was bowling there was bound to be a bar. And a bar meant beer. When he had heard the guys talking about it he had begged off and endured a string of taunts from his friends. He didn’t care. He was going to back to that damn diner to see if he couldn’t get Billie Sue all worked up again and convince her to come back here with him. He looked around the room again, it wasn’t much but it was all he could offer. Someday though, someday soon, it would be the Four Seasons all the way.  He could feel it.

Setting the guitar back in its case he stepped into the bathroom, grimacing once again at the hideousness of it. A quick finger comb of his hair and he was out the door. It was only a block and a half back to the diner. His long strides ate up the distance and he was at the door in no time.

She was there, wiping down tables and sweeping up. There were no customers at this hour, it was nearly closing time after all. Pausing at the door he looked again, no Joelle that he could see either.

Pulling the door open he stepped inside and waited.

Billie Sue was tucking the broom away in the storage closet when she heard the bell jangle. “Who could that be?” she muttered as she hurried back to the front. “It’s pretty near closing time” she called out. “All I can offer…” she came around the corner and stopped, her mouth fell open in surprise. He came back. “What are you doing here?”

He smiled at her. She still looked as fresh as she had earlier. “I thought I might get some dessert.” He looked around, “that is, if I’m not too late.”

She shook her head, “n-no, you’re not too late.”

They stood looking at each for a long moment before Richie spoke again. “Should I sit anywhere in particular?”

Taking a breath she moved past him, “why don’t ya sit right over here at the counter.”

He settled himself on the red plastic coated swivel seat; smiling when she stood in front of him, pencil poised over her pad. “You really need to write this down?”

Flustered, she smiled and tucked the pencil back behind her ear, the pad disappearing in the pocket of her uniform. “Sorry, habit. What can I get ya?”

“Well, whaddya got?”

“Pie” was her automatic response.

He chuckled dirtily. “What kind of pie?”

Realizing what she had said and how it came across she decided not to be embarrassed and to go with it. She knew what he had come back for; she wasn’t stupid. She had hoped all evening that he wasn’t just messing with her. Anyway, it wasn’t as if she hadn’t had sex before. She just never wanted anyone as bad as she wanted this man. “Apple, banana cream, lemon meringue and” she paused, the tip of her tongue wetting her lower lip, “cherry.”

He licked his lips, “mmmm, cherry pie; my favorite.”

Seeing him lick his lips got her system humming. With trembling hands she got out a plate and cut a generous triangle of pie. She set it in front of him, leaning down as she spoke, “would ya like whipped cream on that?”

He smiled naughtily, “sure, I love cream”

“I just bet you do” she mumbled as she bent to retrieve the can of whipped cream. Spraying a health dollop on top of the pie she spurted a little on the end of her finger. “Enjoy” she told him as she slowly licked her finger clean.

That not-so-innocent gesture had him nearly choking on his first bite of pie. His dick was so hard all he could think about was having those lips wrapped around him. Reaching across the counter he grabbed her wrist and pulled her down so she was leaning cross the counter, his lips mere inches from hers. “You’re some kind of tease, aren’t you?”

She blinked slowly. “Who, me?”

“Yes you.” He shoved his plate away. They both knew why he came back, so what was the point of all this playing around? He grabbed her wrist and pulled her around the end of the counter. “Do we really need to keep playing this game?”

Slipping from his grip she walked to the door, locking it and pulling the shade. “No.” Crooking her finger at him she walked to the end of the counter and through the swinging door.

He followed her into the small changing room. So much for going back to his hotel. If this is where she wanted to be, he could make it work. He watched her step out of her shoes and stow them in her locker. “You sure you’re okay with this?”

Nodding, she turned to face him. Reaching up she pulled the band from her ponytail, letting her hair spill over her shoulders and down her back. Keeping her eyes on his, she slowly started unbuttoning her uniform. “I’ve been thinking about you all afternoon, hoping you’d come back.”

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Leaning back against the dingy gray brick she inhaled deeply. She’d needed to get out of there, just for a minute, to get away from those sexy dark eyes. She nearly choked on the stream of exhaled smoke when the owner of those eyes came through the door. “What are you doing out here?” she sputtered.

He pulled a crumpled pack of Marlboros from his pocket. “Smoking, same as you.” He tapped out a cigarette and fished in his pocket for his lighter. “Fuck” he muttered. Jon had it. He looked sheepishly at Billie Sue. “Got a light darlin’?”

She reached into her pocket, coming up with her pink Bic. “Here.” She held it out, her fingers trembling slightly and she flicked the flame to life. “Ya know ya can smoke inside, right?”

Tilting his head he cupped his hand around hers, his fingers lingering on her skin as he inhaled, his eyes never leaving hers. Letting out a steady stream of smoke he plucked the lighter from her fingers and slipped it back into her pocket. “Thanks.”

Turning his head slightly, he caught a hint of her scent and his body tightened. She smelled faintly of diner food mixed with just a hint of vanilla. “I want to apologize for my friend. He can be an ass sometimes.” He thought about that for a minute. Alec was an ass most of the time but he really didn’t come out here to talk about him.

Nervously, she dropped her cigarette, stubbing out the butt with her heel. He was standing so close, his breath was right there in her ear. Her body blossomed with goose bumps. If she just turned her head she could get a taste of those luscious lips. “He’s not the first, sure as shit he won’t be the last.”

Guys like him were why she had had her uncle, the deputy, teach her some self defense moves. She used that thumb and two finger take down at least three times a week. God if she could just get out of here she wouldn’t have to worry about creeps like him anymore.

Stretching his arm, he rested it high on the door frame, fitting his long, lean body between it and her. “Yeah, well, I just wanted you to know that we’re not all like him. We actually do have manners. Most of the time.”

She nearly snorted. “Someone oughtta remind your friend of that.” She glanced at her watch and then up into his face, a beautiful face that was surrounded by a mass of thick dark hair. She wondered if it was as soft as it looked. “I need to get back.”

He dropped the forgotten smoke to the ground, crushing it with his foot. He wasn’t quite ready to let her go just yet. Looking down at her, he trailed one long finger lightly down the side of her face and across her jaw, fascinated when her eyes dilated and her mouth dropped open ever so slightly. What he wouldn’t give for a taste of those shiny pink lips and that pretty little tongue. “What time do you get off?”

Her fingers pressed tightly into the brick at her sides and her heart raced. She was sure she was going to have a heart attack just from that one light touch. “10:00” she nearly squeaked. “I’m closing tonight.” She needed to move away from him before she really embarrassed herself, but she couldn’t seem to get her feet to work.

He nodded and stepped back, giving her room to get to the door. “I may have to come back for dessert.”

She hesitated, her hand on the door. Would he really come back? Pulling the door open she stepped in ahead of him desperate to change the subject, to get herself under come kind of control. “Are ya staying around here long? Y’all playing a show somewhere around here or something?”

He leaned in, resting his hand on the wall again, his front nearly pressing against her back. “Just passing through on the way to our next gig and, wouldn’t you know it, our bus broke down. It’s over at the garage so I guess we’re stuck here til it’s fixed.”

She swallowed heavily, he was so close she could practically taste him. “Where are y’all staying?”

He turned his head, his breath caressing the shell of her ear, his fingers teasing the ends of her ponytail. “I don’t know darlin’. Is there a hotel around here somewhere?”

“J-just up the road” she stuttered and stopped to take a breath. Damn it Billie Sue she berated herself, cool it. “Just up the road a piece there’s the Motor Inn.” It probably wasn’t what they were used to, but it was all their little town offered.

“Cool” he practically sighed in her ear. “I’ll have to tell Jon.” It was probably some little rat hole of a place but he didn’t care. As long as there was a bed with a pillow it was fine with him. Even better if they actually had to stay the night. He had her so flustered he was sure to get a little action if he came back later. When she didn’t say anything more he touched the hand that was on the door, “are you going to open this? My food’s getting cold.”

“Sorry” she stammered and pulled open the door. She really needed to get herself together before heading back out to her customers. Without another word she detoured to the kitchen to wash her hands and he continued back to his table.

Sliding back into the booth he frowned at his plate. “Who ate my fries?”

When no one owned up he glared at his friends. “Fuckers, all of you.” He picked up his sandwich and took a bite before turning to Jon. “We staying here tonight?”

Jon shrugged, “dunno. Doc’s trying to find out how long its going to take to fix the bus. Why?”

“Bille Sue said there’s a hotel just up the road.”

Jon eyebrows shot up in speculations. “Isn’t that convenient. Does she provide room service too?”

Richie elbowed him in the gut. “Shut up.”

Chapter 1

Pulling her hair high on her head, she wrapped the scrunchie around her thick bleached blonde hair and smoothed down the long tail. With her comb and can of Rave, her bangs stood high and would hopefully last through her shift. She sighed for about the tenth time in five minutes. Her shift started soon and she wasn’t looking forward to it. It wasn’t that she minded working. She didn’t. Her momma always told her that hard work was good for the soul. She just didn’t much care for the work she was doing.

Being a waitress in this little diner in the middle of nowheresville USA was not her life long ambition. Nope, not at all. She might only be 18, but she had dreams damn it. She wanted fame. She was going to be somebody, someday. She rolled her wide brown eyes at herself in the small square mirror. Now she sounded like a damn television show. “You got big dreams, you want fame? Well fame costs and right here’s where you start paying. In sweat.”

God, she just needed to earn enough money for that bus ticket to New York. She could get work like this there she was sure. Then she could go on auditions, really make her mark. She closed her eyes, spread her arms and did a slow spin. She could see it now, her name, Billie Sue Sanders, up in neon lights on Broadway. She was going to be a star, she could feel it.

Her boss pounded on the door, tearing her from her favorite fantasy. Sighing, she slammed her locker shut. First she had to earn the money, then she could dream about the neon lights.

Turning, she smoothed down the bubble gum pink uniform and tied on the white apron. She refused to wear the stupid little hat they had given her. The dress and marshmallow shoes were bad enough. Slipping her hand in the pocket she pulled a stick of gum from her ever present pack and popped it in her mouth. She needed to do something to keep from running out back every fifteen for a smoke.

Reaching in her pocket again she stuck her pencil behind her ear and pinned her name tag over her left breast. Rolling on the pink lip gloss she smacked her lips together and headed out to punch in. It was time to go to work.

The diner wasn’t crowded yet. The lunch crowd had gone and it would be another hour before the dinner rush started. She busied herself with filling the metal napkin dispensers on the tables and making sure the salt and pepper shakers were full and the tops were tight. She was wiping down the red plastic booth seats when the bell over the door jangled.

The five men stopped inside the door, wondering if they had somehow stepped back in time. This Town, if you could even call it that, (there was only one stop light for crying out loud), was the first place they found with a garage that could fix the damn bus. It’s a good thing the diner was here. At least they could eat. Who knew where they were going to sleep that night, but at least they could get a hot meal.

With grins on their faces they watched the cute, pink, polyester-covered butt wiggle its way out of the corner booth. “Can we just sit anywhere?”

Standing, her face flaming, she straightened her skirt and turned to face the five men. “Y’all can sit right here. I’ll just get ya some menus.” She skittered away to the counter. Grabbing up the vinyl menus she turned back and got a full view of just who was in the diner. Holy Hell. What are they doing here?

Taking a deep breath she walked back over to the booth. Keep it together Billie Sue she told herself. “Here” she handed out the menus. She looked around the table. Boy, they sure were pretty. Well four of the five of them anyway. That last one, on the left, kinda gave her the willies. Her eyes wandered back to Jon. His eyes were even prettier in person. Being the lead singer she assumed he would speak for the group. “Can I get y’all something to drink?”

“What d’ya got?” Richie hadn’t even opened his menu to look. He couldn’t drag his eyes away from this little cutie.

She tapped her pad with her pencil, fighting the urge to stare. God was he cute. Those brown eyes were just so dreamy and those full lips, she could almost feel them slide over hers. Clearing her throat she rattled off the drink choices. “Pepsi, diet pepsi, tab, root beer, orange, ginger ale, lemonade, iced tea, water, apple juice, orange juice, milk.” Snapping her gum she took their drink orders. “Y’all wanna hear the specials?”

Five heads nodded.

She rattled off the two sandwiches and the one entrée. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”

Richie watched her walk away, grunting when the elbow hit him in the stomach. “What the fuck was that for?”

Jon smirked at him. “You think you’re gonna get a piece of that?”

Richie shrugged, “why not?”

Jon looked over at the girl and back at Richie. “What is she 12, man? You could get arrested for that.”

He sipped his pepsi, “nah, she’s got to be at least 16 to be working. That’s legal.”

Jon looked over again, rubbing his hand over his chin. She was pretty enough, had a cute figure and it had been a while since he had gotten laid. “Share?”

Richie took another drink and licked the drops off his lower lip as he looked at the girl. She didn’t seem the type. He could probably charm his way into getting her naked but no way was he sharing. “Not this time.”

While Billie Sue waited for their orders she wiped down the counter and refilled coffees. She couldn’t help but to keep looking at the men in the corner booth. They must be playing a concert around here but she hadn’t heard of anything. Maybe they were just passing through to the next big City.

Her eyes wandered to Richie. He had always been her favorite. There was just something about him. He licked his lips and her body went on high alert. She scrubbed at the counter, trying to ignore her reaction. That wasn’t right at all.

When Pete rang the bell indicating her orders were up she nearly jumped out of her skin and dropped the rag. Glancing over at the table she hoped they hadn’t seen that. She blew out her breath, fluttering her bangs. They weren’t paying any attention. Thank God.

Hefting the tray she headed to their table. “Hope y’all are hungry.” She laid out their meals and tucked the tray under her arm. “Can I get y’all anything else? Ketchup for the fries, extra napkins?”

David slurped up the last of his soda. “Another root beer please?”

She smiled and winked at him. He was a cutie with all those curls. “You got it.” Snapping her gum, she looked around the table. “Anyone else?”

When no response came she sauntered off to get the soda.

The wolf whistle had her whipping around, nearly giving herself whiplash trying to see just who the hell had whistled at her like that. She rolled her eyes. Figured it would be him. Creep.

Richie waited for her to turn back around before practically lunging across the table trying to smack Alec before Jon pulled him back. “What’s wrong with you?”

Alec only grinned and shrugged. “Just admiring the scenery. Problem with that?”

Richie sat back down and picked at his burger. Normally it wasn’t. But something about this particular girl was giving him an itch. He didn’t want anyone, especially him, bothering her. “Leave her alone.”

“Why should I?” Alec didn’t really want her; he just wanted to see how far he could push Richie.

Richie just flipped him off and took a bite of his burger. Did he always have to be an ass?

Billie Sue strolled back to the table and set the soda down in front of David. She felt a hand slip up to her hip, fingers curling around to her butt. Not missing a beat she grabbed his hand and had Alec nearly on his knees. “Are y’all enjoying your meals?”

They all nodded. “Everything’s great. Thanks.”

She turned her attention to Alec. “You need this hand to play, right?”

He nodded.

“Then I suggest you keep your hands to yourself and finish your meal before I toss you out on your ear.”

Letting him go she took a deep breath. “Now if y’all need anything else, you just ask Joelle over there.” She indicated to the other waitress. “I’m going on my break. Y’all take care now.”

They watched her walk away. “Damn Alec, you okay?” Jon was impressed by the little girl’s tenacity but he also had to worry that Alec might not be able to play.

He shook his hand, “yea. Stupid little bitch.”

Richie couldn’t sit there any longer. He was this close to popping Alec in the mouth. He slid from the booth. “I’ll be back. Do not eat my food.” He followed Billie Sue down past the restrooms and out the back door.