Chapter Five

Bishop

As I trudge through the snow with the stupid boots Gary bought me, and my stupid incognito hat, I still can’t believe I’m going over there. First, this chick is crazy. I shudder when I think about how she violated my nose. And she lied to me about the delivery. Peanut butter and grilled cheese is getting old. I definitely would have liked some pizza the past few days, and here she is enjoying the takeout she told me doesn’t exist.

No takeout. No laptop. No tablet. All I have is my cell phone, and since I’m ignoring Blake’s calls, that doesn’t count for much. He can’t even get pissed at me about it, either. The guys in the band shouldn’t be calling—Don’s orders.

All this seclusion is killing me, though. I miss the buzz of the city. Miss never knowing who would stop by. Most of the people who know where I live are all cool and down for a good time. It was fun getting surprised by who or I saw or what I’d be doing each day.

I miss practicing with the band, and that pisses me off because they sold me out.

I stop long enough to put my cigarette out in the snow. I hate these things. I don’t even know why I smoke them, but when you’re with people who smoke 24/7 it’s easy to pick up the habit. I’ve sorted out the pills I brought so I can have one or two every couple days. See, an addict couldn’t do that. Plus, just because I have them, doesn’t mean I’ll take them. Gary’s like a bulldog with my anxiety meds, so the smokes help take the edge off.

“Thought no one delivered?” The words rush out of my mouth as I walk up the stairs. There’s the Snow Queen, two other girls, and a whole bunch of guys in the hot tub. I don’t like the ratio. Not that I’m interested in anyone here, but still.

“Ditch only delivers for her,” some dark-haired guy with a girl on his lap says.

“Ditch?” That’s a fucked up name. Not that Bishop Ripe is much better. What I wouldn’t give to go back in time and change that one, but now I’m stuck with it as my code name, as Gary has started calling it.

A guy raises his hand all eager-like. “I’m Ditch.”

The dark-haired guy speaks again. “If you see him when we motocross, you’ll know where the name comes from.” They all laugh together. It’s kind of freaky. I’m sure they’re those kids who have grown up together, met when they played in the sandbox and haven’t left each other’s sides since. We moved around too much for that, not that Mom wanted to, but want and need aren’t always the same thing. The only people I know even half that well are the guys in my band. And look what they did to me.

Blake tries to call every day…

I tell the voice in the back of my head to shut up. Since I’m the youngest in the band, Blake tried to take me under his wing in the beginning. Soon, he realized I didn’t need it.

I cross my arms. Uncross them, trying to get comfortable. I haven’t felt comfortable since I got here. Even since before that.

“So, I guess I owe you a slice. Go for it, if you want one.” Penny nods her head toward the boxes.

Damn, I want one, but don’t let myself move.

“Or beer.”

My senses perk up. I’d love a beer. Would be a nice way to relax after all I’ve been through.

“She has a one-beer rule, and don’t even think about trying anything else,” her friend says. He looks a little shorter than I am. His shoulders are wide, and he seems like the kind of guy who has his hockey number tatted on him. He doesn’t take his hands off his girl the whole time.

Damn, I miss girls.

The Snow Queen stiffens a little, the smirk I’m used to seeing on her face wiped away.

“Well…the rule is for good reason.” The guy back-pedals and I can’t help but wonder what that’s all about.

“So, beer?” Penny stands up, steam rolling off her skin in waves, and water dripping down her body. Her very nice body. She looks soft like a girl should look, but toned, too. I have no idea how she can wear a two-piece in this weather, but I’m grateful for it. Did I mention I miss girls?

“Hello? You in there, Ripe?”

Ripe? Oh yeah. My stupid code name. Gary’s so proud.

She grabs a towel and wraps it around herself. “It’s cold. You’ve got about five seconds to decide before I get back in the hot tub.”

My heart rate kicks up. I’m not sure if it’s because of the bikini, the way the water makes her hair look even whiter, the cold, or the mention of alcohol. I haven’t had a drop since “the incident”. Besides the few pills, I’ve been a good little boy like they want. It’s not like I’m going to get smashed or anything. She has a one-beer rule.

I try to see around her to catch a glimpse of my parole officer, also known as Gary.

“Five, four, three,” Penny starts a countdown. The urge to snap at her hits me, but instead, I shove my hands deep in my pockets.

“Yeah…yeah, I’ll have a beer.” Then I’m kind of pissed because I’m sitting here feeling guilty over having a beer. It’s one beer. If it’s okay for these golden kids to have one, I can, too.

While she’s gone, I find out the guy who can’t keep his hands or mouth off his girl is really Mitch, and his attachment is Becca. The other guy, some huge blond who looks like the human version of a Mack truck with them is Chomps. Alaskans seriously have weird names. Chomps’s girl is Trinna, and I can’t remember the other guys’ names.

The pizza guy leaves, and Penny hands me a cold beer without a word, then drops her towel, standing there just long enough that I know she wants to be watched, before sliding back into the hot tub with her friends. I open the top and down the whole thing, savoring the bitterness. I’ve missed this. The little twangy taste. Why does she have the one-beer rule again? I eye the door, wishing I could go inside and grab another one.

“Wow, holy beer-drinker.”

Her surprise makes me feel a little strange. Like I have to defend myself.

“I was thirsty.” I plop down in a chair. They have a firepit piled high with logs, burning in the middle of the deck, which helps to keep me semi-warm. When I pull, the tab comes off the can easily and roll it around between my fingers, knowing I should get up and go back to my cabin. I’m not sure why I don’t.

The one guy, Chomps, asks me if I want in, which I refuse.

“You still hurting from the game?” Chomps asks Penny.

Game?

“Yeah, a little. No biggie though.”

“What game?” I find myself asking.

“Hockey. She’s our Lucky Penny!” Mitch grins.

Wait. “You play hockey? With guys?”

Everyone laughs, and I feel left out on some joke. Damn Alaskan sandbox kids.

“He thinks I ‘help with the team.’” She does the air quote thing.

“And you let him live?” Chomps shoves her. These people are so screwed up.

“I shoved a tampon up his nose.”

They all start laughing again, and I’m starting to get pissed. “You done showing off, Snow Queen?”

All eyes are on me like I screwed up big—like they can’t believe I talked to her that way. News flash, I’m not going to fall at her feet like everyone else does. I’m Bishop Riley. I play the drums for a Grammy-winning band. I’m not kissing her ass.

Penny’s jaw clenches and she shakes her head. She opens her mouth, probably to bitch me out, but gets cut off.

“So, umm…what brought you here?” Mitch asks. I can tell he’s trying to defuse the situation and I let him, only it’s the first time someone has asked me and I’m not sure what to say. Actually, I’m pretty sure Gary told me the story, but I didn’t pay attention. I know I almost OD’d and my mom and manager shipped me here isn’t the right answer.

“Gary…my uncle? He has some work to do, and I came with him to get away for a while.”