Beautifully Spun by Charity Parkerson (free books to read .TXT) 📗

on it, but I tore a piece of paper out of your notebook to spit out my gum.” He pulled the wadded paper from his pocket and tried prying it open.

Spencer ran his tongue over his teeth as he watched, fighting back his anger. Jinx had been his sound guy for about five years. He helped Spencer set up for every show. Spencer paid him good money to be there. Lately, he had been acting weird and Spencer didn’t like it.

“What in the hell is going on with you?” The question burst from Spencer before he could call it back. Even to his ears, he sounded enraged.

Jinx’s motions turned nervous, making Spencer immediately feel like shit. “I just wasn’t paying attention. I’m sorry. Look, I didn’t ruin the number part.” He tried smoothing the page out on the table while tearing away the gummy mess. “I didn’t mean to fuck up anything.”

Spencer ran his hand through his hair and took the crinkled paper from Jinx. “It’s fine. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. Let’s just get loaded up for the night.”

With his head down, Jinx gave him a quick nod and headed for the truck. While Jinx opened the back, Spencer quickly programmed Zayn’s number into his phone before anything else happened to it. With his temper ebbing, the guilt set in. Jinx had a lot going on in his life. He didn’t need Spencer yelling at him. Before Spencer, very few people had given Jinx as many chances as Spencer, since Jinx had to miss a lot of work to take care of his mother. Spencer genuinely liked him. He also hated losing his cool. For a few minutes, Spencer watched Jinx load speakers into the truck. The guy was over twenty years younger than Spencer, and he looked even younger than that. Today, he moved like an old man, as if Spencer’s anger sapped the life from him. That thought made Spencer feel like shit. He moved to help Jinx carry one of the biggest speakers. Jinx was strong for his lanky size, but he was still a tiny guy.

Spencer grabbed one end and lifted. “Tell me about your day. How’s your mom?”

Jinx’s shoulders seemed to relax. “She’s okay, all things considered. We went to lunch and then went to visit my grandma. Both of them asked about you.”

“I’ll have to send them flowers.”

Jinx didn’t seem charmed by the idea. “Great.” The sarcasm was thick.

Since Spencer knew when he couldn’t win, he stopped trying. Instead, his thoughts drifted back to Zayn. Something about Jinx showing up had sent Zayn running. He doubted it was jealousy since Jinx was obviously an employee. Maybe he had just seen his chance to escape. After all, he had brought Spencer’s coat back. All ties were cut now. There was no need to see each other again.

With the speaker loaded, Spencer walked away from the truck and dug out his phone again. He didn’t like the idea of Zayn getting away.

Spencer: Don’t forget. Hollinger Point.

The phone immediately shook in his hand before Spencer could put it away again.

Zayn: I’ll be there.

A smile tugged at Spencer’s lips. To his mind, sex with Zayn still counted as a one-night stand if it was twice in the same day. He wasn’t finished with Zayn yet. Spencer couldn’t wait to see him again. He refused to look too closely at why. Sometimes he couldn’t control his impulses. Spencer would chalk it up to that. No reason to make this out as more. No reason at all.

Three

From experience, Zayn knew not to leave for the rave until well after midnight. Otherwise, he would be waiting all night for the party to end and he would have a much harder time getting close to Spencer. It took Zayn twenty minutes to find a place to park and another ten to walk to where the crowd jumped in unison to the music blaring from the speakers. The only lights were the ones erected on either side of the small stage where Spencer stood, looking like a god. Otherwise, only neon glow sticks, flashing necklaces, and glowing teeth lit up the crowd. The place was surprisingly bright.

People danced and openly made out. Zayn weaved through the throng, trying his best to get as close to Spencer as possible. A cloud of pot smoke lingered in the air, making Zayn lightheaded. The closer Zayn got to Spencer, the more mesmerized he became. He was shirtless and sweat glistened on his skin. His entire body moved to the music. Muscles flexed, getting a workout, and reminding Zayn exactly what that body could do. He still couldn’t believe he had made love to Spencer. For months, he had been secretly following all the raves online and showing up to watch Spencer just like this—like a stalker. Spencer lifted his chin. His gaze scanned the crowd, landing on Zayn. It didn’t budge. Spencer’s mouth lifted in one corner. His body kept moving to the music. Zayn’s mouth went dry. The way he craved having Spencer moving like that while straddling his hips was almost a sickness. Spencer was exactly like the smoke hanging in the air. The slightest sample had him higher than he had ever been. Unfortunately, Zayn had a bad feeling that Spencer would be every bit as hard to hold on to.

A motion from the corner of his eye had Zayn looking away. Zayn spotted Jinx waving at him. Jinx leaned over and whispered in the ear of a guy built like a bull. The man’s eyes locked on to Zayn. For a moment, considering the jealousy he had seen in Jinx’s stare earlier, he wondered if Jinx asked the guy to send Zayn on his way. The guy nodded at whatever Jinx said and then dove into the crowd. People cleared a path.

When he reached Zayn, he leaned in and yelled against Zayn’s ear, “Come on. You can sit with Jinx while Zealous finishes up.”

Despite his surprise over the offer,