Bitter Notes (Second Sets, #1)

by Aly Beck

Will you fix that for him, Pretty Girl? Will you be the first penis fly trap to grab hold of his trouser snake…” I slap my hand over his mouth, shaking my head. “Do you ever shut up?” I gripe when he grins beneath my hand. “And seriously, a penis fly trap? What in the… Never mind, I realize that with you, I don’t even want to know.”

She’s like this sexy little bug living in my brain, constantly screaming at me to follow her around and be her damn boyfriend.

Tonight, I’ll cook dinner on the grill like a sophisticated gentleman and then motorboat my girl. Hashtag—goals. Hashtag—adulting.

“All right, Pretty Girl. We’ll take you back to our house and handcuff you to the bed. It’s about time Callum learned a little something about cunnilingus.”

“I gotta get my prize, and then… it’s tongue town for you, Pretty Girl. I’m going to suck your clit so hard you’re going to cum in my mouth,” I murmur in her ear, starting up the bike. “I can’t wait to taste you.”

River is mine. Okay, fine. She’s ours. I mean, I’ve never had to share before. But what can I say? I’m a marvelous and caring lover who enjoys sharing. Just this once.

I’m so fucking smitten with this damn girl, and my damn heart flutters out of control. Even when she gives me the stank eye, probably plotting my death.

And yup. I’m keeping her forever. There’s no doubt about that. I’ll lock her on my bed or tie her up in my closet.

“Butt stuff? Really? What are you, an alien?” Her eyes roll toward the ceiling. “I could dress up as one if you wanted! I could paint my skin blue and probe you all night long.”

fucking told her the tragic story of his parents and sister. Callum doesn’t tell anyone what happened, instead keeping it bottled up and reliving it every day in his genius mind. I never thought I’d see the day when he opened up to someone besides us. River’s done the fucking unthinkable and grabbed his attention.

It would break his fucking heart if we had to leave her behind in this shit town. And we won’t. River West is ours to keep.

Rad doesn't seem to have a lot of logic to his actions, but I can't fault him for that. Secretly, I like him just the way he is—weirdo tendencies and all.

me into a mushy, giggling schoolgirl with his antics. Fuck. What is happening to me? I've kept people at arm's length for years, and these assholes march in like they already own my heart. And I'm giving it to them willingly, without a fight. Here, take my heart into your palms and promise you won't crush it.

“If you ever want to name names, I'll kill them for you.” His voice wavers for only a second, something arctic taking over like he's plotting my revenge on the walk through the front door. “My name is Ashton Radcliffe,”

Callum is a gentle soul, and I never want anyone to take that from him. This world is a cruel, evil mess, and he’s the only goodness left to bring me light.

“Just lie here with me. I see the exhaustion in your eyes and the hurt in your bones. Lie here with me and feel my warmth.”

There’s no resurfacing from this as the same man I was before I met River West again. Mine to keep. Mine to hold. Mine forever.

And the way she lights up when I walk into a room. God, she’s extraordinary, and I never want to let her out of my sight.

peeking in the large dining room off the kitchen, and note an empty table still decorated for the last Christmas Callum’s parents spent here almost two years ago. A heavyweight presses on my chest at the sight.

Even sleeping soundly, she draws me in like a moth to a flame, threatening to burn me alive. Fuck. I’d gladly let her at this point.

The way Rad grins at her when she tosses her hair into a messy bun and frowns at our existence has his eyes lighting up, and he’s as obsessed as I am. His whole face screams joy and happiness, and I couldn’t take that away from him. Or Callum. His entire being vibrates and simultaneously bursts with red cheeks. He’s absolutely smitten by her. Just like I am. River isn’t just mine, no matter how badly I wish she were. She’s ours.

“Can we do this now?” Asher growls, pulling his phone from his pocket. “Someone grab the salt and draw a circle around him,” River mumbles into her cup, watching Asher with a mischievous spark lighting up her eyes.

“Am I going to have to make a rule about no chicks at band meetings?” Asher snarls, gaining all of our attention. “We still have more shit to discuss.” “No, please go ahead, Evil Ash,” she says with a smirk, sipping her coffee. “I won’t interrupt with my brilliant ideas again.”

“Thank you for the suggestion. We’d appreciate it if you could kindly point us in the right direction.” River snorts. “Who knew Evil Ash could be so kind?”

“But yeah, I can help you in that area. As long as we have one thing understood,” she says sternly, raising a brow. “Yeah? And what’s that?” Asher asks, shoving his phone back into his pocket. “My father abandoned me years ago. I have no contact with him or my brothers. I can’t help you with connections. But…” She bites her lip, looking down at her lap, looking more vulnerable than I’ve ever seen her in front of us. Sure, as a kid, she spilled her guts and tears, but that was just for me. This is for all of us. She’s opening herself up to the room instead of just one person. “But I can help you with this if you want me to.”

“Anyway, I’ll help you. But when you go, I want to come with you.” She rushes her words, nervously licking her lips. My heart seizes at her confession, and her eyes stay firmly in her lap. “I want to see California…” She’d never admit she wanted to meet them, but her brothers are there, and we’d be there, too. “Well, that saves Kieran from having to kidnap you then,”

Images of River coming to California with us rush through my mind. Us at the beach. Her at our concerts, egging us on from the sidelines. It’s a beautiful image of a beautiful future I can’t wait to explore.

I pass by with a plate full of food in one hand, Kieran’s arm around my shoulders, and Rad on my tail as the latter talks a million miles a minute. Sometimes I don’t think he takes a breath to speak. Is he even human?

He seems to think so because he’s constantly reminding me that we are in a relationship—I just won’t admit it. In Rad’s mind, we’re probably married by now and have two kids and a white picket fence.

And maybe… just maybe, I'll find my father and brothers, too. It can't hurt, right? They may have forgotten about me for the past nineteen years, but I haven't forgotten them, even after all the rejected letters I received. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but I’ll know for sure when I meet them face to face.

“Don't fight it, Pretty Girl. It's either that or he spanks you,” Rad says, wiggling his brows. “Although, I’m down for the spanking.” I shiver at the image in my mind of pink butt cheeks and the burn it leaves behind. “Or me,” Asher says in a low voice that turns my insides into knots.

“Mmhmm,” Asher hums, snatching the new working phone from Kieran's hand. “Now, be a good little brat and use this phone.” “Jesus,” Rad murmurs, adjusting himself. “You gonna spank her? Or should I? Bend over my knee, Pretty Girl,” he says jokingly, tapping his lap.

And yet, these four guys have already come to my house, set up a home nurse for my ailing mother, slept with me every night, taken my mind off my shitty circumstances, and got me a new phone. It’s a longer list than anyone has ever done.

“You just keep eating, Pretty Girl. I'll hide this boner somehow. Unless you want to sit on my lap and talk about the first thing that pops up.” He doesn't take his eyes off me even when I set the cleaned bone on my paper plate. “Then we could play just the tip. Or hide the hotdog. Or maybe…”

Callum’s taking things at his pace, doing what he needs to do, and I’m waiting on him. Whatever my sweet Callum needs, he’ll get.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, running my fingers through his blond locks and twirling them in my fingers. “I didn’t mean to upset you like this.” “It’s okay, Little Star,” he mutters into my flesh. “I rarely-rarely talk about them anymore. Sometimes, I need to let this out, and I’m… I’m glad you asked. I want to tell you everything,”

I-I don’t know what our plans are. But you’ll come with us, anyway. Right?” he whispers the last part, making my heart fall into my churning stomach. “More than anything,”

One day, I'd love to pound the attitude out of her ass until she's panting and begging me to stop the punishment, which I wouldn't. My little whore would tremble before me after coming so many times…

Something deep, dark, and dangerous hides in River. Calling me to release whatever it is. A wildness she never sets free. The tears she refuses to shed. I want to be the one to tame her and then hold her, letting her know everything will be okay.

Ashton Radcliffe may be outspoken and unable to hold his tongue, but he was my hero once. My knight in shining armor continues to protect me from the dangers threatening me.

“We got you, Pretty Girl, okay? That’s what boyfriends are for. And lucky for you, you have four.” “You are not my boyfriends. How does that even work?” I say, shaking my chin from his hold. “There’s four of you and only…” “Three holes? Yeah, we’ve discussed that. But you have hands, too. It’s like a fivesome for all, and we’re all satisfied.” Rad grins, pride puffing out his chest.

I swear to God, you’re asking for a dick punch tonight.” “The good kind?” Rad asks, wiggling his brows, and then his face falls at our sour expressions. “Okay, so not the good kind?” he questions again with furrowed brows. Asher huffs. “There is literally no such thing as a good dick punch, idiot. For fuck’s sake,” he grumbles, running a hand through his hair. “I’m surrounded by idiots every day,” he mutters, along with several more unintelligible words. “I take offense to that,”

No matter how often they tell me they’re my boyfriends or get that funny, protective look in their eyes, I have a hard time thinking they’ll stick around. Every important male in my life has walked away without looking back. So, what makes them so different? They can have my body over and over again. But my heart is a different story.

“I am a big girl. But I don’t need someone telling me what I can and can’t do. You’re not my daddy,” I growl, inching closer to Asher, who grins wider. “Yeah? And who says I’m not?” he huskily asks, knocking me back to my feet. I swear my face heats ten million degrees, and then he fucking winks at me. “Call me daddy, Little Brat, and see what happens.”

“Is this foreplay?” Rad asks, leaning on the bar and winks. “Do the sexy thing with my throat again. I love it when you suffocate me with your pussy!”

Day after day, Callum gets increasingly comfortable in my presence, always finding ways to hold my hand or touch my body. One day, I’ll corrupt this boy into doing the one thing I know he wants.

“Jesus, it’s hotter than Satan’s asshole out here,” Rad gripes, tugging at the collar of his new shirt. I’m sure he can’t wait to tear it off. “I’m sweating like a whore in church,” he whines more, puffing out his bottom lip like a damn child. “You are a whore in church,”

“Fucking hell,” he mumbles in awe. “You got us somewhere, Little Brat.” Color me shocked when he places a hand on my shoulder and squeezes. Dare I say he’s happy and proud? “This is the best thing anyone’s ever helped us accomplish.”

“You almost sound proud of me, Evil Ash,” I quip, swallowing the odd feeling bursting inside me. “Is Daddy proud?” I bat my eyelashes, poking the rigid bear. Ash’s eyes widen, and a little red tint takes over his cheeks as he sputters, collecting his breaths. His eyes slide to mine with a knowing look, most likely remembering the words he spoke a few weeks ago. “For fuck’s sake, Little Brat,” he gasps, tightening his grip on my shoulder. “You remember what I said, right? What happens when you call me daddy?”

“I am very fucking proud. Maybe you’ll get a reward later,” Asher murmurs, inching closer until his soft lips land on my cheek, awakening the butterflies in my stomach. “But stop calling me daddy,” he says against my flesh, verbally pleading with me. “Or you won’t like the consequences.” Shivers roll through me when he pushes away and walks toward the SUV. “Okay, Daddy,”