Bitter Notes (Second Sets, #1)

by Aly Beck

Kieran and I grew up together in the trenches of Central City. Once neighbors, now—he stares at me like we weren't friends hiding under the stars, talking about our tiny lives.

Besides, it’s not my fault my father decided to kick us out and leave us destitute when he found a new woman to put his wandering schlong in.

has me dead 💀 my dad too girl

Nothing beats multiple partners at one time. Some call it being a whore, but I call it sexually freeing. Fuck the labels!

I resent the asshole who loaned me my last name for the past nineteen years. If I could give it back and tell him to shove it, I would.

Me fuckin too

Ah, shit. We can't have titties on display in the bar. Nudity is very frowned upon. Since I'm the damn manager, I have to force the boobs back into hiding, or more will pop out to join the party, and I can't have that.

Yeah, barbie dolls, I’m the devil for telling you to put your boobs away. Get over it. Call me the boob police or whatever; keep your damn titties in your shirt, and we'll be peachy. Have to keep this a clean operation, after all.

Can't we leave the titties out of this and not display nudity? No one bends over and exposes their ass cheeks, so why this?

But this talk isn't the dirty talk I have in mind. I want him to slap my ass, call me a whore, and maybe a good girl. Not a fucking Central Girl. Jeez, this guy, too?

A deep heat races up my neck and onto my face, burning my ears with a fury so intense I could take down the fucking devil. Tears well in my eyes, fueled by my anger.

"We are far from fucking done," he hisses, snapping his gaze to me. "None of this is over," he gestures between us. "I'll be seeing you, River Blue West."

One day, I'll show my girl how to use those fists against everyone who decides to put their hands on her.

River Blue isn't the same girl I left eleven years ago. She's a fiery fucking treat, and I want another bite of what's mine. And this time, I'm playing for keeps.

I know, I know. You can tell me all day long—River, it’s a bad idea to jump in the sack with a guy who will probably disappear soon. And logically, he’s a dick. With a good, massive cock, I want to take a three-hour tour of pound town. God. I’m pathetic.

Fun fact, Van never got over the girl they forced him to leave. But you don’t belong to Van Drake anymore. The truth is you never did. He was a pathetic excuse of a placeholder. Naw, my sweet River Blue, you belong to me. Always have. Always fucking will,”

Kieran hums, watching them go, and then walks back around the L-shaped counter. He stops in front of my bewildered face and bops my nose with his index finger, grinning like a fucking madman. Which I’m coming to realize he is.

“Believe me, they’ll screw you over faster than you can count to three, Rivey,”

I’m moving on from my first and last love onto a better dick. And that’s it. How’s that phrase go? When one dick disappoints, move on to the next one for a better ride? Yeah, something like that.

We may not always like each other. But we’re fucking brothers. As long as we have this. The chords. The melodies. And the words, we have it all—even River in the future.

Rad would never take a woman against her will or push her limits. He respects everyone. Especially after the girl he helped save years ago, he's been traumatized ever since knowing what she went through and so brutally.

River is making her way through this world. That much is obvious. But what is a little present here and there? Besides, if she is going to date us or be our girlfriend, she needs a better phone to communicate with us. And… hmm. Yes. That will be perfect. I grin to myself and nod. Ah, yeah, that’s it. A giddy butterfly erupts in my gut at the thought of throwing a new phone at her with a little something extra.

Do not fall in love with these assholes. Just. Don’t. Don’t think about their big dicks sliding inside you, giving you a better release than anyone ever has. Don’t think about how powerful you felt pushing Kieran to do as you said, as he gave into the demand in your voice. Don’t think about how he filled you up; then, his friend did the same to your mouth. Don’t think about Callum’s face when he finally had the courage to come and how he cared for you afterward.

I’m talking my soul dick. The dick that lives deep inside of me, not literally. So, suck my aura dick, society, and leave the name-calling out of your mouth.

I shiver as Kieran’s words roll around in my brain. More vivid memories flash in rapid succession, like a movie on repeat in my mind. Heat envelops me, going straight to my core and begging for more of Kieran, Rad, and Callum. Hell, throw Asher in there, too. A nice hate fuck, where he bosses me around, and I’m the defiant brat, sounds like a good time. God, as fucked as it sounds, I can’t wait for the day when Asher punishes me for every minor infraction. He could bend me over his knee, spank my ass raw, and then fuck me in it.

“Since the accident, only one thing has kept me sane. Until today, though, I’ve discovered there are now two things that chase away the monsters haunting my mind and grant me peace.” “Yeah?” I whisper as he leans in close, bumping his nose against mine.

“Yeah,” he confirms, brushing his lips against mine and holding my body close. “You,” he whispers with a shaky breath, breaking me with his confession. “And music.”

“It’s something,” he whispers. “But I won’t pry into your personal matters. I respect you, River. And… I kinda like-like you-you.” With a deep breath, he closes his eyes. “I don’t want you to talk about anything you don’t want to.”

“Pretty Girl, it’s not nice to punch people out of bed. You interrupted an amazing dream. You and me and the rest of the guys naked on the beach with sand in places we shouldn’t speak of. But you were about to give me a sandy pussy sandwich, and then you pushed me out of bed,”

“But you two were the best snuggle buddies. We should get rings made. Snuggle Buddies activate!”

“You all left me hanging. It’s rude. So, what are we doing today? Obviously, my girlfriend is not killing herself at work. So… what should we do?” I sigh, putting an arm over my eyes. “I’m not your girlfriend, Rad.”

“You’d never guess all those tats were hiding on that virgin body.” I stiffen, but Rad continues his rant. “He’s had a needle before he’s had pussy; it’s a tragedy. Will you fix that for him, Pretty Girl? Will you be the first penis fly trap to grab hold of his trouser snake…”

“You act like I don’t do anything domestic! How do you think our dishes get done? The laundry? Who picks up your rock sock and makes sure it’s clean for your next round of taming the snake? I mean, come on, dude! I’m not incapable.”

This is the fucking time to be alive! The wind in my hair. The stiff competition. And the hottest girl in town is waiting for me on the sidelines. Since she wore me as a gag, I haven’t gotten her out of my head. She’s like this sexy little bug living in my brain, constantly screaming at me to follow her around and be her damn boyfriend.

As ridiculous as it seems, I have to remind her a lot that she’s mine. Fuck. I guess ours. Right? I mean, we made a deal to share her affection and gain her interest. I don’t know how I will pound it into her head more…maybe pound her pussy? God, I can’t wait to have that girl again. Shit. Now is not the time, Little Rad. We have important things to do, like win this race so I can claim my prize and my girl.

“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.”

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. In my eyes, he will always be the kind-hearted hero who scooped my broken body off the darkened lawn.

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. Besides the other two, I’ve seemed to have fallen for them in a short time. Sometimes I can’t stop my heart from falling for the wrong people.

These are just the words he casually said. Watching him scribble lyrics down fascinates me. One day they'll be someone's favorite song, sung worldwide, and it all started here in this tiny bedroom.

Asher will flounder for months until he’s crawling on his knees and begging for her forgiveness. He’ll be so in love with her that he’ll insist we take her with us. I can see it now in vivid imagery. Now, we have to get to that point where he digs his head out of his own ass and gets on board with the rest of us.

Oh yes, we’d pummel him into next week for even thinking about talking to River. Shit. We’re hopeless and semi-toxic.

“Yeah, as in, I know a guy. Like we went to high school with him, and he’s the student head of that department right now. Meaning we need that guy to rent time to get to the studio. Meaning, you can’t kick his ass or whatever meat-headed ideas you have running through your caveman brains,”

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.

Oh, right, that's me. The Central girl, who they think is too stupid to make any good decisions and will convince their sons she needs a baby or will rob them blind. I’m just here for the food, and well, their dicks are nice, too. But no babies for me, thanks. I have life aspirations that don’t include children until I’m at least thirty.

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.

Fucking boys and their beautiful eyelashes. How'd they get so damn blessed? And me. I have to apply fakes to achieve what they get just by waking up and greeting the sun.

His brows furrow like he's constipated, and I almost suggest adding some prune juice to his diet.

Who knew my Knight would argue and defend my pussy against my stupid ex-boyfriend who broke my heart. It'd be romantic if he weren't being such a dick.

“This isn't cute, romantic, or whatever the hell you two think you're fighting over. This is fucking barbaric. Get. Off. Of. Him.”

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.

“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!” he says louder than necessary,

“Ah, finally. Fuck. I think I love you, Pretty Girl. Will you marry me?”