by Ruby Rowe
DARK ON ME
A Borrowed Faith Novel
RUBY ROWE
Copyright © 2019 Ruby Rowe Books
Cover Art by Just write. Creations
Edited by Proofreading By The Page
All Rights Reserved. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
CONTENTS
NOTES
DEDICATION
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
THE MAGIC OF BORROWED FAITH
END NOTES
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
NOTES
Dark on Me (Borrowed Faith, Book 2) is told from the points of view of Zain, Apple, Olivia, and Tripp.
This novel contains explicit language, graphic sex and descriptive drug use. Although the main characters are heterosexual, if you’re not accepting of the LGBTQ+ community, this story probably isn’t for you. However, if you’ll consider opening your hearts and minds, read on, Rock Stars. Read on.
The song “Dark On Me” by the band Starset was inspirational to the writing of this story.
YouTube Playlist
DEDICATION
To my dear friend Kim, the brightest star in the sky. May you rest in peace.
CHAPTER ONE
Zain
After exiting the restaurant, I listen to the paparazzi try to bait Apple and Tripp with questions. Chaos ensues as our fans join them in crowding us while we head to our buses.
“Tripp, rumors are that you and Ms. Kingsley fell sick after taking tainted drugs. Care to comment?” a young male reporter asks.
“Apple, on Good Morning America, will you be sharing what landed you and Mr. Townsend in the hospital last weekend?” a woman adds.
Coming to a stop, Apple glares at her. “Tripp and I do not take illegal drugs, and what happened to us that night is not the public’s business.”
Tripp pulls her against his side and ushers her onto the bus that’s parked at the side of the busy city street. We never should’ve eaten lunch downtown. I know Detroit’s a large city, but it’s a Friday. Why aren’t people at fucking work?
“That’s it!” Tripp shouts once the bus door shuts behind us. “I’m hiring security detail.”
“Things will settle down soon,” Apple replies as she sits on the couch. “This is the first time they’ve seen me out since I left the hospital.”
“It’s only going to get worse,” he snaps before he joins her, bumping me to the other couch. Dammit, I have to sit in the spot he’s in, just like I have to sleep on that side of the bus.
I shouldn’t be surprised by Tripp’s behavior. He hasn’t left Apple’s side since they woke up in the hospital. Well, he had to be apart from her during our gigs in Indiana and Ohio, but he demanded that I let Nash stay with her in the green room the entire time. Otherwise, he’s been up her ass. It’s over-the-top, and I want to know why. It can’t only be because he loves her.
“The public has coined Tripple as your super-couple name. Hilarious,” Faith chimes in.
“I’m the damn drummer. Since when do drummers get all the limelight? People magazine reached out to Pete yesterday. People. At least let it be Rolling Stone. This shit’s getting crazy, and it’s only the beginning.”
Apple’s worry lines surface on her forehead. When will she acknowledge the demons she’s up against by being with Tripp?
Lacing their hands together, he turns to her.
“Baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
How does he know he hurt her feelings? This is the first moment he’s looked at her since we got on the bus. The two are weird now.
“It’s OK. I know you’re not used to being singled out. I still think once my TV appearances with my dad are finished and the paparazzi see you and I are not going to feed them drama, we’ll become old news.”
Cupping Apple’s cheek, Tripp stares at her. They don’t speak as they gaze into each other’s eyes. While rolling mine over their sickening behavior, I get my phone out to text Faith, which is stupid since she’s sitting next to me, but I want some answers.
Me: What’s up with “Tripple”?
Faith: I don’t know. They haven’t been the same since they made up, but at least they’re together.
Me: Tripp will hurt her again.
Faith: The Tripp I knew before Nathan died wouldn’t have, so I’m trying to stay positive.
Me: You sound like Apple now.
Faith: Have some hope, dude.
Me: I’m choosing whiskey instead.
Putting my phone away, I march to my bunk to find my flask. Apple sparked hope in me when she joined us on the road. I thought we’d conquer the world together, but she’s no different than everyone else in my life. Somehow, I always end up low on the priority list to those I care about.
Apple
Opening my eyes after a nap, I find Tripp staring at the ceiling. Only the dim built-in light in his bunk is revealing the depth of his thoughts.
“Hi, sweetie. Are you OK?”
“I’m fine,” he replies sullenly. Sighing, I prop myself up on my elbow to face him.
“I thought you weren’t going to shut me out any longer.”
The weight of anxiety accompanying his long, distinct swallow makes me sad. I cover his chest with my hand. “Please, Tripp. We have each other … forever. There’s nothing you could say or share with me that could make me love you any less.”
“We don’t know that it’ll be forever. Nathan gave us that impression, but what if it’s not true? What if once we die, we’re separated?” He covers his stomach as a tear slides down the side of his cheek. “It could happen at any moment.”
“I don’t understand. You’ve always known we’re going to die someday.”
“But someone’s free will could make it happen sooner than it was supposed to. What if we haven’t done whatever great thing we’re supposed to do before we die? Does that mean we can’t be together in the afterlife?”
“Instead of dwelling on death, how about we focus on living a wonderful life together? At least neither of us will ever have to be alive without the other. We did f
ind that out from Nathan.”
“It’s pretty much all we know. He said he’d always be with me, but he hasn’t appeared since.” Another tear falls from Tripp’s eye. “I didn’t get to tell him all the things I’ve wanted to say since he died.”
“Just because he’s not talking to you doesn’t mean he’s not watching over us and guiding us in the right direction.” Forcing my way onto his body, I cradle his face.
“I’m sorry that you feel robbed, like him showing up was a tease, but I believe you’ll be reunited one day. You were so happy at the hospital, but ever since we left Kentucky, you’ve been slipping back into that dark place.”
He doesn’t reply… “Tripp, you’re scaring me. Are you regretting your proposal?”
“Never. I’m only worried we won’t get the chance to make it happen. I want to marry you soon, yet you don’t even want to tell anyone.”
“That’s not true. I want every person on earth to know we’re engaged, but we agreed to tell my family first once we’re back in San Francisco next week.”
“I didn’t think that included not telling the band. They’d keep it a secret. I can’t help but feel like you’re avoiding it because of Zain.”
“He’s not in the right frame of mind to hear the news. It may send him spiraling out of control, and since I don’t know what that entails, I don’t want to chance it.”
“Richie needs to learn to take care of himself. Maybe if he hit rock bottom, he’d get his ass some help.”
“Don’t get mad when I say this, but that didn’t work for Nathan.”
Huffing out a breath, Tripp clutches my head.
“You’re my universe, Apple; the only person on this earth who loves me. We need to come first. It’s all I’m asking for.”
Tell him about my fate.
Hearing Nathan’s voice, I start to grab my earlobe but stop myself. After I woke up in the hospital, I didn’t make Tripp privy to all that has to happen for Nathan to find peace.
Tripp thinks he needs to heal from his brother’s death and accomplish something grand. I failed to tell him that Aiden and Faith have to get together or how Zain may even need to find love first.
In the hospital, I was sick from the overdose and overwhelmed by the proposal. Our supernatural experience surprised me, so I figured Tripp felt the same and had enough to absorb emotionally.
I do plan to tell him soon. He trusts me again, and I don’t want to damage that trust, but he’s sad and stressed to the max. I can’t dump the news on him now.
“Give Zain a few days to acclimate and see that I’m not going to abandon our friendship. Once we’re home, before I leave to do the interviews, we’ll tell the band about our engagement.”
Pulling me to his chest, Tripp kisses the top of my head.
“You’re so damn sweet. As much as I want to be selfish, I can’t be pissed at you for looking out for Z.” The longest exhale leaves his lungs. “It sucks that we’ll be apart while you’re doing your interviews.”
“I won’t be gone long, and we can talk and text.”
Lifting me up, Tripp holds my head again and stares into my eyes. He pulls his eyebrows together, his fears etched on his forehead like a scroll for me to read.
“My universe, Apple. Do you understand?”
I nod. “Forever.”
CHAPTER TWO
Olivia
“Darling, who designed your dress? It’s lovely,” Marjorie asks. She’s one of my mother’s fellow members in the San Francisco Golden City Women’s Club.
“Oh, I—”
“It’s from an up-and-coming London designer,” Mom interjects. I jerk my head in her direction. Is she for real right now? I designed this dress, and I’m proud of it.
However, Gwendolyn, a.k.a. Mother, hates that I sew. She deeply regrets hiring my childhood nanny, Caroline, since she’s the one who taught me.
Becoming a designer and seamstress is not the career choice my parents envisioned for me, so it remains a hobby. If Mom had spent more time nurturing me while I was growing up, Caroline wouldn’t have had time to teach me.
Marjorie touches the off-the-shoulder sleeve of my wisteria dress, the lilac flower inspiring the color choice.
“I love the chiffon material and the beading on the silver belt.”
“Thank you. I’ll be sure to relay your praises to the designer.” I rub my temples. “Excuse me, but I need to see if Mrs. Ingram has any pain reliever. I have a terrible headache.”
If I didn’t, I would’ve faked one to get away from Gwendolyn.
“Don’t disappear long,” she replies as she fiddles with my shoulder-length blonde hair. I imagine I don’t have it styled to her liking. She glances around the manicured lawn of my soon-to-be in-laws’ estate. “Where’s Ken? The toasts are next.”
“I’ll find him.”
“Oh, my goodness. You have a butterfly on your arm,” Marjorie says. I glance in the direction of her gaze, and a butterfly in the shade of sunshine is resting on my forearm.
“Hmm… Maybe it has mistaken the color of my dress for a flower.” I watch it slowly flap its wings before fluttering away.
“I bet it was the shade of your round honey eyes that drew it in,” my mother counters. “Doesn’t she have the most unique eyes?”
Marjorie smiles. “She certainly does.” Mother only says this because I inherited the color from her.
“Thank you. I better find that pain reliever.” Walking away, I scope out the lawn. Along with being on the hunt for my fiancé, Ken, I need to locate my best friend and brother. The two are supposed to get me through this engagement party.
I’m almost to the enclosed back porch when my future mother-in-law, Connie, waves me over. She’s standing with a man in a suit. I imagine he’s a friend of Forrest’s, her husband.
“Olivia, where are you headed? I was going to announce the toasts.” She starts to spill the martini in her hand but recovers.
“I’m in need of pain reliever. Do you have any inside?”
She leans in and gives a sly smile. Her burgundy lipstick appears bold against her pale complexion and strawberry-blonde hair. Connie has always been flamboyant.
“I have something even better. It’ll get rid of your headache and take the edge off.”
Why shouldn’t I indulge in someone else’s prescription drugs? I could use something stronger, especially since my mother has kept me away from the champagne. She knows I won’t tolerate her shit if I’m tipsy.
“If you don’t mind.”
“They’re in the right nightstand in my bedroom, top drawer.”
“OK, thank you.”
“Wait, I want to introduce you to Conrad, a dear friend of ours.” She gives him an affectionate look. Actually, the way her eyes tilt up at him as she smiles coyly is conveying more than a friendly gaze.
I stick my hand out to shake his. “Nice to meet you. I’m Olivia.”
“Oh, you’re the bride. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Well, I’ll be the bride in April, but I’m sure it’ll be here before we know it. I don’t mean to be impolite, but I need to treat this ugly headache and find my fiancé.” I shield my eyes and notice the spots floating in front of Conrad’s face. Great, I may be getting a migraine.
“Right top drawer, dear.”
Giving Connie a smile, I walk to the back porch and into the house. The spacious kitchen is bustling with caterers and servers who are dressed in long-sleeve white shirts and black satin bowties.
I slip past them and climb the grand staircase in the expansive entryway. I’ve only been inside Forrest and Connie’s bedroom once when she wanted to show me the results of her redecorating.
I’m uncomfortable as I enter the intimate space, and I try not to imagine them in their bed together. Eww. Like something could bite me, I gradually slide the top drawer of her nightstand open.
I spot the bottle of pills and pick it up. Even after reading the hard-to-pronounce name, I have no clue w
hat type of medication I’m holding. I decide to put my trust in Connie, which is a little reckless. She’s not uptight like my mother. The directions say to take one or two pills every eight hours. Surely, a couple won’t make me loopy.
Slipping them into the pocket of my dress, I leave to get some water. I walk into the hallway and hear someone speak in the guest room across the hall. The door is cracked, and when the man speaks again, I realize it’s Ken.
Who is he talking to? His dad, maybe? And why are they having a private conversation during our engagement party?
I tiptoe over and peek through the crack. Sucking in a breath, I clutch my chest. I can’t exhale as I watch my fiancé kiss his old college pal and our close friend–a man.
I palm the door to brace myself before I shove it open. It smacks the wall, startling two people I used to trust. Jumping out of Aaron’s embrace, Ken puts a few feet between them.
Exhale, Olivia.
Tears blur my eyes, and combined with the pressure of my headache, it’s as if an eighty-foot wave has slammed against the back of my eye sockets.
To keep that same wave from pushing my emotional pain straight out of my mouth in the form of a sob, or worse–vomit, I cover my mouth.
“Shit, Olivia,” Ken says, his eyes wide and desperate. Shaking, I run from the room. Once in the hallway, I glance right and left. I feel trapped. I can’t go outside where there’s a slew of people, but I can’t stay here.
I zip across the hall into his parents’ bedroom. As I try to slam the door, Ken pushes his way inside and shuts it behind us.
“Don’t come near me!”
“Let me explain.”
“Explain? It was explained quite clearly only seconds ago when you had your tongue down another man’s throat.”
“I’m sorry, Liv.”
“Don’t call me that ever again. How long has this been going on?”
He hangs his head in shame. “About a year.”
Feeling the need to retreat, I cross my arms over my chest and hug myself as I walk backward away from him. I keep going until my legs bump the bed behind me.