MoreOfYou_LPavlov-eBooks

by Pavlov, Laura

  “That’s the awkward part…” Dex smiled. It was devious and evil. He enjoyed watching me squirm through this shit show.

  “I can’t imagine it gets worse.” Lennon said, pushing to stand.

  “It was your father’s idea,” Dex said, and we all came to a stop. “Your father reached out to her. He paid her to sell the story about the pregnancy. She isn’t even pregnant. He said she can say she had a miscarriage in a few weeks. He even told her she could claim you made her abort it.”

  My mouth went dry. Limbs numb. The final nail in the coffin for this man. Why? Why would he do this to me? I stared at my brother, and anger filled his gaze. I was speechless. What was there to even say at this point? My father was going to destroy me because I wasn’t doing what he wanted. I was quitting the band and he wasn’t happy about it. I hadn’t gotten him a visit with Mom yet. But what that asshole didn’t know was that it wasn’t for lack of effort. I was actually trying to help him, because for some fucked up reason, I wanted to repair my broken family. And he’d just guaranteed that would never happen. He’d reached out to some crazy chick and started a shit storm. Jesus. I walked off the bus and dialed Jade. It was midnight. She’d be waiting for my call.

  It went to voicemail.

  “Baby, I need you to call me. There’s a shit storm coming your way, and I’m sorry. You’ve probably already seen that Farrah is claiming she’s pregnant. The whole thing is a lie. I just found out my dad is behind it. He sold a story that I’m quitting the band, for you. He also offered Farrah money to say she was pregnant with my kid. Jesus, Jade. What the fuck is wrong with this man? Please call me. I hope you aren’t mad. I hope you aren’t buying into any of this shit. I need you to call me. You promised to be the first call at midnight, and now you’re not picking up. I love you.”

  I shoved the phone in my back pocket as we made our way into the lobby.

  “She said she’ll retract it. We might have to throw some cash at her, but it’s worth it,” Dex said, shoving his hands in his back pockets while his harem of women stood behind him.

  Now we were going to pay her to tell the truth. Fuck me.

  “Let me think on this. That could look like a payout, we need to be careful. I’m going to stay down here and get a glass of wine and try to clean up this mess,” Luke said, studying me.

  “Bailey and Tia said we can come hang out in their suite. They’re going to order food, watch some movies, whatever. Might be good to take your mind off things,” my brother said to me.

  “Nah. I’m going to FaceTime Jade and go to sleep. Try to forget about this shit,” I said.

  “You sure? It’s technically your birthday,” Lennon said, glancing down at his phone to see the time.

  Adam clapped me on the shoulder. “Happy birthday, brother. I’m sorry about this.”

  “Yeah.” I nodded. There wasn’t anything more to say.

  “Well, me and the ladies are going upstairs for a little fun, if anyone wants to join us.” Dex winked and walked toward the elevators.

  “I guess that means I’ll be sleeping with earplugs tonight,” Adam said, forcing a smile as we stepped on the elevator.

  My brother hugged me goodbye and asked me another dozen times if I was okay. He was all tore up that it was my birthday. Who gives a shit? I’d never been big on celebrating my birthday. My father was that guy. Acted like it didn’t come around every goddamn year and celebrated himself for an entire fucking month. Narcissistic asshole.

  We made our way into the room, and Dex dropped down on the couch with a group of giggling, drunk chicks surrounding him.

  “You want me to order food? You hungry?” Adam asked from the doorway of my room.

  “Nah. I’m fine, dude. Thanks. Go call your girl and get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  He knocked on the door frame. “Use your earplugs or you won’t get any sleep with the douchebag out there.”

  I nodded. I was anxious to be alone and take in what just happened. I didn’t know if I should call my father and confront him. What was the point? He’d deny it—or worse, he’d admit it and justify his actions. Either way, I was done. I picked up my phone and tried Jade again. I needed to know she didn’t believe any of this bullshit. We’d just taken two steps forward, and now we were most likely going to take two steps back. She was probably pissed and over all this bullshit.

  Voicemail.

  My stomach twisted. Jade was insistent on talking at midnight, so she’d be the first to wish me happy birthday. Something was up. And she wasn’t taking my calls. She was mad. My father had fucked me over again. I tossed my phone on the nightstand. It was almost one in the morning now. She obviously wasn’t calling and didn’t want to talk to me.

  I buried my face in my hands and tried to calm my breathing. I couldn’t catch a break. Things were finally back on track with Jade, and now she probably hated me again. Jesus.

  There was a knock on the door.

  “What?”

  Dex walked in, looking like a party boy on spring break. He was coked up and high as a fucking kite.

  “Dude. I know you’re stressed, and I know I’m not your favorite person, but I thought you might need some assistance sleeping tonight.” He tossed a prescription bottle at me. “Need a few Ambien to sleep it off?”

  I probably wouldn’t sleep tonight after everything that had happened. I wouldn’t be able to turn my brain off. Couldn’t talk to Jade. The only thing that would give me a reprieve was sleep. And nothing knocked me out quite like Ambien and whiskey. Yes, I’d quit. And yes, I’d stop again tomorrow. But life is about moderation, and right now, this would solve my current problem.

  “Yeah, that would help,” I said, studying the bottle.

  “I sent the other chick’s home, so it’s just me and Lala out there if you want to come out and do a few lines.”

  Jesus. I hated him. But I was a hypocrite because here I was using him for Ambien when I should be telling him to get the fuck out of my room. I didn’t have the energy to go at it with Dex tonight.

  “I don’t. Thanks for this, though.” I moved to the mini bar to grab a small bottle of whiskey.

  “Yeah. You got it.” He walked out of the room and I pushed the door closed.

  I tossed back two Adderall and chased them down with booze. My body tingled immediately, as I’d been sober for a few weeks and hadn’t taken Ambien since our European tour. I could feel it hitting my system, numbing me, as my eyes grew heavy. I was barely able to kick off my shoes as I fell back on the bed.

  Escape.

  I needed an escape. Just for tonight.

  Tomorrow I could work on the shit show that was my life.

  Happy fucking birthday to me.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Jade

  My flight got delayed due to rain, and we’d circled above New York City for over an hour. Of course, my phone died, as I forgot to charge it before I left for my review session, and I didn’t remember to bring the cord to charge it on the plane. I wanted to call Cruz at midnight, but that plan had been an epic fail. But I was here, and that would be a better birthday present than a phone call. I knew he’d be wondering why I hadn’t called, and it only made me more excited to surprise him.

  I Ubered to the swanky hotel in the city. I stepped into the gorgeous lobby, taking in all the sparkly details that surrounded the entrance. Large chandeliers, glass tables, and white marble floors. Chic and elegant.

  I had no idea how I’d figure out what room he was in. I walked to the front desk to beg them to help me out. Worst comes to worst, I’d have to see if they had a cord so I could charge my phone in the lobby and then I’d call Cruz.

  “Jade? Everything okay?” a voice said from behind me.

  “Luke. Thank God. Yes. I came to surprise Cruz for his birthday, but my phone’s dead.” I held up my cell and shook i
t around.

  “Glad you’re here. The birthday boy is having a tough night. He went up to his room to call you. Are you aware of all that’s happened tonight?” he asked. Luke held a glass of wine, and I realized he was a disheveled mess as I took him in.

  “No. What happened?” My heart started to race, and my mouth went dry. I could tell he was about to drop a bomb.

  “Steven went to the press. Told them Cruz was leaving Exiled, and it was because of you.”

  “What? Oh my gosh. How could he do that?”

  “Oh, it gets better. He paid Farrah Clearwater to lie and say she was pregnant with Cruz’s child,” Luke said, shaking his head. The veins in his neck bulged. “Steven’s got this great kid, you know? And he beats him down. I don’t get it.”

  My eyes filled with tears, and my bottom lip shook.

  Cruz.

  “I don’t get it either. I need to see him. What room are they in?”

  Luke reached in his back pocket and handed me a key. “Top floor. Suite at the end of the hall. He went up a while ago. He’ll be really happy to see you.”

  “Thanks, Luke. Have you guys made a statement yet?”

  “No. I’m working on it now. I have to figure out how to handle it. If we should just admit that he’s leaving or buy more time. How to make it clear that you have nothing to do with it. If we offer Farrah money to out Steven and say it was all a lie, or just pay her to shut it down.” He ran a hand through his hair.

  “Well, don’t worry about me. They hate me for dating Cruz. I can handle them hating me for him leaving if I have to. It’s not the end of the world. But you have a mess to clean up, so I’ll let you get back to it.”

  He pulled me in for a hug and held me there for longer than usual. “I’m sorry you and Cruz have to go through this, Jade. I truly am.”

  I swiped at the tears running down my cheeks when I pulled away. “I know you are. It’ll all be okay.”

  I walked toward the elevator. I waited until I got off on the top floor and tied the bow around myself. I’m sure I looked ridiculous wearing skinny jeans, a blouse and a gigantic hot pink bow around my chest. But it had been a crappy day for him, and maybe this surprise would turn things around.

  The suite was the last door at the end of the long hallway. I heard laughter which immediately put me on edge. I knocked first, before swiping the key card. When I pushed the door open, my jaw hit the floor.

  Dex sat on the gray couch in the large living room area. There was a pile of white powder on the table. My stomach dipped. Why would he have this around Cruz and Lennon? There was a blonde girl kneeling on the area rug bent over the coffee table. She was mid snort when she realized the door opened. She wiped her nose and laughed.

  “Who are you?”

  “Hey, I’m Jade,” I said, my throat dry.

  “Princess Jade returns. Come on over. Join us,” Dex said, moving to his feet.

  “No thanks. Where’s Cruz?”

  “The birthday boy is gone for the night. He was sulking over all the shit that went down. Numbed himself with enough shit to be gone till tomorrow, so I’m afraid you’re out of luck.”

  Dex stood in front of me, invading my personal space. I took a step back. He reeked of booze and had remnants of powder on his nose. I didn’t want to believe anything he was saying.

  “What did you give him? Did you do something to him?” I said, storming through the living space and opening the first door I came to.

  “Ah, you’re in my room. Was that intentional? You want a little one on one with a real man, do you?”

  My heart raced as I shoved him out of my way and hurried toward the next door. The girl on the floor pushed to her feet.

  “Come on, Dex. I thought we were getting out of here. I want to go to the club,” she said. She was tall and incredibly thin, with blonde hair and a worn face. She wore a backless halter top that was held up by a thin strap behind her neck.

  “Sorry doll face. You go on ahead. I don’t want to leave Jade alone.”

  A chill ran down my spine at his words. “I’m fine. Please do us both a favor and leave.”

  He walked to the door along with his date, and I hoped he’d leave with her. I hurried into the next room to find my boyfriend sound asleep. I rushed over to the side of his bed and shook him several times.

  “Cruz,” I said, shaking his lifeless body. “Cruz, wake up.”

  What the hell happened? I looked on the nightstand and found a prescription bottle of Ambien in Dex’s name and Cruz’s prescription for Adderall beside it. Two small empty bottles of whiskey lay on the floor next to the nightstand.

  “I told you he was gone. Your boy’s going to be out for a long time,” Dex said from the doorway.

  His white skinny jeans were filthy, and they barely clung to his bony body. He wore a dirty black T-shirt and his hair was overgrown and greasy. Dark circles rimmed his eyes, and he looked gaunt and sickly. But that was how he’d looked since the day I’d met him. Sure, he’d gotten worse, but it wasn’t like he took care of himself before Exiled went on tour.

  I picked up the bottle of Ambien and chucked it as hard as I could at him. The bottle bounced off his chest and he laughed.

  “You’re disgusting. You just couldn’t help yourself, could you? You had to kick him when he was down, didn’t you?” Tears sprung from my eyes. I squeezed my boyfriend’s arm, digging my nails into the skin on his forearm in hopes he would wake up.

  “He was in a funk. Shocker. The dude’s a moody fucker. He was moping around, probably because you weren’t here, and his rich daddy fucked him over. What the hell else is new? He was jacked up on too many Adderall, and he needed something to help him sleep. Don’t shoot the messenger, Jade. This is all on him.” He walked toward me, and I backed as far away as I could without sitting on Cruz. I was barely balancing on the edge of the bed.

  “Get the hell out of here.” My voice wobbled as my instincts prepared for battle. His dark eyes were crazed.

  “I don’t think so. It’s time you and I had a little talk. You’ve had a problem with me since the day we met. And now we’re going to get to the bottom of that,” he said, wrapping his bony fingers around my bicep.

  I stomped on his foot and flailed to get away from him, but he was surprisingly strong. He looked weak. He acted weak. But he was bigger than me and apparently stronger than I’d guessed.

  “Let go of me. Cruz!” I shouted, slapping Dex’s hand away as he dragged me toward the main living space again.

  He threw me down on the couch and the back of his knees hit the coffee table, sending the mound of powder all over the floor. I jumped to my feet when he turned to see what he’d done.

  “I don’t think so, Jade. There’s no one here to help you. So, you and me, are going to figure out why you have a big stick up your ass when it comes to me.” He pushed me back hard on the couch, and a gush of air left my lungs. I searched the room for a weapon and screamed for my boyfriend again. How could he be that out of it that he couldn’t hear me?

  “What do you want to know? There’s no mystery here. I don’t like you. I never have,” I said, pushing the hair out of my face. The bow I’d had tied around me was no longer there and must have been torn off in the scuffle. I calmed my breathing, I needed to stay in control. This guy was not playing with a full stack.

  There was a large vase on the entry table. I continued to scan the room, desperate for anything I could use to protect myself from him. He sat across from me, but I didn’t try to run yet. Maybe if I played nice, he’d settle down and get distracted. His face was flushed, and the veins in his neck bulged. He reached down and scooped up a handful of powder from the floor and held it in front of my face.

  “I think you should loosen up a bit. Then you might not be such a bitch,” he said, pushing his hand right beneath my nose.

  I slapped the
back of his hand hard and the powder sailed through the air. I pushed up to run, but he caught the back of my blouse and yanked me back. He flipped me over on the couch and settled above me. I squeezed my eyes closed and flailed my legs, kicking him where I could. It only made him angrier as he brought his face down to mine. The smell of whiskey and cigarettes flooded my system and I twisted and turned and tried to get away. He pinned my arms above my head, using one hand to hold both of my wrists in place.

  “Cruz!” I screamed. My voice was not recognizable. It was desperate, and raspy, and panicked.

  “He’s not coming for you, baby. It’s just you and me. And I know exactly what you need.”

  Fight or flight.

  I would always fight.

  I pulled one arm free and punched him in the throat as hard as I could. He fell back and I moved to my feet, running for the door. I reached for the handle when he jerked me backward by the hair.

  “I don’t think so, sweetheart.” His evil, maniacal laugh sent a rush of adrenaline through my body.

  I wasn’t going to get out of here unharmed unless I fought. I swung with everything I had, and I caught a glimpse of his fist coming for me out of the side of my eye. I tried to duck, but his fist made contact before I could react. Pain radiated across my cheek and my feet came out from under me. Like watching a movie, everything blurred before me. I fell hard. My head hit first. I heard the crashing of glass.

  And everything went dark.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Cruz

  Shouting came from the suite, and I rubbed my eyes. Jesus. I reached for my phone and it was barely seven in the morning.

  “Fuck. Cruz,” the voice yelled louder.

  Adam? I pushed to my feet, still groggy, I hurried out to see what the problem was.

  The air left my lungs, and I dropped to my knees beside Jade.

  Jade? What the fuck was happening.

  She was on the floor beside the entry table, which was lying on its side with broken glass all around her. I searched her body, but there was no blood. Her cheek was swollen and bruised.