“And you need to wash up,” I told Carter. “Hands always need to be clean when you play. After that, bring your guitar into the living room. I’ll go get mine and bring it back here.”
Carter hopped off his chair and took off. I got up and went to my apartment. When I returned with my guitar, Bridget and Lace were on their way out. I got a quick kiss and leaned inside the doorway to enjoy the view of her cute little backside as she walked away. After the elevator doors closed, I reentered the apartment my mind in a bit of a fog thinking about last night.
Having earned her trust made me feel ten feet tall, and I planned to live up to it. I didn’t want her to ever regret her decision. In fact, now that we’d reached this stage in our relationship, I was going to ask her to trust me even more. Snatching alone time in small increments, a night here and there, just wasn’t enough for me anymore. I planned to ask her and Carter to move into my place.
Carter was waiting for me on the couch, I took a seat beside him and we started our lesson. He was a quick study, focused and eager as usual. It didn’t take him long to pick up the new stuff I showed him.
“Mind if I join you guys?” Bryan asked when he came out of the other bedroom with his own guitar in hand.
“Not at all. We were just finishing up. But if you had some time, I could really use some help with the bridge on the ‘Girl behind the Glass’.”
“Sure.” Bryan took a seat in the arm chair while Carter continued to practice but mostly watched us as we plucked around trying out different chord combinations.
“Do you have the words yet?” Bryan asked arm draped over the body of his Les Paul.
“Not exactly, but I do know I wanna go a little more upbeat with the tempo and the tone toward the end of the song.”
“That’ll work.” Bryan nodded.
I smiled when Carter moved to the floor, plugged in a headset, and started up a video game. His attention span was longer than most boys his age. Hell, it was longer than mine most days, but writing music was often a tedious business of trial and error.
Bryan strummed a pattern that caught my attention. I scooted forward. “That’s pretty good. I think that’ll work if we repeat this part at the end.” I demonstrated and his eyes brightened as he picked up on my enthusiasm. We played it again together with him improvising. The quirky little riff he added in was genius, the perfect finishing touch.
Now if only I could get words good enough to match the music. We didn’t have much time left. We had a meeting with Mary this Wednesday to get her final approval on the set list for the benefit concert on Friday.
“You and Bridget seem to be getting pretty serious.” Bryan observed out of the blue.
I lifted my head, appreciating that he’d kept his voice low. There was no way Carter had heard him, with the headset on, but still.
“Yeah.” My eyes locked with his. “I think that’s how it happens when you find the one.”
His gaze was steady and the look in his eyes told me he definitely got it.
I understood Bryan’s intensity with Lace in a way I hadn’t entirely before. I was also beginning to see my soon to be brother-in-law in a new light. I even empathized with Marcus’ impatience about the wedding and his wanting to get that ring on Avery’s finger, sooner rather than later. I was starting to think along similar lines with Bridget. “How long before you knew with Lace?” I asked Bryan.
He snorted. “She didn’t tell you?”
“Nah. She deflects a lot when it comes to you.”
I could see that surprised him. “She tells almost everyone that she wanted to marry me when she was five.” His tone turned reflective. “It took me a bit longer to figure it out, but by then…” he trailed off as if he was about to venture into subject matter he felt uncomfortable sharing.
“She was with Warren by then,” I guessed.
Bryan gave a curt nod. So that’s what Lace had been hiding. That must’ve been some kind of twisted love triangle considering they’d all been friends. The tabloids had gotten pretty close to the truth after all. No wonder Warren had split. “We had to fight our way through a lot of bad stuff before we finally worked things out.”
“The drugs?”
“Yeah, mostly.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Scared me to death. Both of them doing that shit.”
“You weren’t?”
“Hell, no.” He shook his head. “I don’t do drugs. Never did. I saw firsthand how much that fucks everything up.”
“Yeah.” I gave a rueful laugh. “I wish I’d have been wise enough to have gone that route. Would’ve saved my sister a lot of grief.”
“Hey, I’m sorry, man, I didn’t mean to imply that…”
“Nah,” I cut him off. “That’s alright. I’m pretty self-aware when it comes to my own shortcomings. But knowing’s one thing, doing something about them though, that’s the hard part.” I flipped my pick over and over between my fingers thinking for a moment. “Speaking of Avery. She told me you were a really good friend to her when she desperately needed one.”
Bryan shrugged, his expression giving nothing away. Apparently he was going to be just as closemouthed about that deal as she had been. “One more time through the whole song with the new bridge?” he asked while leaning forward to tag his pick from the coffee table.
I knew I was being redirected, but being a guy, I let him have that play.
During the final chorus, I noticed that Carter had removed his headset and that he was listening attentively again. When we were done, his lips held a knowing grin. “That song’s about my mom.”
“Yeah, Champ, but don’t tell her alright? I wanna surprise her at the concert.”
“Ok, guys,” Bryan stood abruptly, “that’s it for me. I gotta hit the gym.” He unstrapped his guitar, took a couple of steps toward his room, and paused. “You guys interested in going with?” he asked looking back.
“Sure,” I replied seizing the opening he was finally giving me. “We’ll get ready and meet you down there.” My gaze swung to Carter. “Knowing Miss Lace, I’m doubting your mom will be back until after the shops close. Go ahead and get your swim trunks on. I’ll take you swimming after the workout and then we’ll eat lunch together after.”
“Yippee!” he yelled jumping up and sprinting down the hall like the Flash.
When we entered the tiny but well equipped gym ten minutes later, Bryan’s gaze met mine in the wall of mirrors in front of the treadmill he was using. He acknowledged me with a nod but kept on running.
I gave Carter my cell to keep him occupied. He immediately dropped down with it onto a mat next to the water cooler.
I jumped up on the treadmill next to Bryan.
“You’re really good with him,” he commented after a while with an eye on Carter’s reflection. The guy wasn’t even out of breath though he was setting a six minute mile pace.
“He makes it easy to be,” I replied truthfully, hearing the sound of Angry Bird destruction even above the constant whir of the treadmill belts. “You seem really comfortable around him, too. You close to those sisters you mentioned?”
“Yeah. It was just them and my mom and me growing up.”
“What about your dad?” I wondered out loud.
“I got one, but he’s been out of the picture since middle school.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“No. I’m grateful. It’s a good thing.”
“Well, mine was out of my life for a long time, too. But he’s back now, and that’s a good thing, too.” I hit the tab a couple of times to ratchet up the incline. “Must’ve been tough on your mom raising three kids all on her own.”
His eyes went intense. “Yeah, definitely, but she never let on. She’s tough. Like Bridget.”
He was right on that count. I tabbed down the speed on my machine, noticing that Carter had set aside the game. “Speaking of fantastic moms, I know this boy who’s a real champ at taking care of his. Robin to my Batman. He follows the superhero code of honor
and everything.”
“What superhero code?” Carter piped in, not even trying to pretend that he hadn’t been listening. I hid my smile knowing I’d gotten his attention. The kid reminded me of myself at that age. I’d loved anything to do with superheroes, too.
I hopped off the treadmill, grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat from my eyes, and filled a paper cup with water. I gulped it down while I worked out a good reply. “There are several rules in the code.” I paused for drama and counted on my fingers. “Be strong. Be brave. Be supportive. Be trustworthy. And most important of all…always protect the girl, in our case, your mom.”
He nodded. His lips were pressed together, his expression was solemn, and he’d leaned forward, absorbing every word. “I can do all of that,” he vowed.
My smile widened. God, I loved this kid. I patted his shoulder. “You already do, Champ. You already do. It’s almost as if the code was inspired by you.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
* * *
Justin
“Wanna go eat with us later after I take Carter swimming?” I called out to Bryan after we’d spotted each other a couple of sets on the free weights.
“Can’t. I’m meeting Dizzy at Tsunami Sushi. Maybe another time. But if you really don’t mind, I’ll take you up on that offer and give Lace a spin on the Triumph tonight.”
“Consider it yours. I’ll leave the key on the kitchen counter.”
I turned to Carter and offered him my hand. “You’ve been real patient. I’m proud of you.”
He grinned.
“Let’s hit the pool!” I waved to Bryan and pushed through the glass door to exit the room. We could smell chlorine fumes as we made our way down the hall.
When we got there, I pulled off my shirt and dropped my key card on a table while Carter made a bee line straight for the water. I plunged in just a second or two behind him. The heated water felt good on my abused muscles.
We goofed around for a long time, diving and racing the length of the pool. Carter was a natural in the water. He was very competitive, too. Bridget and I needed to find him a swim team to join.
I let him stay in the pool until his little finger tips got all wrinkly before I told him it was time to get out. I nabbed us a couple to towels from the warmer. While he scrubbed off, I walked over to the hotel courtesy phone and ordered us a couple of burgers and shakes. As I made my way back to the table, I nearly swallowed my tongue.
Holy effing hell.
Every overworked muscle in my body went tight. I didn’t know how Antonia had found me and frankly I didn’t want to know. The kind of illicit connections she had usually got her what she wanted. I knew her game now. Her presence here couldn’t mean anything good.
Long dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, grey eyes fixed on me their usual smoldering conceit, she strode purposefully toward me, her stiletto heels clacking loudly against the hard surface of the pool deck, like someone hammering nails in a coffin.
I had a really bad feeling about this. I found myself looking around for potential witnesses.
“Who’s that lady?” Carter asked innocently.
That’s no lady, I thought. But that was a lesson for another day.
“Antonia,” I said flatly when she reached us.
“Surprise!” She leaned over my chair, falling out of the undersized camisole she wore, and I got an eyeful I didn’t want as she kissed both my cheeks.
It sure as hell wasn’t a good one. “What are you doing here? I thought you were staying in Rome until the trial.”
“I changed my mind.” Her wine colored lips formed a familiar fake pout. “I wanted to see you, but I didn’t think I’d get such a lukewarm reception. Why don’t we get reacquainted? Preferably minus those swim trunks?”
I wanted to bang my head on the table, or hers. It was a tossup. “Antonia,” I pointed out, gesturing to the wide eyed boy beside me. “This is Carter, my girlfriend’s son.” With his usual impeccable manners, Carter stuck out his hand. “Carter Dubois, this is Ms. Bartoli, a friend of mine.”
Antonia shook his little hand indifferently, and then resumed ignoring him completely. “We were a lot more than friends, Justin,” she purred, putting her hands on her ample hips.
I didn’t like where this was going. My scrambled brain ran through a short list of options. The only one that made any sense was to get rid of her as quickly and as painlessly as possible. And that would best be done where Carter couldn’t hear.
I stood and latched onto her elbow. “Champ, I need you to wait here. Our food should be here any minute. I’m taking Ms. Bartoli just outside those doors to have a private talk. I’ll be back before you know it.” I gave him my phone and steered Antonia through the glass door out to the patio. A hedge shielded us mostly from Carter’s view, but I could still keep an eye on him over it.
“Let’s cut to the chase, Antonia,” I told her curtly. “Why are you really here?” Warning bells clanging in my paranoid ears. Antonia never did anything unless it directly benefited her.
She clacked closer, her pencil skirt so tight it was a wonder she could move in it at all. Before I could step back and maintain a more comfortable amount of space between us, she reached out and trailed a French manicured fingernail down the center of my bare chest.
I grabbed her hand and removed it, trying to stifle my rising irritation.
She rolled her eyes. “You’re no fun at all anymore.”
“Antonia,” I warned.
“Fine.” She tossed her hair behind her shoulder. “I came to tell you that I’m withdrawing my testimony.”
“What?” I exclaimed. “Why the hell would you do that?”
“Just.” I hated when she called me that. It was always a precursor to her asking something of me. I wasn’t giving her a damn thing, and when Antonia didn’t get what she wanted, she could be a vindictive bitch from hell.
“Because I’m tired of hiding out in Rome,” she whined. “I want to come back to the states. I miss my friends, and Joe says he wants to get back together. His lawyer’s gotten the DA to drop all the charges except for the attempted murder one. Can’t you find it in your heart to forgive and forget all that? It was ages and ages ago.” She batted her lashes at me.
“No way!” Was she nuts? “I’m testifying. Wise up, babe. Joe’s a bad dude. You cheated on him. Guys like that never forgive a betrayal. If I were you, I’d get my fancy ass on a plane back to Italy and fast. I’d keep an ocean between myself and Campanella. At least over there you have your uncle to protect you. Here, you’ve got no one.”
“I’ve got you, Just.”
“We’re through talking, Antonia.” I noticed Carter was staring in our direction. “You shouldn’t have come.” I was out of patience with her and done sugarcoating. “I’m in a serious relationship now. I’ve moved on.” I pointed to the exit. “Now it’s time you did, too.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
* * *
Bridget
“But,” I protested.
“No, Gigi,” Lace insisted, her hands on door of the taxi. “When you fall asleep in the dressing room, it’s time to go home.”
Lace was right. I was worn out. Even the plethora of bargain priced delights at H&M hadn’t been able to hold my attention. After being up all night with Justin and then shopping with her for hours, I was totally plowed. I fastened my seat belt. “I’m sorry,” I lamented.
“Don’t worry about it. We’ll do it again soon, when you’re better rested.” Her expression turned serious. “I’m really happy for you, girl. You and JJ are good people. He’s really gonna like that shirt you got him from Armani.”
I thought he would, too. I was eager to see it on him. So I could take it off of him. I kept the window down on the way, enjoying the fresh crisp breeze against my face. It reinvigorated me, and I was smiling by the time the taxi dropped me off, and I hit the lobby.
“Miss Dubois.”
I turned toward the unfamiliar female voice. The brun
ette had a knockout figure, her designer suit painted onto her body. Her handbag, shoes, and Yurman accessories together probably cost more than Justin’s motorcycle.
I felt my brow crease. “Do I know you?”
“I’m Antonia Bartoli.”
Fuck. Shit. Damn. Justin’s ex-girlfriend! What was she doing here? My stomach dropped to the floor.
“He’s told you about us, I see.” Her lips curved into a catty smile.
“Yes.” I felt unsteady and uncertain.
“I met your boy. Just seems very taken with him.”
I couldn’t stop myself from comparing myself to her. She was gorgeous. I didn’t even come close to measuring up.
“I’m not surprised,” she continued. “I’m sure you know he’s got a big hero complex. Goes back to when he and his sister were getting knocked around. He carries a lot of guilt about it. So he’s always trying to rescue ever damsel in distress he comes across. First, he tried to save me from Joe, and now it looks like he’s found a real charity case, the young helpless single mom.”
She patted my arm, but I barely felt it. I was thinking that what she said made way too much sense. Just looking at her I felt inadequate. Why would Justin want someone like me when he could have someone like her? Concerns I had pushed aside pressed back on my troubled mind.
“You look a little pale. I hope I haven’t upset you.” I prayed she was done. I wasn’t that lucky. “Surely you knew what you were getting into with a man like him? He’s very yummy, and oh so charming in the beginning. So honest and sincere. But he’ll leave you. He always does.”
Oh my God.
I squeezed my eyes shut tight wishing she would just go away. My heart beat so hard against my chest that I was afraid I was having some sort of arrhythmia. Not that it mattered. I didn’t think anything could make me feel much worse than I felt right now.
When I finally risked opening my eyes, I saw that my wish hadn’t been granted. Antonia gave me a pitying look. I wanted to run away and hide, but my legs were too shaky for that to be an option.
Rock Star Romance Ultimate: Volume 1 Page 131