“I’ve been following the superhero code just like you taught me.” Unchecked tears coursed down his chubby cheeks. “I’ve been strong and brave, and protected Mommy… but she still cries sometimes.”
I covered my mouth to stifle a sob. I needed to get him off the phone. I wished now that he weren’t so good at memorizing phone numbers. This was only going to make everything even harder.
I stepped forward. Carter saw me. His liquid blue eyes widened and his bottom lip trembled. “It’s time to say good bye,” I insisted.
“Mommy’s here. I have to go… I love you, too. Good bye, Justin,” Carter said softly and handed me the receiver.
I heard Justin calling my name as I set the receiver firmly back in the base. I grabbed Carter and pulled him close, one arm wrapped around his body, the other one crooked around his head holding it to my chest. I kissed the top of his head. “I wish you wouldn’t have called him, but it’s ok, Carter.” My pulse was pounding so loud in my ears that the return ring didn’t register at first.
Rheta answered it. “Hello.” Her eyes were on me and her brows pulled together. “Yes, she is.” She crooked her finger calling me over.
I shook my head and backed away.
“I’m sorry. She doesn’t want to talk…lower your voice Justin. No…Yes, I understand. Tomorrow. I’ll tell her to expect you.” Rheta set down the phone. She gave me a stern look. “Come back to the kitchen. We need to finish our conversation.”
I shook my head. “I realize now it was a mistake to come out here. I didn’t mean to place you in an uncomfortable position. We’ll pack up and leave right away. I’m so sorry.”
“Not as sorry as you’re gonna be if you don’t march yourself right back into that kitchen and hear what I have to say.”
My eyes went large. I turned to Carter. “Go upstairs and play.”
“I’m sorry Mommy. I didn’t mean to be bad.”
Damn. His sad regret filled look knocked my battered heart around some more.
“You aren’t. You’re the best son in the whole wide world. Mrs. Anthony and I just need to talk about important grown up stuff. Go on.” I pushed him gently toward the stairs. “I’ll be up in a minute.”
“Ok,” he said with a nervous glance back at me before he went up.
Rheta’s back was stiff when I reentered the kitchen. Sucking it up, I sat back down opposite her at the table.
“You eat something.” She pushed the plate of food toward me again. “Then you’re going to listen to what I have to say.” When I’d cleaned half the plate, she seemed to be satisfied.
“Don and I knew something was wrong the minute you showed up alone at our doorstep. But you looked like you needed a place of refuge, and we were happy to provide one. But frankly I’m surprised it took this long for you to be found out.”
“I can explain.”
“I expect you will, and I’ll let you in just a minute.” She folded her hands. “Justin told me you think he was with another woman.”
My mouth went tight. “He was.”
“He says he wasn’t, and I believe him. Now I realize that I’ve known him for a bit longer than you have, but I think you know him well enough by now.”
My eyes burned under the critical blast of her stare.
“Did you ever ask him to explain?”
I shook my head.
“So you just took off without hearing his side of the story? That seems pretty impulsive.”
“Yes,” I whispered. When she put it like that, it didn’t sound so good. My eyes dropped to my lap.
“Forgive me. I don’t mean to judge you. Sometimes I forget just how young you really are.”
Hearing her gentler tone, I looked up. “Antonia told me that they were…well, you know…while he was supposed to be watching Carter at the pool. And she told me a bunch of other things that made me feel certain that my trust in him had been misplaced.”
“Hmmm. Sounds to me like she knew all the right buttons to push.”
I let that sink in. “I guess so.”
“Well, Bridget,” she patted my clasped hands, “You’re going to have to put some thought into your next move. Your first one was pretty wretched.”
I closed my eyes, but I couldn’t hide from the truth in her words. Tears burned behind my eyelids as I ran back through the events of that day. I’d been so tired, so easily frightened. Had I been so wrong?
When I opened my eyes, Rheta handed me a napkin. Feeling adrift in a sea of conflicting emotions, I dried my tears. “How can I be sure?” I begged her.
“I can’t tell you who to believe, and I can’t tell you what to do. But I will say this. In my experience it’s not often that we can be completely sure when we have to make the big decisions in life. Sometimes we have to go on faith. You have to decide whether you have faith in Justin. But more importantly whether you have enough faith in yourself.”
Rheta’s convicting words echoing in my ears, the wooden floorboards creaked beneath my feet as I made my way up the stairs.
I paused inside the doorway to our room. Carter was sitting cross legged on the floor playing with his Legos. I still hadn’t worked out in my mind what I was going to say to him when he looked up, his expression so sad I felt the weight of it settling heavily inside my chest.
I moved to the bed and patted the spot next to me. Carter rose and pulled himself up on the high twin mattress. I hugged him first, my hands on his back between his shoulders, inhaling his wonderful little boy smell.
I pulled back and looked at his face.
“I’m sorry, Mommy.”
“No, Carter. I’m the one who needs to apologize. Mommy made a mistake. A big one. One that hurt you and Justin and me.” I sucked in a deep breath through my nose and reached for him again, tucking his head into my chest and pressed a kiss into his silky hair. “Do you remember the story I told you when Hinklesnort first met Thinthorp and how badly he really wanted him to be his friend?”
“Yeah.” He leaned back to peer up at me. “He gave Thinthorp all his favorite toys and lots of candy.”
I nodded. “Did any of that stuff work?”
“No, Mommy.” He looked so serious, his cute little blond brows drawn together. “They only became best friends after Hinklesnort pulled Thinthorp out of the Icky Sticky Quicksand in the Scary Woods.”
“That’s right.” I sighed. “Justin’s a lot like Hinklesnort.” I looked around the room. “He brought us here. He showed us by his actions how much he cared about us and then he gave us the very best gift of all…himself.” I touched my finger to his soft cheek. “But that wasn’t enough for me. I listened to someone I shouldn’t have. Believed lies about Justin without giving him a chance to explain. I guess I didn’t believe he could really love me.”
“Don’t worry. Justin knows the superhero code. He’ll rescue us, just like Hinklesnort. You’ll see.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
* * *
Justin
“I’m ok, sis. Really.” I leaned in, gave her a peck on the cheek, and pointed my head toward the dressing room door. “Get back out there. You’re gonna miss Cold Snake if you stay back here hovering.”
She didn’t move. “I don’t believe you.” Stubborn emerald eyes drilled into my own.
“Fine.” I sighed. I thought she’d lighten up with the mother hen routine after I’d told her that I’d found Bridget and Carter, that they were safe at the farm, and that I was going out to see them first thing in the morning.
Wrong.
“Justin,” she started. Sensing the impending lecture, I stopped her.
“Listen.” I put my hand on her arm and glanced around the room. We were on in fifteen minutes. King and Sager were seated in front of the makeup mirror, the last to have their turn with the stylists. Dizzy had his boots propped up on the coffee table. Lace was in Bryan’s lap in an overstuffed chair.
The atmosphere was thick with expectation. Make or break time as the new lead singer of Tempest
was nearly here.
“The stress level’s already high enough.” I lowered my voice. “Everyone’s watching my every move, afraid I’m gonna blow. I’d feel much better if you were out in the audience, supporting me.”
She studied me for a moment. “Ok.” She rose, smoothed out the nonexistent wrinkles in her leather skinnies, and said a general good luck to the room before leaning in close to my ear. “Brother, you’re gonna bring down the house. Not that the women in the audience are gonna care how you sing,” she said in a louder teasing tone with a pointed glance at my low slung jeans. “They’re gonna be too busy watching to see if those pants of yours stay up.”
There were snickers and chuckles all around. Ironic considering that I was more covered than any of the rest of those shirtless rockers. Her teasing had lightened the mood considerably.
I loved my sister.
“I’m heading out.” I stood and nabbed the laminated set list from the coffee table, leading the way. I had one eye on the set list even though I already knew it by heart, devoting the other to the task of dodging bodies as I made my way down the corridor.
I was paying so little attention to where I was going that I nearly ran him down as I climbed the stairs that led to the stage.
Warren Jinkins.
The whole world froze solid.
Fuck. Like I needed this shit right now.
“War.” Bryan was the first to speak. I don’t think he noticed the glance War gave Lace. It was clear from that look that he wasn’t over her, even if she had moved on. “I didn’t know you were on the bill tonight.”
War straightened and not in a friendly way. “Morris pulled some strings last minute.” He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal, but I got the opposite impression. “Still letting that bitch Timmons lead you around by the balls I see. Can’t believe you’re letting her front Tempest with this pussy.” His narrowed condescending gaze swept over me.
“I’m sick of your shit.” Bryan started toward him, hands clenched, but I stepped between them.
This was between War and me now.
“I don’t get you, Jinkins. You act like you’re indispensable, but you’re not.” I lifted my chin to acknowledge King and Sager’s presence on one side of me. Dizzy and Bry quickly moved to the other.
Lines were being redrawn and not in War’s favor. And he knew it, too. His eyes hardened. A muscle started twitching in his jaw. He looked as furious as I felt.
“You left.” I leaned forward. “You made your choice. Now you’re just the guy who used to sing for Tempest. And these guys haven’t said shit about you despite that. Why they would still have your back after what you did, I’ll never know.”
He bowed up even more, but I wasn’t backing down. “One thing I do know. No one’s letting me do anything. I’ve earned my place in this band. Now get out of my way, ’cause I’m about to go out there and kick ass proving it.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
* * *
Bridget
Carter bounced up and down on the seat next to me, his shadowed face pressed to the window. The only illumination in the cabin came from the instrument panel in front of the pilot. Down below us the ocean was as black as spilled ink and we were speeding low and fast across it.
When Carter had seen the helicopter land on the front lawn at the farm, you’d have thought it was Christmas morning. I still was amazed by Mary Timmons’ extremely thoughtful and extravagant act. In the last few days on the farm with Justin’s dad, I’d seen firsthand how debilitated he had become. There was no other way he’d have been up to seeing Justin’s debut performance with Tempest. Regular commercial travel was out of the question.
I leaned forward to check on him. Eyes just like Justin’s met mine and Arthur reached over Carter’s lap and gave my hand a squeeze. I took it and squeezed back. He smiled reassuringly. I could see my excitement and anxiety reflected in his gaze. The Vogue Theatre sat twelve hundred, and there’d be a lot of press and important industry types in attendance. The stakes were high. We were all eager to see Justin succeed. I was nervous just to see him. In person. To make things right between us again if I could.
The helicopter set us down in a vacant lot on Smithe Street. A waiting car dropped us at a discrete side entrance. A friendly uniformed escort greeted us with programs and a wheelchair for Arthur who got a stubborn look on his face the moment he saw it.
Hoping to persuade him, I told him how tired Carter was and asked him if he would mind letting Carter ride in his lap.
I’m pretty sure Arthur was on to me, but I let out a relieved sigh when he let go of his pride and accepted the offer of assistance. It turned out to be a good thing, as our assigned seats ended up being quite a long distance away just two rows from the stage. I spotted Marcus Anthony in the first row alongside Mary Timmons. I looked for Avery but couldn’t find her before the houselights dimmed.
We sat through several bands, and though they weren’t bad, they weren’t very memorable either. My heart was set on Tempest. They were the last band slated to perform, but just before they were scheduled to come out, the MC made a surprise announcement that Warren Jinkins’ new band was going to perform first. Whoever had orchestrated that change certainly knew how to amp things up. The tension in the audience was palpable. I’m sure it was off the meters backstage.
I scooted forward in my seat as War strode out, rolled bandana holding back chin length brown hair, sunglasses askew on his head. He looked a little shaky on his feet, but I had to admit he was brilliant, a raw bundle of dark energy and pain. But he eclipsed his bandmates, who were nowhere near his caliber of talent and who were entirely too polished for War’s stripped down style. I wondered who had mismatched them so badly.
War’s expression was dangerous as he finished the two song set and stormed off the stage. I’d bet money there’d be some hell to pay.
After a short set change, the introduction was finally made for Tempest. I spotted Avery as she slipped down the steps on the right side of the stage and moved into the vacant seat next to Marcus. Then all the lights in the theatre went completely out.
Suddenly, a lone spot light illuminated center stage. Back arched, chin raised up in the air, mic held near his mouth, dressed in low slung tight jeans and a completely unbuttoned shirt, looking like a groupie’s wicked fantasy, Justin let out a primal yell that sent goose bumps rippling over my skin.
That was obviously a cue. The rest of the lights blazed on. The band kicked in, and Justin strutted confidently to the front of the stage. The audience went wild for him. I did, too. He was mesmerizing. His voice was breathy and he had the ability to somehow make me feel as though he were singing just to me.
Bryan moved closer to Justin as they transitioned into “Truth.” Back to back, leaning on each other, Bryan’s fingers flying over his guitar and Justin crooning into his mic. When they reached the bridge, Justin and Dizzy harmonized into the same mic.
They all seemed larger than life. King high on his riser, heavily muscled arms banging aggressively, Sager’s inky hair in his eyes undulating to the bass, Dizzy’s steady rhythm balancing Bryan’s frenetic solos, but I had eyes only for Justin and my gaze remained fixed on him throughout the set. I was so proud of him. By “My Way or the Highway” his skin was glistening with sweat and his hair was drenched. He oozed sex appeal, prowling the stage in nonstop motion.
“Take off your shirt!” I heard a female voice beckon.
He smiled, but shook his head. And that’s when I realized which one he was wearing. I sat up straighter. The lavender one I’d bought him that day everything went wrong. The one I’d thrown in the kitchen trash before I’d left. He must have salvaged it. That tiny glimmer of hope, that belief that what we had was something worth saving, too, intensified becoming bigger and brighter in my heart.
A Tempest roadie cleared the stage of the colorful lingerie that now littered its surface while another handed Justin his guitar. He strapped it on with practiced ease and leaned into
the mic.
He closed his eyes as the crowd fell silent. “There’s this girl,” he said in a thick voice.
Whistles and catcalls filled the pause, and a male voice yelled, “There always is!”
“Yeah, but this one’s special.” Justin opened his eyes and smiled. “And this one’s for her. It’s called ‘Girl behind the Glass.’ We hope you like it.” Bryan took lead on the subdued acoustic piece, but it was Justin who had me transfixed, his voice resonating with deep emotion as he sang.
Image in the mirror
The fairest of them all
I want to wake you from your slumber
Behind that frozen wall.
No matter what your demons are
I’m equal to the task
Strike ’em all down for you
All you need to do is ask
Girl behind the glass
I’m waiting right outside
Can you see my reflection?
Are you feeling our connection
There inside your crystal world?
Fragile but not broken
I’ll handle you with care
No need to be frightened
As long as I’m there.
If this life tears you down
I’ll build you back again
Ready to be your hero
If you’ll just let me in.
Would it be so hard
To let down your guard
And give your eart
To the one who’ll keep it safe for you?
Girl behind the glass
I’m waiting right outside
Can you see my reflection?
Are you feeling our connection
There inside your crystal world?
Tears streaming down my face, I remained in my seat until the standing ovation ended. I couldn’t believe he’d written a song like that about me. He saw me and understood me the way no one else did, and I’d been an idiot to have ever doubted him.
Rock Star Romance Ultimate: Volume 1 Page 133