by K. S. Adkins
“What do you think?” I asked, wanting her input, and stopping myself from telling her Guy didn’t have to con me. He just had to call.
“I think Rick has everything to do with it,” she said surprising me. Honestly, at the rate she had been popping pills before I left, I didn’t think she cottoned on to his bullshit. Apparently she had, too bad the damage had already been done. Too bad I didn’t possess the patience to actually talk to her about it. Instead, I assumed the worst.
While loyal to her label and tight with the owner, who was an alright guy, Rick was a fucking asshole. Little prick was always pushing her to do shit she wasn’t on board with. Shit that wasn’t Pest. I was his only roadblock, and once he had me out of the way, and Guy struggling to fill the gap, I gather he knew he could get away with even more and did.
These were all theories I had, of course, and now having confirmation I wanted to gut him. I made that fucker’s life a lot easier while destroying ours in the process, I knew that now. A year ago, I hadn’t.
Motherfucker had caught me at a bad time. While I was having a moment over my own behavior, no less. Guy had just finished reaming my ass about getting arrested again, then there was more shit about me being dangerous for her splashed everywhere, and fucking Rick calls me.
I had just wanted to get drunk and forget shit for a while. I was tired of people accusing me of hurting her, being a criminal, and dragging my past through the mud. No, I wasn’t perfect. Far fucking from it, but I would die before hurting her or letting harm come to her. But I was sick of the constant anxiety and fights with her over the media. Just as I was thinking it may be best for her if I left, he spoke.
“You don’t like me,” he said smugly. “And I don’t need you to like me to do my job. Promoting Tempest and getting her the positive attention she’s due is a losing battle when you can’t stay out of jail. It’s been four weeks since the media has reported anything remotely favorable, Chevy.
Her charity work, the upcoming tour, all have been overshadowed because of your actions. You want to fight the masses for her? Fine. But understand that the same people you want to knock out are the very same who buy her tickets and pay your bills.”
At my silence he said, “As much as I’d like to believe a man like you can change his ways, it’s obvious you can’t. I also believe if I made you a fair offer, you’d take it. Because the man in question is looking for an out.” So when he told me what the offer was, I made a decision. The decision I thought was best for everyone. Especially me.
Rick was a shark and Tempest had been the bait. It was no secret Tempest doesn’t like attention—negative or positive. However, labels needed it. Rick had been good at his job because he played us both while Guy was too busy to notice. “I’ve been quiet not giving anyone anything to talk about. The last time shit went south we made a ton of money from it. The label made a ton of money from it. No such thing as bad press, right?” she said rolling her eyes. “Fans love the victim. That’s me, by the way.”
“Rick will shit himself when he finds out I’m back.”
“Why would he care either way?”
“Because he’s the one who offered me a hundred Gs to leave.”
I expected her to cry, maybe even curl into a ball, or melt down—not launch herself across the table.

The asshole was humoring me, and I knew it. Like a spider monkey I latched on to him, refusing to let go. I was so fucking mad, I even bit him. What did he do? Looked at the mark, smiled, and asked me to do it again. The more I fought, the gentler he was with me. He was careful that my body didn’t hit the cupboards, the furniture, or the equipment.
Did I appreciate this?
No.
And I let him know that when he set me down.
Rearing back, I cold cocked him right in the chin and watched him catch himself just before he crumpled. Shaking himself of the blow, he advanced on me, and I let out a squeak.
“That’s twice you’ve decked me, Pest.”
“Give me another opening, and we’ll settle on three.”
“Your right hook was always impressive. For a girl.”
“Wanna see what my knees can do?”
“Yeah,” he said, grinning. “Spread ‘em for me. For old time’s sake.”
“Oh look, you’re delusional.”
“No,” he said, pinning me against the wall. “I’m horny.”
“Quit rubbing your dick on me!”
“Quit staring at it.”
“You’ve been gone a year,” I grated out. “I’m surprised you didn’t bring your side pieces along to rub that in my face. You know, to show me how normal looks on you. Tell me, does it suit?”
Pain marred his features and I knew mine looked the same. Even the thought of him with another woman sent me into a rage. When he didn’t confirm or deny it, I brought my knee up, but he blocked it. Jealous and hurt, I head butt him, which sent him staggering back and sent me to the ground.
I was such a pussy.
“Ow,” I moaned holding my head, and quickly he was there, checking me over, worried. That pissed me off, too. Thus began our next wrestling match. He was winning, would always win, but I’d bet you twenty whoever saw this RV assumed the occupants were getting busy. Having enough, he pinned my wrists over my head, putting his weight between my legs and spreading them. “No one but you,” he growls in my face. “Ever.”
“Liar.”
“I don’t lie, Pest. You know that.”
“Fine, you don’t lie,” I whimpered. “But I thought you loved me. A hundred thousand dollars said you don’t.”
“I said he offered,” he said, staring at my mouth, wanting to own it. “I didn’t say I took it.”
“But you still left me,” I screamed in fury. “Look at me, Chevy! Look at what your leaving did to me!”
“I needed a break, Pest,” he said softly. “And you didn’t ask me to come back, he did.”
Like I was smacked across the face, I felt the sting. Needed a break? Didn’t ask him to come back? I didn’t want him to leave!
“Please, get off me.” I struggled not to cry. It was coming, like a freight train it was picking up speed.
“Look at me,” he ordered, but I closed my eyes tighter. “Look at my face, Tempest.”
Peeling one eye open, he leaned in, and I could smell his breath. Listerine, he loved that shit. “I was never going to make you choose. You don’t need a fuck up like me ruining shit for you, and that’s all I’ll do, Pest. It’s all I know how to do. But no man will ever love you like I do, not even Guy.”
“Guy doesn’t love me like that.”
“Yeah, he does.”
“No, Chevy, he doesn’t.”
“Based on your right hook, I take it you didn’t know about Rick.”
“Seriously?” I snapped. “That bastard gave me a choice, and I chose you!”
“I know.”
“And you left anyway?”
“You popped so many pills I’m surprised you even noticed I was gone.”
“Wow,” I whispered, losing the will to fight. “How long have you been waiting to say that?”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m back.” And at my silence he said, “Maybe for good.” Then kissed the ever loving hell out of me. Lost to it, needing it, willing to do anything to have it, I wrapped my legs around him to pull him closer. Groaning, he broke the kiss and removed his weight.
Just like that he stopped. In our history together Chevy never stopped. Suddenly cold and bereft, I pushed up, passing him while grabbing my phone on the way to my room. I didn’t care it was pushing four in the morning, I wanted it handled. Dammit, this was something I should have handled a year and a half ago. Slamming the door, I bypassed Rick’s number going straight for Arthur, the head honcho. Knowing I was his cash cow, he answered on the second ring, uncaring of the time.
“Tempest? You’re well?”
Debatable, but I didn’t say that. “Arthur, I’m adding Guy to the
call if you’ll hold a moment.”
“Of course,” he said sleepily and when Guy answered I explained it was a conference call.
“I want Rick removed as my manager effective immediately. If he intends to fight me on this, I will crucify him publicly, in court, and in print. I don’t want you to suffer because of his actions, but my family comes first, Arthur; always.” Taking a deep breath, I continued. “Guy will be in charge of securing me new management, and I trust this person will be compensated as Rick had been until this matter is resolved.”
“It will be done,” Arthur promised. And why shouldn’t he? I was fairly certain he hated him, too, but was waiting for me to step up and say something. Shit. This was my fault.
“I’ll take care of it, Tempest,” Guy said, sounding proud of me. Too bad he had nothing to be proud of.
Thanking them, I tossed the phone to the side and cried my heart out.
Chevy hadn’t left because of Rick’s offer. He’d left because everything about me was too much work, and in the end, I wasn’t even worth the payout.
He walked away because of the one thing he hated most—my anxiety. Man, if that didn’t sock me right in the lady balls. The asshole broke me over something I couldn’t control, and still, I couldn’t bring myself to hate him for it. Because no one hated it more than I did. No one understood I’d give it all away just to be normal.
Just to have Chevy.
See? Pathetic.

She cried herself to sleep.
I was so fucking raw right now. She didn’t know about the money, or that Guy was ass-over-elbows in love with her. But she had Rick fired which was a step in the right direction.
When her phone continued to ring nonstop, I went into her room to shut it off. Six calls from Rick, one voicemail. Hitting play, his message was clear; he was pissed and planned to ruin her if she didn’t call it off. Erasing the message, I tuck her phone in my pocket and crawl into bed with her. She was so small, fit so fucking perfectly into my arms. I walked away from this. My mind couldn’t even latch on to the idea of it. Looking at her, my heart literally tripped, warning me I better never do it again.
Tempest was, is, the only home I’ve ever known and Guy was my brother, straight up. Together we were a family. She was the talent, he was the brains, and I was the muscle. Only I broke our family up.
Moving her hair away from her face, she lets out a deep sigh before snuggling into me like she used to. The world didn’t see this, her fans had no idea. How pale her skin was, how soft it was naturally. She did her own hair and makeup, turning herself from the innocent girl next door into rock royalty.
But this right here, this natural beauty was mine alone. Not true, I corrected myself. Since I’ve been gone she was Guy’s. He had this, he took care of it. I watched it happen right along with the rest of the world. The way she clung to him, never letting go. I told myself that’s why she didn’t call and demand an explanation.
She had herself a good man once the garbage took itself out.
The media was all over the new couple. I couldn’t get away from it, but I put her on that path. I could not hold it over her head. Or his. But fuck, I wanted to, needed to. When she clutches to me, I wonder if she knows it’s me or if instinct has her reaching for him. But it didn’t matter when I heard banging on the door.
Carefully tucking her in, I shut her door so she wouldn’t be disturbed. Tempest didn’t rest enough as it was.
Releasing the lock, I wasn’t even down one step when he started to shove his way in. He stopped when he realized I wasn’t easy-going-Guy. Rick was not prepared for me to be the one to answer because I wasn’t supposed to be here.
“Get her, now.” Chump motherfucker was a runt on a good day and no match for me. Pushing him down both steps, I took him by the throat walking him back to a tree and slamming him up against it.
“You’re fired,” I reminded him. “So unless you came here to thank her for her time, you made a mistake, prick. A big one.”
“My first call will be to Arthur,” he sneered, unable to get free. “You’ll be gone by lunch.”
“Hold that thought,” I said while reaching in my pocket. Scrolling down to recent calls, I hit Arthur’s number. Thinking it’s Tempest he answered.
“It’s Chevy,” I announced. “Got your boy Rick here trying to push his way into my girl’s home. How do you wanna handle it, boss? Just so we’re clear, my way involves blood.” Handing the phone to Rick, he put it up to his ear, blanches, and then hands it back.
“We done?”
“This isn’t over,” he vowed. “She’ll pay for this.”
“I’ll pay for what?” she asked from the door.
“Go back inside, Pest.”
“I think I’ll stay here if you don’t mind,” she said in a sleepy voice. “What will I pay for, Rick?”
“I made you,” he accused.
“You did?” she asked, coming to stand next to me. “When? When Guy was scheduling shows from coffee shops with free Wi-Fi, or when Chevy was passing out demos to anybody willing to take one? Because if memory serves, they made me. Arthur gave you an opportunity and from there your job was cake. You betrayed me, Rick, and that’s a no-no.” Staring up at me she said, “Get rid of him.” An order I’d gladly heed.
“You think this asshole can protect you? You’ve got enough shit on your plate without adding me to it, Tempest. By the end of this tour you’ll probably be put in a straitjacket. We all know you can’t handle the—” He didn’t finish his sentence. Making sure he was out cold, I drug his dumb ass back to his shiny Mercedes and shoved him inside.
Coming back, she was right where I left her. Except now she was staring at her feet. “He’s right,” she said, ringing her hands. “I can’t handle it.”
“You can handle anything,” I reminded her. “We’re up, that’s done. Let’s go get breakfast.”
Shaking her head, no, I saw her mentally shut down and the physical part was next. Violence didn’t trigger her; she was used to me losing my shit. It was everything else that sent her over. But when she started shaking and talking to herself, I had to admit Guy might be telling the truth.
Tempest battled anxiety, but anxiety wasn’t just winning these days, it was kicking her ass. Unsure what else to do, I pulled her tight against me and crushed my lips to hers. Stunned, she tensed up, but slowly her hands relaxed enough to run them up and under my shirt. The feel of her fingers on my skin set me on fire. When she slipped her tongue in, I picked her up under the arms and she wrapped herself around me.
Locking the door behind us, in case that dipshit woke up and tried again, I carefully set her down on her bed before nature took over. This was what we did, what we knew. We fucked and we fucked often. We were really fucking good at it, too.

How can life change so quickly in less than a day? Yesterday, Chevy was a painful memory, and Rick was a pain I tolerated. Guy was my lifeline, and I was back home in Detroit for the final leg of my tour. It was supposed to be simple and under control. Now nothing was. Last night, Chevy came back taking Guy’s place. Guy, who called Chevy, but had not told me until I saw his face and hit it with my fist.
Guy left, Chevy admitted to needing a break (from me!), being offered a hundred large, and I had Rick fired. Chevy said he’s staying, and crawled into bed with me. Then I woke up to him knocking Rick out.
Cue in panic attack and Chevy for the save. Chevy who was on top of me, had rid me of my underwear, and was sucking on my nipple. He still smelled like I remember, tasted the same too. His hands were large and calloused, his weight welcome.
Home.
The need to escape vanished. The chest pain was gone. The sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath was for a different reason now.
When he slipped his hand between my legs, the last of the anxiety left me and was replaced by need. Bone-deep, staggering need. In reality, a year wasn’t a long time. Unless you were heartsick, then it
felt like an eternity.
When I was alone, I would press my fingers to my lips because I still felt his kiss there. A phantom sensation that resided just under my skin at all times. I knew it wasn’t real, but I clung to it. Fearing the day would come when even the phantom sensation would leave me. Then I’d have no reminders of him.
Nothing.
Knowing that day was inevitable was crushing. Having it back even more so. His kiss was everything. I couldn’t lose everything again. I wasn’t strong enough.
“So soft and pretty. Still gets soaked,” he whispered. “For me.”
No shit. I thought to myself, not realizing he wanted an answer until he bit my tit. “Ow, yes, for you.”
“Only for me.”
“Am I missing something?”
“You think of me when he was between your legs, Pest?”
“Think of who?”
“Figured he marry you,” he said, focused on my mouth. Then he slipped a finger inside and I quit listening. This, I needed this. I didn’t need the other shit. “Do what I never did.” This I did hear and then I got pissed.
“Chevy,” I snap pushing his chest. “Who the fuck are you talking about?”
“Guy’s been in here,” he said, inserting another finger. “Don’t lie, Pest.”
“But you’d still fuck me?” I retorted totally hurt, moment gone.
“Yeah,” he said, staring at my stomach before frowning and mumbling. “You’re my girl.”
“Move,” I ordered him, but he still stared. Fuck… “Move, Chevy. Now.”
“What happened to your stomach?” he asked, running his free fingers over my tiny scars. They were barely noticeable but he never missed anything. And why should he? He knew my body even better than I did. Considering he’s the only man who’s ever seen it. “What the fuck happened to your stomach, Tempest?”
Biting my lip, because this is not how I wanted to tell him. He demanded, “Answer me, goddammit.”
“I had a miscarriage,” I whispered in utter shame.
“You were having—” he choked, closing his eyes. “He got you—”