“What’s going on with the little redhead?” he asked, taking a swig of his beer.
“Nothing, we’re just friends.”
“You like her.” It wasn’t a question. “What’s stopping you?”
“She’s leaving for San Diego, and I just ended things with Marti.”
“Long distance relationships suck,” Easton agreed.
“What if Marti comes back?” Camden questioned.
“We’re over,” I reminded him.
“She’ll come back once she sees you hitting the billboard or whatever it is that you rock stars do.” Easton said.
“Marti hovers all over you when she thinks that you might make it,” Camden added. “It’s like she’s waiting to harvest the fruit but can’t be there when you need her. Once she sees that you hit the jackpot, she’ll be back.”
“She’s got no place with me anymore.”
“Tess,” Easton said.
I nodded and grinned like an idiot because right at that moment Tess texted me.
Tess: Some days I want to become a teacher. Toddlers are precious.
Gage: You can teach them math using turtles and sea stars.
Tess: Toddlers don’t learn math.
Gage: Of course, they do. We just don’t teach it to them. Children absorb information like sponges under the sea—pun intended. We hold them back.
Tess: What are you doing?
Gage: Having dinner with my brothers, talking about my future plans and you.
Tess: What about me?
Gage: I’m hiring you to keep the groupies away.
Tess: Ha! There’s not enough money in the world to convince me to do that. Groupies can be a little …
I watched those three dots dance for a long time until she finally finished her message.
Tess: … insane. Just be careful.
Gage: Drive safe. Text me when you get home.
Tess: See you tomorrow?
Gage: I’ll be at the flower shop by nine.
Twelve
Gage
I didn’t believe in perfection. I believed in perfect moments. Those precious, extraordinary instants that we have to live fully and save in our memories for when things don’t go so well.
I’ve experienced about a billion since Tess walked into the bar and brightened not only the place, but my whole life. She waltzed in at precisely the right moment, not a second before. I bet if she had appeared before, I’d missed her and the joy of sharing everything that had happened to me up until that moment.
I didn’t quit Logan’s. He fired me. John did the same when a woman came into the bar and took off her top asking me to sign her boob. Tess credits the surge in popularity to my Instagram and YouTube accounts. I blame her. She’s been uploading videos of me recording, along with snapshots she took while I was at her house, and other images she created with some of my lyrics to grab attention.
Kaden’s right, she had a knack for social media. It didn’t take long to create my image. Of course, after the little circus I attracted, both of my bosses fired me. They said it wasn’t personal. They didn’t have money to hire people to control the masses. That worked for me because I spent my down time with Tess—when she was free, of course.
“When did you write this song?” Tess asked.
We’re in my room, lying on the bed listening to “Not Just Anyone” for the millionth time since Tuesday. Ever since that day, we’d eaten dinner at my place and hung out until midnight when I’d drive her back home. Easton let me borrow one of his trucks. My song had been playing on the radio non-stop.
Things were happening fast. In November, I was joining Arcadia’s tour as the opening act. My EP was releasing the second week of October, and I’d be recording my full-length album after Thanksgiving.
“What do you mean?” I asked, caressing her thin fingers.
“Did you write it while you were at Julliard, or during one of your breakups.”
“It’s not that old, why?” I played it cool.
“Just wondering what inspired you.”
My muse was Tess, not only for that song but the five that I’d written in the past week. I linked my fingers with her and closed my eyes. I’d sworn not to develop any feelings for her. Impossible. Every fucking second we spent together seemed to bind me to her soul. We couldn’t slow down, even if we tried.
Kaden Hades and I talked about my future, my career, and while I still had the opportunity, I asked him my own questions—including how he made his marriage work. He’d been with his wife for seven years, and they looked happy.
“Long distance relationships aren’t simple,” he’d said. “The secret to my relationship is communication. We never hide anything from each other. One lie can destroy your entire relationship. We called and texted every day, and we Facetimed at night whenever I was away. I also made sure to set dates to fly back home to see her—or she’d come see me.”
“What if I said you?” I asked, afraid of her answer.
She fought our relationship. As much as I’d tried to follow her lead it was becoming impossible.
“We shouldn’t be talking about feelings or a relationship,” she said sternly.
The air around us cooled down a thousand degrees, just like her voice. Her body stiffened. She tried to reclaim her hand, but I wouldn’t let her.
“I’m heading back to school. We know how long-distance relationships work,” she paused. “They don’t. Plus, this world is new to you. There’s a lot you might want to explore.”
“Baby, I’m twenty-seven. There’s plenty of shit I’ve already explored and didn’t like,” I said, brushing my lips against her hand.
I understood her fear and hesitation. She saw her father go through groupies after her parents’ split. Tess witnessed the craziness at Logan’s Java and how women were throwing innuendos at me and offering me their phone numbers.
“Trust me,” I said.
She closed her eyes.
“I’ve lived in this world longer than many and have a lot of scars because of Dad’s fame.” She sighed.
Her mother was the one who’s scarred her the most. She sold pictures of Tess to the paparazzi making up stories about girlfriends that Kaden never had. Alicia Hades didn’t care about her family’s privacy. She sold stories about Kaden and their children to make extra money. Her father’s fame coupled with her mother’s craziness had burnt Tess to the point of not wanting to deal with the media or relationships. It was up to me to show her we could be different.
“When are you flying back to San Diego?” I changed the subject to something more pressing because I knew I had very little time with her.
“Next Friday. I’m driving,” she said casually.
“You guys are taking a road trip with two little ones?” That sounded painful. My parents used to take us down the coastline every year, and when Cody and Emmalee were younger, it was a nightmare.
“Nope, it’s just me. Want to join me?” She asked casually, and I was almost sure she was joking because she tried to pull away from me, again.
“Are we ready for a road trip? I haven’t even kissed you yet.”
“I—I,” she stuttered, turning red.
“Hey, I’m kidding. Of course, I want to join you. I wouldn’t want you to go by yourself.”
“You really don’t have to,” she continued. “It’s not like I haven’t done it before. Though, Dad hates it when I do.”
“I want to.” I turned my body to face her, folding my elbow and propping my head on my hand. “Would you like me to come with you?”
“It’s like a two-day drive, and you won’t have a car after you drop me. How would you come back home?” She was giving me the perfect out, but I didn’t want it.
“If we leave Thursday morning, let’s say five,” I suggest, “We can arrive in San Francisco at seven or eight for a late dinner. On Friday we can explore the city and drive to San Diego around one.”
“Are you staying in San Diego until I come back?�
�� She snorted. “Dad would kill me if I took away his protégé.”
“If I could, I’d stay in San Diego with you. Since that’s not an option, why don’t you let me visit you? I can squeeze in work during my trips to see you.” I winked at her.
“Take it from me, it’s exhausting and expensive. I come home often though. If you’re in town, we can try to meet.”
I didn’t tell her I could afford it. Or that if I couldn’t, I’d go back to Easton and work for him during my free time. Fortunately, Kaden Hades recommended an attorney to me who settled my case with the school in just a couple of days. To avoid a wrongful termination suit, I received a hefty compensation. It helped me pay off my student loans, and I saved enough to keep me comfortable for a long time.
“Yes, we can also plan our weekends. You’ll visit, I’ll visit you,” I offered.
“I propose that we let this feeling between us grow,” I said. “We won’t give it a title, but we’ll nourish it, and care for it.”
“What if you find someone else or she comes back?” The words carried a little jealousy I didn’t know Tess was capable of.
“She?” I arched an eyebrow.
“Marti, your ex. You just broke up, and every time she comes back you …” she sighed.
“That was before I met you. What I felt for her doesn’t compare to the way I feel for you—it never did. We’ve been over since I graduated from high school. We just didn’t recognize it,” I explained.
“I’m not going to be fighting for your attention. I did that for years with my father.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it didn’t happen exactly like I described it. My mother used me to get my father’s attention. She wanted him back, and she used Hannah and me to try to achieve that. Things got so bad that she even forced me to …” Her light dimmed, and I felt her withering right beside me.
“What happened, Tess?”
“I tried to kill myself,” she whispered.
My heart stopped at the thought of losing her before we ever had a chance to meet. “What do you mean? You tried to commit suicide?” I said. Then regretted my words because maybe I wasn’t saying it right and I could trigger her.
“I didn’t want to, but she made me,” she mumbled. “Mom said that I had to take the pills but that she’d bring me to the hospital right away, so nothing would happen to me.”
Tess closed her eyes and sniffed. “I didn’t want to, but then she said that if I refused, she’d do it to herself. And I’d be the one to blame for her death because there weren’t any adults around. If I did it though, Dad would come back to us and leave Sadie. Mom promised that after that she’d be happy. We would all be a happy family again. She didn’t leave me any choice. I didn’t want to lose my mom. She’s insane but … I love her.”
“She played with your head, you didn’t have a choice,” I said, angry at that bitch.
“Some nights I still have nightmares where she doesn’t save me and I’m lying on the floor. Everyone walks around, but no one notices me. Thankfully, Dad’s helped me overcome the trauma from what she did.”
At that moment, I understood that her heart was more fragile than I assumed. It was up to me to keep her safe from my new life. My hand trembled as I cupped her jaw. I caressed her soft cheek, my thumb brushed over her full lips. I drew her body against mine. Her eyes drifted closed as I lowered my head to kiss her, covering her mouth with mine. Our lips struck like lightning, parting at the same time. I couldn’t hide how I felt about her any longer. My tongue probed deep, finding her tongue.
Tess released a soft moan. I kissed her deeply, a ripple of pleasure streaking down my spine all the way down to my feet. Her taste was sweet, like warm honey and melted chocolate. That kiss made me feel like I’d finally touched the stars. That day I knew I was soul-deep in love.
Thirteen
Gage
“Awe, look he brought us food,” Camden grinned when Tess and I stepped out of the elevator and into the living room.
“You must be Tess,” Easton said, marching toward us. “I’m Easton. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“He’s an FBI agent and we told him about your ID problem,” Camden teased.
“There’s nothing funny about it,” Tess glared at him then looked at Easton. “You’re the one who owns the construction company, right?”
East nodded and smiled at her. “And you’d be the one who studies marine biology down in San Diego.”
Tess glanced at me and then at Easton. “That’d be me.” She looked around the house and asked. “Where’s the FBI agent?”
“You told her about Keane?”
“I mentioned everyone,” I said casually, as if it’s no big deal.
“We don’t talk about him,” Camden grunted.
“It’s not like I told her his whereabouts. I just mentioned what my brothers do for a living.”
“Do you know what her siblings do for a living?” Camden argued.
Tess laughed. “Though it’s classified information, I’ll let you into the family secrets. Aubrey drools, poops and babbles all day long unless she’s sleeping. Kieran goes to pre-school and during his spare time he colors. Hannah deals with teenage drama.”
Tess scanned the apartment and walked closer to Camden, whispering, “You know how dangerous high schoolers can be.”
“I like her,” Easton laughed. “We’re about to order some pizza. What do you have?”
“Thai, I have enough to share, but we should supplement it with some pizza,” I suggested because my brothers always ate like they were training for the Superbowl.
He nodded and moved toward the kitchen while he ordered the pizza.
“Is it okay if we ask what it’s like to be Kaden Hades’ daughter?” Camden asked.
“You can ask whatever you want,” Tess answered. “That doesn’t mean I’ll answer your questions. How would you feel if I ask the same to you?”
“My father isn’t famous,” he retorted. “Why would you care?”
“Your curiosity is valid,” she agreed. “That doesn’t make it right. Dad lives a normal life, or as normal as he can. His routine is more boring than anyone assumes. Your house is fancier than any of the apartments where he’s lived.”
“So why marine biology,” Easton asked before Camden asked something stupider.
“Why construction?” She flipped the question.
“Because football didn’t work for me,” he answered.
“Were you playing for the Seahawks?” She asked with wide eyes.
“No, I was playing in San Francisco,” he answered.
Before Tess, I spent my Friday nights working at the bar. The last couple of weeks I’ve been at her house with her father. Tonight, I was hopeful that we’d stay at home. I wasn’t thinking that my brothers would be at Cam’s place. Still, I liked the impromptu reunion. Tess got to know them while we ate dinner. I just didn’t enjoy that she was learning how stupid I was as a kid.
“Keane’s girlfriend was leaving the state and he thought it’d be cool to chase her parent’s car with Dad’s police patrol,” Camden told her. “Gage drove the car, while Keane sat on the edge of the window talking through a megaphone.”
“They took your father’s car?” Tess repeated mouth wide, eyes wider. “How are you still alive?”
“Dad was beyond furious. I mean, taking the furniture outside to practice skateboarding was bad, but Gage driving at fourteen—and it was Dad’s cop car.” Camden laughed not able to continue his story.
“That’s nothing compare to the time—”
“Stop,” I interrupted Easton. “She’s got the idea. We were idiots.”
“Keane doesn’t think sometimes, he just reacts,” Easton explained. “Gage never says no to him. They’re pretty tight. They even look alike.”
Camden pulled up a picture of the six of us on his phone and gave it to Tess. “Keane’s hair is darker, and his eyes are lighter.”
“Like you two
,” Tess looked at my brothers who nodded. “I can see how they looked so much more alike. It’s impressive.”
“Your sister is beautiful, and she doesn’t look like any of you,” she continued.
Emmalee was only five foot two. She’s petite and her eyes were brown, like Mom’s. Cody looked like us and was almost as tall but also shared Emmalee’s eyes.
“What are you guys doing for the rest of the night?” Easton asked.
“Hanging out in my room,” I said as I lead Tess away from them. “See you later.”
“They’re fun,” Tess said on our way to the upper level. “You had me fooled. I thought you were a saint.”
“Never claimed to be a saint, baby,” I pulled her body closer to mine. “Would you like me to show you?”
“Slow down, Rodin,” she pushed me slightly, staring into my eyes and brushing her fingers over my jaw in a slow, sensual caress. “Sometimes it feels like you’re three steps ahead of me.”
I looked at her pouty lips and wondered what was it that she feared. Also, if she enjoyed slow sex or she preferred fast and rough.
Instead of asking any questions, I cupped her chin and bent over slowly, brushing her lips at first and then gently kissed her. She let out a startled moan. I deepened the kiss, sinking my hand into her thick, strawberry blonde hair. Tess sucked in her lower lip and blinked at me. As her eyes met mine, I saw the fire in her soul. Also, fear.
“Hey, I’ll always go as far as you’re comfortable to go,” I said, wrapping my arms around her and holding her close to me. “The last thing I want to do is make you feel pressured or uncomfortable.”
She tilted her head to look up at me. She pushed herself up on her tiptoes. There were mere inches between our lips. The golden flecks in her eyes caught my attention. I was enchanted by them, and by her soul.
“I don’t want to feel, but with you it’s impossible not to,” she confessed, her lower lip trembling. “I’m torn between letting this run its course or running away before it’s too late.”
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