“I still want you to visit me.”
“Then we’ll find a way to work it out.”
CHAPTER 27
Mari
Cole wasn’t answering my calls.
We’d been on the road for a few weeks and still had three shows to do before we could go home. I missed him, and for all the times I tried to convince him to come out, he hadn’t made the trip once. I wanted his arms around me. I wanted him backstage cheering me on. I wanted to feel him against me. I knew it was selfish, but that didn’t stop me from trying to figure out a way for us to spend time together.
I needed coffee—needed the middle of the day pick-me-up. Of all the things I missed about Cole, his ability to make the perfect coffee was one of them. It was always the right strength and temperature. I reached the lobby, but one look out of the front doors and I knew there was no way in hell I was leaving the hotel. It seemed like every news outlet was waiting outside, cameras at the ready, flashes going off left, right, and center.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out. It wasn’t Cole so I sent it right to voicemail. He was the only person I wanted to talk to right now. Everyone else could wait.
We still had a few hours until we had to head over to the venue so I grabbed a small coffee from the cafe downstairs. It wasn’t great but it would have to do. I took a sip and shivered at the overwhelming strength as I pushed the button on the elevator and made my way back up to my room with every intention of trying to call Cole again.
I placed the card against the door and shoved it open, surprised to see the guys, minus Heath, waiting for me.
“Mari.”
Alarm bells immediately went off. Sawyer’s tone was cautious and Monty and Jackson stood on the other side of the room, their eyes everywhere but on me.
The hair on the back of my neck rose and I walked over and took Sawyer’s hands in mine. “What happened?”
“Umm . . .” He glanced at the guys and then back at me. “We need to talk to you about something.”
A lump formed in the back of my throat. What weren’t they telling me?
My phone buzzed for what felt like the hundredth time and I pulled it from my pocket, only to have it yanked from my hands.
“What the fuck, Sawyer?”
He pressed his lips together and shook his head. “There’s no fucking way I’m letting you look at your phone. Not until we talk.”
“Then you better start talking. My phone’s been blowing up for the last half hour, but I haven’t had a chance to check it. And the press was camped out in front of the hotel. I was coming up here to call Cole, but he’s not answering his cell.” My hands were shaking. “What happened?”
Sawyer wrapped his arm around my shoulders, directing me to the small couch in the room.
“Let’s sit.”
I shrugged him off.
“I really think—”
“Jesus Christ, Sawyer. Just tell her or I will. You’re only making things worse.” Monty came to stand in the middle of the room, his hands at his sides clenched into fists. “The bastard doesn’t deserve your protection.”
Sawyer whipped around. “You think for one moment I’m trying to protect that fucker? I don’t want to hurt Mari.”
Jackson sighed. “She’s going to be hurt no matter how long you take to tell her.”
That’s when I lost it. “Damn it! Someone spit it out. Now!”
The guys looked at each other, but it was Sawyer who cleared his throat. He swallowed hard and opened his mouth to speak. “A video was leaked to TMZ about an hour ago.”
My muscles seized. “What kind of video?” My voice was so low I was surprised anyone heard it.
“Show her,” Jackson urged. “Better she sees it with us here.”
Sawyer pulled his phone from his back pocket and pressed to open one of the apps, handing me the phone.
Mari’s Boyfriend Has Her Brainwashed
The article went on to name Cole, his parents, his job. But that wasn’t all. The damn article described in vivid details the nightmare of my teenage years, complete with a compilation video someone had made of the most humiliating moments of my life.
The video showed four guys surrounding me. Sam in the lead of course, all yelling vulgarities.
“Come on, baby, you know you want to meet us in the back storage closet later.”
“We can each use every hole you have.”
“You know you want us.”
You could clearly see the tears streaming down my face but I was trapped, my eyes are tightly shut. Then another guy came into view and muscled the other ones out of the way. Instantly I recognize the man as Cole.
“Don’t be scared.”
And that was where the video ended.
The breath in my lungs leaked out and I couldn’t hold myself up any longer. My knees buckled and I slid to the floor, strong arms wrapping around my waist before I hit the floor. My throat burned but I didn’t bother trying to hold back.
How had I not realized it was Cole who’d walked up and told me not to be scared? Not long after that, I’d cracked one eye open and to find them all gone. Worried that it was all part of the plan, I’d run away and locked myself in a stall for the rest of the period.
“That’s not him,” I sobbed. “Not anymore.”
Sawyer sat on the floor and cradled me in his lap. “Why didn’t you tell me how bad it was?”
I curled into his body, trying to hide from the world. “Do you think anyone wants to admit things like that?” I mumbled into his shirt.
I closed my eyes tight but the video just played in my memory, over and over. My stomach rolled and I bolted from his lap, straight into the bathroom. Feet pounded behind me. I threw up the toilet seat and purged everything from my stomach. A warm hand rubbed circles on my back.
“Breathe, Mari,” Jackson whispered. “Monty’s on the phone with Tom and the label’s lawyer. They’re trying to get it taken down.”
A few minutes of dry heaving and I was sure there couldn’t possibly be anything left in my stomach. A tissue appeared in front of me. I took it gratefully and forced myself to sit back against the cool tiles. My mind whirled with so many thoughts I couldn’t keep up. Everything blurred around the edges.
The guy in that video wasn’t the Cole I knew; at least, the one I thought I knew.
What if all of this was just another way to poke fun at Mariloon?
More of the article floated through my mind. Words I had tried to ignore when my eyes locked on them. They’d interviewed Brian. Of all the people we went to high school with, they’d chosen him. The interviewer wanted to know what he thought about my relationship with Cole and his answer made my throat close.
“This is better than the time he set it up to break her guitar. Cole is bada**. He really knows how to pull one.”
Had Cole sent in the video to make a few extra bucks at my expense? He’d have no problem getting his hands on that kind of shit. Hell, he probably had it on his own computer.
Jackson squatted down in front of me. “Better?”
I nodded, afraid to speak and bring back the rush of tears. My skin felt too tight, my chest hurt, and all I wanted was a few minutes alone. Jackson must have picked up on it because he stood and tipped his head toward the door.
“I’m going to see if I can help Monty with the calls. Don’t worry, we’ll get this taken care of.”
The door closed behind them and my head dropped back against the wall.
The silence was overwhelming at first. Whatever the guys were doing in the other room, their hushed tones left no way for me to hear the conversation. I closed my eyes and took deep steading breaths.
How had things gotten so fucked up?
I’d let my guard down and let someone in, that’s how. I thought after meeting Sawyer that I’d become a better judge of character. Apparently not.
The pain in my chest at what I might have cost the guys was too much. I brought my knees to my chest and buried my
head in my arms to muffle the sound. I didn’t need to add any more problems to the list.
“Please don’t cry.” Sawyer’s voice came from the other side of the door. I didn’t answer, but hear the click of the lock and the squeak of the hinges as the door opened and he came closer and scooped me up from the floor. He carried me back out to the bedroom and took a seat, cradling me in his arms. I stayed there, tuning the world around me out. It was easier than facing the reality of what happened.
There was a knock at the door and Heath came bursting through the moment Jackson opened it. He took the seat next to us on the couch. “I’m so sorry, Mari. I was at the studio when the news broke. I’ve been on the phone trying to get it taken down since.”
Monty sighed. “We’ve been doing the same. Any luck?”
Heath shook his head. “What about you?”
“Not really. Amanda from the PR department is working to come up with a strategy.” Monty’s eyes came to mine and he didn’t have to say a word for me to see how sorry he was.
The last thing I wanted was for the most horrifying years of my life to be dissected by the world, but a close second was being a liability that needed a strategy for her career to survive.
A pounding started on the door and Heath jumped to his feet, racing across the room to glance through the peephole. Before anyone had the chance to ask who it was, Heath had flung it open and there was a brief moment when Cole’s face came into view, but before he had a chance to speak, Heath threw his fist right into Cole’s nose. The force of the punch sending him flying backward into the wall on the other side of the hall.
CHAPTER 28
Cole
The school year ended a week ago and for the first time in my life, I was bored shitless. I sat on the couch, flipping through channel after channel, nothing catching my interest. Mari still had three shows to do before she’d be back home and while the phone sex was fun, I wanted more than my right hand for company.
It wasn’t just about the sex, either. I missed her. Seeing her, spending time with her. I knew this was becoming her reality and I was really pleased she was getting to live her dream, but right now it really sucked for me.
Hayward and Cambria continued to call me. I hadn’t told either no, which meant they were trying to outdo the other with their offers not knowing that my decision had nothing to do with what they gave me. I mean salary was important, but more than that, I wanted to make the decision with Mari. Couples didn’t take jobs hours away without consulting the other. The one night we’d talked about it, she’d encouraged me to think about taking the job, but at the time I hadn’t seriously considered doing it. Now, with her travel time increased, it didn’t seem like a bad move.
Ryan yanked the remote from my fingers. “Dude, I can’t take your moping anymore. You can’t sit here all day, flipping through the channels.”
“Why not? It’s exactly what you’re going to do.”
“No, I’m gonna pick a show and watch it. You’re going to flip, maybe stop at a channel, and have no idea what’s on it ’cause you’re too wrapped up in Mari and the job offers.”
“You’re right.” I dropped my head on the back of the couch and scrubbed my hands over my face.
He flicked the TV off, turning to give me his full attention. “So what are you still doing here? She keeps trying to get you to join her now that school’s out.”
“I don’t want to make the paparazzi worse. They follow her anyway, but when we’re together they’re relentless. It’s lucky they don’t think I’m interesting enough without her to camp outside of school or the house.”
He lay a hand on my shoulder. “If she thought the paparazzi would be a problem she wouldn’t ask you to go.”
Ryan was right. She wouldn’t keep insisting if she was worried about the reaction my being there would cause. I stood and walked to my bedroom.
“Where are you going?” he called after me.
“Wherever Mari is. I just have to look up her schedule.”
I pulled the band’s page up on my phone. I knew what cities she’d be in, but I couldn’t remember the order. Her next stop was about a five-hour drive. I packed a bag for a few days, not knowing how long I’d be staying. I walked back into the living room to get my wallet and keys.
“If Mari texts you, don’t tell her anything. I want it to be a surprise.”
He rolled his eyes. “Dude, you better get flowers or something on your way. She’s not going to be happy when she doesn’t hear from you for that long.”
I hefted the bag up onto my shoulder. “It’s only five hours, I’ll be there before dinner.”
“Good luck and have fun.”
Not twenty minutes into the drive, my screen on my dash lit up with a number I was starting to know by heart.
Hayward.
Knowing I couldn’t ignore the call, I hit answer.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Cole, it’s Michael from Hayward. How are you?”
“Good, I’m actually on the road right now.” I switched lanes to pass a car moving way too slow.
“Well, I was just wondering if you gave our last offer any more thought? We’d really love to have you as our offensive coordinator starting this upcoming season.”
It was still surreal that colleges were fighting over me for coaching positions. I was used to colleges fighting over me to play for them, but at my age to be responsible for every offensive play on the field was exciting and overwhelming all at the same time.
“Actually, I’m on the way to visit my girlfriend. I wanted to talk it over with her, before I make any decisions. Can I call you next week?”
“That sounds perfect. I look forward to hearing from you. Enjoy your weekend away.”
Throughout the drive, the phone continued to ring, Mari’s name lighting up the screen. It took all my willpower not to answer. A few numbers I didn’t know popped up but, figuring they were telemarketers, I easily let those go to voicemail.
My car ate up miles, my focus on getting to Mari before Ryan spilled the beans. I’d texted Heath before I left to find out what room she was in. With the number on my phone, I navigated through the crowded streets toward their hotel.
As I got closer the traffic slowed to a crawl. Inch by inch I slithered along, my knee bouncing impatiently. It wasn’t until I got closer to the parking lot that I realized what all the commotion was about. Every possible celebrity news organization was camped out in front of the hotel, their vans blocking all but one lane.
What the hell was going on? I picked up my phone to see what might have happened and found seven texts from Ryan and a ton of missed calls. I pulled up Ryan’s text to see a link with a message.
Watch this before you get there.
Too late for that.
I opened the video and immediately wanted to vomit. It was one I recognized immediately from high school. I’d forgotten most of what happened that day except for what I did to Sam. I hadn’t even remembered Mari being there. I also hadn’t realized someone was recording it. It was from the last time I put up with Sam’s bullshit. We never talked again after that. I watched the video play right up until it finished, just as I walked up to Mari.
“Fuck,” I yelled. The important part was missing. Then again, I had no idea whether or not the rest had been recorded.
I scrolled down past the video, reading the article.
Sam Horton, a former classmate of Cosmann and Wallace, spoke with us about the incident. He felt sorry for Mari and wanted the world to know what kind of man she was dating. He considers her a friend and didn’t want her to continue to date a man who was only interested in her fame and money. “I hope Mari will forgive me for bringing the video to light, but I think the world should know what kind of man she’s with. Hopefully Cole will learn that he can’t use people, and will find his way to forgiveness.”
“Self-righteous motherfucker.”
I punched the roof of the car, instantly regretting the action when a sharp p
ain shot through my knuckles and they began to swell. I had to get to Mari. If she’d seen that video I needed to tell her what happened afterward.
I climbed out of the car and made it less than five feet before the press started to swarm.
“Cole, can you explain the video?”
“Cole, are you only using Mari?”
“Are you here to claim your prize?”
The questions came at me like gunfire, rapid and straight to my chest. I had no intention of answering them, but that didn’t mean I didn’t feel each and every one of them like a shot to the heart. I dropped my head and pushed my way through the crowd, eventually making it through the doors and heading directly for the elevators. Nothing was going to stop me from getting to Mari. I punched in the number for her floor and the moment the doors opened, I ran down the hall and pounded on her door.
Before I got a word out, the door flung open and Heath’s fist slammed into my face, sending me flying backward into the wall behind me. I felt the blood drip from my nose, but my need to talk to Mari overrode the pain. She’d obviously seen the video. I cupped my nose to contain the blood and stood to knock again.
“Mari, please, you need to listen. That’s not me. More happened after that. Please talk to me.”
I alternated between pleaded and beating on the door until the elevator dinged and I saw three security guards walking down the hall toward me.
“Sir, you need to leave,” one of the men said.
It might have been stupid, but I knocked on the door again. “Mari, please. I swear I can explain.”
One wrapped his arm around my chest, pulling me toward the bank of elevators. Two of the other guys took hold of my arms, keeping me from fighting back. By the time the elevator doors closed, all the fight had left me.
Mari wouldn’t listen. Like I’d feared from the beginning, my mistakes were too much for her. One video and she believed the worst of me.
Rock Me (Jaded Ivory Book 1) Page 23