Love Hard (Anything But Mine Book 2)

by Barbara Justice

  Sky stared at his wife. “Meg, I don’t know where to begin.”

  She whipped around and spat out, “Did you sleep with her?”

  “No.”

  “Don’t lie to me. You had your arms around her while walking up the stairs of your bus.”

  “Baby, I told you when we first got to know each other that I’d never lie to you. I never have, and I never will. And I never slept with her. Nothing happened. There’s an explanation.”

  Meg’s body began to shake, and she crossed her arms against her chest. “I don’t believe you. The pictures.” She began to sob, and collapsed onto a nearby sofa. “I can’t…they said…”

  “Shhh…” Sky sat down and reached for her, but she pulled back from him. His voice was soft as he spoke. “Meg, please, listen to me.”

  She reached for a nearby box of tissues and managed to compose herself. “I’m listening,” she said, as she curled into a ball and hugged a throw pillow to her chest.

  Sky took a deep breath. “After you left on Friday morning to fly home to Nashville with Quint, I had a talk with Larissa. As it turns out, she has a bigger drinking problem than we thought. It was only eleven o’clock in the morning, but she was pretty plastered, and admitted that she had already had whiskey in her coffee. And it got worse backstage before the show that night. I don’t know how she got through her set, but when it came time to join us for “Heat”, she was barely able to stay on her feet and was slurring the words. Jack had to help her off stage, where she passed out. We took her to our bus, and had Beau stay the night with her there. I slept on Jack and Becky’s bus.”

  “Why couldn’t she sleep it off on her own bus?”

  “The guys in her band were real ‘hands-y’ with her backstage, and I didn’t want something bad to happen to her. And since Beau is an EMT, it made sense for him to stay with her.”

  Meg narrowed her eyes. “If that’s true, then why do all the photos show only you and Larissa? Where was everyone else?”

  “They were walking behind me. The photos must have been cropped.”

  “That’s a convenient excuse.”

  “Goddamn it Meg.” He pounded his fist into the sofa and raised his voice. “It’s the truth. So help me God, it’s the truth.” When she didn’t respond, he continued, “The first night we met, you told me that you didn’t believe half of what the tabloids printed. Why is this any different?”

  “Because this time it’s my life. And because I know there are grains of truth to the story. She wants you. She’s got it bad for you, and made sure that I knew it. Even the first time I met her in Las Vegas, she made it clear that she wanted you.”

  Sky rolled his eyes. “Just because she has a crush on me doesn’t mean I’m gonna do anything about it.”

  “But…”

  “And we fired her from the tour.”

  Meg’s eyes grew wide. “You did?”

  “Yes. She’s a disaster, and needs to get into rehab. I hope she recognizes that she’s hit about as rock-bottom as she can go. Otherwise, her career is over.”

  “But what about you, and the band, and your career? The executives at your label are going to go nuts when they find out that you fired her.”

  “I don’t care. Our marriage comes first. You’re way more important to me than all that.”

  “Sky, you didn’t have to do that for me.”

  “Oh, yes I did. There’s only a couple of things in this world that matter to me – they’re you, us, and our son. And even though I love music and the band, trust me, I’d give it all up in a heartbeat if you wanted me to. I’d fly down to Dallas tomorrow and beg my father for a job with the family business, if it would repair our marriage and make you happy.”

  Sky’s revelations were like a bucket of ice water being poured over Meg. “No, no…of course I wouldn’t want you to do that. You’d be miserable…”

  “Just tell me how to fix this, then…”

  Meg’s voice cracked. “I don’t know…”

  “I love you. You’re my life, baby. You. Only you.” Sky moved next to her, grabbed the pillow she was clutching, and tossed it to the floor. He put his arms around her, pulled her close, and whispered, “There’s no one else in the world I want more than you.”

  Her heart was racing, and the butterflies returned to her stomach. She turned and focused her green eyes on her husband. “Sky…”

  “Shhh…” He ran his fingers through her hair, then tilted her chin up so his lips could brush against hers. “Baby, it’s been so long…”

  She hung her head. “I know, and I’m sorry. If we drifted apart, I’m the one to blame.”

  “No, you’re not. We both just need to make time for each other.”

  Meg closed her eyes, and the advice her aunt and cousin gave her earlier echoed in her head. While it’s important to be a mother, it’s just as important to be a wife. You have to maintain that connection with your husband.

  “Meg?”

  She jumped when she heard Sky say her name. “Sorry…I was just thinking about something.” She snuggled against her husband, and allowed his muscular arms to pull her so tight against him that she could feel his heart beating. She slipped her hand under his shirt and ran her fingers over his chest.

  “Oh, baby, what you do to me,” he said, as he took her hand and placed it over the growing bulge in his pants. “No one has ever made me feel the way you do.”

  She looked up at him and smiled. “Right back at you, Johnson.”

  He chuckled. “That’s my girl. There’s the sass I’ve been missing these past few months.” He inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly, as he felt her fingers massage his crotch. He took her hand in his, and looked around. “Is there a bedroom in this pool house?”

  “There is, but aren’t you hungry? You had a long day of traveling.”

  He pulled her towards him for a kiss. His lips brushed against hers with a light touch, before he coaxed them apart so his tongue could explore her mouth while his hands roamed her body. “Dessert first, baby.”

  Meg stood, and led him past the kitchen and into the bedroom. She grabbed the hem of his t-shirt and pulled it up and over his head, then raised her arms up while Sky removed her tank top. After she stepped out of her shorts and underpants, she watched while Sky let his jeans and boxer briefs slide to the floor.

  “Oh, baby,” he said, as he lay her down and climbed on top of her. He unhooked her bra and tossed it aside. “I’ve missed these”, he said with a sigh, as he nuzzled his head against her breasts. He took one in each hand, and took turns kissing one and then the other before looking up at her. “I’m embarrassed to admit this, but there were times I was resentful of Quint, because he got to have access to you and your gorgeous breasts, while I got nothing.”

  Meg’s stomach dropped, and she flinched at Sky’s revelation. She ran her fingers through his hair, then rubbed his neck and shoulders. “I’m so sorry about that.”

  He shook his head. “Nothing to be sorry about, baby.” He returned his attention to her breasts, gliding his tongue over each nipple. “Mmm…so good.”

  “Oh, God yes…so good.” Electricity coursed through her veins as her husband raised himself to his knees and nudged her legs apart. She spread them wide, and said, “I’m all yours, Sky.”

  He reached for her opening, and inserted his fingers deep inside her. “You’re dripping,” he said, as he massaged her sweet spot. He watched her react to his touch, and as she writhed with pleasure, he teased her until she begged to finish. “Not yet, baby. I’ve waited five months for this. I can wait a little while longer.”

  She bucked her hips up in an attempt to connect with him. “I can’t take it any longer, Sky. I need you inside me, now. Please.”

  He grinned as he grasped his rock-hard erection, and rubbed it against her pleasure center. “Well, since you asked so nicely…”

  Meg lost all control over her body as Sky used his manhood to push her over the edge. She dug her fingers into his thi
ghs as she rode wave after wave of pleasure. She was still gasping for air when he plunged himself deep inside her, and the sensation of fullness overwhelmed her.

  He pounded away at her body with near-violent abandon. The grunts coming from deep in his chest were guttural, more animal than human sounding. He reached his climax with a roar, and collapsed on top of her as he tried to catch his breath.

  His ferocity surprised Meg. As he lay on top of her, she wrapped her arms and legs around him and rubbed his back. She felt his body stiffen, and asked, “Are you okay?”

  Sky rolled onto his back and covered his face with his hands. “Yeah. I’m sorry – I don’t know where that came from. Did I hurt you?”

  Meg propped herself up on one elbow. “I’m fine, caveman. I get that you were just re-claiming me, and marking your territory. I kind of liked it.”

  “Yeah, I was definitely re-claiming you.” He pulled her tight against his body, and ran his fingers through her hair. “Good thing we weren’t in the main house. That was no luau.”

  “No, it wasn’t,” Meg purred. She kissed his chest, and sighed when she felt Sky rub her back until she dozed off.

  They stirred with the first rays of sunlight. Their limbs were intertwined, and they groaned as they tried to extricate themselves from each other.

  Meg stood up and stretched. “God, I’m sore.” She yawned, and added, “And tired. We didn’t get much sleep last night.”

  “Three times will do it,” Sky said with a smile, as he admired his wife’s naked body. “A new personal best for us.”

  “Yeah, it was quite a workout,” Meg agreed with a chuckle. “I hope Jen has a coffee maker here. I’d kill for a big mug right now.”

  Sky watched as she took a few steps towards the kitchen. “Yeah, I hope so too, because you can’t go back to the house just yet.”

  She turned around and asked, “Why?”

  “Because you’ve got a huge grin on your face that will tell your whole family you just had a night filled with lots of hot sex.”

  She burst out laughing, jumped back into bed, and pulled him in for a deep kiss. “Yeah, they’ll be relieved to know we’re good.”

  “We’re better than good, baby.” His hands traveled from her waist down to her buttocks. “And as much as I’d like to go another round with you here in bed, I think we’ve got to get you and Quint packed up and back to Nashville.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  The LaBella and Novak family members were seated around the large table inside Jennifer’s kitchen. “I hope everything went well last night,” Victor said, as he sipped his coffee.

  “Me too,” Grace agreed. “At least they spent the night together, with no one storming out. That’s a good sign.”

  “Shhh! They’re coming. Act natural,” Gina said, looking out the window at Meg and Sky walking hand in hand towards the house.

  Meg opened the back door and found six pairs of eyes staring at her and Sky. “Good morning,” she said with a smile. “I see everyone’s up early. Hope Quint didn’t keep you awake all night.”

  “Nope. He slept straight through the night again,” Drew replied.

  Jen stood and handed Meg two coffee mugs. “Want some eggs and toast?”

  “Sounds good.” Meg poured two mugs of coffee, and carried them to the table. She handed one to Sky, who was seated at the table, and took a deep sip from the other before putting it down. She stood behind him, draped her arms around his shoulders, and kissed him on top of his head. “I want to thank all of you for your support over the past couple of days. Sky and I are good. We’ve worked everything out, and we’re going to fly home to Nashville together later today.”

  While everyone in the room breathed a collective sigh of relief, Victor stood up and gave Meg a hug, then patted Sky on the back. “Glad to hear it. I’ll give you a lift to the airport whenever you’re ready.”

  “Thanks, dad.”

  After breakfast, Sky arranged for a jet to take them home, while Meg fed Quint and packed their things. As they were loading the luggage into Victor’s truck, Meg asked, “Dad, can we take a detour before we go to the airport?”

  “Sure. Where do you want to go?”

  “To the cemetery. I want to see mom.”

  Meg was quiet on the short ride from Fair Fields to the cemetery. When her father stopped the truck, she unlatched the car seat and took Quint into her arms. “Dad, Sky, would you come with me too?”

  “Sure, baby,” Sky said, as he and Victor followed Meg towards her mother’s grave.

  They stood in silence for a few minutes before Meg finally spoke. “Hi, mom, it’s me. I’m sorry I didn’t come to see you back in April on my birthday.” Hot tears slid down her cheeks, and her voice cracked as she spoke. “I’m a mom now. This is my son, Quint,” she said, as she held the baby close against her chest.

  Both Sky and her father placed their arms around her, and she took a deep breath. “For so many years, dad told me that I shouldn’t blame myself about what happened when I was born, and I ignored him when he told me that you wouldn’t want me to. I never understood before, but I do now that I’m a mom. I wouldn’t want that for Quint. So…I wanted to tell you that I’ll still stop by and see you when I come home for visits, but I’m not going to make special trips here every year on my birthday anymore. I’m going to forgive myself, and focus on my husband and son, because I know now that’s what you’d want me to do.”

  Quint began to squirm, and Sky took him from Meg. “Let me take him back to the truck. You and Victor should have some time alone with your mom.”

  “Thanks.” A feeling of warmth spread through her body as she watched Sky walk away. When he was out of earshot, she turned towards her father. “I’m sorry, dad, for everything I put you through over the years. It didn’t occur to me until recently that by not letting go of my guilt over mom’s death, I was also hurting you, and preventing you from moving on with your life. I’m so sorry.”

  “Sweetheart, there’s nothing to be sorry about.” Victor pulled Meg in for a hug. “You’re my baby girl, and I love you so much. I had a feeling that once you became a mother you’d understand.”

  When they returned to Nashville, Meg suggested they find someone to help with Quint. “I know that he’s slept so much better the past couple of nights,” she said to Sky that evening over dinner. “But now I realize that it’s important to accept help from others. Would you be okay if we hired someone?”

  “I’d be more than okay,” Sky replied. He squeezed Meg’s hand. “Let’s find out what agency Jack and Becky used to find their nanny. And in the meantime, let’s see if Mrs. B would be willing to help out. Maybe even one weekend when my dad comes up to visit her, the two of them can stay with him, and you can come out on the road with me. We could have a little alone time on the bus.”

  Meg grinned. “I’d love that.”

  Over the next few weeks, Meg and Sky continued to work on repairing their relationship. Meg went out on every weekend run with Sky and the band, while Fiona helped by either watching Quint at home, or accompanying them on the tour bus.

  Trey joined them on the bus some of the weekends, prompting Meg to observe, “Well, I guess we’re back to having luaus.”

  Sky laughed, and agreed. Their marriage was back on track, and he was never happier than when he was surrounded by his family on the road.

  The band added a new opening act, Callie Jessup, and unlike Larissa, she came with no baggage or drama. Meg and Becky took her under their wings and called her their “adopted little sister”. Callie’s vocals brought a new dimension to “Heat” onstage, and offstage she proved to be a valuable writing partner for Sky and Jack as well.

  In addition to their weekend runs, the band also booked some private weekday events during the summer. The corporate retreats paid particularly well, and only required quick same-day trips on private jets in and out of the venues.

  More often than not, Meg chose to stay home rather than accompany Sky to
the private concerts. The day before the band was scheduled to play at a corporate event for a large Arkansas-based retail chain, she said, “It would be different if you were going to be away overnight, but it doesn’t make sense for me to go along tomorrow just for the day. Besides, I have a doctor’s appointment.”

  Sky’s head snapped up. “Is everything okay?”

  She smiled. “Everything’s fine. Just a check up.”

  “Okay, baby. I just don’t want anything to happen to you. I love you way too much.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

  When she returned home from her doctor’s appointment the following afternoon, Meg thanked Fiona for watching Quint, and asked if she would like to stay for dinner. “It’s just going to be hamburgers, cole slaw, and potato salad. Nothing fancy – we’re probably going to eat outside.”

  “I’d love to stay. Why don’t you and Quint take a dip in the pool? It’s too hot not to.”

  “Great idea. I’m sure Sky’s going to want to take a swim when he gets home.”

  Fiona changed Quint into swim trunks while Meg changed into a bikini. “I applied his sunscreen, so he’s all ready to go outside,” she said, handing the baby to Meg.

  “Thanks for your help. Why don’t you join us in the pool?”

  “I think I will. I’ll make the burger patties first, then run home and change. I’ll meet you outside in a little bit.”

  “Great.” Meg poured a glass of ice water and grabbed a towel with her free hand. She tried to pick up her cell phone, but was unable to juggle it with everything else in her hands, and left it on the counter.

  She placed Quint on his tummy in the portable play yard set up on the deck while she applied sunscreen. She watched the baby push up and rock back and forth. “You’re just about ready to crawl, aren’t you? Mommy and daddy have to double check to make sure the house is completely baby-proofed, especially since it’s going to be a three-ring circus around here in a few months when your little brother or sister arrives. Daddy’s going to be so excited when we tell him tonight.” She laughed as she rubbed more sunscreen onto her stomach, “And just when I finally fit back into my favorite bikini, mommy’s tummy is going to get big again.”