Silk

by Heidi McLaughlin

  “Shaw?” I said tentatively.

  I heard a muffled groan come from the bed, followed by sounds of bodies shifting. Reaching for the long curtain covering the window, I pulled it back, allowing the bright sun to filter into the room. The first thing I saw was a naked woman wrapped around Shaw’s naked body. As quickly as I took in the sight, his eyes flew open and moved to mine.

  I didn’t wait to hear what he had to say. I turned and walked back through the open door. His feet fell heavy behind me, alerting me of his presence, but he never spoke a word. Once I was in my room, I turned to look at him—he was a mess. His shaggy hair was sticking up in every direction; his eyes were dark and panicked.

  Neither of us spoke, we just stared at each other for a long time before I finally slammed the door.

  Chapter Five

  Eli Blue

  I must have fallen back to sleep after Shaw left because I was awakened, once again, by the ringing of my phone. This time I answered, convinced it was my mother again.

  “What do you want?” I snapped into it.

  “Umm, Eli? Eli Blue? Elizabeth? I don’t know what to call you.” It was a man I didn’t recognize. I sat straight up in bed and felt all the blood drain from my head.

  “Who is this?” I asked, not more than a whisper as bright blue eyes flashed in my mind.

  “Hey, this is Duke. I got your number from Willow.”

  “Hey girlfriend.” I heard Willow shout in the background.

  I looked at my clock, and it wasn’t even eight in the morning yet, but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised she was already well on her way to getting what she wanted—Duke.

  “So,” Duke started, but paused. “Umm, I just wanted to make sure everything was okay? You know, after what happened with my asshole friend last night.”

  I smiled. “Yes, Duke, it’s fine. Don’t worry about Deacon, he didn’t scare me away. I grew up around bands and a lot tougher assholes than him, he won’t scare me away.”

  I didn’t bother to mention all Deacon had accomplished last night was to pique my interest in him even more, which made me roll my eyes at myself.

  “See, I told you!” Willow laughed

  Duke blew out a long, uneven breath. “I’m really glad you said that. I love Deac like he’s my own flesh and blood, but sometimes he gets me into more shit than I can dig my way out of. We’ve lost other leads because of his behavior, I’m really glad that hasn’t happened with you…well, yet, anyway.” He laughed nervously.

  There was a loud rustling then Willow was on the phone.

  “Girl!” she shouted. “What the hell was that with Deacon last night? I mean c’mon, how freaking hot did you guys look when we walked into the room. Sorry we interrupted, but had I known you were gonna get yourself some action, I would have stayed away.” She spoke in one long breath and it was way too early for that, I hadn’t even had coffee yet. Hell, I had barely opened my eyes. I should have known it was coming since she didn’t get to say anything about it last night while she was hanging all over Duke.

  “Too early for girl talk Willow, talk later.” I said and hung up.

  I had hours before I had to be at the office, lucky for me the entertainment business didn’t keep normal office hours. I sat at the small table in my kitchen with my feet crossed under, me relishing my cup of coffee. I wrapped my hands around the mug and inhaled its bitter scent. This was my morning happy place, my only solace from the dreams that haunted my nights—the only thing that made suffering through the nights bearable.

  The dreams started a long time ago, long before I even knew what coffee was. My family had always been different from my friends’ families, and I don’t mean different in a good way. My mother had been a raging bitch, even back then, but I still loved her long after I should have stopped. She was my mother, so I loved her through the stoned cussings, and the drunken tongue-lashings. My dad loved her, too, although I’ll never know the reasons he held on for so long.

  Everything changed one day when my dad came home from a tour, unexpectedly, and he saw firsthand how the verbal abuse had slowly turned physical. He came through the front door just in time to see my mother slap me because I’d left Lego’s scattered on the floor, and she’d stepped on one in her hung-over shuffle to the fridge for a little hair of the dog.

  It didn’t take him long to have my mother packed up and out of our house, once I confessed how long it had been going on. I cried, and told him how much I missed him when he was gone, and he vowed to never leave me again. He didn’t—after that day, he took me everywhere he went. He never left my side except when he was on stage, and even then I was only a few feet away, backstage, waiting for him. It may not have been a picture perfect childhood, but for a few years I had my dad all to myself, and they were the best years of my life.

  He was busy every day, but he always made time to put me to bed. Even if I hadn’t seen him all day, he would show up, just in time to read me a book and tuck me in bed. I knew most kids hated bed time, but for me it was the brightest part of my day. It was when my dad stopped his whole world from spinning just so he could spend time with me. Every night I got to pick out which book I wanted to read.

  “Baby girl, we have to read Cinderella again?” He’d ask, trying to conceal the smile on his face.

  “Yes, dad. She’s my favorite. When I get big, will you buy me glass slippers so I can find my prince?”

  “You won’t need glass slippers, or a fairy Godmother to help you, princess. You know why? Because you’re the prettiest girl in the whole wide world.”

  Then he’d kiss my head and slowly open the book. Most nights I could get him to read it to me twice, but on special occasions he’d read it more.

  Then one day the unthinkable happened, and my whole world went dark and bitter just like Cinderella’s had. That weekend I’d stayed with Grandma because dad was recording. She dropped me off in the huge circle driveway and waved goodbye as I bounced into the house, ready to see my dad. I had to force open the door because there was so much trash on the floor. Empty cans, wrappers, and tons of other stuff scattered everywhere. I’d never seen our house this destroyed; not even the music studio had looked like this before.

  “Daddy!” I hollered before I’d even closed the door behind me.

  There was no reply.

  “Daddy, are you here?” I tried again a little louder.

  Still no reply.

  My heart started pounding in my chest and my throat squeezed tight. I crept into the house, but before I made it very far cans started falling down the winding staircase in front of me. I screamed, and was about to bolt out the door when I heard a faint cry coming from where the cans had fallen and immediately knew it was Lucifer. I ran to the kitten my dad had gotten me only a few weeks earlier. She was huddled on a step, hiding under an empty chip bag.

  “It’s okay, Lucifer.” I told her and she meowed back. I scooped her up in my arms, trying my best to calm her, but she kept meowing loudly. “Shh, Luci, you’re okay.” I said, soothing my hand up and down her dark fur. “Where’s dad?” I asked, like she would be able to answer.

  She jumped out of my arms and ran toward the living room. I followed close behind her and saw my dad lying on the couch. He was stretched out, filling it from one end to the other. His head was propped up on a huge pillow. Calm instantly washed over me. I’d been so scared, and every inch of my body had felt like something was wrong, but the instant I saw my dad, I knew everything would be okay.

  “There you are, Dad.” I said with a relieved snicker.

  He didn’t move, though. His arm was dangling over the edge of the couch with something sticking out of it. I finally got close enough to see it was a needle like the doctors used when I was sick.

  Luci jumped onto my dad’s stomach and started nudging him with her nose. He still didn’t move.

  “Dad?” I pressed, but he didn’t answer.

  I timidly reached out to touch his face, and my whole body went numb when
my fingers touched his ice-cold skin.

  “Dad, wake up, you’re scaring me. Daddy?”

  I shook his shoulder and his head fell to the side. White, foamy liquid spilled from the corner of his mouth and I instantly knew my life would never be the same.

  Chapter Six

  Eli Blue

  Unable to get my mind to slow down long enough to relax at home, I arrived at work hours before I normally would. Which gave me time to research Unforgiven before I met with them later in the day. I’d spent the last couple of hours learning everything the internet could tell me about the band members. Well, except for Deacon; I couldn’t bring myself to even type his name in the Google search box. My fingers had hovered over the letters in his sexy name numerous times, but I’d never found the strength to actually press the keys. I was deathly afraid of what I’d find out about him, and even more worried about what seeing images of him would do to me. Luckily, the research distracted me from the crystal-clear blue eyes that have haunted me since I gazed into them.

  I wasn’t sure why I couldn’t get them out of my head. Every single time I closed my eyes that’s all I could see—his eyes. Looking into them was the most beautiful and heart-breaking experience I’ve ever had. The raw pain that was alive and pouring from them would be something I’d never forget.

  My cell phone vibrated on my desk. I looked at my screen and it was my mother, again. The voicemail she’d left this morning was her normal routine, “This is your mother, you answer when I call.” Then she hung up. I didn’t bother to call her back, and had hoped I’d make it until at least this evening before the calls started again, but obviously, I wasn’t that lucky. I picked up the phone and hit accept.

  “What do you want mother, I’m busy?” I said with no reservations about my bitchy tone.

  “Is that how you’re going to speak to your mother?” She demanded.

  “I don’t have time for your games. Just tell me what you want so I can be done with you for today.”

  “You ungrateful little bitch! You think you’re something special now that you’ve taken over my business, don’t ya?”

  “It was never yours; nothing was ever yours, mother.” I snapped at her, hearing her breath shriek with a quick inhale at my continued petulance. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I usually knew better than to make her angry—she was much easier to deal with when she was happy. “Mother, I’m sorry. I’m very busy. I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m expecting a band any minute, and I’m trying to prepare. What can I do for you?”

  “Nothing, you pitiful excuse for a daughter, nothing.” She said in an eerily calm voice then hung up.

  I groaned loudly then slammed my head down on my desk.

  “Ms. Savage, your next appointment is here. I’ve placed them in the large conference room for you,” Mrs. Kline said over the office speakerphone, bringing me back to the task at hand.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Kline. Can I get some coffee before I head that way?” I needed a small part of my happy place before I faced Deacon again.

  I headed down the long hallway flanked with award winning albums that were part of the Savage Man family. My dad had worked hard for this company. He’d been in the prime of his career, yet he willingly took time away from it to start his own management company. His goal was to help unknown artists find some of the same success he’d been blessed with. He’d accomplished that goal, time, and time again, and I hoped I was able to carry on his passion.

  There was a trusty mug of coffee clenched firmly in my grasp. Stopping at the large wooden doors with intricate carving that led into the conference room, I took a deep breath that did nothing to calm my nerves.

  I had to pull it together, no one made me this nervous—ever. I hadn’t felt these kinds of knots in my stomach since the time I’d played spin the bottle when I was thirteen and Nicky Jenkins landed on me. I had the biggest crush on him back then, but it was a terrible first kiss. I ran the pads of my fingers across my lips remembering how he sucked and bit at them—and not in a good, kinky kind of way. A shudder ran down my spine thinking about it. After that, I had wondered why anyone ever wanted to be kissed.

  I forced one last breath to fill my lungs and swung the door open. My eyes frantically searched the room, but I didn’t see him. Where was he? My gaze finally landed on Willow, who was sitting in Duke’s lap.

  “Hey girl.” She said with a little finger wave.

  “Hey, Will. You look awfully happy today.” I teased.

  She nipped at Duke’s nose with her teeth, “I’m not the only person in this room happy today.”

  She was in a playful mood, but none of the guys joined her. Duke was looking at Willow like she’d lost her mind, and the other guys were staring straight ahead like they’d been warned to behave. I made my way to the head of the table while Duke moved Willow off his lap and into the chair next to him, causing her signature frowny face to appear.

  “Umm, hi guys. I’m Eli Blue, but feel free to call me whatever. I answer to almost any variation of Elizabeth Blue Savage you can come up with.” I said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood—no one laughed, no one even looked at me.

  I looked to Willow, opening my eyes wide, asking for some help. She merely shrugged her shoulders and started caressing Duke’s hand that was resting on the table.

  “Duke, I’ve already been introduced to you, thanks to Willow.” I started again, and he finally turned to look at me. He nodded, but didn’t say anything. “And you must be Johnny and Blaine.” I added, even though I knew damn well who they were because I’d just been staring at their pictures on my computer screen.

  Still, no one opened their mouth to grace me with their voices.

  “Willow, can you go ask Mrs. Kline to bring some refreshments into the room please?”

  “Uhh, sure. I’ll be right back.” She said as she stood and headed toward the door.

  “No rush. Why don’t you stay there and help her carry it all down here.” I smiled at her and she nodded at me, which hopefully meant she knew I wanted some time with the guys alone.

  “Okay, what gives? Why are you acting like you don’t want to be here? I was under the impression working with Savage Man was something you were heavily interested in.” I said sternly.

  “We do want to be here, probably more than we should.” Duke admitted. “But we’ve also been in this type of situation before, and we’ve been turned down, so I think we might be wondering why we’re even wasting our afternoon. Ya know what I mean?”

  “Well, shit guys, if you’re worried about whether I’m going to sign you, then let me clear the air. I am going to offer you a contract with Savage Man; I’ve got it right here.” I pulled the papers out of the folder on the table and slid them to Duke. “It’s our standard management contract; I had legal draw it up this morning. Simply put, it outlines what resources Savage Man will put into Unforgiven initially, and what compensation is required down the road. It’s a standard management and PR contract, but feel free to take it with you and have your lawyers look it over. No rush, just keep me updated on any questions or concerns you might have.” I looked toward Duke because he seemed to be the business man of the group. “Seriously, feel free to call me anytime.”

  That got their attention—every head whipped around to me. They each had a look of wonderment on their faces, and their eyes were about to bug out of their head. Johnny jumped from his chair and wrapped his big, burly arms around me.

  “Are you serious?” Duke asked softly.

  “Yes.” I grunted as Johnny’s arms grew tighter around me. “Umm, can’t breathe.”

  “Johnny put her down, man.” Duke said with a laugh.

  Johnny immediately let go of me. His eyes were filled with gratitude, and it made my heart smile to see how happy this made them. It also made me wonder what rejections they’d been through in the past.

  “Hi, Johnny,” I said to him as he stared down at me.

  “Hi, Eli,” he whispered back.r />
  I peeked around Johnny, “Hey, Blaine,” I said with a huge smile.

  “Hiya, Eli Blue,” he replied, returning my smile with an enormous grin of his own.

  “Why?” Duke asked, sincerely. “Why would you offer this to us so easily?”

  “I know talent when I see it, Duke, and you boys have talent. That’s all I’m concerned about right now; the rest of the pieces will fall into place. But I have done my homework, too. I know you’ve put in the work to make it this far, so it was just a matter of time before you were scooped up. I’ll be working with you guys, personally, as I build my client base. You’re only the second band I’ve personally signed; the first being Willow’s. I’d like to play off the similar styles in your music, but also the difference in genders—put you out there together and see what size crowd we can draw in.”

  “You want us to go on tour together?” Duke asked.

  “That’s exactly what I want.” I told him. “I’ve already got the booking department working on a tentative schedule of locations within driving distance. Once we get the contract back from you guys, we can get the dates set in stone. If those shows go well, we will expand our focus to other areas.”

  Duke reached in his pocket and pulled out a pen. He flipped to the last page of the lengthy contract and scribbled on the paper.

  “I’m definitely in, no need to wait ‘cause nothing will change my mind.” He said, and as he looked back up at me, I saw sheer determination in his eyes, and I liked it.

  “Me, too, I’m ready to sign.” Johnny said.

  Duke slid the contract and pen to Johnny and he quickly signed his name.

  “Blaine?” Duke asked.

  “Yup,” was all he said as he, too, signed his name to the contract.

  “Are you sure? Because you can take it with you and come back later, if you want to review it with legal. You haven’t even read the thing yourself.” I pointed out.

  “Don’t need to.” Duke said with conviction. “I can’t think of a company we’d trust more than Savage Man to rep us, and right now my gut tells me to follow that trust wherever you’re willing to lead us.”