That kid is so my kid.
I laugh to myself and shake my head, Lex and Jen both looking at me. I say nothing, as is man code and look to Lex. "Did you learn that for him?"
"Yeah I watched a video on the alphabet and wanted to say hi to him. I wasn’t sure if he could do it alphabetically or not."
I nod and Jen talks. "We spell a lot and use common phrases as well. He only understands small or familiar words alphabetically, but that was perfect. We spell out Axe so we don’t use the sign for the tool."
"That was nice of you. You made his night, I guarantee it." I say, knowing damn well my boy has a crush.
"I can take Lex home if you want?" Jen says and looks between us. Then signs to me like a secret language. 'You are too aggressive with the car. She doesn’t know you very well to know you mean well.'
I roll my eyes. "Fine whatever." I say and look to Lex. "She was bitching at me, not you." I say and kiss Jen, teasing her.
"I was." She says and shrugs and I laugh, smacking her ass.
"Tomorrow, come around nine we will go find a car." I say and look to Jen. "It's happening, aggressive or not."
I don’t stay to listen to the bitching and walk out the kitchen. "Bye Lex, see ya tomorrow. Red, I will see you soon."
Jen
Cal was asleep, TV on some sports show when I got back and I stand in his doorway watching him like a fucking psycho. I tiptoe in and tug his big toe to wake him. He doesn’t budge so I go to his side of the bed and nudge his shoulder.
Suddenly his arms are around me and he smothers me to his chest rolling us both and scaring the piss out of me. "You gave me a heart attack." I laugh and open for him and the kiss he delivers.
Just as my skin starts to ignite he pulls back and brushes the hair from my face. "Did you get her to agree?"
I knew he would ask and he is such a good man, but goes about it all wrong. "Yes, I did, she reluctantly agreed. You can’t demand with her like you can with everyone else. She is young and scared of what you offer because she is poor Cal. My kind of poor. A future of success and money and dreams coming true is a far-fetched idea in her reality. Don’t overwhelm her."
He pulls back and perches up on his elbow, still on his side facing me. "Well, I know a thing or two about this industry and what we are bringing to the table will sell. She needs to have big dreams and hopes or she will fail no matter how talented she is. She needs to believe it and be hungry for it. I go buy a small reliable car, she will fight on hands and knees to pay it back. That's what I need from her."
"How do you know? What if she is too scared?" I ask and cup his chin to look at me. I get floored seeing him like this. Close and beside me... That was my dream and it scares me to death feeling his touch or kiss. I am hungry to keep him knowing it will kill me if I can’t keep him.
"Because she reminds me of you, her defiant spirit and independence. You would play until you bled before you stopped and you would pay it back."
I am honored he sees me that way, strong like that. It made me smile and he took it as a win, the shit. "You’re changing her life Cal."
He nods and kisses me, slow and lazy like. "She's changing mine too."
I place my finger on his lips and look at him. "How so?"
I can’t hide the fear there is more than friendship between them even though I know it is ludicrous. Too many years of seeing him with too many women. "I wrote a song tonight. I don’t know..." He fights for the words and it amazes me that this man is amazed. "I don’t know if it’s because she is a woman and so it’s easier to let the emotions guide me or if she is really a muse and it’s been in me forever."
"Wait. You wrote the lyrics?" I ask, mind blown as it has always been his Achilles heel.
He nods in wonderment. "About you Red." He kisses me again and I melt knowing I inspired him.
"Oh?"
He nods and nuzzles against my neck and I see he is hard through his basketball shorts. "Lex pulled them from me, placed em’ where they belong. I provided input, but she wrote them and we built it from there. Together."
He sits up now all excited and I have awoken the beast. "She is so talented. Noah will shit when he reads this shit and learns I helped. I mean, I can throw lines in or change some of the verbiage up with the guys, but I have never done anything like I did today."
I rub his back, feeling excited in his presence because it’s contagious. "You look so much like Axe right now." I say, seeing his big toothy grin and his eyes dance in happiness. Genuine and true.
"Well, that is a compliment. That kid is one good lookin’ boy." He rolls until I am fully under him and all of him invades my heart and mind. I stroke along his beard, down his neck to his shoulder. The touch encourages him and he kisses me as he lifts one of my legs under the knee, up high on his hip and thrusts himself against me.
"Wanna play?" He asks me and rubs his hand up and around my ass, then back down my thigh. Again, and again as he thrusts his hips.
"I could be persuaded." I say and lift his shirt up over his head, stroking my nails down his abs. I swear to God; his obsessive side benefits him. His dedication to fitness has made him salivatingly hot. Every ridge of every muscle defined.
"How can I persuade you firefly?" He asks and reaches between us, adjusting his cock so it rubs against my clit through my cotton Capri pants.
"Hmmm?" I think aloud then moan as he strokes me. "Tell me something sweet." I say and let him lift my shirt. I wasn’t wearing a bra, so the surprise was appreciated.
Devouring my chest, I figured he had forgot what I said and I was okay to let him forget because his touch thrilled me. But when he spoke, what he said? Floored me.
He stops kissing and touching me, a few mini thrusts continue as he looks at me. "You referred to me as the star in your journal and how you would wait for me to let you be in my sky again?" He mentions it as a question and I know what he means.
"You are a star and I will forever be waiting to be in your sky again." I leave out the barefoot and pregnant remark though as we have been there and done that.
He nods and kisses me deeply again. "Well..." He says and rises between my legs so he is on his knees before me and pulls my pants and panties down, discarding them over his shoulder. He pulls the waist of his shorts and boxers down until his cock springs free and strokes it a few times.
He lines up against my opening and looks at me. "You never left my sky baby. I just lost sight of you in all my distraction." He thrusts inside, all the way in one smooth glide as he says it and parts of me shatter as parts of me pant.
"I love you Cal." I whisper in his ear as he kisses along my chest and strokes himself in and out of me.
"Come here my firefly." He says and lifts me until I am on his lap and he is deeper, harder and I can’t help but grind on him. "I see you Jen. I will always see you. You are mine, inside of me beyond all thought or feeling. Get me?" He asks and the look in his eyes tells me he loves me and he is too terrified to say it back.
"Get you." I accept it, not hurt by it and let him show me the only way he knows how.
Chapter Fourteen
Cal
"So, look, we have a five-spot open for the Sue this Friday and there is a lot of talk about Lexington Cherry, who happens to be working with Cal Dorian." Danny Vigil, the owner and promotor for Lennox records says to me as I set up the equipment in Noah's basement.
"Hold on Danny." I say, knowing he is chomping at the bit as are other promotors and labels once the word broke on social media that I am collaborating with a soulful hip hop artist. It will also be in the guitar issue of Sound Logic Magazine after it hits newsstands in three days.
Could I have set this up more perfectly?
No, no I could not have.
I look to Noah who is aligning the two pianos that were just delivered as well as the set of orchestral drums I rented for this little private gig. "Set the drums up. Shame is running late." I say to Lex and Noah who glare at me.
"Sorry Da
nny." I say, the right tone of boredom in my voice. This part of my life is second nature and excitement are a dead giveaway to a thirsty star. I am confident in what we created and I waited on the call from Lennox. "The Sue?"
I play like I am thinking, but the Sue is the best spot for an intimate show that will fill up fast and keep it at the seams. "I will need to ask Lex if she feels ready."
Lex looks at me like I am crazy and starts stomping her foot to get my attention and I wave her off. "Trust him Lex, he has them all eating out of the palm of his hand. This is where he owns the industry." Noah says and Chad laughs in agreement.
"So, let's talk payment. What's the price to get you in A Bar Named Sue?" He asks and I roll my eyes.
"You can’t afford my fee and Lex isn’t playing for less than five grand. Bottom line." I say and start unwinding amp cords.
"Done. Are we in agreement?" He asks and I make him wait.
"I will talk it over with Lex and get back with you in the morning." I say and he tries, he really does try to light a fire under my ass.
"Well, that leaves us less than five days to promote. You need a packed venue Cal." He says and I roll my eyes as I set up the amp.
"Like I said, tomorrow. If they book, they book. We want the Sue, but I know all the best venues for this type of show so I can get it promoted no problem." I throw my weight at him and he knows I am right. Lennox is no bullshit though and he has pride.
"Well, even if they do book, we have the same cred and I could pack any venue in a twenty-four-hour notice if I had to Cal. You know it and I know it. The Sue wants you and Lennox wants the opportunity to be the first bid if we like what we see. Work with me, cut the cocky shit."
That is what I needed. I might be arrogant, but I wasn’t stupid. I wanted Lennox too and it all is one big pissing contest until someone cracks. Lennox, not me.
"We will do the Sue, but I better see labels, promotors and reporters." I say, knowing I fed everything I wanted to gain to him by holding back.
"Sounds good. I will send the booking to Coven." That makes me pause.
"I won’t work with Coven, not on this. This isn’t TAT business and I don’t want Coven anywhere near this show." The venom in my tone has everyone quiet.
"You’re an active member of TAT, they could fight this and win easily Cal, you know that." Danny says and he is right.
"Fuck yeah... Look send the booking to Brian and he can deal with Coven." I say, mad as fuck I have to throw any bones their way.
"I will get on it." Danny says and makes small talk a few more minutes before sending the booking contract to Brian.
"What was that?" Chad asks me as we all set up and sound check.
"Fucking Coven gets a lead on this because I am part of TAT and we are under Coven until June." I toss cords toward the two amps remaining and head to mine and adjust my sound. "Sounds like shit in here." I say and set my guitar down before fucking with the sound to help the acoustics.
"Dude, calm the fuck out." Noah says and moves the amp away from me. "Lex isn’t signed and she is the lead you are collaborating. Coven can suck a dick on any signings, they just get your name. So, will Heshen, but in June we walk. Four months Cal, easy shit."
I nod and look to Raleigh who is sitting on the stairs fanning himself. "Can you get me a beer Ral?"
"Of course, snookums." He says and bounces up the stairs.
Lexington comes over and pats my back. "On the bright side...well... can I be a total bitch right now?" She asks and I nod, not really paying attention as I make my way back to my amp which Noah took.
"There are some righteous quality burns coming Tayla Livingstons way. These songs are about you and Jenny, not her. Let her sit there and suffer her mistakes knowing she can do nothing about it." Lex says and I smile, but it saddens me.
"I aint trying to hurt anyone here. If shit was different and we split over mutual shit, she is the first person I would tell you to work for. My dislike isn’t for her ability, but it is personal. Rubbing her nose in it is childish and can hold a bad rep."
"Well, I will be childish and you can be professional. Bottom line is neither one of us will be stumped or scared of her presence." Lex says and I do agree with that.
"Here’s your beer, and can I say something?" Raleigh asks as I take the beer.
"Sure." I say and start adjusting the sound again, Chad following my ques so we get it to match.
"Keep it about business and nothing more. Be professional and a strong sexy Ox like you are. Then, tell her thank you or whatever when all is said and done. Be grateful for the show of support and interest, but respectfully decline."
"That was almost adult sounding coming from you kid." Noah says and we all laugh.
"Don’t let my smarts and business mind fool you daddio. I understand the importance of saving face when confronted with adversity. Cheating ex, imprisoned father, homophobic parents... never ever let them see you sweat. Sometimes being the bigger and better person is the cruelest of burns."
We are all floored by the serious tone and good advice from Ral. He jokes non-stop and loves for all of us to pander and spoil him. "Stop looking at me like you don’t know who I am or I put one direction on." He says and goes back to reading his Cosmo magazine.
My phone alerts me to a text from Jen and I smile by the simplest shit from her lately.
Red: Headed to the PIT. Be brilliant as always and I will suck you dry tonight superstar.
All thoughts of music, bookings and ex's fade when I am slammed with an image of her heart shaped mouth on my cock.
Me: Fuck yeah, Red. Can I stretch that sweet pussy over my dick after I cum down your throat?
All is fair, she started it and now my mind was in the gutter. Red, like me, loves being nasty as fuck in bed. So nasty, we could make Noah blush.
Red: Stop or I have to change my panties... Or maybe I will go without just so you know I am easy access all day should you need a break.
Me: If I take a break then I will come fuck you. I guarantee it. But please for my sanity wear panties. Mmmm wear the coral thong that ties on the hips. I will undo them with my teeth before I eat you out and make you fuck my face.
I just threw the gauntlet down and she knows it.
Red: Now I need to finger myself before work.
I laugh out loud and re-adjust my throbbing dick when I turn from the guys.
Me: Send pictures firefly. Gotta work, love you.
I hit send before I thought better of it and drop my phone before I fall back in the chair in full blown panic.
Jen
Cal: Send me pictures firefly. Gotta work, Love you.
I stare at the message and try to breathe. I know I am over-reacting. I could see Cal telling me he loves me through a text easily because he hides and masks his emotions better than anyone I know. That being said though, he isn’t telling me. I think it was a slip or said in the way he tells Bright or Carrie and Cassa.
I don’t want to leave it in case it meant something and I don’t want to respond to that either in case it wasn’t meant. After too long to hide my internal struggle I send a quick, non-intrusive response.
Me: Okay, work hard.
I get to work and check my phone wondering if he sent me anything and I go over the fifty thousand reasons I am both over-reacting and not over-reacting. It is pathetic how my day started off with cute and sexy texts to this turmoil. What the fuck, honestly?
I try to get my mind in the game because I have a few appointments coming in today and want to give them my full attention.
"Look who popped in to work today." CD snarls as I walk in the door and I know he is hurt and angry by my refusal to date him.
"Knock it off you crybaby." Asa says and hugs me as I check my schedule. "Hey gorgeous, don’t listen to him. You have everything you have ever wanted within your grasp. English will get over it."
I nod and turn my back, hopping up on the counter. "How are you? Break any more hearts in the last week?" I
ask and shake some peanuts into my palm.
"Oh honey, every chance I get." He says and I nudge him with my shoulder. Asa is so hot. He is like untouchable hot and knows it. He is tall and lean, cut muscle and perfect tats covering his skin. He has dark shaggy hair that looks impossible and perfect at the same time. He fills the PIT with tatterflies and laughed when I called them that for the first time.
"You need a good woman to calm you down before your dick falls off." I hop off the counter and grab his hands in excitement of my idea. "Oh, you should do a dude’s night and take CD to get some pussy."
He laughs and rolls his eyes. "He is still too sprung on you, kid."
"Well he needs to get over it. I text him that was it. A few dates that lead to nothing." I look at CD and feel awful for leading him on and losing a good friendship. He dresses like a British punk and talks the talk too. Today he wears a red plaid shirt with the sleeves cutoff and long gray cargo shorts frayed and holy with Van's. A huge wallet chain hangs from his pockets and his tat’s are on display for everyone. He specializes in American Traditional and his work is incredible and he deserves the spot here.
"How long is he signed on for?" I ask Asa who manages the shop for Sully and Noah. He opened the spotlight for CD while he was in America for a year and did some guest stints in a few shops before signing on here as a favor to Noah who wanted less hours for now.
"We got him for six months unless he extends." Asa says and answers the ringing phone.
I decide to try and salvage some face with CD and make my way to his empty booth. I lean against the doorway frame and watch him draw a Spanish woman with red roses in her hair. "Are you ever going to talk to me again?" I ask and see his back tense before looking at me.
"You still wasting your bleeding life waiting on that sodding Rock God to make a move?"
I take a tentative step into his booth and lean against his table. "Move was made a few weeks ago and we are moving along slowly." I admit and it saddens me that I hurt him.
He turns and looks at me, his blue eyes a perfect match to the bright blue hair that sits straight up on his head and finally nods. "Well, it’s about bloody damn time." He says, his sharp accent making it hard to know if he is pissed or okay with it. He is from a dirt-poor part of the UK and he is proud of his upbringing. The Union Jack Flag he painted on his wall as a statement to the artists space. "I hope that bloke knows what he got in you poppet."
Fix Me_TAT_A Rocker Romance Page 18