The woman nods, her eyes watching me for a moment longer before she shuts the door and I hear the lock click. I hurry down the porch steps and back to Jax.
“How did it go?’
“She doesn’t live here. It was her mom’s house. My … grandmother.” I hold up the paper, thankful she gave me an address so I don’t have to scour the phonebooks or Internet to find her. “She gave me this, though. She said she works and doesn’t get home until five.”
“I’ll put it in my phone and we can go track her down at five then. I don’t want you to use up your data plan here.” He pauses. “Did you tell her who you were?”
“No.”
He nods. No questions why, just a nod.
I put the paper in my back pocket, still shaking a little from the exchange on the porch. “What am I gonna do until then?”
Jax smiles, easing my anxiety. “We’ll hit the town.”
“I’m not really a partier. If you couldn’t tell that already.”
He laughs. “I didn’t mean a party. I’ll take you to some of the usual tourist places so you can take a few pictures. You know. Make a few memories.”
I told Maddy I’d bring her a souvenir, so this could be a good thing.
“Pretty sure I’ve made lots of weird memories so far.”
“You’re calling me weird?”
I laugh. “No, I just never thought I’d be hanging out with someone famous. And a nice famous person at that. Seriously. Thank you for everything. I need to find a way to repay you. For everything.”
“I won’t take it, so don’t worry about it.”
“But—”
“Mia, I have more money than I know what to do with. And I wouldn’t spend it if I didn’t want to.”
It would be nice to have that kind of security. I think. Still. I feel bad. He doesn’t even know me very well and he’s done so much for me already. Jax must see how conflicted I’m feeling because he changes the subject.
“So is there anywhere you’d like to visit while we’re here?” A taxi pulls up to us and he opens the door for me. He must have called one of them while I was at Carmen’s mother’s house. My grandmother’s house. I still can’t get over knowing that fact—and that I simply walked away without telling her who I was. I guess I had a good teacher.
“Hmmm … Central Park, I suppose? I’ve always wanted to go there. The pictures I’ve seen are beautiful. And it’s across from the hotel, so if I need to go back and rev myself up before I go see my birth mom, I can do that.” I climb inside and he shuts the door before walking around behind the taxi to get in the other side. Once he closes the door, he tells the cabby where to go.
“Central Park it is. I know the perfect part to walk through. Did you want to see Ground Zero?”
“Oh, I’ve always wanted to go to Ground Zero.”
“Done.”
“Thank you for being my tour guide.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” His phone rings and he pulls it out of his pocket. He looks at the caller, frowns, and lets it finish ringing.
“Sorry,” he says as his phone beeps. He pushes a button before putting the phone next to his ear. Listening to a message, I assume. A voice yells on the other end. I can’t understand what the man is saying, but the look on Jax’s face tells me it can’t be good.
He frowns as the message ends and puts the phone back in his pocket when he’s done. “My manager.” He scowls at the ground.
I sit in my seat for a second, waiting for him to say something else, but he doesn’t. “Your manager? Do you need to call him back?”
He shakes his head. “Not right now. I’ll give him a bit to cool down. Then I’ll call. It would probably be best for you to not be next to me.” He grins. “On account of sensitive ears.”
I laugh out loud at that one. “Thanks for thinking about my well-being while you’re focusing on your career.” I frown. “You’re not going to get fired or anything, are you?”
“Ha!”
“I take that as a no.”
“He won’t fire me.”
“You’re sure you won’t be in trouble? I’ll plug my ears if you really need to call him back.”
He grins. “I’m fine. Promise. Like I said before, I’ll do it later. I know what I want to do and I’m going to do it. Thanks to you.”
“Okay,” I say, still not convinced. “What did I do?”
“You told me I should follow my dreams. And you’re right. So I’m going to.”
“I don’t want you to get in trouble because of it, though.”
“I’ll work it out. Promise.”
“Okay …” I bite my lip.
He chuckles. “Seriously. No worries. Today I just want to enjoy hanging out with a nice girl. I don’t want to worry about life. Know what I mean?”
“Yes. I really do.” Not worrying about things? I wish. Maddy’s the only thing I’ve worried about for the last two years. I don’t know how to not worry. But after tonight, hopefully—maybe—I won’t have to worry too much longer. Carmen will save Maddy and I’ll finally have my sister back.
If my plan doesn’t work, I don’t know what I’ll do.
“If you don’t want to hang out with me, though, tell me and I’ll take you back to the hotel. You know, if I’m bugging you or … I don’t know. I’m basically a stranger to you, but I swear I’m a nice stranger.”
“From what I’ve already seen, I’m not worried. And I don’t consider you a stranger at all anymore. I know your deep, dark secrets. We’re friends.”
He meets my eyes. “Good.” His little grin is back and he looks away, his cheeks pink. He clears his throat. “Let me know when you’re hungry. I have the perfect place to take you to lunch.”
“Oh?”
“One bite at this place and you’ll never want to leave New York.”
I glance at him as he pulls his baseball cap down and leans against the seat. He looks so normal. Like he’s just an average teenager, out on the town with a friend. But he’s not just an average teen. He’s a rockstar. Famous. And I’m already trying to figure out how long it will take for people to recognize him before our day is over.
Not very long, I’m guessing. But for now, I’ll enjoy spending time with him. Until I see Carmen for the first time in fifteen years.
It’s kind of scary that my sister’s fate rests in her hands. But I have a feeling everything will work itself out. It has to.
CHAPTER 17
Music is therapeutic; lyrics are healing.
Put them together and you might just find yourself again.
—J.S.
Central Park is amazing. I know I’ve seen it in the movies several times, but that’s nothing compared to the real thing. It’s seriously huge. There’s no way I’d be able to see everything in one day. No way.
I’ve already seen a guy on a unicycle, a beatboxing duo, a group of about eighty people doing yoga on the grass, random sun bathers in bikinis, and a mini female orchestra playing songs for people who pass by.
“You like it?”
I glance at Jax and grin. “Love it. This place is so alive. So many interesting people. Plus, everything’s so green.” I glance up at the huge trees creating a canopy above us. “Oh, that bridge over there is so cute. It reminds me of a fairytale.”
“A fairytale, huh?”
I nod and shove my hands in my pockets, breathing in the fresh air. I could live somewhere like this. Not in the big city, but having access to this amazing park would be heaven. “Don’t you believe in fairytales?”
He shrugs and pulls down his cap as a group of girls walk by. “I’ve never really thought about it.”
“You should. I guess some are kind of disturbing. Hansel and Gretel and the cannibal witch kind of freaked me out as a child, but the happily-ever-afters get me every time.”
He groans. “Not the princess ones.”
“Those are the best. I do love a girl hero story, but I love a good knight in shining armor s
aving the princess tale, too. Call me old-fashioned. I don’t care.”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
“I’m a nerd, I know.”
He chuckles and we walk in comfortable silence for a while. A group of runners pass us by and I wish I had my running gear. If I actually had running gear. I know it’s just like running anywhere, but Central Park makes it seem so much cooler. I’d totally be a runner here. Maybe even a marathon runner.
Then again … maybe I should just settle for running one mile without passing out first. In soccer, at least I get a small break sometimes.
We pass a guy with a guitar singing a soulful song. It’s beautiful and I wish I had some money with me to put in his guitar case. All I have are credit cards. I stop anyway, and we listen to him sing for a few minutes. I nudge Jax with my elbow. “You should do this sometime.”
“Believe me, I would if I knew I wouldn’t get mobbed.” He glances around. “Which … may be happening, by the way.”
“What?”
“See that tree over there?”
I glance to where he’s motioning with his head. “Yeah … ?” It takes me a minute, but then I see a person poke his head around with a phone pointed in our direction. I know he’s snapping pictures of us. “I didn’t think they’d find us so quick, but obviously I was wrong.”
“There’s more than one?”
“Always. Come on.” Jax grabs my hand and starts walking back in the direction we came from. Not rushing me, but not slow either.
We pass a group of teenagers who obviously recognize Jax and whisper as they take pictures on their phones. They don’t approach, but giggle as we walk by.
“Excuse us,” Jax says as he moves through a small crowd watching some street performer, I assume. I can’t see what’s going on, so I focus on Jax instead. People move out of our way. Some seem to recognize him, some don’t. Most ignore us completely, which for his sake, is nice. I squeeze his hand hard so I don’t lose him and he squeezes back.
“Will you really get mobbed?” I ask.
“Probably not here. People normally keep their distance and leave me alone, but there are always a few who like to chase.”
Just then, a man with dark hair and really white skin matches our pace and holds a mini camcorder up to Jax’s face. It’s the man who was behind the tree. “Jaxton, are you still fighting with the rest of your band? Is that why you’re in New York and the other three are still in L.A.? Are the rumors true? Are you breaking up?”
Jax doesn’t even look at him, just keeps his eyes straight ahead and pulls me closer to him.
“Who’s the mystery girl? Is she from around here? Are you on a date? Are you two secretly dating?”
“Sorry, no questions today,” Jax says. It’s polite, but there’s an edge to his voice that says leave me alone. The guy backs off a little, but it doesn’t stop a woman from taking his place. There are two of them now. Following, talking nonstop as we walk toward the street.
We’re walking fast. Almost faster than my short legs can keep up with. We pass a few runners, a few families with kids. Most people seem to recognize him but stay back at a respectful distance. Some take pictures with their phones, but others just watch, curious.
The man and the woman won’t give up so quick.
The woman appears on my side and shoves her phone in my face. I’m assuming the microphone is recording.
“Are you and Jaxton a couple? What’s your name? How long have you been together?”
I’m feeling claustrophobic. I can’t do anything but stare at her with my mouth opening and closing.
Breathe, Mia.
Jax pulls me behind him and to his other side, thankfully getting me away from her. Then she starts into him. “Hey, Jaxton, what’s going on with Blue Fire? Is it true you’re taking a break and starting a solo career? Who’s the mystery girl you’re with? Give us a name.”
The man who’s been following us asks, “Jaxton, is Blue Fire really on the verge of a breakup?”
Jax ignores him as well and heads toward the street where a bunch of taxis wait. We can’t get there soon enough.
The woman gives up on Jax and comes to my side again. “What’s your name? Are you dating? What about Melanie Price? What does she feel about this?”
“Have you had anymore stints in rehab?” I hear the man ask Jax. “Is this girl your rebound from Melanie Price?”
Jax doesn’t react or respond, other than hurrying me toward the closest taxi. He opens the back door of one and I hurry to scoot over as he joins me inside.
The paparazzi are peppering him with questions even as he rolls up the window and he tells the cabby where to take us.
We leave both of them on the curb as we drive away.
That was awful.
I let out a breath of relief and glance at Jax. He leans his head back and squeezes his eyes shut. He looks exhausted. I can’t imagine living like that every single day. Having to watch out for people wherever you go. Worrying about people taking pictures of you, even when all you’re doing is going for a walk. I feel bad for him. And what they said about him. Rehab? Was that true? Or was it just something to put in the tabloids to get a reaction from fans?
And I wonder about Melanie Price, as well.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. I reach out and take his hand. I don’t know what else to do. I’m surprised when he squeezes it back.
“Don’t you be sorry. I should be the one apologizing. Not you. I’m sorry you got roped into all this. Usually people aren’t super aggressive like that. Usually only when there’s a bit of drama with the band. Which there is right now.” He opens his eyes and looks down at me. I didn’t realize we were sitting so close to each other until now. I don’t even have my seatbelt on, which is very rebellious of me. I pull it on. “I just want to warn you,” Jax says. “There will probably be pictures in magazines of you now. And there will definitely be a bunch on the Internet. I apologize in advance.”
I shrug. “There are worse things that could happen.” I could have looked like I did yesterday. At least I have makeup on and my hair’s done today. “Actually, if my parents see it before I get home, I’ll have to explain myself. Hanging out with a rockstar. What was I thinking?” I reach up and pull the brim of his hat down, trying to cover his eyes.
He catches my hand and grins, his blue eyes holding mine. He doesn’t let go and I, for some reason, can’t remember my name. I’m starting to have feelings. And feelings aren’t good. Especially when it comes to crushing on someone I can’t ever have.
He’s so … good. He’s funny and kind and has been nothing but selfless since I arrived in New York. Who helps a random girl get a hotel room and show her around the city just because? A kind, normal, and respectful guy. And there’s no way I’m good enough for someone like him.
I move my hand and fold my arms across my chest. “So, where to now?”
He smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. I don’t know if it was a sign of rejection or what. Like he’d be sad if I rejected him. He could get any girl in the world. What do I mean to someone like him? At the end of the day, nothing.
“Lunch. I figured we just got some exercise outrunning the paparazzi, so how about some pizza?”
“That sounds great. But I’m buying.”
He shakes his head. “You’ll never learn.”
“I learn something new every day. Like how to escape a bunch of cameras coming toward my face.”
“We need to learn some ninja skills.”
“For real. I’m sure I could bust some out.”
He laughs. “I’d love to see that.”
I catch the cabby rolling his eyes in the rear-view, but I don’t mind. I love having someone to be nerdy with.
Never would have guessed it would end up being Jaxton Scott, though.
CHAPTER 18
Memories haunt your fragile mind
Step out of your skin, leave your troubles behind.
We all have our b
aggage, our bruises and scars
Stay with me tonight and we’ll scatter the stars
—J.S.
The pizza place is nicer than I expected. You know. Because it’s a pizza place.
We seat ourselves near the back and I pick up the menu that sits on the table. I skim it for a second before getting distracted by the decor and ambiance.
An old piano sits in the corner with a sign that says PLAY ME and my fingers itch to do just that. I refrain, though. I don’t know anyone here and I don’t know if I could perform on a whim like that. I turn my attention elsewhere. Names of celebrities line the walls with their signatures signed on napkins and displayed in picture frames. They’re all around the room. Kind of a cute idea. And holy crap they have a lot. This must be some amazing pizza indeed.
“Are you up there?” I nod toward the frames, and Jax smiles and points to one clear across the room. BLUE FIRE is in huge letters along the top of the wall and photos of Jax and the three other members of the band are all lined up in a row underneath. “Figures you’d be one of the biggest names in here.”
All he does is shrug as the waiter comes over to our table. “Hello, Mr. Scott. The usual today?”
The corner of my mouth twitches. I swear he knows everyone.
Jax doesn’t look at his menu at all, just leans toward me. “Is ham and pineapple okay?”
My stomach growls. I’d eat anything at this point, but ham and pineapple is coincidentally my favorite. “Yes.”
The waiter smiles, sticks a pen behind his ear, and disappears into the back.
“You come here often?” I ask.
“Best pizza in Manhattan.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
He laughs. “Of course. But I can’t wait to see your face when you taste it. It’s awesome.”
“Challenge accepted.”
He glances toward the piano and nods at it. “So, how ’bout a dare.”
“What kind of dare?”
“I dare you to play that.”
“Um, I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
My stomach twists. “I don’t want to bother everyone.”
“You won’t bother anyone. That’s what it’s there for. And from the way you talked about the piano on the plane, I assume you play well.”
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