“Not your business, Mitch.” She sighed. “I’d hoped we could be friends, too. I appreciated the way you watched out for the band.”
“Yeah, like you cared after you dumped Jack.”
“I didn’t—”
He waved his hand. “Never mind. Some memories die hard.” He worried a thumbnail. “Jack told me what happened with his father.” He rubbed his hand over his wiry gray hair. “Look, I don’t have much time. I want to know if you’re serious about being with Jack, or if I need to keep a closer eye on him again.”
Her heart stopped beating. “Do what?”
Mitch studied her face before answering. “You really don’t know what happened on that first tour, do you?”
“I blocked out most of that time, but I heard he partied non-stop. Now Jack and I talk mostly about Carlos and what he missed being gone.” She narrowed her eyes. “What’s this about?”
“I’ll tell you if you think you’re ready.”
She nodded, the lump in her throat preventing her from answering.
“Jack almost died, that’s what happened.”
She slumped in her chair. Her knuckles turned white.
Mitch nodded. “I wondered if you knew. After he got the divorce papers, he went off the deep end. He hurt bad.”
Her panic turned to anger. “Why didn’t you call me? I would have come.”
“We did and you didn’t answer. I thought—we all did—that you walked out and took Carlos without saying a word, remember?” He scratched his head. “We knew that Jack couldn’t reach you. If you wouldn’t let him know where his son was, why would you tell us?” He rubbed his chin. “We figured you were a stone cold bitch.”
Sally recoiled from his words. Her damn stubbornness and pride had kept her from following Jack’s career. Hard enough to listen through the door when Carlos became a Rough Cuts fan. She’d refused to read about Jack for years, even canceled their subscription to Rolling Stone after seeing the groupie photo. Once she’d entered academia, avoiding the rock and roll world had been easy. She’d had no idea he’d been in trouble, but would she really have traveled to help him at the beginning? The sad answer came fast. No. She wouldn’t have exposed their son to the scene.
“How did you turn him around?”
Mitch leaned forward, his forearms on his knees. “The band did that. After the tour, they told him he’d get thrown out on his ass unless he settled down. Got him into rehab. Music is the only other thing Jack has ever loved.”
“Wait a minute. Rehab? Couldn’t have worked. Jack still drinks. I’ve seen him.”
“No more than a couple of beers, some wine. His substance abuse wasn’t a sign of an addictive personality but a reaction. He dealt with his loss and the abuse stopped.”
She dropped her gaze to study her hands. Jack hadn’t had the opportunity to fully deal with his loss until recently. Given the appearance of Cristal and Glynnis tonight, she suspected he still hadn’t forgiven her. What a karmic mess.
“So now you see why I’m a little antsy about his inviting you here.”
She nodded, too shaken with Jack’s history to answer.
Mitch reached to lightly tap her white knuckles. “We loved you, Sally. The whole Rough Cuts group. You didn’t just walk out on Jack, you left all of us. I’m not so sure his dating you is such a hot idea, but we’re all glad Jack is getting to know his son.”
Tension glued her hands to the armrests. She forced herself to speak through tight lips. “Don’t worry. We’re creating a friendship, not dating. Even if he and I don’t…he’ll always have Carlos and Abby.”
“Good.” Mitch rose and started for the door.
“Mitch?”
He swiveled.
“Thanks for sticking with Jack and saving his life.”
A red flush stole up his neck. “I told you, the band did that.”
“Yeah, but you planted the seeds.”
He walked out, leaving the door open behind him. She hoped that move wasn’t an invitation for her to leave.
Chapter Fourteen
“Jack, we’ve heard this is your last tour. Care to comment?”
The low-hum of chatter died. He sipped his water, buying time.
“You know this wasn’t supposed to be a Rough Cuts tour. We’re filling in for Steddi Eddi.”
Another reported followed-up with a shout. “So are you going out on a longer tour next year to promote your new album?”
Jack glanced to the side. Tony barely shook his head. “We haven’t decided.”
More questions that he didn’t want to answer about touring came from the media. The band took turns deflecting the inquiries, but the reporters stayed on track, like the predators they too often resembled.
He waited for Mitch to intervene, but their manager was nowhere in sight. Who blabbed and where the hell was Mitch?
Jack whistled to get everyone’s attention. “Look, we haven’t made up our minds about a tour, so let’s move on. Asking us the same question ten different ways won’t change our answers.”
He glanced at the door as Mitch walked in.
The same man who’d asked the first tour question called to Tony, who nodded a go ahead. “We heard you’re resurrecting old songs for tonight’s show. Any special reason why?”
Jack felt a cold shiver travel his spine. The guy’s questions were a touch too close to his secret.
Tony shrugged. “We’ll play both old and new, the way we always do.”
Mitch approached with his hands in the air. “We’ve gotta wrap this up.” He pointed to two reporters who asked general questions about their current tour. Five minutes later, he ushered them from the dais to the Green Room.
He wanted to ask Sally if her spidey sense had gone on alert, or if his itchy feeling was an unusual nervousness. He’d like to hold her close and kick back before the show. That wasn’t possible with the number of people milling around. Not and keep Carlos’s and her identities safe from nosey people.
Glynnis wrapped her arms around his waist. “Hey, Jack. Long time no fuck.”
He unhooked her arms and stepped away. “I’d say it was nice to see you again, but I’d be lying. How’d you get in here? I sure as hell didn’t put you on the guest list.”
She pouted. “Jack, don’t be mean.” Her hand rubbed his chest and moved south. “I came tonight to see you.”
He snorted and grabbed her roving hand. “Right. Like I care.”
Her eyes widened. “It’s true. We were good together. You know I can give head like no one else. You said so.”
“Long time ago, Glynnis. Not making the return trip.”
“No? You sure?” She pulled his head down and planted her lips on his, pushing her tongue into his mouth. Her body plastered against his, her hips moving against him in a sultry, yet demanding thrust.
Taken aback at her quick move, Jack froze. Camera flashes popped around them. Pushing away from the embrace, he willed himself not to visually react. Glancing to where he’d last seen Sally, he noted that her back was to him.
He brushed Glynnis’s hand from his chest. “I said no. Go find someone else, preferably not our head technician this time.” He looked at the floor. Damn. He shouldn’t have said that, but she’d pushed her luck.
Her face whitened. Her lips narrowed. “Fine. You don’t have to be nasty.” She straightened and assumed a sexy pose. Her lips curved into a smile, but her eyes glinted. She ran her fingertips over his lips. “Bye, sugar.”
Tony tapped him on the shoulder. “Jack, I want you to meet someone.”
Shaken, he chatted with the man, a music teacher from a local school. After the instructor moved off, he rubbed his forehead, hoping Sally hadn’t seen that bullshit with Glynnis go down.
Momentarily free of people demanding his attention, he snagged a bottle of water, caught Sally’s eye over the crowd and winked. Her lack of response, rather, her stoic appearance left him reeling. The night he’d waited weeks to experience wasn’t playing o
ut the way he wanted. Then she flashed him a quick smile filled with heat and promise. He relaxed and returned to the meet and greet so familiar to his pre-concert routine.
Jack stood a few paces behind his family, watching the warm-up band troop in after finishing their set. The band was better than Mitch had said. He felt good about making this his last tour and insisting on keeping the information quiet. If he hadn’t, these guys would have been ignored in the hoopla.
As the Cuts waited to take the stage, he stood behind Sally, his palm caressing her butt. She jumped and looked over her shoulder. Seeing him there, she smiled.
“Rock the house, big boy.”
“All for you, Sally.” He whispered in her ear, his hand on her back. “I have a surprise for you. Listen for it.”
He moved beside Carlos, clapping his hand his son’s shoulder while waiting for his cue. As the announcer yelled out, “Charlotte welcomes the Rough Cuts.” Carlos leaned close. “Kick butt, Dad.”
He’d picked a hell of a place to call him Dad for the first time.
Heart pounding, he ran onstage pumping his fist. The crowd roared. He picked up his guitar and sent the distinctive “Eyes of Love’s” opening chords back at them. The audience jumped to their feet and stayed there. Jack’s searing guitar licks pushed the crowd higher. Tony punched the beat and held them together as the band cooked stronger than they had on their last two tours. They knew they were creating a singular night, and the fans did their part.
Later in the set, he settled on a stool to play the new acoustic solo. A quick glance to the wings, revealed Carlos at Sally’s side with his arms around both her and Abby’s shoulders. Cristal and Glynnis stood beside them. Carlos’s resemblance to his younger self, the dim lights creating a youthful glow around Sally, and her shining expression made his heart stutter. They’d wasted so damn much time.
“This is a new song.” He waited for the applause to die down. “I’m dedicating this to the special people in my life.” He caught Sally’s eye. “No one will ever replace you.”
Jack finished the song, and then traded out his Olson SJ for the Strat. Tony’s sticks counted the tempo and kicked off the tune that would end the set. He glanced to the wings to gauge Sally’s reaction.
She was gone.
****
When Jack announced the new song, Glynnis had bumped Sally’s arm with her elbow. She leaned over and spoke in her ear. “Nice of Jack to dedicate this to me and our kid, isn’t it?” She smirked then blew a kiss toward the stage.
When Sally glanced his way, Jack was bent over the guitar, seemingly lost in the song. Had she misinterpreted his look and words as meant for herself, Carlos and Abby? Anger stirred in her gut. Had Jack changed, or did he think he could have a family and groupie sex on the road, too? She’d seen Glynnis latch on to Jack like a boa constrictor around its prey. It hadn’t looked as if he’d invited the embrace, but she hadn’t watched long. The image of Glynnis trying to swallow Jack whole had made her throat dry. She’d had to blink back tears and maintain her smile in the midst of strangers. Not her favorite occupation.
She worked to calm her nerves and distrust as Glynnis moved two steps away and linked arms with Cristal. Jack and that woman had a daughter together, if the stories were true. Jack had never denied the rumors. He hadn’t confirmed them either which had always given her pause.
Sally ducked her son’s arm, moving to leave. He stopped her with a hand on her arm.
“Dad wrote this for us. You can’t walk away.”
She glanced at Glynnis. “The lights are messing with my vision. I’ll listen from further back in the wings.”
He frowned but turned back to listen, pulling Abby closer.
An itching sensation in her throat told her she needed to move before tears revealed how much Glynnis’s words had hurt.
She couldn’t believe Jack had singled them out. The fans and media couldn’t see Carlos, but others had. The back of her neck tingled. That move had not been smart. Neither had Carlos calling Jack “Dad.” Flirting with danger, the two of them, especially with strangers within listening distance. Besides that, the look Jack had thrown their way had jarred her core. At least until Glynnis had claimed it for herself.
Listening to the monitors, looking out at the first rows of the audience, blinded to the rest but knowing by the noise level the place was packed and rocking, Sally understood Jack in a way she hadn’t before. This was his world, the onslaught of cheers and applause, the palpable wave of love, belonged to, no, sustained him. How could one person’s love replace a crowd’s? Jack’s world, his reality overwhelmed her.
She waited until the song ended, then took off for Jack’s dressing room, knowing the first set would end with the next song.
Avoiding the chair she’d sat in during her conversation with Mitch, she plopped onto the couch, toeing off her shoes and closing her eyes. She quickly calmed her breathing, hoping her intuition would pop. The only message she received was one she’d rather not have heard. “Prepare for difficulty.”
“Shit.” She should have stayed and accepted Jack’s dedication, listened to his song, instead of running like a Greyhound at the starting bell. An apology wouldn’t work. She’d have to grovel, at least.
“What’s the matter? Couldn’t stand that Jack dedicated a song to me?”
She raised her gaze. Glynnis stood at the door.
“Sudden headache,” Sally lied. “I’m not used to loud music anymore.”
“Yeah, I understand older people have that problem.” She leaned against the molding and crossed her arms. “So, who are you, exactly?”
“An older person who received a free pass. Like you.” The woman frowned. “Getting a free concert pass, I mean.”
“Maybe you don’t know that Jack and I hook up when he’s in town.”
Sally kept her face as expressionless as possible. “Good for you.”
Her eyes narrowed into slits. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Glynnis.” Her arms remained crossed over her chest.
Sally nodded. She hadn’t been a player in academia for nothing. Her ability to snub had been equaled to “a Dowager Duchess in a snit” by a British professor buddy. “How nice for you.” She closed her eyes. “I hope you don’t mind if I relax. My head is killing me.”
“Relax somewhere else. This is Jack’s dressing room. He likes his privacy.”
Sally opened one eye. “I think he’ll be okay with me here.”
Glynnis jutted her hips forward. “He may want a quickie between sets. Wanna watch?”
Sally yawned. “I can’t believe you’d settle for a quickie. If I had Jack in my bed, I’d want him all night long. And more than once.” She shut her eyes. “A lot to be said for waiting.”
She knew Glynnis remained in the doorway but wouldn’t play her game. The music ended, and loud cheers rang the auditorium, including backstage. She didn’t want to be in a standoff when Jack returned. Not when she meant to apologize the minute she saw him.
Sally sighed and straightened. “I’m an old friend of Jack’s. I knew him before you were born.” For some inexplicable reason, she felt sorry for Glynnis. “Jack should be here any second. I need to speak with him, then he’s all yours.”
Jack appeared in the entrance. “No, I’m not all hers.” He motioned to a guard. “Keep everyone away from my door.”
Sally’s stomach jumped. Time to clear the air. She stood, her hands shaking.
He pushed past Glynnis. “Why’d you run after I dedicated a song to you? What game are you playing?” He slammed the door, but not before both the guard and Glynnis heard his words.
She knew he was past angry by the low, intense tone of his voice. “I got scared, Jack. I didn’t want anyone discovering Carlos’s identity.”
His eyes narrowed. “There’s more. I saw Glynnis talking to you. What did she say?” He took two steps then stopped, as if he’d finally absorbed her words. “Damn it. Do we have to have the trust argument again?”
He moved closer. “That new song was my surprise for you.”
“I thought ‘Eyes of Love’ was what you meant. Thank you. For both.”
He twined a lock of her hair around his finger. “That’s all I get for writing you a new song about a lost love?”
“Glynnis told me you wrote it for her.”
“That bitch. What was she saying when I got here?”
“That you wanted a quickie, and I should take my old bones home.”
He grabbed a towel and rubbed the back of his neck and face. “Fuck.”
“Jack, is this your way of preventing problems?”
“Shit. Tony told me Cristal would show, but he thought it’d be tomorrow night, and he sure didn’t know Glynnis would come along as a plus one.”
“So what’s she doing here?”
“Don’t worry about her. She’ll get bored and leave.”
She couldn’t see his aura—no surprise—but didn’t need proof to know he lied. “She wants to hook up with you again.” She held her breath.
He shrugged. “Not gonna happen.”
Sally released her breath. She raised her eyebrows. “I don’t own you, Jack.”
“Yes, you do.” He shook his head. “You’ve got my heart all wrapped up, and you don’t believe me.”
She pushed aside her fear and asked the question uppermost in her mind. “What’s the truth about Glynnis and Cristal, Jack? I need to know.”
He pulled her down to the couch. “I banged Glynnis, yeah, but Cristal’s not mine.”
Her eyes searched his, looking for confirmation to his words. “How can you be sure?”
“Trust me. It’s impossible.” He rubbed his jaw.
She nodded. His tone was certain, yet she intuited he hid a key part of the story. “Okay. Then what emotional hold does she have over you?”
“There is no hold, but there is dirty history.” A grimace flashed across his face.
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