No More Yesterdays: A Rock Star Romance (Rocked in Love Book 2)

by Jessica Marlowe

  Emily had gotten to know Curt this week, and he was totally devoted to Nicki. He was sweet, and he loved taking care of her friend. But what really impressed her was how much Nicki had changed. She’d toned down her makeup because Curt had told her she was beautiful without it. Every guy she’d dated since Emily had known her had said the same thing, but this time, Nicki seemed to believe it. She hadn’t needed her friend to tell her that she was in love with Curt because it showed in every move she made. Nicki was a born flirt, but she only had eyes for Curt. It didn’t bother her that other women gawked at him or touched him. She called it an occupational hazard, and she could hardly blame them since she couldn’t keep her hands off him either.

  Emily wished she could be so casual about it. She knew she’d have to get used to the attention Jack got from other women. She wasn’t worried about him, but it pissed her off that other women touched him so freely, much like Nicki had the night they met. Jack had agreed to keep their relationship quiet, but she suspected that her known existence wouldn’t stop women from groping him.

  Elliot arrived a few minutes later looking like a new man. His time with Siobhan had gone well, and Emily was happy for them. She hugged him, Buzz, and Curt goodbye. Everyone got in the SUV except Jack.

  She knew what he wanted her to say and suddenly felt awkward. Anything she’d say would sound so silly compared to how he felt. When they kissed goodbye, she melted into him. She didn’t have any words that could top that.

  Jack pulled back and wiped a tear that trickled down her cheek with his thumb. He turned and got in the SUV, and Emily watched as it drove up to the exit.

  Her throat closed, and her heart pounded in her ears. “She’s never coming back,” Emily whispered as the SUV turned out of the garage.

  Jeff cleared his throat. “Ready?”

  Emily used the wet tissue to dry her eyes. “Yeah.” She walked around the front of the SUV and got into the passenger side.

  Back to reality.

  Emily glanced at Jeff as he drove. He had an economy of movement that reminded her of her dad. He never did anything that wasn’t necessary. He focused on driving and was no more relaxed even though the band wasn’t in his care. That reminded her of her dad, too. Every time he returned from deployment, he’d be hyper vigilant. It was an expected part of their transition when they returned home. His obligation to his men never ended as far as he’d been concerned. They had varying degrees of difficulty returning to non-deployed life. Her dad always knew which guys would need his help, whether they wanted it or not. Ryan Prescott was a Marine, but he didn’t tolerate any macho bullshit. He leaned heavily on her mom when he came home, and later, when she and Riley were older, he leaned on them, too. He expected no less from those entrusted to his command.

  It wasn’t an uncommon thing for the phone to ring in the middle of the night. Her dad always answered the call. Her mom was just as strong, raising her and Riley and taking care of everything so he could focus on his missions. They complemented each other in every way. She’d always been so proud of her parents. They were the perfect couple.

  Traffic eased after they crossed the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey. Emily cleared her throat. “So, what’s his name?”

  Jeff didn’t look at her. “Who?”

  She knew Jeff knew who, but she admired his loyalty to Jack. “The guy three cars back in the navy sedan that Jack hired to watch over me.”

  Jeff slapped his hands on the wheel and smiled at the same time. “Damn, you’re good. Fletcher did everything right, and you still saw him.”

  Emily laughed. “Actually, I didn’t, but I suspected Jack would hire someone, and since he never brought it up, I was sure. I happened to look in the rearview mirror and saw a navy sedan.” She turned and grinned at him. She wasn’t sure Jeff had a sense of humor, but she decided to find out. “Rookie mistake.”

  Jeff burst out laughing.

  Good, she’d never want to be on his bad side.

  “You’re a smartass,” Jeff said with affection.

  He used the Bluetooth to call Fletcher and bust his balls for being spotted. After he hung up, he glanced at her, taking his eyes off the road for the first time. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “What are your thoughts on this stalker bull—oney.”

  He was a gentleman, too. “Permission to speak freely?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “The obvious choice is one of the women on the crew, but I talked to everyone and didn’t get any weird vibes, and neither did Nicki. It has to be someone who’s known him for a while. When Jack got the first letter last October, it wasn’t common knowledge that they’d broken up yet.”

  “You think his breakup with Christie was a catalyst for this person?”

  “Maybe she saw it as her chance. Or maybe she’s lost touch with reality.”

  “Like your stalker?”

  “Did Jack ask you to look into it?”

  “Yes. I told him I wouldn’t lie if you asked me.”

  “He wanted you to lie?” That didn’t sound like Jack.

  “No, I just told him I wouldn’t, and he said he’d never ask me to. Anything you left out of the story?”

  “I left out some details, but nothing pertinent.”

  “What kind of details?”

  “Like how he wrote intimate scenes in his emails, wanting to act them out with me.”

  Jeff’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. His mouth opened then closed.

  “I think the word you’re looking for is ew.”

  Once they arrived at her apartment, Jeff carried her bags and waited while she unlocked her door. When she turned to take them from him, he grunted at her, so she led the way up the stairs. “Thanks, Jeff, I really appreciate it.”

  He put her bags down and looked around before walking into the dining room and then the kitchen.

  She followed him into the kitchen. “Can I get you anything?”

  “No.”

  “What are you doing?”

  Jeff checked the window over the kitchen sink, then turned, and leaned up against the counter. “Only one entrance?”

  Ah, recon. “Yes, I couldn’t find an apartment with two, but it’s second floor, and third in the back where the bedroom is because there are garages underneath.”

  Jeff nodded curtly and walked through the doorway back into the dining room. Emily leaned up against the hallway wall. “Did Jack ask you to survey the place?”

  “No. This is for my peace of mind.”

  Emily was touched. Turned out, the hardened Marine had a soft gooey center. Just like her dad. “Would you like to see the rest of the place?”

  “Yes.”

  Emily walked down the hall, stopping at the first door on the right. “This is my office.” She stepped aside so he could enter. He opened one window and looked down then closed and locked it again. Across the hallway was the bathroom, and she flipped the switch. There wasn’t a window, so Jeff nodded, and she walked to the end of the hallway and into the bedroom. There were two sets of double windows, one opposite the door and the other over the bed.

  Jeff looked out the first set that overlooked the parking lot in back. “No fire escape?”

  She pointed to the double windows behind the headboard of her bed.

  “Not easy to get to.” Jeff looked around and seemed to conclude what she had; the queen bed wouldn’t fit anywhere else. “Poor design.”

  “Yeah, but if I have to get out, I’ll just climb over the bed.”

  “Good.”

  He nodded, and they returned to the living room “This was a good choice, second floor apartment on the end. If you have to jump, throw out the couch cushions and anything else that could soften your landing.”

  She knew better than to salute, so she smiled and said, “Sir, yes, sir.” Just like she used to say to her dad when she was being facetious.

  Jeff smiled
. “I was a gunnery sergeant.” He turned, and she followed him down the stairs. “Lock the door behind me.”

  He was so much like her dad, and he was looking out for her. Marines did that. Her father had kept in touch with the families of his fallen men up until the day he died. “And, Gunny, take the babysitter with you.”

  Jeff turned and sighed. “He’ll be pissed.”

  “I understand he’s concerned, but he should’ve talked to me about it. Now he will.”

  Jeff gave his signature curt nod. “Will do.”

  When she shut the door, she looked out the peephole as she locked it. Jeff waited until he heard the click of the lock before leaving.

  She went into her bedroom and changed into her work clothes. She was glad she’d gotten ready at the hotel. Her cell blared with “Riot” by Vince’s band. It was the first song he’d written. She knew because he’d written it in rehab. “Hey, Vince. What’s up?”

  “Something you want to tell me?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Does Eddie know?”

  “Know what?”

  “That your dating Jack McBride.”

  A rush of heat flooded her system, and it was hard to take a breath. Luckily, Sully’s favorite chair was nearby, so she sat. Anger boiled over. He’d had four weeks to pick up the rest of his shit. What the hell was that about?

  “Hellooooo?” Vince said.

  “What?” Emily barked into the phone, snapping her back to Vince. She took a few deep breaths.

  “I asked if Eddie knew you were dating Jack McBride?”

  How the hell did Vince know? This is a disaster. She’d never lied to Vince or Eddie, and as tempting as it was, she wouldn’t start now. “No.”

  “Just no?” Vince asked.

  “How do you know? It’s supposed to be a secret.”

  “His picture is plastered all over LA Today with a headline proclaiming the Jack and Christie dynasty is over. Jack moves on.”

  They’d seen paparazzi the few times they’d gone out, but she always turned away. What had she gotten herself into?

  “Unclench, Prescott, there’s no clear picture of your face, McBride did a good job of obscuring you. I’m the only one who knows it’s you.”

  “How’s that possible?”

  “Because I’m the only one with the math skills to pull it off.”

  “You suck at math.”

  “Normally, that’s true, but even I can add one plus one.”

  “What’s the other one?”

  “You think I don’t know what backstage sounds like?”

  “Backstage?”

  “When you called me Thursday about your friend who couldn’t reach his sponsor, you were backstage. Buzz’s voice sounded familiar, and after I saw the pictures in this morning’s paper, one plus one.”

  “You know them?” She slumped back into the chair.

  “We’re not best friends, but we’ve crossed paths with them over the years, been at the same festivals. I see McBride around town every so often.”

  Shit, she should’ve thought of that.

  “He’s a good guy, Emi. Not into all the Hollywood bullshit, or rock star bullshit for that matter, down to earth.”

  Emily rubbed her temples. She did not need a headache today.

  “Are you sure you’re ready for this? It’s not like you to jump into another relationship so quickly. Not to mention, he’s about as famous as it gets.”

  “I’m not sure about anything.”

  “Better figure it out before he falls for you,” Vince said.

  “Too late.” No one understood her better than Vince, Eddie, and Trina. They’d been there for the rebuild of her shattered life. Nicki was a close second.

  “Does he know?”

  “Most of it.” Vince didn’t say anything for so long she checked to see if they were still connected. “What?”

  “That’s not like you.”

  “Yeah, I have no explanation, except he asks a lot of questions, and I felt comfortable with him.

  “Huh.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. When are you telling Eddie?”

  “I have no plans to tell anyone right now. Nicki knows and now you.” Emily laughed. “You want someone to commiserate with, is that it? Call Nicki, she’s always good for a two-hour conversation.”

  “No shit, Eddie and I got stuck on more than one three-way with her this past month.”

  She let that three-way comment go. “Really, why?”

  Vince sighed. “We were worried about you. You weren’t talking, so we had to resort to subversive measures.”

  “Thanks.” She’d promised herself she wouldn’t do a search on Christie, but Emily broke down yesterday after Nicki told her she was stunning. And she was. Tall, blonde, flawless skin, no makeup needed, stunning. Even her hair in a messy ponytail looked impeccable. “You’ve met Jack’s ex. Is she really that…perfect in person?”

  “Emi, don’t do this to yourself.” Vince’s tone softened.

  “She is, isn’t she?”

  “She’s an addict with an entitled attitude. You are perfect.”

  “You know that’s not true.” No one knew better than Vince and Eddie what her body had been through. The surgeries, the rehab, and the anger she felt over the hideous scars. She thought she’d come to accept them, but seeing Jack’s beautifully unmarred, perfect skinned ex, with long legs that looked great in a miniskirt and sky-high heels, had proved unnerving. She’d never be able to wear anything like that again. She hated feeling this way, but she couldn’t help it; no mantra was strong enough to counteract the ugly scars. They won.

  “Does Jack feel that way?”

  “No, but—”

  “But nothing. I told you, he’s a good guy. No guy that loves you cares about your scars. I don’t.”

  “You sure they didn’t matter to you?” She’d wanted Vince to be her first, but he’d said no.

  Vince growled in frustration. “I turned you down because I refused to be a part of that fucked-up bucket list of yours.”

  Emily froze. “What bucket list?”

  “Do you really want me to say it?”

  Emily’s face heated. “No. You searched my room?”

  “I knew something was going on with you, and I was pretty sure what it was. Finding that list confirmed it.”

  They’d bonded over two things: they’d both been in a terrible car accident, and both had no family although Vince opted out of his because they were awful. “Did you tell anyone?”

  “What am I stupid? If I’d told anyone, they’d have committed you. You needed out of that place not a state-sanctioned imprisoning.”

  Vince had always been smarter than her. He’d say street smart because of how he’d grown up. He’d known all these years and never said anything. A surge of anger rose, and she grabbed on to it because it was better than crying. “What guy turns down sex?”

  “A guy that loves you.”

  “That makes no sense.”

  “Emi, do you forget how well I know you? Stop trying to pick a fight with me. I love you.”

  “Love you, too.” But would she ever be able to say it to Jack?

  chapter

  TWELVE

  Emily arrived at her office thirty minutes before the meeting. The owners, Ben Bradford and Jerry Ross, greeted her as she walked in the front door. “You look lovely today, young lady,” Ben said.

  Ben looked sharp as always in a navy suit, white shirt, and blue-and-gray-striped tie. He and Jerry were the same height and build and had the same dark eyes and identical graying at the temples of their dark blond hair. Jerry still hadn’t shaved his winter beard, and it was grayer than this time last year.

  “What’s up?” she asked.

  “You were missed. Can’t we just be happy to see you?” Jerry asked.

  “Of course.” In the five years she’d worked at Bradford and Ross, Emily had
grown accustomed to their eccentricities. She loved their quirky sense of humor. Some of the employees thought they were nutters, but Emily knew better. They’d shared their story with her, and it explained a lot. They were devoted family men who saw their employees as an extension of their families. They treated everyone with respect. If one of their employees had a personal problem, they’d offer any assistance they could.

  Cassidy, the receptionist, stepped from behind her desk and hugged Emily. “I’m so glad you’re back. They’ve been nuttier than usual. You have a calming effect on the geezers.”

  Emily pulled back and looked Cassidy in the eyes. “They’re not old enough to be geezers.”

  Cassidy was only twenty-two, and she thought everyone over forty was a geezer. Emily had been twenty-two when she’d started here, but she didn’t think she’d ever been as young as Cassidy.

  Ben and Jerry returned to their shared office. They each had a weird expression which she didn’t have time to decipher. Her part of the presentation was completed before she left, but she went over it anyway. She’d been so crazed last week, and she wasn’t as confident in it as she’d have liked.

  As one of three copywriters in the office, Emily was part of the behind the scenes team that produced the marketing angle the client wanted. Ben and Jerry handled most of the presentations, and their sons handled the rest. Mr. Bennett had asked to meet the team when he’d first signed on with B & R and always requested Emily work on his campaigns.

  The meeting went smoothly. Her copy had been well received with only a few changes requested. The deadline was Monday, but the ideas flowed, so she worked late to finish while they were still fresh in her mind. Her bosses were happy when she submitted the revisions to them by the end of the day. They never left their female employees alone in the office after hours. If they couldn’t stay, one of their sons would.

  They walked her to her car which wouldn’t start. She called Triple A, and they returned to the office to wait with her.