“That’s enough, Tristan,” Beau says.
“That’s why you’re mine and Shay’s favorite brother, Beau. You’re the nicest.” Tatum gives Tristan a smug look.
“Quite the moment for the one the song inspired to miss out on,” Hunter says, sitting back and watching the Starks in action. I look away from his intense glare and look up at my dad who can see it written all over my face. I want Jace, dammit.
“Well, I think this calls for a celebration,” Mom says.
“I’m taking her out tonight, Mom,” Beau says. Mom frowns. “Later, Mom. I’m talking about tonight.”
Hunter stands up, and I follow. He pulls me in for a hug and whispers into my ear, “You are not being secretive about the boyfriend anymore.” He pulls away, says goodbye to everyone, and walks out with his hat low and his eyes focused on me.
“I need to go to your house right now. Jace will be calling me soon,” I tell my parents.
“Aren’t you excited, Shay? You’re officially an artist.” Mom pulls me into her as everyone talks excitedly around me.
“I just want to talk to Jace.”
Her eyes soften. “Okay, girlie, I’m going to the store to pick up some stuff for a celebratory lunch.”
I nod my head and tell everyone I will see them at the house.
I WALK INTO MY parents’ empty house and quickly make my way to the kitchen. Taking my usual position, I jump up onto the countertop, and with my Converse-covered feet dangling, I pick at my frayed jeans and wait patiently for the phone to ring. Like always, it rings right when he promised, and never hesitating I pick it up quickly.
“I accept,” I say into the receiver.
“Hey, baby.”
“Hi.”
“That doesn’t sound like my girl’s happy voice.”
“Do you want to hear our song on the radio?”
“Of course, I do.”
“I don’t know how good it will sound. I just have a video from the studio.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“I can hear it in your voice.”
“I just miss you.”
“I think it’s more than that, Shay.”
“I love you, Jace.”
“I love you, too, baby. Play me our song.”
“Okay.”
HE SAYS SHE’S THE IT GIRL BUT SHE’S MY GIRL
SHAY’S VOICE GOES silent, and I press my ear hard to the phone as Riley talks about how beautiful she is, how she’s going to be the “it girl.” My smile falls a little. She’s my girl, not the world’s, then my heartbeat finds my neck as he says she’s even caught the eye of Hollywood’s “it boy” Hunter Fucking Daniels.
Now I’m over what he has to say, and I just want to hear my girl sing the song she wrote for me. My clenched jaw and pulsing neck ease when I hear her melodic voice come over the line. Her voice, so beautiful, and so very much in my heart and soul, sings the words she wrote for me. Soft and slow, strong and powerful, just like our love, she tells the world how she feels about me.
I can’t help it. I’m so fucking choked up. Tears pour out of my eyes as I see community center moments, beach days throwing the football, and running into the ocean hand-in-hand. With my head hanging low, I wipe away bright pink and orange sunsets and nights covered in sand. I wipe cute little text messages and love notes that she holds against her chest with bright smiles reserved only for me. Everything we are pours out of my eyes as I listen closely to her sing. I’m in love. So fucking in love, and I hate that I wasn’t there for her.
The song ends, and she comes back to me. I take my mouth away from the phone and dry my tear-soaked face. I don’t give a shit who sees me right now. I’m so fucking weak in this moment.
“Jace,” she whispers. I let out a breath and put my mouth back to the receiving end of love.
“I’m here. I’m so here with you,” I say quietly, holding back the emotion fighting to break free again.
“Could you hear it okay?”
“Yeah, I could hear you.”
“I guess our song is being heard.”
“It is, and you sound so pretty.” She starts crying, and I start choking on my words. “I love you so much, Shay, and I’m so proud of you.”
“Why are you crying?”
“I’m just overwhelmed. I hate that I wasn’t with you during such a special moment, and I haven’t heard you sing in so long,” I answer, losing the battle to stay strong.
“Please let me come see you. I want to be with you during all of this. I’m scared, Jace.”
I wipe my tears and suck in a breath. “Why are you scared?”
“I don’t know. I just don’t know what to expect and…”
“Your dad will always make sure you’re doing what’s best for you and your career.”
“I don’t want a career without you,” she admits. I make a tight fist.
“Baby, you kind of just started one,” I tell her, hearing noises in the background.
“What’s going on over there?”
“Oh, my family just walked in. Mom’s making us a celebration lunch,” she says in a hushed tone. “I wish you were here with me.”
“Hold on to my love on your wrist. No matter where we are, we are always together, Shay.”
“Like soul mate kind of together?” she murmurs.
“Always. Go eat your special lunch, and put a smile on that pretty face.”
“Okay,” she says quietly.
“Hey, look at those pretty hands.”
“Why?”
“Because I want you to picture my hands entwined with yours. Are you seeing it?”
“Yes.”
“Lock your hands together, and close your eyes. Feel me, feel us, and how good it’s going to be when our hands are put back together. I can’t wait until we walk hand-in-hand on the beach again. You sounded so beautiful over the radio, and I can’t wait until I get to hear my girl sing to me wrapped up in each other’s arms.”
“Are you talking about our song or the other music you like to get me to sing?”
I chuckle, and she giggles. For a moment, all the hardships and disappointments fall away.
“You know your boy so well.”
“I thought you were being all sentimental, sexy boy,” sassiness says playfully.
“I was, baby. I just wanted to make my girl smile, and I know when I throw in that sexy music talk, you always find your happy voice, I just want you to be happy.”
“I have you, Jace. I’ll always be happy. I just want you home with me.”
“I know you do, and the second I can be, there is no other place in the world I will ever be but with your hand in mine. Now go celebrate.”
“More than anything, forever boy,” she reminds me before the lines goes dead.
Caught the eye of Hunter Daniels. He’s going to catch a black fucking eye if he messes with my girl. I walk with heavy steps back to my own personal hell with eyes scanning the area. If I black his eye, I’m going to be right back in this hellhole, and I can’t have that happen ever again. Once I’m out, I’m not looking inside these walls again. Shay said she would only work with him if he were professional, so he must be when he’s in the studio with her. Why else would I have to worry about him crossing the line? It’s not like my girl would hang out with him.
MIXING BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE
“BEAU WANTS TO TAKE you out to celebrate tonight,” Mom says, cleaning the dishes.
“I don’t really want to go anywhere.”
“Go out and celebrate, Shay.”
“Where is he taking me?”
Beau strides in from the terrace. “I’m taking you out to a new hot spot in North Hollywood.”
“Is it a bar, Beau? Shay’s not old enough to drink.”
“Yeah, it’s a bar. A buddy of mine just opened it, so it won’t be a problem. It’s a really nice establishment.”
“I don’t know if I’m comfortable with that,” she confesses, reach
ing into the cabinet to put the plates away.
“Mom, she’s nineteen years old. She just debuted her song on the radio, and her boyfriend has been in prison for a year. She needs to go out and let loose. Look at her.” He glances over at me when he says those last words. “She’s like a sad little puppy.”
“Okay, you’re right, but you better take care of her, Beau.” He leans in and kisses her cheek. “I mean it. She’s underage.”
“It’s not like I’m going to get her drunk. I know there’s going to be a small dance floor with a local DJ friend of ours playing, so she and Jules can dance. She just needs to go out and have fun. I’ll be watching her from the VIP section reserved for us.”
Mom smiles. “That sounds like fun, Shay.” She looks at me while I twirl waves around my finger. “Go home and get cute so you can have a fun night with your brother.” Jumping down from the counter, I ask, “What, I don’t look good?”
“Yes, you look fine, sassy girl, but you’re going to a swanky club. You can’t wear your Converse.”
WHEN I WALK INTO the condo, I shut all the curtains, darkening each room. To some it may seem silly, but to me, I don’t want any more light than my boy gets. Satisfied when only streams of light pour through the thin curtains, I go into the bathroom and take a quick shower.
After applying a touch of makeup, I start blow-drying my hair. When I turn off the loud buzz, I hear pounding at the front door. Slipping into dark skinnies quickly, I zip them up and walk to the door. Panic rises in my chest when the banging gets louder and harder.
“Jules, is that you?” I say against the door.
“Yes, it’s me,” she answers loudly as my breathing calms. I open the door to a very impatient Jules. “I’ve been knocking for like five minutes. What took you so long?”
“Sorry. I was blow-drying my hair and couldn’t hear you.”
“You need to give me a key.” She strolls in carelessly while my heart tries to find a normal beat.
“Well, your hair looks good straight, so I’ll let that long wait go this time.” I run my fingers through my hair. “It’s looks longer. You should wear it like that more often,” she says, touching the pin straight dark strands. “I love it like that.”
“Thanks.” I fall onto the end of my bed and place my black open-toed strappy booties on.
“Those shoes are hot,” she says, pushing down her knee-length dress. “Your hot pink toes look good. You’re really pulling out the hot card tonight, Starkie.” Picking up a brush, she runs it through her long blonde hair.
“Thanks,” I tell her, standing up and adjusting my tank top. I grab the brush out of her hand.
“Did you tell Jace you were going out?”
“I didn’t really plan on going, so I didn’t tell him,” I answer, brushing my hair one last time.
“Prison break!”
“I hate when you say that, Jules.”
“I’m just kidding, Starkie.”
I grab my coconut oil lip-gloss and smooth it over my lips. “Yeah, I know you are, but it’s disrespectful to Jace.”
“You’re being too sensitive. He would probably laugh at that.”
“I highly doubt Jace would find it endearing to be called jailbird. He’s not happy about his circumstances or the reason he’s there in the first place.” My cell phone lights up, and I read Beau’s text telling us he is waiting out front. “Beau’s here,” I say, putting the gloss inside my clutch. Jules rolls her eyes and grabs her handbag. “Be nice to Beau, Jules.”
“I’m always nice,” she lies, walking out of my bedroom.
“No, you’re always sarcastic, and Beau is going out of his way so we can have fun.”
“Fine. I’ll be nice.” She throws her blonde hair over her shoulder.
MINUTES LATER, I FIND myself walking through the doors of my very first club scene. Beau was right; it’s a very nice establishment.
Darkened corners with glass diamond-like chandeliers hang from light wooden beams. “Wow, impressive,” Jules whispers from behind me, as we both stare at how detailed the ceiling alone is. Muted warm tones adorn the walls, and crème colored couches with burgundy pillows grace the floors. Jules and I follow Beau as he makes his way in front of the floor-to-ceiling glass bar. He stops briefly and shakes hands with the owner. “Is that…?” Jules’s voice trails off. I ignore her as Beau turns toward us, introducing his friend who happens to be a very well-known child actor who vanished from the scene. We politely shake his hand.
“Shay, it’s nice to meet you. I heard your song on the radio. I love it,” he says, checking me out. Beau glances at me, and his eyes go right to my chest. His jaw tightens, and he looks back at his friend. “Anything you need, just let me know, Beau.” Beau nods, and Jules and I smile and keep moving along. We get to the VIP section, and a hat-free Hunter is sprawled out on the couch with a small glass in his hand.
The VIP section is very nice, with two plush couches and a large glass table with alcohol ready at our disposal. “What’s up, bro?” Hunter says to Beau. Then, he looks at Jules and me, his eyes lingering mostly on me. “Hey, girls.” He brings his glass of dark liquor to his mouth. Beau turns to me.
“I’m going to have to watch you all night,” he says.
“Why?” I ask him as Jules hands me a glass of wine off the table.
“Don’t you have a sweater?”
“A sweater? It’s hot outside. Why would I wear a sweater?” I ask in a serious tone. He looks from my eyes to my chest and waves his hand in front of me.
“My God, Beau, they’re just boobs,” Jules chimes in, rolling her eyes.
“They’re my sister’s boobs, and I don’t like guys checking them out.”
“She can’t help the fact that she could stop traffic with that body of hers,” she continues, making Beau’s face scrunch up in annoyance.
Hunter sits up with a lingering stare. “Yeah, you could pretty much stop traffic in that outfit.” Beau quickly looks over at Hunter.
“Bro, she has a boyfriend,” Beau reminds him. Hunter chuckles.
“I’m questioning this boyfriend. He’s never around,” Hunter says, darting curious eyes in my direction.
“I don’t care if he’s around or not. Trust me, if he were around, you’d know it. He doesn’t take kindly to guys messing with his relationship with Shay.”
“Beau.” I try to stop him.
“What? I’m just saying don’t check out my sister. It’s disrespectful to her boyfriend.”
Wow, I’ve never heard Beau defend Jace like that before, but I have to say, I’m not surprised. He really is the best big brother ever. “I’m going to be nice to Beau tonight for sticking up for your jailbird, but this is a one-time exception,” Jules says, taking a very big drink of her wine.
“I’m just saying you have a very pretty sister, Beau. I’m not being disrespectful. Have a shot with me. That studio time has you on edge. You need to get drunk or get laid.” Hunter hands Beau a drink. Beau just laughs it off, and Jules’s eyes go wide.
“He’s probably just like those stupid manwhores we read about, Shay. Hunter, too.”
“It’s not our business what they do, Jules,” I say, earning a little fishy face.
While Beau starts talking to some friends that showed up, Jules goes to the restroom, and Hunter sits back and watches me.
“Cute toes.”
“What?” I ask loudly, trying to hear over the music that just started playing.
He pulls me down and whispers into my ear, “I said you have cute pink toes. You really do look pretty tonight, Shay.” I lean back, brushing off his comment.
“Thank you.”
“If you were my girlfriend, I’d have a hard time knowing you were out looking so beautiful without me.”
“My boyfriend is very secure.”
“Trust me, I’m very secure, too, but I’m a guy, and I wouldn’t want you at a club without me.”
“He trusts me.”
“Where is he?�
��
“Stop asking so many questions, Hunter,” I demand, causing him to chuckle. Nervously, I start to drink my wine a little too quickly, but I don’t really know what to do with myself. I’ve never been inside a club before, and I’m really uncomfortable with it.
“I’ll stop asking questions when you start being truthful. Where’s the boyfriend tonight?”
“Shay, you should see how pretty the bathroom is,” Jules says, walking back to us. Perfect timing. Hunter looks away, stands up, and starts talking with the DJ that just came up to our table.
“We going to mix some shit up tonight?” the DJ asks, slapping hands with Hunter. He laughs and looks back at me.
“Yeah, I feel like mixing it up,” Hunter responds, licking his lips and smiling at me. I look away, and he smirks.
“We need to get back in the studio together,” the guy tells him. “You’re too busy being a movie star these days.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m ready to get back into my music. I’ve found a little bit of inspiration lately.”
Jules bumps my bare shoulder and hands me my refilled wine glass. I give her a look, and she blows me off, but I already feel guilty for drinking in the first place. “I wonder who that inspiration is,” she says, all wine-filled and ready to let loose.
WE’VE ONLY EVER BELONGED TO EACH OTHER
MY HEAVY FEET pound the cracked concrete, and with just a few minutes of fresh air and a glimpse of natural light before us, I push through a couple more laps.
“Hey, you want to get in a few reps with me before we get locked in?” Reno asks, hanging from the pull-up bar as I pass him. I nod, wipe my forehead, and push back my hair. He jumps down, and I jump up. “Damn, Jace, you really can bust them out.” I jump down. “Did you ever play sports?” He hops back up, struggling to do his set.
“I always wanted to, but it never worked out for me.”
He nods. “You got a body like a football player. If you had any talent, you could have gotten a scholarship.”
Questionable Love (A Love Beyond Labels #2) Page 17