by Jesse Jordan
I lean back, the two of us staring at the walls, the silence stretching out except for the snore of the sleeping drunk until Kelly asks again. “So... do you have any kids?”
“A daughter,” I admit, the thought of Bella bringing tears to my eyes. “She... I have no idea how I'm going to explain this to her when I get out. She's three, she turns four in the spring.”
Kelly smiles, and scoots over, taking my hand. “You're lucky, and no lie, I'm jealous. You have a daughter who loves you, I can see that just in your eyes and by how you just talked about her. We... we escorts have to know how to read our clients and people very well, very quickly, to get as good as I've become. So focus on her... just take care of her. Maybe someday, when I find the right guy, I'll be as lucky as you.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, tears slipping down my cheeks. “I just... I love him, too. Rocky's the man I wish was her father, he and I... I've loved him for years. But, am I just being delusional?”
“No, you're not delusional,” a choked voice comes from the front of the cell, and I turn my head, sure I'm imagining things. Rocky's there, still in his stage clothes, a guard next to him. “Come on, I'm getting you out of here.”
Kelly pats my knee and gives me a smile. “I think you've got your answer. Good luck.”
“So, you told Larry what you overheard?” I ask, sitting in the questioning room of the police station that's attached to the jail while the rest of the paperwork is being filled out. I'm still in shock, Rocky's right here, and since leaving the cell he's not let go of my hand, except when I had to go pee.
“I did more than that, I shared the whole sound file with him,” Rocky says, reaching up and stroking my hair. “Oh, Cora... I'm so, so sorry. How could I have doubted you?”
“It's okay,” I reassure him, on the edge of tears again, the fifth time since stepping out of the cell and into his arms for a hug. “You were being lied to by someone you thought you could trust. You knew her for years.”
“I've known you longer,” Rocky whispers, his thumb stroking over my cheekbone. “And yet I didn't believe you. I'm... I'm a terrible person.”
“No, you're the man that I love,” I reply, putting my hand on his heart. “I was hiding something from you... my daughter.”
“I overheard something Martha said about a child, and it made sense as I got a ride over here,” Rocky says, then he smiles. “Okay, enough of that. I was a fool for not believing you, and you were one hundred percent right to protect her. The rest of that we'll chalk up to just bad timing and Martha's lies.”
“Really?” I ask, and Rocky nods. “Rocky... I know this isn't my apartment, but I'd like to still lay things out between us in the free time right now. Like you know, I have a little girl, her name's Bella.”
“That's a beautiful name,” Rocky comments. “How old is she?”
“She'll turn four in April, actually. Uh... you know the father,” I say with a shake of my head. “Duane Phillips. He and I hooked up at LACU for a minute there.”
“Is he still around?” Rocky asks. “I mean, I know you're single Cora, but... well, I'm just curious.”
“He hasn't been part of my life since about a month after I found out I was pregnant. The only interaction he has in Bella's life is the monthly child support payment he sends,” I tell Rocky, shaking my head. “It was a mistake to ever sleep with Duane. But... Bella's the best thing in my life. Rocky... Bella and I, we're a package deal. No more lies, no more deceptions, I want to be upfront with you on that.”
Rocky nods, holding my hand still. “I've been thinking about that ever since I had a chance to reflect on what Martha said to her source. I was thinking, am I really ready to be put into a fatherhood role? Because Cora, I'm not interested in something casual, especially with you. And the more I thought about it... the more I realized that I am. Now, I'm not saying I'm going to step right in and start playing Daddy, I realize I need to get to know Bella and she needs to get to know me. But... well, the more I thought, the more I realized that I love you. And I've loved you for years, probably as far back as high school.”
“Really?” I ask, stunned. “But...”
“But I was a dumbass,” Rocky completes for me. “Cora, do you want to know why Martha was so vicious in what she did to you?”
“She said something about you rejecting her when she pulled her gun on me,” I comment, and Rocky nods. “You did? I never knew.”
“I didn't even know until tonight. Back when I turned twenty-one, Martha and I went out to celebrate,” Rocky says, kind of embarrassed. “We did the normal thing, got pretty wasted at a club. Now, we'd been working together for a while, and I was friendly with her but I didn't have any feelings for her. Apparently, she did... but when she had almost seduced me, she walked away.”
“So, she started making up the scandals,” I comment, sighing. “But why Rocky? You say she walked away after she'd almost seduced you. Why would she hate you so much as to try and wreck your life?”
“Because of what I said to her,” Rocky says softly, squeezing my hand. “You see, the reason Martha tried to destroy you so much wasn't just because we fell in love... but that when I was nearly seduced by her, I called her Cora.”
His words hit me like a thunderbolt and I feel my heart swell, and I grab Rocky's head, pulling him into a kiss. All the pain, all the hurt of the past days wash away in the feel of his lips on mine, and I lean in, giving him all of me. We're interrupted when the door of the interview room opens, and Larry comes in, along with a lawyer from Gashouse Records. “Well, I guess you two made up.”
“Uh... yeah. Larry, I'm sorry about causing trouble and making you miss the after party,” I plead, getting to my feet. “You guys didn't have to come down here after midnight to get me out of jail.”
“Considering that an employee working for me was leaking information to the press, ruining not just your life but Rocky's, and all of it under my nose without me knowing, it's only the beginning of what I need to do,” Larry says. “Mr. Thompkins, you have anything to add?”
“Yes,” the lawyer says. “As part of the agreement that Larry had me work with Martha Mellors, she has withdrawn her complaint against you, everything's been dropped. Also, Mr. Olson took a few minutes to discuss something else with me. I told him I advise against it, but he seems to not want to listen to that advice.”
“What?” Rocky asks, confused. “Larry, I thought we were just going to get Cora out of jail.”
“We are, but you guys need a ride, and I figure we can talk business in the back. It's one perk of having to bail people out after a concert, we get to ride in a limo afterward,” Larry says, gesturing to the door. “Come on Cora, you're a free woman, and I will at least give you a ride home, or wherever else you want to go.”
The four of us climb into the back of a limo, which pulls away, and I feel like I'm in a surreal situation, sitting in the back of a limo at roughly one thirty in the morning with Rocky, Larry, and a lawyer. Finally, after a block of the four of us staring at each other, I speak up. “Uh, this is weird.”
“Welcome to showbiz,” Larry jokes. “But if I can be serious, what Martha did, it's inexcusable. Unfortunately, trying to prosecute it would be nearly impossible. Still, I got her to sign a resignation letter, while Gashouse promised not to prosecute for hacking and stealing footage from our security system. There are a few other laws as well, but Gashouse promised not to go after her.”
“But I can,” I growl, and Larry nods. I think about it, and look over at Rocky. “No... no, I don't need to do that.”
“Good, because I'd prefer if you were focused,” Larry says. Rocky gives him a questioning look, and Larry grins. “Rocky, your band is missing a manager now. So, I had an idea. Instead of hiring a producer and having your manager do publicity, what about hiring a publicist and having your manager do production instead?”
Rocky's lips spread in a grin and he looks at me. “Well? What do you say? I mean, we'd need to run it past the gu
ys, but I think Ian and Joey would go for it. And I can't think of anyone who'd look out for our well-being better than you.”
I take Rocky's hand and nod. “One question.... does this mean I need to start wearing suits?”
“Nope,” Larry replies, laughing. “As long as you won't get arrested for public indecency, you can wear anything you want to work. Hell, you make songs as good as Four Letters, you can do production work wearing just body paint for all I care.”
I nod and let go of Rocky's hand just long enough to offer my hand to Larry. “Larry, you have a deal. We can talk details later. In the meantime, do you mind giving Rocky and me a ride to Simi Valley?”
“Simi Valley?” Larry asks, surprised. “I thought your apartment was closer to Burbank.”
“Yes... but my daughter's in Simi Valley, and I think Rocky is due an introduction.”
Rocky
Larry wishes us both a good evening as we get out of the limo, still holding hands. We'll see him Monday. We watch as the taillights wink at the stop sign, cherry for a moment before the limo turns right and starts driving back towards the freeway to take Larry home. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah... kinda pissed that my phone got broken in the scuffle,” Cora says lightly. “It'd have been nice to be able to give Mom and Dad warning about us coming.”
The porch light turns on next to the front door of Mr. and Mrs. Clearwater's house, and I put my arm around Cora's shoulders, smiling. “I don't think that they went to bed. Come on, let's go see your daughter.”
The door opens even before we're halfway up the walk, and Mrs. Clearwater comes running out, pulling Cora into a hug as she sobs, happiness and concern written on her face. “Cora... oh my baby girl, how....”
“Shh, Mom, it's okay,” Cora whispers, trying not to cry herself. Mr. Clearwater is right behind, and while his eyes are shining in the streetlight, he's not quite as openly emotional as his wife.
“Thank you, Rocky,” Mr. Clearwater says, offering his hand. “I assume that you had something to do with this.”
“In more ways than you know, sir,” I reply, shaking his hand. “Actually, I feel like I owe you and Mrs. Clearwater an apology.”
“You got our daughter out of jail, and Larissa already told me that you and Cora.... well, she said that you might be in love. No apologies are necessary or wanted. Whatever else, just call me Bruce,” Mr. Clearwater says. “Please, welcome to my home.”
It's nearly three thirty before we get done telling Bruce and Larissa the details about what happened, and by the end, all four of us are yawning. Finally, Larissa stretches her arms overhead and smiles, her back cracking loud enough that I can hear it from the other side of the couch. “Okay guys, I think that's the signal that all of us should get some sleep. Rocky, you're perfectly welcome to stay here, if you'd like.”
“Thank you, Larissa,” I reply, still rolling the names around in my mouth. It seems strange, I've known them for a decade, and it's going to take time to think of them by their first names. “The couch is nice here.”
“Would you like to look in on Bella first?” Cora asks, taking my hand. “And then tomorrow... well, we'd originally planned to get together Friday night, but I think Sunday's a good day too.”
“That sounds perfect,” I reply. “Oh, remind me. Tomorrow we need to get together with Joey and Ian. They need to know about this too. Larissa, Bruce, thank you. And good night.”
Cora leads me towards the back of the house, leading me to a bedroom door. She opens the door carefully, the soft light from the hallway illuminating a sleeping little girl. I walk carefully in my socks towards the side of the bed and kneel down, looking at her. “Cora... she's beautiful.”
“She's amazing,” Cora reassures me as I stand up. “And the fact that you'll be here in the morning, she's going to probably wake you up to talk to you.”
“I can think of worse ways to get woken up,” I reassure her, pulling Cora into my arms. We kiss tenderly, and while my body stirs, I'm exhausted, it's been a very long day. Still, my cock twitches slightly, and when I cup Cora's backside, she purrs, her tongue tracing mine before we step back.
“You sure you don't want to join me in bed?” Cora asks. “No sex, but... just to feel you with me?”
I nod and look down at Bella. “Sunday night, maybe. But we have a little girl to think about, and she comes first.”
The late morning sunlight turns my eyelids red, and I open my eyes slowly, only to be surprised when a cherubic little face stares intently back at me from a distance of about six inches. “Uh... hi.”
Bella's face breaks into a grin, and she steps back. “Hi. You snore.”
I blink and start to stretch before my arms hit the back of the couch, and I remember where I slept. “Thanks, I guess. So, you're Bella, right? I'm Rocky.”
“I know, Mommy told me while you were sleeping,” Bella says, sitting down on the carpet. “Are you really a rock singer?”
I nod, tugging on my hair. “That's what this is for. They make us keep our hair long.”
Bella laughs, shaking her head. “No, they don't. You're silly. Lots of singers don't have long hair!”
“Oh? Name one,” I ask, levering myself to a sitting position. I'm still wearing the same jeans from yesterday, but at least I took off the belt and stripped down to my t-shirt before curling up with the blanket that I found waiting for me when I got back from Cora's room. I gotta thank Larissa for that.
“Billy Corgan,” Bella answers promptly, her face serious. “Are you really a rock singer?”
She's got me there. “I sure am. Tell you what, after I go use the toilet and maybe rinse out my mouth, we can check out the song that your Mommy helped me make. It's on YouTube.”
“First things first, we're going to get you some breakfast and a change of clothes,” Cora says from behind me, coming in from the kitchen area. She gives me a kiss and ruffles my hair. “Although it's closer to lunch.”
“Call it brunch then,” I counter, pulling Cora down onto the couch, where she curls up in my lap and kisses me again. I feel my now well-rested cock half harden under her squirming hips, and pull back, Cora chuckling as she feels it too. I look over at Bella, who's still watching us with an intent look on her face. “Uh, Bella, do you mind if I kiss your Mommy?”
“Nope. Lemondrop told me that her Mommy and Daddy kiss all the time. I'm going to go help Grandma.” Bella gets up off the carpet and goes into the kitchen, leaving me watching her in her jeans and pink t-shirt, confusion on my face.
“Lemondrop?” I ask, looking at Cora. “Friend from daycare?”
“It's Hollyweird, what can you say?” Cora chuckles, stroking my hair. “And she's a sweet kid, despite the name. I can't believe you're in this house like this. Oh, and Bella likes you. She said she likes the way you snore.”
“Never known that my snores are cute for kids before,” I reply, pulling Cora tighter. “As for being in your house, this is great. Bella's amazing. Uhm, would you mind later if we go by my parents' house, introduce you guys? Mom and Dad would love to meet Bella and... well, they don't know.”
“Oh, you're too good to tell your parents about the girl next door, huh?” Cora teases, smiling. “See who you go to bed with tonight, mister.”
I shrug, returning Cora's smile. “I wasn't sure how to really talk about it. You know, the whole intimate thing?”
“Then we can deal with that after brunch,” Cora says. “Come on, I hope you like bacon bits in your oatmeal.”
Starting with brunch, the whole day is magical. After brunch, we take Bella to my parents', where after a bit of a shock they both accept it quickly. Bella's a delight, and Mom and Dad both fawn over her, playing first in the backyard and then later in the living room while Cora and I look on. I talk with Ian, who says that Larry called him and Joey both. Ian's cool with it all, and he said he and Joey are fine with the idea. I'm reassured and glad that our schedules are a little more open now that we don't have to immediately t
ake care of band business, and hang up Dad's home phone with a happy sigh. “Ah... that's a load off my mind.”
“Ian and Joey?” Cora asks, bringing me a drink. I nod, sipping it before I set it aside.
“They're fine with it. They'd like to sit in on the meeting with Larry, but I don't think that's unfair, you are going to be the manager for all three of us, right?”
“Totally fine with me,” Cora says, hugging me. “Rocky, you know, Bella's fine with your Mom and Dad, she's going to be going down for her nap soon. Would you... well, would you like to get away for a little while?”
I nod, reading Cora's eyes. “Of course, I would. In fact, I think I know just where to go.”
Bella yawns, and we go over, scooping her up. “Hey sweetie, would you like to take a nap here before we go out to dinner?” Cora asks. “Rocky already said that Krispy Bites are okay by him.”
“No Krispy Bites,” Bella says with another yawn. “Burgers.”
“We can do burgers, baby doll,” I reassure her, ruffling her hair. “Have you had a good day so far?”
“Uh-huh. I like you, you can date Mommy,” Bella says, causing Mom and Dad to laugh while Bella holds her arms up to Cora, who sweeps her up and carries her towards the back.
“The door on the left is Robert's,” Mom reminds her before turning to me, smiling. “Well, it took you two long enough.”
“What do you mean, Mom?” I ask, and Mom laughs. “What?”
“I've known that Cora's been crazy about you since she was fifteen,” Mom informs me, patting my cheek. “You have no idea how happy you've made me, seeing you two trying to make a go of it. Thank you, Robert.”
I hug Mom, giving her a kiss on the temple. “Thank you, Mom. For being patient with me.”