Sing For Me

by Grace, Trisha

  “But it’s just a theory.”

  “I need you to stay away from her. If she’s …” He stared at the laptop. “I don’t want you to be anywhere near her.”

  “So you believe me?”

  He grinned. “I don’t know what to make of all this, but I know one thing; if anything ever happens to you, I’ll never recover from that.”

  “There’s nothing between Jason and me. I kind of hinted that I know something about Rebecca, then he got all worried and told me to stay away from her. He was concerned,” she said. “Do you know Rebecca made Jason promote your next song?”

  “That would explain a lot. During the discussion, someone mentioned that Jason called the record label when he saw the video on Eric’s proposal.”

  “Rebecca really does have a massive crush on you.” She yawned and stretched her back.

  “You should get some sleep.”

  She nodded. “But you made something for me to eat, right?”

  “It’s just a sandwich, and it’s already in the fridge.” He stood, gave her a quick peck on her forehead, and turned.

  “Chris?” She took his hand and smiled. “Thanks for choosing to believe me.”

  Christopher took a step closer toward her and weaved his hand into her hair. “I’ll always choose you, no matter what.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Christopher turned to his side and grabbed his phone from the nightstand. He pressed the home button and checked the time. It was nearly one in the afternoon.

  He closed his eyes and took a deep breath while stretching his neck.

  He had only gotten back around dawn and was woken by Rebecca’s call in the morning.

  He had explained, as nicely as he could, to Rebecca that he didn’t need an assistant right now. He told her that he wanted to take things slowly, which was true.

  He didn’t want to re-enter into the music industry only to crash and burn again. He knew the triggers that could threaten his sobriety; he knew alcohol would be all around him.

  This time, he would take things slowly. He had promised himself that if he needed, he would walk away from singing whenever he needed time for himself.

  That was why he hadn’t signed the contract for the production of a full album. A full album would include tours and bookings that would take him all over the country, rushing from one place to another.

  He didn’t want to get swept up in the craziness again.

  Rebecca seemed to take the news relatively well. She told him that she understood and wished him all the best, which brought about a wave of guilt.

  It was difficult to reconcile what he’d read about Jill Adler with the Rebecca whom he was talking to.

  “Chris?”

  He looked over at the door and sat up on the bed. “Yeah, I’m awake.”

  His mom opened the door with a small frown. “There’s something you should see.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  His mom stepped into the room with her small red laptop. “Josh just sent me a link to a website. I think you need to read this.”

  He ran his hand through his hair and took the laptop from his mom.

  “What do you think?” she asked as she sat on the bed. “I think we should tell Chloe about it, shouldn’t we?”

  He didn’t answer. He couldn’t give his mom an answer until he actually read the article.

  He groaned when he did.

  It was another article on Chloe. This time, it wasn’t just about her; it included an exposé on her parents’ relationship.

  Christopher Hunter’s New Girlfriend — Cheating Runs In Her Blood

  He rolled his eyes and ran his hand through his hair again. “This is ridiculous. Her father is … a cheating bas—”

  “Christopher Hunter.”

  He closed the laptop. “Point is, Chloe is nothing like him. She’s nothing like her parents.” He got off the bed.

  “I hope her mother doesn’t read this. She won’t be happy about it.”

  “I seriously doubt Chloe will … rejoice over this.”

  “Maybe the two of you should take another trip.”

  “Why?” Christopher pulled a shirt on. “Do you think her mother will fly here?”

  “She called me ten times when she heard Chloe stayed in her house.”

  He sighed heavily. “I’ll have a talk with her.”

  Christopher washed up and drove over to Chloe’s house. The remote controlled blackout blinds were still covered throughout the house.

  He’d installed the blinds such that one button on the remote would black out the house completely.

  He used his key and entered the house as quietly as he could. If Chloe were still sleeping, he’d wait for her instead of waking her up. It wouldn’t hurt if the news were delivered a few hours late.

  He used the light from his phone to find the button that would raise the blinds on the first floor, then headed upstairs. Again, he relied on his phone to navigate himself. As expected, she was sleeping soundly in her room.

  Standing in the doorway, he sighed softly.

  He hated all that Chloe’s parents had put her through and continued to put her through. On top of having to solve all of her own problems, she was always put in the middle of all of her parents’ issues.

  Despite being in different countries, her parents still managed to hound her with their issues.

  Maybe the exposé was a good thing. Maybe having their dirty laundry splashed out on magazines would finally force her mother to acknowledge that their marital problems were theirs and nothing to do with Chloe.

  Before he could laugh at his own thoughts, he heard a loud thud that sounded as if something knocked against the window in Chloe’s bedroom, the one he was staring at.

  Chloe’s immediate gasp turned his attention to her.

  She sat upright, and her head snapped toward him. “Chris?” She sighed. “I thought—”

  Another thud on the window interrupted her.

  “What’s going on?” She grabbed the remote and clicked on a button. The blinds rolled up to reveal cracks from seemingly two impact points. “What the—Chris, no!”

  He continued staring at the window as he made his way toward it. “Don’t worry. The windows are reinforced and thick.” He’d made sure they were that way so there would be minimal distractions for Chloe within the house.

  She pushed the covers aside and joined him by his side just as the alarm in the house sounded. She jumped, then covered her ears and shut her eyes.

  He reached across and held her shoulders. “It’s the alarm.”

  “What’s it alarming us to?”

  He pulled her closer against himself and leaned forward, then tipped his head back and groaned.

  “What?” She took a small step forward and looked down, right as something came flying in her direction. She flinched and took a large step back.

  “I’m going to kill Frank.”

  “Frank’s throwing things at the house?”

  He shook his head. “It’s your mom. I think Frank brought her here.”

  “The windows will break eventually, I suppose.”

  He weaved his fingers into her hair and pulled her in for a quick peck. “I’ll deal with her. Stay here.”

  She nodded.

  He took a step and hesitated, then turned back to her. “This wasn’t how I wanted to break the news to you.” He went to his Internet browser and searched for the article his mother had shown him. “But you need to read this now.”

  He placed the phone on her hand and gave her another peck. “I’ll be right back.” He headed out and jogged down the stairs. He would prefer to stay with her while she read, but he had to deal with her mother first.

  “Mrs. Brooks, stop,” he said as calmly as he could while glaring at Frank, who had quickly gotten into his car and drove away.

  “Why? This is Chloe’s house, right? This is between Chloe and me.”

  “Technically, this house and the land we’re standing on a
re mine. So stop, or I’m calling the police.”

  Chloe’s mother turned and glared at him. “You’re just a has-been.” She thrust the trophy she was holding toward him. “Stop standing there and talking as if you own the world.”

  He knew of her poisonous tongue; he heard the things she had said about and to Chloe. She’d never turned that tongue of hers on him, though, not until now.

  “Leave.”

  “Why should I? I’m just returning what Chloe wouldn’t stop bugging me about.”

  “Wouldn’t stop bugging you about? I only asked you once!”

  Christopher took Chloe’s hand to prevent her from getting too close to her mother. She wasn’t this agitated even when she lost her passport in Italy.

  “It’s always about you, and because of you, our names are being dragged through the mud. Have you ever stopped and considered how your father and I feel? I just got off the plane and had to read about such rubbish.”

  “All about me?” Chloe turned away from her mother, and her chest heaved sharply.

  “Chloe.” He gave her hand a squeeze.

  “I’m done,” she said to him, then turned around and faced her mother. “It’s always been about the both of you. He’s a cheating, lying coward while you’re a bitter, bitter woman who’s been indulging in self-denial for the past … I don’t know … two decades?”

  Chloe’s mother took a deep breath and was about to speak when Chloe raised her hand.

  “I’m not done.” She stepped closer toward her mother. “And dragged through the mud? Everything the article said about your husband, my father, is completely true. He did cheat on you! And it wasn’t my fault that he cheated on you! It isn’t my fault that you insist on staying in this marriage that hasn’t been a real marriage for as long as I remember!”

  Her mother’s wide eyes stared back at Chloe, but for once, the poisonous tongue didn’t seem to have a retort ready.

  Chloe cleared her throat, straightened her shirt, then turned and walked away from her mother.

  She looked at him with a small triumphant smile, and he grinned back in return. That was until he noticed something flying toward Chloe.

  He grabbed her hand and gave it a strong tug, pulling her into his arms. He wrapped his other hand over her head and pressed her against his chest.

  He’d just closed his eyes when he felt the sharp pain across his cheek.

  Chloe looked up after a moment. She wasn’t sure what happened. She had finally stood up to her mother and was still savoring her rising sense of pride when she saw the fear in Christopher’s eyes.

  She gasped when she saw Christopher’s face. “You’re bleeding.” She reached up and brushed her thumb under the wound on his cheek.

  He pulled her hand down and pushed her behind him as he turned to her mother.

  A glint caught her eyes, and she looked down on the floor.

  She picked up the trophy and shook her head. “I used to think he was childish while you’re the enabler. You kept quiet and allowed him to vent his frustration whenever he opened and closed whatever drawer he could find as loudly as he could. Clearly, I’m wrong.” She got to her feet and took a step to the side so that she could look right at her mother. “You’re both equally childish, which is probably why your marriage is in this state.”

  “How dare you?”

  “What? You want to throw another trophy at me?” Chloe stood her ground and glared at her mother. “I’m done being the enabler. You stop calling, texting, or emailing me. I don’t want to be in any contact with you or that coward husband of yours until both of you grow up. If you can’t do that, then I’ll be fine with us never seeing each other again.”

  “You ungrateful—”

  “Parents are supposed to protect their children. I’m not here for you to vent your bitterness on, and I’m certainly not responsible for either of your happiness or otherwise.”

  Her mother took a step forward. Despite Christopher holding her hand, she matched her mother’s step. She was done being intimidated by her mother as well.

  “I’m making the decision today to be free of both of your insanity. I’m not going to apologize for the article. Everything in it is the truth. Would I have wanted it to come out like this? No. But I didn’t write it. If you want to throw a tantrum, do it elsewhere. Chris, call the police.”

  “You want to call the police on your own mother? Go ahead, let’s see what the people who wrote this article will think.”

  She shrugged. “I’m well-trained by you, mother. I’m already used to listening about how useless and selfish I am. But I’m okay. I’m okay despite you guys, and I’m certain that my life can only get better without both of you in it. So, do what you want. I’ve survived you long enough to survive another of your tantrums.”

  “Yes, she’s still here,” Christopher spoke into his phone.

  “I’d suggest you leave before the police get here. Chris will be nice enough to try and smooth things over, but I assure you that I won’t.” Chloe looked up at the house. “And you’ll be getting the bill for the new windows.”

  “You think I’ll be afraid of you?” Her mother grabbed another of her trophies from the box she was holding. “Since I’m going to pay for the windows …” She threw the trophy against one of the windows that was already forming cracks.

  She exhaled quietly. She wasn’t going to allow herself to be baited. “Enjoy yourself. I just woke up, so I’m going to wash up and head out for food.”

  When she got back into the house, she closed the blinds and switched on the lights.

  Christopher was staring at her with concern, but she wanted to jump and scream or maybe have a party.

  “I’m okay.”

  “Are you?”

  She laughed softly. “Actually, I’m way better than okay. Was it too much?”

  He shrugged. “I’ve never seen you this angry. Don’t misunderstand.” He took her hands. “I love it that … you stood up to your mother.”

  “But …”

  “But I’m worried about you.”

  “I think you should be more concerned that you could be scarred for life.”

  He grinned. “Guys are supposed to look better with scars.”

  She arched a brow. “You have to write a thank-you note to my mother, then.” She sighed softly and reached for his wound, but he intercepted her hand.

  “I’m fine.”

  “So am I. Is there a first-aid kit around here?”

  He shook his head.

  “Let me wash up and get dressed. Then we’ll go over to your mom’s.” She ran up the stairs and went back to her room.

  While the water cascaded down her hair, she tipped her head back and thought about the showdown she had with her mother. Though her mother was probably still trying to break at least one of her windows, she felt relieved, as if she was finally free.

  Her mother wouldn’t give up just like this. A barrage of hateful emails and texts were bound to follow, but she was confident she could handle whatever her mom threw in her way.

  If you make the decision that, from today onward, you’ll respect your incredibly talented self enough to stand up for yourself and love yourself, you’ll get stronger. She laughed softly when she recalled what Nicole had said.

  She nodded. From that day onward, she would respect herself enough to stand up for herself.

  Chapter Seventeen

  After fussing over his wounds for a while, he and Chloe sat down for lunch with his mom. He and Chloe had already spoken with the police just as they were leaving the house.

  Her mother was still outside the house then, claiming that she wasn’t doing anything wrong. She insisted she was simply returning Chloe’s trophy.

  He watched with disbelief as her mother spoke. He didn’t understand how she could be so arrogant about doing something wrong. Even the police officer stole a sideways glance at him, giving him a momentary are-you-serious look.

  When the whole issue with the police was
over, they got into his mom’s car and drove away.

  He told his mom what had happened, but skipped over the confrontation between Chloe and her mother.

  Chloe didn’t elaborate either.

  That was that, or so he thought.

  Nearly two hours after the confrontation, while he and Chloe were in his room searching for someone to fix the windows, Chloe looked up and frowned. “I think someone just pulled up to your house.”

  Chloe always did this when they were young, and she was always right.

  “Your mom?”

  She had always been able to tell.

  “I’m not sure,” she said. “Besides, I don’t think she’s still driving the same car.”

  “Right.” Of course, he thought. “I’ll check. You stay here, all right?”

  She shook her head and stood. “It’s all right, I’ll go with you. She’ll only be more agitated if I’m not there for her to rant at.”

  “I thought you’re done getting ranted at.”

  “And I intend to follow through. If I were to hide away in my room, she’ll think I’m only bluffing.”

  Christopher sighed softly. “I’m glad you’re standing up for yourself, but it’ll take a while for your mom to realize you’re serious.” He took her hand. “And until that happens, things will probably get a lot worse.”

  “And you think I can’t handle a lot worse?”

  “I just rather you don’t have to go through this. Maybe we should head out for another holiday.”

  “No. I’m not running; I shouldn’t have to.” She pulled her hand from his and frowned. “I thought you never liked it when I retreated into my shell. You never complained, but I could tell you didn’t like it.”

  “Because I’d rather you talk to me. Facing a screaming, insane mother is another matter.”

  She gave him a small smile and reached up to his face. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Kids, sorry to interrupt.”

  They turned to the knock on the door and found his mom standing at the doorway.

  “I think you guys should come downstairs,” Amy said and pursed her lips. “There’s a reporter downstairs.”