Trust Me (One Night with Sole Regret Book 11)

by Olivia Cunning

  “I’ll get cum all over your seat,” she protested.

  “I honestly don’t care,” he said with an ornery smirk.

  Looking up at him, she was reminded that he’d shaved his head and looked every inch the hardcore metal drummer. “I thought you were going to let your hair grow out,” she said.

  “Momentary lapse of judgment,” he said, running a hand over the smooth skin tattooed with a wicked-looking dragon tribal design.

  “For the record, you look sexy that way,” she said, and licked her lips.

  He knelt between her knees and stared up into her eyes. “Don’t tell me you get the hots for rock stars now.”

  “Just you,” she said, resting her arms on his shoulders and linking her hands behind his neck.

  “Let’s keep it that way.”

  The sound of the front door creaking open was followed by happy-dog whimpering and the excited scrape of dog nails across the floor.

  “Honeys, I’m home,” Nikki called into the house.

  Melanie’s eyes widened, and she dropped down off the stool, unsure if she was visible through the loft railing from the ground floor. She crawled toward her discarded underwear and lay flat on the floor to pull them on. Her first stop would be the bathroom as soon as she was decent enough to face her friend. She needed to clean up as well as take a whiz on a pregnancy test stick.

  “Where are you guys?” Nikki’s voice carried from down below. “Are you two going at it on the Sex Stallion again? Now is not the time to make more changes to the design, you know.”

  “No,” Gabe called, his pants securely in place. He leaned up against the railing and peered down into the great room below. “We were up here playing drums.”

  “Oh, really?” Nikki said, her footsteps approaching the bottom of the wooden staircase. “Sorry I missed it.”

  “We were also fucking, so you weren’t invited,” Gabe said.

  “Gabe!” Melanie hissed, squirming into her pants. Nikki hadn’t had sex in almost a month, so they tried not to talk about it in front of her.

  “Sorry I missed that too,” Nikki said, her voice now even with the floor where Melanie was busy fastening her jeans.

  Melanie rolled over and still lying on the floor, smiled at Nikki. “Did you find a dress for the party?”

  “Heads are going to turn,” Nikki said with a self-satisfied grin. “Wish you had come with me.”

  “Too much to do at the office today,” Melanie said. The first units were being shipped out on Monday, and they needed everything to align without foreseeable problems.

  “Like what?” Nikki teased. “Screwing your boss?”

  “Business partner,” Gabe corrected. “However, I do say she needs to leave a few business matters to the manager she hired so she’ll have time to engage in more screwing with her partner.”

  “I’m just worried that something will go wrong with the first shipments,” Melanie said.

  “And if something does, you’ll fix it. Fixing problems is what you do best,” Gabe said.

  Which reminded her of yet another problem she needed to fix.

  “I need to go to the bathroom,” she said. “What are we making for dinner?”

  The three of them had gotten into a routine of cooking together. Melanie was glad Gabe’s kitchen was large enough for them to spend that time together, though Gabe often manned the grill on the back deck while Nikki cut up fresh veggies and Melanie cooked side dishes on the six-burner gas stove she so adored.

  “Grilled chicken,” Nikki said.

  Gabe headed toward the narrow loft stairs. “I’ll start the grill.”

  “I’ll be in to help soon,” Melanie said as she followed Gabe down the steps. Her legs were still weak, so she clung to the railing as she descended. She grabbed her purse and cellphone before she headed for the master bathroom, locking the door behind her. She started by texting Caitlyn.

  How are the party plans going? Need any help?

  While she waited for a response, she stripped off her panties so she could wash up. The last thing she needed was a damned UTI. She needed to pee too, but had some instructions to read first.

  Caitlyn responded with All set and the thumbs-up emoji.

  Now that Melanie had her attention, she texted: Do you happen to have Jacob Silverton’s number?

  I don’t think so. Why don’t you get it from Gabe?

  I don’t want Gabe to know I’m contacting him.

  Interesting. Caitlyn had punctuated that single word with a smirking emoji.

  Melanie cringed, not wanting Caitlyn to know her reason for contacting Jacob, but better Caitlyn know than Gabe. An instant later, a second message from Caitlyn came through.

  I’ll ask Owen for Jacob’s number. Just a minute.

  Once Melanie had Jacob’s number, she sat on the edge of the tub, took a deep breath, and dialed him. This plan had better work. Her pregnancy test would just have to wait.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Gabe decided that waiting for two women to get ready for a party was an exercise in unlimited patience. Melanie’s hair wasn’t cooperating. Nikki didn’t like the way her bra made her boobs look in her new red dress. Melanie decided her pink dress clashed with Nikki’s outfit, so she changed to a black dress, which meant also changing shoes and accessories to match. They’d almost made it to the car when Melanie realized that she’d forgotten to switch to a different handbag. As far as Gabe was concerned, her little pink purse looked fine with her curve-hugging black dress. Not a soul on the planet would notice her purse when she was wearing that dress. But she insisted, so they waited.

  By the time they reached the party, almost everyone had already arrived. Seeing as Owen’s house wasn’t all that large, most of the guests had congregated in the back yard. As Gabe, with a case of beer under one arm, followed the ladies—each carrying a dish to share with the crowd—he smiled to himself, no longer perturbed by their tardiness. They both looked smashingly gorgeous as they happily chatted about Nikki’s new high heels poking into the sod. Of the pair of beauties, he happened to prefer the leggy brunette and her waist-length wavy hair, but he had a soft spot for her flirty best friend, who he now considered one of his best friends as well.

  “Oh, bride and groom number two are finally here,” Dawn shouted, clapping enthusiastically, which encouraged a round of cheers. The tall, elegant redhead waved them toward the back yard. Did that mean Kellen was there? Had he and Owen finally made up? Last he’d heard, they were still avoiding each other.

  As Gabe rounded the corner, he popped up on his toes to scan the crowd. There were benefits to being the tallest man present. He spotted Kellen by the lanai, talking to Sally. Gabe wondered why their well-endowed stage manager was even talking to any of them. The band—or rather, Jacob—had unexpectedly put her and the rest of their regular touring crew out of a job. Maybe the crew could at least collect unemployment checks. He certainly hoped so. Gabe wasn’t sure how that worked.

  Other members of their road crew were present as well, and they seemed to be getting along fine with each other. They even greeted Gabe as he passed with the beer he intended to add to the huge tubs of ice on the patio. He was slapped on the back and congratulated more times than he could count. Melanie abandoned Nikki to a pack of anxious male admirers and stood at Gabe’s side. He was filled with both pride and wonder that he’d managed to score such a prize. He spotted his parents and Leslie and sent them a friendly wave to gain their attention. But before he could cross the lawn to offer them a proper hello, Tex caught his arm. He hadn’t seen the band’s bus driver since the night Jacob had walked out on them. Speaking of Jacob . . . A quick scan of the crowd told Gabe he wasn’t there. Or maybe he was in the house, because Owen was nowhere to be seen either. Nor was Adam in the yard, though Madison and her enormous cast were easy to spot on a lounge chair beneath a shade tree.

  “How’ve you been?” Tex asked, drawing Gabe’s attention back to himself. “Can’t believe you managed to hoo
k this little hottie.”

  Tex poked Melanie in the side, and she squeaked in protest.

  “He has a very tempting hook,” Melanie said with a smile. She squeezed Gabe’s hand and leaned against his arm. “For the most part: maggot-less.”

  Gabe snorted, but based on the baffled stare Tex sent in her direction, he obviously didn’t get her inside joke.

  “Have you seen Lindsey?” Tex asked. “That girl is about to pop. Sure glad that kid ain’t mine.” Tex raised his eyebrows at Gabe, his question clear.

  “I’m sure your wife is glad to hear that as well.”

  Tex glanced over his shoulder. Said wife was talking to their youngest roadie, Jordan, who kept looking around as if he needed an escape plan.

  “She don’t know nothing about that business,” Tex said. “No reason to tell her.”

  Melanie frowned at him.

  “So I’m guessing since she . . .” Tex jerked his head in Melanie’s direction. “. . . agreed to marry you, the kid ain’t yours neither.”

  “I’d have married him regardless,” Melanie said, standing up to her full height and squeezing Gabe’s hand even harder.

  “Is it yours?” Tex asked Gabe, no longer beating around the bush.

  “It’s not mine.”

  “Whose then?” he asked. “The DNA lady wouldn’t tell me shit. Just my own results.”

  “Same here.”

  “But the guys must have told you.”

  Gabe shook his head. “No one has said anything to me,” he said. “And I’m not rude enough to ask.”

  Gabe’s intentional barb took a moment to sink through Tex’s rather thick skull.

  “I didn’t mean to be rude or nothing.” He slapped Gabe on the back hard enough to make him step forward. “Well, congratulations on your upcoming wedding. Couldn’t have happened to a greater guy. She’s a sweet-looking gal.”

  Melanie prickled, but managed to keep her thoughts to herself.

  “Thanks, Tex,” Gabe said, slapping the guy on the back twice as hard as he’d been slapped. The blow was sure to leave a mark. “We should be sending out invitations soon.”

  “Am I invited?”

  “Of course. Any guy in the band knows better than to get on your bad side. You have too much blackmail material on all of us.”

  Tex guffawed. “You ain’t lying. You’ve got plenty on me as well.” He shook Gabe’s hand. “I’ll let you get back to your party.” He lowered his voice to a whisper to say, “So glad you and me is off the hook with that brat.”

  Melanie drew in a breath, and Gabe knew she was about to give Tex an earful, so Gabe turned to face her, giving Tex a moment to move away. “He’s a little rough, but he means well,” Gabe said. “And you really should be glad Lindsey’s baby isn’t his.”

  Melanie blew out her breath and nodded. “I am definitely glad for that.”

  “I wonder where Adam and Owen are,” he said, scanning the crowd again. His parents were now talking to Adam’s loser of a dad, a conversation Gabe didn’t want to get in the middle of. He found a safer location to hang out near the lanai. “Let’s go say hey to Kellen.”

  “Jacob isn’t here?” Melanie asked as they crossed under a trellis supporting huge, fragrant yellow roses and stepped onto a large brick patio. Gabe knew that Owen had spent a lot of time fixing up the inside of his little cottage, but he’d done a spectacular job on the outside as well.

  “I’m not surprised Jacob bailed,” Gabe said, but in truth he was disappointed. He’d hoped to ask him to be his best man today, but if Jacob couldn’t be bothered to show up for an engagement party, how could Gabe count on him to stand up for him at his wedding?

  “Jerk,” Melanie muttered, but she brightened when Kellen reached out to give her a hug.

  “You look gorgeous,” he said. “Must be all the happy radiating off of you.”

  Gabe slicked the non-existent hair off the side of his head. “I do look good, don’t I?”

  Melanie laughed, a sound that would forever bring a smile to Gabe’s face.

  “I think he was complimenting me,” Melanie said.

  Kellen took a step back. “Wow,” he said, his gaze traveling the length of Melanie’s figure. “You look even more radiant than he does.”

  Melanie laughed again and knuckled Kellen in his shoulder—which was bare since the guy seldom wore a shirt.

  “Are you and Owen talking again?” Gabe asked.

  Kellen lowered his gaze, the smile disappearing from his bronze-toned face. “No. He’s been spending most of his time with his brother, which he should. I just wish he’d lean on me a little. He looks like he’s about to fall over dead.”

  “Chad’s home?”

  Kellen nodded. “He refused to stay in the hospital, so Owen brought him home to take care of him. I don’t think he knew what he was in for.”

  Curiosity seeped through Gabe’s veins. He wanted to know everything that had happened to Chad, how severe his injuries were. Were they talking Owen changing Chad’s adult diapers and feeding him with a spoon or driving him to appointments or what? Gabe didn’t ask, though. It didn’t seem his place.

  “I saw Tex harassing you,” Kellen said. “Did he ask you if you were the father of Lindsey’s baby?”

  “Good guess.”

  “And did you tell him?”

  “Yeah. It isn’t mine, so why wouldn’t I?” Gabe shrugged, but again he was struck by curiosity. “Did you tell him your results?” That was a little less nosy than tell me, tell me, tell me, Kellen. Is the baby yours? Huh, is it?

  Kellen took a draw off his beer and then brightened as a certain redhead crossed the patio in his direction. “No, I didn’t tell him. It’s none of his business.”

  But was it the business of a close personal friend and former band member? Gabe and Melanie both stared at Kellen in anticipation, but he wrapped an arm around Dawn and kissed her neck. “Isn’t she stunning?” he asked no one in particular.

  Dawn kissed him gently. “Owen’s in the kitchen,” she whispered. “Take that salad from Melanie and bring it inside. It’ll give you an excuse to talk to him.”

  “It won’t work,” Kellen said, but he held his hands out to accept the dish Melanie was still hauling around in her free hand. “But I’ll try.”

  Dawn watched Kellen walk away, a look of concern on her pretty face. Was that look because Kellen had fucked up his most treasured friendship or because he was about to become a father?

  “So how have you been?” Melanie asked, reaching out to give Dawn’s wrist a friendly squeeze.

  “Busy. Kellen and I just got back from Venice.”

  “Venice!” Melanie glanced quickly at Gabe and then back to Dawn.

  “I’m working on a musical score with some Hollywood bigshots, and I thought it might cheer Kellen up to get away for a couple of weeks. Of course, Owen is using his absence as more ammunition against him. Poor guy. I was going to take him with me to Milan as well, but maybe he should stay here and try to smooth things over with Owen instead.”

  “Milan!” Melanie said, glancing at Gabe again and then back to Dawn. “How romantic. You should take Kellen for sure. Owen will get over it.”

  “I’m not so sure,” Dawn said. “Owen’s pissed off and jealous at the same time. Makes for a rather unreasonable individual.”

  “Have you ever been to Europe?” Gabe asked Melanie.

  She shook her head. “I’ve never been farther than Texas. Well, Idaho once, for a convention, but I don’t think that counts as being a world traveler.” Both she and Dawn chuckled.

  “Do you want to go?”

  Melanie’s breath caught, and the sparkle in her eyes made him glad that he’d been smart enough to ask. “Oh, Gabe, that would be so wonderful.”

  Gabe grinned. “I happen to have some time off. We should go. Assuming I can manage to drag you away from the business.”

  “Let’s go for our honeymoon,” Melanie said.

  “Congratulations, by the way.
I’m not sure if I told you that,” Dawn said. “I’m sincerely happy for you both.”

  “Aw, thanks,” Melanie said. The women shared a quick hug. “So tell me all about Venice and Milan, and where else have you been? Rome? Italy must be amazing. I want to see everything.”

  “Do go to Prague,” Dawn said. “It’s my favorite European city.”

  “Prague, really? What’s so great about Prague?”

  Feeling rather third-wheelish as the ladies twittered on and on about travel destinations, Gabe excused himself to say hi to his family. He was glad that Adam’s father had wandered off to find someone else to annoy.

  “I see your tattoos are showing again,” Mom said before she placed a hand on his cheek and kissed him.

  Gabe rolled his eyes at his sister, who sniggered. Leslie was back to being the best daughter ever since she’d listened to their mom and accepted the position in Houston—a far better opportunity—instead of the one in Austin. Gabe had a feeling, however, that it wouldn’t be long before Leslie ended up as his mother’s colleague at Seton.

  “Where’s your lovely bride?” Dad asked, leaning heavily on his cane as he glanced around Gabe’s body only to find emptiness behind him.

  “Talking with Little Miss Worldly Dawn O’Reilly about where to go on our honeymoon.”

  “Please say you’re going to Bali and that you’re taking your favorite sister,” Leslie said.

  “Not a chance,” Gabe said, kissing her smooth cheek. “Jennifer is too busy to go on vacation with us.”

  Leslie pinched his arm. Hard.

  “Besides,” Gabe said, “she wants to go to Europe, not to Bali.”

  “Can you afford that, son?” Dad asked, a worried crease in his brow. “With the tour being canceled and all those lawsuits against the band springing up, I wouldn’t want you to short yourself trying to impress your lady.”

  Gabe had tried not to think about the lawsuits. His band’s business affairs had been structured separately from his individual money, so no one could touch his personal funds. He hoped. He’d still take a hit—a huge one—on future royalties, but the money he had already banked should be safe.