Rock My World

by Masters, Cate

  He mock-scowled at her. “That’s it? Seriously, Cyn. I’m nominating you for sainthood.”

  Not quite the whole story. “She had a test the next day and failed because I didn’t help her.”

  “People must take responsibility for themselves. You didn’t fail the test for her.” He ran his fingers along her back.

  She ignored the trail of lightning left by his feather-light touch. “No, but she never came to another session, and dropped out of school a few months later.” Guilt had haunted her for years.

  “You can’t feel guilty about that.”

  “Why not? What if she’d passed the test, and worked harder to improve her grades? What if that one day tipped the scales against her, and she just gave up?” The ‘what if’ scenarios had played through her head many times.

  He turned pensive. “I know what you’re saying. My story’s similar, but about my brother.”

  “What happened?”

  “He called me one night, minutes before a concert. He always waited till the last inconvenient moment to do anything, and I had no patience for him that night. So I gave him the brush off, said I’d call him later. But I forgot.”

  From his expression, something awful happened. He stared at nothing, and said nothing.

  “Then what?” she whispered.

  He blinked as if she’d brought him back from whatever nightmare still haunted him. “My father called a few weeks later. Rich had joined the military, shipped out to boot camp. He’s fought in Afghanistan, Iraq, all those hellish war zones.”

  “Is he all right?”

  “Physically. He’s a fighting machine, pure muscle. But he’s angry. Emotionally detached. The few times I’ve spoken to him, I can barely recognize the brother I knew.”

  Foolish of her not to consider he had the same type of problems as everyone else. She wouldn’t wish family problems on him, but knowing helped break down the façade of unreachable rock star to reveal the man beneath.

  She feathered light caresses down his back. “Must be painful.”

  “Many times, I’ve wondered whether I might have changed his mind about enlisting. How much different his life would be today.”

  She tightened her hold around him. “He made his own decision. You can’t feel responsible.”

  “Can’t help it.” He met her gaze, finally. “We’re two peas in a pod that way.”

  “I suppose.” A pretty flimsy pod.

  “Not enough for you?” He bit his lip, scrutinizing her through narrowed eyes. “All right then, tell me a secret. Something you’ve never told anyone else.”

  Again, not what she expected. “Something recent? Or from long ago?”

  He brightened. “Oo, you little vixen. How many secrets are hidden away in your closet?”

  “Exactly two. One from three years ago and one from forever ago.”

  Excited, he scooted lower. “I want to hear both.”

  Probably he’d change his mind after she told him. “When I was twelve, my best friend humiliated me at school.”

  He furrowed his brow. “What did she do?”

  “Made fun of my weight. I was a chubby kid, so I played along like it was a big joke.”

  His lip curled. “The bully. You should have socked her in the jaw.”

  She chuckled. “I should have.”

  “Don’t leave me in suspense. What happened three years ago?”

  She shifted uncomfortably under his complete attention. “My marriage was falling apart. My friend Tia brought me to a bar, and a guy hit on me. I played along, let him buy me drinks.”

  “That’s nothing.”

  “No, I also let him…” A flush of embarrassment heated her. “We kissed.”

  His brows flew up. “Was he a good kisser?”

  “Yes, but that’s not the point. I was still living with my husband at that point.”

  An uncomfortable silence filled the air between them.

  He shifted back as if to get a clearer view of her. “But you broke up.” A question lingered, unspoken.

  “Yes, but it’s not final. Technically, I’m still married.” She waited for some reaction, but none came. “You remembered that much, right?”

  The cogs of his brain practically groaned at the strain of working so fast behind his hooded lids. “Sounds familiar.” The way he said it, it had come as a revelation.

  “Now let’s hear yours.” Or maybe she didn’t want to know.

  He pressed his lips together. “Hm.”

  “No secrets?” Really? Maybe living in the limelight gave him no chance to hide anything.

  He shook his head. “Too many, actually. Bloody hell.”

  She sighed. “You could have played the amnesia card, you know.”

  “That wouldn’t have been fair to you, love.”

  She poked his chest. “Then quit stalling.” The suspense was killing her.

  His brows furrowed. “First, promise me—”

  “No promises. Spill.”

  “Fine.” He heaved a breath. “I didn’t compose the tune for my ballad titled Delilah entirely on my own.”

  “You didn’t?” Not that she knew the song, but the admission came as a surprise. That was pretty huge.

  “No. I used a section from the heavy metal song Drown Me, slowed it by half and added a few touches of my own but…” He shrugged.

  Didn’t sound like an actual case of plagiarism, but she asked, “Are you sorry about it?”

  “Honestly, no. Delilah is one of my finest songs. I only used a few bars, really. All artists borrow bits and pieces from one another at some point, don’t you think?”

  “I suppose so.” She found inspiration in other designers’ work.

  “Mostly I needed a jumping-off point. Except for a few notes, the song’s all mine.” He never stopped caressing, exploring. “But now you understand how deeply I trust you.”

  “Because you know I’d never repeat anything we tell one another.” So sweet.

  “Nor would I. Feel better now?”

  “A little.” She couldn’t look him in the eye.

  He scooted lower to eye level. “Every relationship has obstacles, love.”

  “Obstacles.” Her laugh held more frustration than humor.

  “Ours,” he said, “are temporary. They’ll fade like mist in the morning sun.”

  Or more likely that their relationship would, especially after his memory returned. She attempted a brave face for him.

  He kissed her nose. “They only have as much importance as we give them.”

  She couldn’t help shaking her head. “Ignore them and they’ll go away?” Not a great strategy. “Things like that tend to come back and bite you in the butt.”

  “Have faith, Cyn. Focus on the positive. For now, at least?” He grew serious. “We’ve found something rare and precious. How we found it isn’t all that important, is it?”

  God, when he said such things, she could believe every word, believe that Fate had stepped in to bring them together, or her fairy godmother had belatedly kicked into action and hit them both over the head with her love wand. All that mattered was that, right now, he was looking at her with complete love and acceptance.

  She wanted to believe. “Not important in the least.”

  A grin spread across his face. “Hold that thought until after we eat. I’m famished.” He leapt up, whipped on his shirt and boxers, and padded to the kitchen. “I’ll heat up the food.”

  Lazy as a cat, she stretched and debated whether to dress at all. A slight chill swayed her to throw on her jeans and sweater. Delicious scents wafted from the kitchen, drawing her to the island. Such a pleasure to watch a man cook.

  He set a plate in front of her and slid the bar stool nearer, elbows bumping hers as he sat.

  “I hope this tastes as amazing as it smells.” She scooped a forkful into her mouth. Her eyes flew wide. “Wow. I never knew you were multi-talented.”

  “Do you like it? I hate to tell you, but I don’t know h
ow to make anything else. Other than pancakes, maybe.”

  Tires crunched on the gravel driveway, followed by the thud of a car door, then footsteps.

  “Expecting someone?” she asked.

  “Must be a lost soul. I’ll get rid of them.” He rose.

  Before he could get to the door, a woman burst in.

  Rail-thin, everything about her appeared high-maintenance, from her overstyled hair to her spiked heels. She scowled at Cynthia, then at him. “Rex? What’s going on?”

  Cynthia looked to Rex for some clue.

  “What are you doing here?” he demanded.

  The woman burst into tears. “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me. Again.”

  He gaped at her as if she were insane. “What are you talking about?”

  The woman dabbed her eyes. “We’re getting married next month. And don’t pretend you’ve forgotten. Not after… after…” She sobbed.

  Cyn’s mouth gaped. The ex? Apparently not as ex as Rex had said. Maybe he’d forgotten to update them both. The rock weighing down the third finger of the woman’s left hand spoke volumes. Yes, Rex had said she’d kept it, but why would she still wear the ring? And how had this so-called intruder found the farmhouse unless Rex had given her the address?

  A wave of nausea hit Cynthia as she set her glass on the island. She could barely catch her breath enough to say, “Guess you picked the wrong secret to tell me.”

  Rex turned. “What? No.”

  In three steps, she had her shoes and jacket in hand, keys out of her purse.

  “Cyn, wait. This is all wrong.” He reached for her.

  She held up her hands in warning. “Exactly. Now leave me alone.” She brushed past the skinny bitch bawling like a soap opera queen.

  Out of the perfect dream house, into her car to speed as far and as fast from the perfect guy as she could get. Dreaming was for fools. Next time a guy seemed too good to be true, she wouldn’t be fooled into believing him. She’d stick with reality from now on, and realistic expectations.

  Chapter Four

  Sunlight rolled across the Pacific Ocean in a strip of gold, beckoning to Rex. He pressed a thumb to his lower lip and gauged how much pressure the airplane window might require to break. To free him to follow its gilded path back to sanity—and Cyn.

  Knowing Harv, the guy had a wingsuit stashed, ready to jump after him if need be.

  Could his life get any more fucked up? Penny’s appearance at the farmhouse had momentarily stunned Rex, which turned out to work in his favor. The shock unlocked some hidden door in his brain, and voila, he remembered his fiancée, finally. Not Cynthia Winterspoon, unfortunately, but the greedy hellcat who invaded his privacy. The bitch who had dumped him—and in doing so, had granted him the biggest favor of his life.

  It had only taken a few moments of her whining at him. Clinging to him when she wanted something from him, then turning angry, turning on him when he refused.

  Yeah, he remembered Penny’s games. Now she wanted him back? Rex suspected Harv had put her up to it. Bribed her, somehow. Penny wouldn’t have thought up such a scheme on her own, and wouldn’t have come cheap.

  He’d spent the next day in solitude at the farmhouse, trying to sort through memories real and imagined. Meeting Cyn had come at a critical time, when dissatisfaction had set in about every aspect of his life. In those brief minutes they’d shared before the accident, she’d made him feel wonderful. Accepted, understood, a real man with deep feelings. No wonder his mind had centered on her alone while other aspects of his life had been blurred after the accident. Cyn made him remember why he loved music so much. Made him want to keep her in his life however he could.

  He still wanted that. Still wanted her.

  In the morning, he’d packed up, ready to drive to Cyn when an urgent call from Harv detoured him. The band had a new lineup of gigs starting with an Austin music festival, Harv said, and Rex had mere hours to meet him and the band at the airport.

  That was last night. Now here Rex sat, on a plane bound for Texas when everything in him screamed to be with Cyn instead. If he lost her now… Christ, the irony was too much to bear.

  He’d called her dozens of times before arriving for the flight and reached only her voice mail. Texts, same deal, no response. Cyn had left the farmhouse too soon, missing the drama of him tossing his ex out on her pretty little rear, her sobs echoing through the countryside.

  Would that have been enough to convince Cyn? She’d argued against staying together, but oh man, her body said the opposite. No girl kissed a guy like that, held him so tight, unless she wanted more than a temporary fling. Had fear driven her away? His head hurt trying to figure it all out.

  The plane touched down but the airport and the ride to the hotel were a blur. The whole fucking world seemed to have turned on its ear, nothing was right. He fell in line behind his band mates to the elevator, then down a hallway and through a doorway.

  Ervin stopped in the center of the spacious room. “Sweet suite.”

  Rex swept his gaze across the huge area. “Posh.” Like some luxurious scene out of a movie. That was the problem—everything seemed like a prop to him now, insubstantial and temporary. He craved something real and true. Real love. A real life. A real woman to share it with.

  He unpacked an acoustic guitar and settled on the leather sectional, working out a new song.

  Tad grabbed a beer from the mini-fridge. “What time are we due onstage?”

  Ervin dropped onto the sofa. “No clue. Let me text Harv.” His fingers pecked the cell’s keyboard, and soon their manager replied. Erv winced. “Ten. We follow Dave Matthews.”

  “It’s already nine,” John whined. “Shit.”

  Tad chuckled. “No rest for the wicked.” He dropped beside Rex. “Especially you. You’re a fucking songwriting machine lately.”

  “I guess.” Rex kept playing.

  Tad raised his glass in cheers. “Write us a few bestsellers, then.”

  He shot a false smile. “Right. I’ll try.”

  All their cells went off at once. Erv checked his. “Time to head out.”

  Tad blew raspberries. “So soon? We have at least forty minutes yet.”

  Rising, Erv threw up his hands. “Harv wants us prepped and pretty, so wear your best smiles, gents. Our ride’s downstairs.”

  At a knock on the door, anger propelled Rex across the room. “Christ, Harv can’t wait a fucking minute?” Ready to blast their manager, he threw it open and was stunned speechless.

  Behind lashes thick as tarantula legs, Penny’s bright eyes turned predatorial. Not her best look, framed in big blonde hair so blown out, she might have just gotten off an extreme roller coaster. Her skin-tight black knit pants, low-cut snakeskin top and spiked heels completed the hooker style.

  Rex deadened his expression. “What are you doing here.”

  She tottered up and pressed her chest to his. “I’m here for you, baby.”

  He stepped back, and she stumbled. He set his guitar against the wall and faced his mates. “I’m going down.”

  “Love in an elevator,” Tad sang.

  “Not a chance.” Rex skirted past Penny.

  She trailed him like a groupie. “Wait for me,” she called breathlessly.

  He punched the elevator’s down arrow. “Get lost.” He wagged his finger at her. “Like I told you before, you broke it off, not me.”

  The elevator whooshed open, and he stepped inside, her shadowing him.

  She whined, “I shouldn’t have. I miss you.”

  Rex shoved her aside. Tad, John and Erv shuffled in, forcing her to the rear of the car.

  His stomach churned when the elevator dropped. “Yeah, well, funny thing is, love. I don’t miss you.”

  She squeezed between John and Tad. “Rex.” She hung on his arm, face tilted up at him, lips set in a pout. “You can’t mean that.” She stroked his jaw with more pressure than necessary, an attempt to force him to face her.

  He je
rked up his head, but disengaging himself from her was like battling an octopus. As soon as the elevator deposited them on the ground floor, he exited the hotel, her hanging on like a cat that should have been declawed. And spayed. He was about to suggest a lobotomy when flashes assaulted his vision.

  Paparazzi. They began peppering them with questions. “When is the wedding, Penny?”

  Her sly smile and wink begged for attention. “You’re not invited.”

  He waved at their lenses, wishing he could block their view. “No one is. There is no—”

  “No privacy in this world anymore.” Penny lassoed him with her arms, yanked him lower to peck his cheek and hung there like a sucker fish in a tank.

  And every camera caught the image multiple times. Within minutes, the rags would plaster the images online.

  “Screw this.” He flung her off him and strode after his mates to the limo, climbed in and locked the door.

  Her smile as fake as her boobs, Penny blew him a kiss. “Sorry I can’t go with you, babe. See you soon. Love you.”

  Grimacing out the window, he shot her the finger.

  “Can’t wait!” Laughing, she waved like the newly crowned Miss America.

  “Bloody hell. Stupid bitch.” Certifiable, she was. She’d missed seeing her name in the headlines more than she’d missed him. Or maybe she believed her own hype.

  As the limo sped away, he stared out the window.

  “So,” Tad said, slowly shaking his head. “You and Penny again, huh?”

  Rex slowly turned his full disbelief toward the drummer. “Are you daft?”

  Ervin’s eyebrows flew up. “Then why’d Harv send her tickets to the after party?”

  “Are you shitting me?” Anger flashed a red streak across his vision. Freaking Harv had crossed the line once too many times. Rex pulled out his cell, ready to dial their manager. He glared at the phone a moment, texted Cyn instead, then slid the cell back into his pocket.

  “What’s Penny doing in town, then?” Erv asked.

  “My very question. Bad pennies keep showing up, as the saying goes. But this one won’t anymore. I’ll make certain.” The breakup was the best thing Penny had done for him. He wasn’t about to let her back into his life. “Unless you want her?” Ugh, he couldn’t do that to his bandmate.