by D. Kelly
Sometimes in life, we come across people who have a different perception of reality than the rest of us. As of ten a.m. this morning, Noah Weston has obtained an official restraining order against one of his former girlfriends. This is not a decision he took lightly. We hope this restraining order will bring an end to the ongoing issues and the offender will realize the errors of her ways and find the peace and happiness she needs to move on with her life. At this time, BAD has no official statement as to why this restraining order was issued, and we hope you will respect our privacy during this difficult time. Rest assured our tour is still on track and no changes have been made to the schedule itself as of now.
Due to this unfortunate occurrence, we do want to advise if you have tickets to an upcoming BAD show to please allow time for additional security checks and expect an increased presence of security at all of our venues. Meet and greets will also be limited to autographs only. This is for your safety as well as ours.
We’d like to thank you for all your continued support through the years. We wouldn’t be who we are without all of you.
With love and gratitude,
Noah, Sawyer, Darren, and Wyatt – AKA Bastards and Dangerous
The Aftermath
“Naptime is over. It’s time to wake up, sleepyhead.” Noah’s soft words pull me from a desperately needed slumber. When my eyes blink open, they’re met by his vibrant green ones staring right back at me.
“How in the world do you do it? You’ve slept about five hours less than I have and yet you’re wide awake and about to go on stage.”
“Years of practice. I enjoy my sleep as much as the next person, which is why I’m looking forward to retirement. Or at least retiring from touring.”
Last night, Noah and I made love until the sun came up. I can’t even begin to count how many times we had sex, how many orgasms we had between us, or how much our love seemed to multiply in those hours. We’d only been asleep for about three hours when he got up and went to meet with his attorney and to approve the statement Belle posted on the Slammed blog.
“How is the response to the statement?” I ask as I pull myself into a sitting position.
“It all seems pretty positive. Lots of pissed off fans at Sara. Her name was leaked within minutes of the restraining order being filed. I feel bad about that.”
“Noah, that’s her problem, not yours. Honestly, she probably gets off on it … everyone knowing she used to be with you. I’m sure in her mind, she doesn’t even understand what she’s doing is wrong. She needs psychological help.”
“That’s for sure.”
There’s a soft knock on the door. “Come in!” Noah calls out, and Warren enters carrying a beautiful blooming cactus.
“This was just delivered for you from one of the nurses at the hospital.” Warren brings the card to Noah and sets the cactus down on his dresser.
“Do you have a thing for nurses I don’t know about?” My teasing tone makes Warren laugh.
“Nurses, doctors, radiologists … I could go on and on,” Warren deadpans, and Noah brushes him off as he opens the card. He passes it to me when he finishes reading it.
Dear Mr. Weston,
On behalf of all of us at UCLA Medical Center, we’d like to thank you for your continued generosity. The holiday meals you provide to our staff mean more than you could ever know.
Sincerely,
Joel Martin, M.D., Chief of Emergency Medicine
“You bought holiday meals for the hospital?” My amazement is profound.
“It’s nothing.”
“Don’t let him fool you. He does it every year. Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Each department gets their own catered spread.” Warren is beaming with pride. So am I, for that matter. “I’ll leave you two alone. Don’t be too long, we have to leave soon.” He locks the door on his way out.
My eyes don’t leave Noah’s as I climb into his lap and cup his cheeks in my hands. “You are the most amazing man I have ever met. Your generosity and kind spirit are unparalleled. Seriously, Noah, I feel blessed to even know you, let alone love you and be loved by you.”
My lips meet his eagerly, but our kiss is slow and sensual. Our tongues dance to a beautiful melody only our souls can hear. I want to breathe him in and make him a part of me. Going on this tour was the best choice I could have ever made.
“Mel,” he gasps as he pulls back reluctantly, “we have to get ready to go.” My forehead presses against his while we catch our breath.
“I know. I think I’m going to drive with Belle so I have a little longer to get ready.”
“No,” he answers firmly. “You can come later with Belle, but Ryan will come back for you both in the SUV. I don’t want either of you driving anywhere on your own.”
It’s pointless to argue with him when I know he’s right. Besides, Belle’s been so tired lately, it would be good for her to have someone driving her around for a night. “Okay. It won’t take me too long, so just send him back after he drops you off. That will give me an extra hour and a half.”
“Don’t dress too sexy tonight.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know … maybe you should dress extra sexy. Shit.” He scrubs his face with his hands and sighs loudly.
“What’s going on, Noah? Talk to me.”
“Tonight, you’re going to see Eli for the first time since he broke your heart. There are bound to be feelings bubbling to the surface on both sides. Part of me wants you looking hot so I can rub our relationship in his face, and the other part …”
“Wants me to look like shit so he won’t want me anymore? I hate to break it to you, but he’s seen me at my worst. Acne breakouts, awkward hair and makeup days, snotty nose and streaked cheeks, missing showers for days because my mom was gone. I’m not sure I could ever look worse than I did back then.”
Noah groans as I take his hand in mine and squeeze it.
“I love that you’re jealous, even though I shouldn’t. I’ve already told you I want to mend fences with Eli. But this is yours, Noah.” I pull his hand over my heart and hold it there. “For as long as you want it, my heart belongs to you. Whatever you see tonight, whatever you may think you see from the stage, remember you’re the one I share a bed with, my heart with, my love with, and that I’m building my future with.”
“So I can be your future ex-husband?” he jokes, and I remember back to that first morning after he stayed with me in my hotel.
“Of course. But instead of Eli, I’d like David Beckham as your replacement.”
His mouth agape, he asks, “What about Victoria?”
“I know. She’s perfect, isn’t she? They’re so adorable together.” With a resigned sigh, I confess one of my innermost secrets “She’s the only reason I’ve ever wished I had been a Spice Girl.”
Noah laughs; it’s contagious.
“You’ll always be my Spice Girl.” The devilish gleam in his eyes proves he’s serious.
“I’ll settle for being the love of your life.” I meant for it to come out as a joke, but my tone couldn’t have been more serious.
“That’s a given, Amelia. There’s no me without you. Not anymore.”
“Ditto,” I whisper softly across his lips.
In typical fashion, before we can take anything further, there’s an incessant banging on his door. “Hurry up, big brother, we leave in ten.” It warms my heart to hear Sawyer joke with him. I think the Sara thing is putting things into perspective with him as well.
With one final look at me before he leaves, Noah shakes his head and smiles. “Sexy, Mel. Make Eli wish he had what’s mine tonight.”
“You got it.” I pull a trick from Anna’s book and blow a kiss his way. He even catches it like Wyatt does, and we both laugh. Some things are just way too cheesy for us, even though it’s adorable watching others do it.
As soon as Noah leaves, my phone starts ringing. When I look at the screen, I know I�
�m in trouble. It’s Veronica, and she’s Skyping me.
“Hey, Mama!” My excited greeting doesn’t have her fooled one single bit.
“Don’t hey mama me, young lady. Just how long were you going to keep Belle’s secret for her?” She may be scolding me, but I can see the smile trying to peek through.
“Only long enough for her to tell you she fell in love and has a little peanut on the way.”
“So in other words, forever,” she adds with a laugh.
“Well, yeah, you know how it goes. They’re excited. She just would have rather told you in person. But throw a rock star in the mix and everything goes public.”
“I know, baby girl,” she adds, a scowl crossing her face. “So tell me two things … is he good enough for my baby? And how are you doing today with all that’s going on?”
I move up the bed and prop myself up on some pillows, leaning back against the headboard. “He thinks she hung the moon and stars just for him. Darren loves her, they just jumped into this a bit backward. Did you see the ultrasound picture?”
“I did, and I’m already in love. I trust your opinion, so I’ll give her my blessing.”
The smug look on her face makes me bust up laughing. “You didn’t give her your blessing?” I finally choke out.
“Hell no. That girl waited weeks to tell me about the baby and months to tell me about her man. She can sweat it out a few minutes while I talk to you. Now, you didn’t answer my question, baby girl … how are you doing?”
“I’m okay. I’m in love with him.”
The thoughtful expression on her face makes me miss her so much right now. Belle, Veronica, and I are used to having weekly dinners, but since she met her new man and then went on vacation, those dinners fell off the map a bit.
“Amelia, you’ve kept your heart to yourself long enough. If you finally decided to give it, I know he must be worthy of it. Don’t you succumb to crazy and let her get in the way of your happiness. You fight tooth and nail for what’s yours, come hell or high water. You get me?”
“I got you, Mama. Thank you. When are you coming back? I miss you like crazy and would love for you to meet Noah.”
Her gleeful expression shows me she’s enjoying her time away. “We’ll be back right after the new year. We’ll have a big family dinner so you can all get to know Wesley as well. I think he’s going to be in our lives for a long time to come.”
“I’m happy to hear it. You deserve some happiness of your own. Now, I have to get ready for tonight, but do me a favor and call Belle back. She doesn’t need any more stress on that peanut.”
“Will do. Love you, baby girl. I’ll see you when we get home.”
“Love you, too.” The screen goes blank.
True to his word, Noah sent Ryan back to the house for Belle and me. It’s only been about three hours since he left, but I can’t wait to see him again. I took his advice and went for a sexy look for tonight. But I did it for Noah, not Eli.
Just an Illusion is a trip. The whole outside is a graffiti-covered warehouse. It looks like a tagger—or a few crews of taggers—had the best day of their lives, but it’s beautiful in an eclectic, artful way. It also meshes perfectly with Jordan’s personality. The outside is bold and brave and the inside is subtle and kicked back.
Now I understand why they chose this location. It’s spacious and dark, completely intimate. Perfect for a show. As I look around, I take some photos. The only people here now are friends and family. But that’s what this night is about: putting on a show for the people who love them most. An intimate set for family and friends that their fans can watch later and feel a part of. It’s one of the greatest gifts they can give them, and it makes me glad Jessie is the one who won the tickets. She and Eli will respect the vibe and the space. Even if Eli doesn’t like them, he’s an artist first and foremost.
“Come on, Mel! You’ve got all night to take in the details, let’s go see our men.” Belle’s pulling me to the backstage entrance with such enthusiasm you’d think she hadn’t seen Darren in weeks.
Judging by the raised voices, it’s obvious we walked in on something bad.
“No, I’m not going to be a part of lying to her, Noah!” Sawyer yells with a fierce expression on his face.
“What good is it going to do her to know? Huh, Sawyer? Tell me, after everything that went down yesterday, how this is going to make it all better?” Noah screams back, getting in his face.
Belle and I stay back against the curtains, an unspoken bond between us to hear what the hell is going on.
“Because she’s a fucking target now, Noah, that’s why! This isn’t just some vague note. It’s an obvious threat. Do you think Tony would already be working on an emergency restraining order for Mel now, too, if it wasn’t? What the fuck?!”
Belle’s nails dig into my wrist, her eyes wide with fear. My heart races, but I’m not ready to go in there yet.
“He’s right, man,” Wyatt concurs.
“Yeah, Noah. Dude, I love the fuck out of you, but if Mel’s a target, that affects Belle. They have to know. I’m not risking anything happening to my baby by keeping them in the dark.”
Noah drops into a chair and rubs his temple. “This was never supposed to happen. I gave Sara everything she could have wanted. Why couldn’t she just move on like any normal person?”
Belle and I finally make our way into the room, all eyes instantly on us. Sawyer’s linger longer than appropriate, then he shakes his head and points to Noah. “You two need to talk.”
The pain in Noah’s eyes is unmistakable. “You look beautiful,” he whispers.
“You look like hell. What did she do now, and why am I taking out a restraining order?”
With slumped shoulders, he leads us over to a computer on the desk in the corner of the room. “I got this email when we got here. It’s already been forwarded to the police.”
Noah,
Tsk Tsk Tsk … I didn’t like spending my special day alone. I’m willing to forgive you, but you’ve given me no other choice but to take matters into my own hands.
Blood is red,
Murder divine,
Dead girlfriends can’t love you,
Soon you’ll be mine.
Until then, all my love. ~ Sara
“What the ever-loving fuck?” Belle screams.
I should be scared. I should be freaking out because as soon as this bitch has her way with me, she’s going to try and go excessively crazy on Noah. It’s only a matter of time. But right now I’m pissed. Beyond pissed. I reach for the keyboard just as about eight hands pull it from my grasp at the same time.
“There is nothing you can say to make this better, Mel. In fact, anything you say will only make it worse … guaranteed,” Sawyer cautions, and Noah nods, agreeing.
“I’m not afraid of her. Let that bitch bring the crazy train to town. I’ll throw her fucking ass off.” My hands are trembling, and from the looks I’m getting, I’m sure I seem deranged, but I don’t care. I’m so tired of this girl fucking with our lives.
“Before you rip off your earrings, how about you take a deep breath and calm down,” Darren tells me with a slight smirk.
“We should cancel the show,” Noah says suddenly.
“No … don’t you dare.” I hiss at him. “If you do that she wins, and she isn’t going to win. Tonight is about your family, your friends, and giving your fans something many of them will never be able to witness. Don’t let her take that from you … from them.”
“Mel’s right,” Sawyer agrees as he admires me with a newfound respect. “Capitulating to her will show we’re weak. Even if we feel it, half the battle is not letting it show.”
Noah looks torn. Actually, he looks fucking miserable. “Fine, the show goes on. Ryan, I want you and no less than three back-up guards on Mel all night. And when I say on, I mean within eighteen inches of her.”
“Noah, that is ridiculous …”
/> He interrupts my protest. “This is the deal, Mel, or I walk tonight. I’m not taking any risks, not with you.”
“Give him that, Princess, it’s a fair deal. Your safety for his peace of mind … and ours.” They all nod in agreement.
“Fine, anything to get this night over and done with.”
Noah stands and pulls me close. “Thank you,” he whispers huskily as his lips meet mine in a brief kiss.
“You guys, I hate to break up the little moment you’ve got going on here, but it’s starting to fill up out there. We should go mingle and greet guests. This is still our party, even if it is a show,” Wyatt points out objectively.
Belle and Darren have been whispering quietly for the past few minutes. I’m sure she’s completely freaked out about me and he’s worried about her being too close to me right now. I don’t blame him. He’s got to protect his family.
“Look, I’m going to call Dad and fill him in on everything before they all get here,” Sawyer says, turning to Noah. “Rob’s sister is supposed to watch the girls, and I want to make sure there’s a security team on her house, too.”
“Do you think that’s necessary?” My tone isn’t nice and neither is his answering glare.
“Do you think I want to take a single chance with my nieces?”
“Sorry … I’m so sorry.”
His expression softens. “I know you are, Princess. We’re all just flying by the seat of our pants here.”
Isn’t that the fucking truth.
“Alright, you guys. Tony got the restraining order approved. We’re going to start about thirty minutes later tonight to allow a small buffer due to the increased security. You’ve got a good crowd out there already. Go have a drink and mingle. Act normal. Don’t let her know she’s frazzled you.” Warren is going through his spiel like a well-oiled machine. It’s why he’s their manager.
“And Mel,” he adds, “do me a favor and stay alert tonight. Have a drink but sip on it. Don’t let yourself get wasted and don’t let your drink leave your sight. We can watch for Sara, but we don’t know if she has any accomplices. Just be safe.”