His jaw dropped open. He knew I kept Jude’s existence secret from everyone outside his family and the band, still protecting him the only way I could.
“I never told you, but she followed me to his house on his birthday. The day we first got together. She…” I pulled in a breath forcing the emotion back behind the barriers wishing I had my sketchpad instead of my bass. “The heavy shit. It feels lighter when she’s around,” I explained. “She understands me. I think I understand her too, better than she thinks I do. But it’s not a matter of choosing between you two. Don’t make it that for me, man. I don’t want to go there. No one can take your place with me. We’re brothers. Where it counts. In here.” I thumped my chest. His gaze turned bright, my eyes burned with the ferocity of similar emotion. He got what I was saying. “But when you interfere, when you try to make her feel bad about the past or trick her into thinking things that aren’t true like you did on the elevator the other day...” I trailed off, and his expression tightened as the accusation sank in. “Then you’re going to wreck that for us. You. Not me. Are you feeling me?” Our gazes locked together. His didn’t soften, but he nodded after a beat.
“I get you. But you need to know that I’m not going to keep my mouth shut if I see her messing you up again. You are my priority. Not her.”
“Fair enough.” It wasn’t the concession I wanted, but it would do for now.
“I just wish you would’ve picked someone from Southside. Someone who understands how it is. Like all the stuff War talked about last night.”
“There’s only one Lace, man,” I said, and his eyes turned unfocused. I knew who he was really thinking about when making a statement like that. “Only one Miriam, too,” I added cautiously.
“That’s not happening, not for me anyway.” He looked away. “Bryan would have an aneurysm.”
“Maybe,” I allowed. “But you never know. If…”
“Hey.” Bryan shuffled in scratching his bare chest. “There anything to eat in the fridge?”
I shook my head.
“Fuck.” His sleepy expression turned petulant. “Not even leftover pizza.”
“Nah, I already checked,” I told him.
“Well, that sucks.” His petulance became mischief that made his grey green eyes sparkle. “I’m gonna wander up to the main house to see what the Queen is having. Maybe invite myself to breakfast. Think maybe that will piss her off?”
“Probably.” I grinned.
“You two wanna join me?” he asked.
“Absolutely.” King stood and laid his drumsticks across the top of his snare. We both fist bumped the knuckles Bryan offered to make the plan official.
“Cool.” Our lead guitarist glanced back and forth between King and me. “And you two losers can tell me on the way over why you were talking about my sister.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Sager
“We were just wondering how’s she’s doing at school,” I told Bryan as we walked up the driveway together, the soles of our hastily donned shoes crunching on the gravel.
“She’s doing well.” He stepped over a fallen tree limb. “Not as good as Ann, but then academics are a struggle for her with the dyslexia.”
“She’s still too stubborn to take advantage of all of the accommodations?” King asked.
“Yeah.” Bryan nodded. “She’s already been accepted into UCLA for drama though.”
“Órale.” That’s cool,” King said. “I saw her in Streetcar Named Desire. She was great as Blanche DuBois.”
Bryan gave him a sharp glance that I attempted to soften. “We both saw the show. When we were home last weekend. We sat with your mom and Ann. Didn’t they tell you?”
“No, they didn’t.” He looked like that omission baffled him.
“Probably because it wasn’t a big deal,” I stressed, deciding a change of subject would be best given Bryan’s overprotective big brother instincts. Not that he needed to worry. King might have become the unofficial player in the group with the chicks, but he would never treat Miriam like a groupie. Hell, he wouldn’t even make the first move with her because he felt like he wasn’t worthy of her attention. “Did you talk to Avery yet?”
“Yeah.” His brow furrowing, he stopped beside the splashing fountain in front of the main house. It was pretty tranquil. The birds chirping were a nice change of pace from the urban sounds outside the Sutton. “The doctors don’t think her old man has very long to live. With that and the solo album and everything else she’s pretty stressed. That’s why Marcus canceled the tour and all of Brutal Strength commitments for the year.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said.
“That’s going to cost his band a shitload,” King mused. “Roja really that close to her dad?”
“Not always, but they reconciled recently.” He glanced quickly at me and then away. “Her father’s a recovering alcoholic. There was neglect and some abuse after her mom passed.”
I tensed.
King cursed under his breath.
Bryan nodded. “She doesn’t like to talk about it, but that’s the reason she and Justin left home before graduating from high school.”
“Poor Red.” My fingers curled into fists in my pockets. “Fucking fathers.”
“Un, momento…” King began.
“Except for yours of course,” I modified while thinking how Avery’s words at Tojo’s made more sense now. Also, her behavior on the last tour, how unsettled she had seemed by Marcus’ drinking, the DUI. All that turmoil had cracked open a door with Avery that Bryan had nearly walked through. I wondered how things might have ended up if Lace hadn’t returned when she did. Obviously some feelings lingered between the Brutal Strength guitarist and our own. You could see it in Bryan’s eyes whenever he talked about her.
“At least he stopped hounding her about the wedding.” Bryan exhaled heavily.
“What wedding?” I asked.
“Theirs. Hers and Marcus’. He wanted to move up the date while her father was around to give her away. But Avery dug her heels in.” Staring off at the line of trees he obviously wasn’t seeing, Bryan frowned. “He’s too heavy handed with her. She’s only twenty. He can be a real authoritative asshole. Sometimes I think…” He trailed off, eyes refocusing as if suddenly remembering King and I were there. He seemed to have been speaking his unfettered thoughts out loud. He cleared his throat. “So, yeah. Tour’s definitely canceled.” He pointed with his head and started moving toward the house again. I noticed the butler waiting beneath the arched portico. Stan didn’t look all that thrilled to see us.
“Too bad for BS,” I allowed. “But good for us. War will be glad to hear the news.”
“I’ll tell him after breakfast, after I ask our jailor for permission to leave the compound.”
“Why do you need to do that?” I asked.
“Because there is going to be a wedding. For Justin and Bridget. The ceremony is going to be private out on Vancouver Island at the Anthony farm. But the reception is at VJ’s. They rented out the whole place. It’s Bridget’s favorite restaurant. She and Justin had their first date there. She inherited an international hotel chain. She can rent out a popular place like that,” he reminded us in response to our wide eyed gazes. “Since Bridget is Lace’s best friend we got the heads up about it first. I get the impression that we’re all going to be invited. And it’s this Saturday.”
• • •
Melinda
My legs wobbly and my hands shaking after another heated confrontation with my roommate about my portion of the rent, which I still didn’t have, I picked up my ringing cell phone. I glanced at the display. Mary Timmons. Fuck. In all the years I had known her, she had only directly called me once about a month ago when she had tried to convince me to lay down some solo tracks. Coincidentally, right after I had told my dad about the ski cross. I suspected he had put her up to it. She hadn’t been too happy about my refusal. I knew there weren’t many who turned her down. I felt fortunate that she hadn’t seemed to
hold it against me and let me continue to do the background vocal stuff.
“Hello,” I said carefully. The way my luck had been going lately I was afraid this was going to be more bad news.
“Miss Belle. It’s Mary Timmons from Black Cat Records.”
“Yes.” I almost smiled at the formality. “How can I help you?” Did she not realize my caller ID had already identified her?
“I had an interesting conversation with a fan of yours today.”
“Who?” My brows drew together in confusion.
“That’s not really important right now. What is relevant is the opportunity I have been missing because you have not been forthcoming with me.”
Oh, crap. My grip on the phone tightened. What was she alluding to? The pictures in Maxim? Was that a conflict of interest with Black Cat?
“Why didn’t you tell me about the ski cross and the success you’ve been having with it?”
“Um…I…”
“You are an artist in my studio, one with tremendous untapped potential…but that’s neither here nor there. I believe I already made myself very clear about that last month.”
“Yes, you did. Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome,” she replied warmly before clearing her throat. “But I’m calling today for quite a different purpose.” It was like a lever had been switched, her tone turning formal again.
“Which is?” I asked.
“Sponsorship, Miss. Belle. I understand from a reliable source that you do not yet have a corporate sponsor. I would very much like Black Cat Records to fill that role.”
I dropped down onto my bed unable to believe what I was hearing.
“The demographics of the ski community and your specific subspecialty in freeform fit perfectly with my label. I’ve already discussed the project with Beth Tate, my head of marketing. She’s very excited. She would like to get started right away with a social media blitz followed by a television commercial. You have a big upcoming event, and time is precious. What do you say?’
“Um, hell, yeah. I mean, yes.” A huge smile split both my cheeks.
“Excellent. I had hoped that might be your answer. I’ll text you our base offer and some preliminary projections should the marketing campaign be a success. We believe it can’t help but be with your personality, looks and talent. I will leave the rest up to Beth. She’ll get in contact with you. There will be contracts to sign, etc. But I want you to stay in touch, Melinda. This is my direct line. All my clients are important to me, but I have known you since you were five and small enough to carry around on my hip. I’ve watched you grow up, and I care about you deeply. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Ms. Timmons.” Tears filled my eyes. I never knew. She was always so reserved. I wondered what had changed. “I’ll do that. Thank you very much.”
“It’s Mary from now on.”
“Yes, Mary. Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome, Melinda.”
Well, I’ll be damned. Sometimes answers did fall from the sky. I stared at my cell as if it might have the answers to this timely miracle. It rang, the display lighting up with Sager’s name.
“Hey,” I said.
“Hey, Blue. What’s up?” he asked in greeting.
“Mary Timmons just called,” I began and swallowed hard having a thought. “You’re not going to believe why.”
“She’s offered you the sponsorship thing, didn’t she?”
“Yes, but how…”
“I knew she would. She was being all cryptic at breakfast when I told her about what you were doing, but I could tell she was very intrigued. So could the guys.”
“I don’t understand. I can’t believe you did that for me. I never even thought about asking her. She’s always so stuffy with me…intimidating…” A million questions were running around in my head.
“Take a breath, babe.”
“Yeah.” I snorted. “Ok.” I inhaled and exhaled. “It’s pretty exciting. My mind is racing all over the place.”
“I’m happy for you. And glad she moved on it so soon. You were so discouraged the other day.” I heard two thuds that sounded like shoes falling to the floor and then the creak of mattress springs. My cheeks heated remembering last night. Was he on his bed like I was? “I didn’t get a chance to tell you what’s happened with Tempest since we were occupied…with more pleasurable things the other night.” His voice rumbled. My nerve endings flared maximum voltage remembering what we had been doing when he had used that same tone the night before.
“Sager,” I breathed his name. “We…you and me…what happened last night…”
“Yeah, Blue. Don’t worry. It’s going to happen again.” He paused. “And again. Maybe even three times if you’re not too tired tonight.”
I gulped.
“But first I wanna explain what’s happened with the band so you’ll understand why I don’t just get in the Hummer and come out to Whistler right now, sink my cock inside you and claim you as my own for real in every single way I can imagine. And I’ve imagined many ways.”
Holy hotness! my inner voice shouted. Yes. Yes. And yes. Already in the throes of an orgasm. “Why can’t you?” I was noticeably out of breath and said the first thought that popped into my head.
“Desperate for it, are you, babe?” I could hear the cocky grin in his voice. “Me, too,” he admitted. “I want to have my hands all over you again and soon. I wanna taste every single inch of your creamy skin. I want to have my mouth on you the next time you moan...However,” he sighed. “There’s a slight problem. Tempest is locked up and gated in at Timmon’s estate.”
“What does that mean?” I asked.
“Justin left. Mary bought War out of the other contract. But because of our debts to Black Cat Records for that and some other things we’ve agreed to hunker down here until we provide her with an album’s worth of new material that meets her approval.”
“Oh, well that’s great. I think. Mostly. Right?”
“Yeah, it is. This feels big, Blue. We already have five songs. One I wrote with King this morning that I really want you to hear. Three we hammered out together as a group this afternoon just messing around with different rhythms and reminiscing about Southside and shit.”
“That’s incredible.”
“Yeah, I guess it is. It’s the way it was before with us, before everything went wrong, but even better maybe because we appreciate it more now. But the downside is that I won’t be able to be with you until we’re through here. The way I really want to be with you. Do you get what I’m saying?”
“Maybe. No, that’s not right. Definitely,” I corrected myself, being brave, putting myself out there. Daring to make a go of it with him. Refusing to give up without at least trying to make it work. Just like he had urged me to do with the racing. Because he made me feel as happy as I did up on the mountain.
Happier.
Yes, ok. Happier, I agreed with my inner voice.
“What I don’t understand is how you can want to be with me after the things I’ve done,” I confided being completely honest.
“I’ve done worse things in my life, Melinda. Much worse. I told you about the night I almost killed my older brother. I put him in a coma.”
“I know, but sometimes there are extenuating circumstances. Maybe the legal system doesn’t get that, but I do. You were protecting your little brother. You lost control of your temper. You were only a kid yourself. Maybe it went too far. But maybe it had to. After all the years of abuse. You were only doing what you had to do. I don’t hold that against you. I told you that then. I feel the same way now. That hasn’t changed.”
“Melinda, I don’t know about that. I don’t think most people would feel the same. The family that adopted Jude certainly didn’t.” He was quiet a long moment. “Jude didn’t,” he whispered.
“He was too young to understand back then and his adopted parents are idiots if they didn’t at least try to see things from your perspective.”
“I don’t know why you go back there to see him year after year without even trying to talk to him.”
“Because it’s only me being out of control that he remembers from that night. It’s my face he fears.”
“So much time has passed. Surely, if you went through the proper channels. If he knew how much you miss him…”
“No. He deserves a good life free of the past. Why dredge it up? I have my memories. That’s enough.”
“I don’t think it is,” I whispered gently. I had never seen a man as broken as he had been after seeing his little brother.
“It’s ok, Blue. Don’t be upset for me. I mean, I love it that you are. I never thought I would meet someone who would know my past and still be able to look at me like you do.”
“You’re a lot easier to…what I mean is, you’re not hard on the eyes, Sager Reed. And I think anyone who really knows your situation like I do would understand.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. You’re one of a kind, Melinda T. Belle. Beautiful. Talented. Tough yet tender. I was telling you the truth when I told you I wanted to start over, but not all of it. I wanna be more than friends. Like I told you after our first time, I don’t want anyone else to come between us. You’re too special to share.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Sager
“Ow.” I scowled at King, bending over to rub the back of my calf before glaring at him some more. “Why the hell did you kick me?”
“Because you’re asleep with your eyes open.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Sí, pendejo. You are.”
Arms outstretched in exasperated appeal, I glanced around at the others.
“He’s right. You missed your cue. Twice.” War was seated at the piano. He shook his head. “I’m the one with the actress who wakes me up at five in the morning on her way to the set. What’s your excuse?”
The Complete Tempest World Box Set Page 137