“Mrs. Cooper…” Marshal suddenly states.
Mom smiles sadly while her attention falls on Marshal as he stops behind me. “Marshal…”
After a moment, her attention falls back on me. “Chloe, Sweetheart… I’m so sorry…”
She then lifts her hand towards my face as tears begin streaming down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, my sweet girl. You didn’t deserve this.”
Before she can touch me, I step back. She may have been emotional, but I wasn’t about to forgive her for what she had done to me; I couldn’t. If she had cared at all, she never would have kicked me out of her life, the way that she had.
It would take a lot more than tears and an apology to win me back.
“Where’s Dad?” I question.
More tears pour down my mother’s cheeks. “He left me. He found the letters that you had sent. We fought, and then he packed his bags and left.”
“You read my letters?” I whisper.
She nods while wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand. “…Every one of them. I wanted to write back, but I didn’t know how to keep it hidden from your father. I was afraid of how he would react.”
“When did Dad leave?” I ask next.
“Not long ago. It all started when he saw the news about your attack. He was so angry, and then when I decided to watch your interview, it got worse. I left to get groceries that afternoon, and he went through my things and found your letters.” She explains. “I told him that I wanted to contact you and he gave me an ultimatum. It was you or him, so I chose you.”
I nod once. “You should have chosen me from the start.”
With that, I turn and then walk away.
“Chloe, please…please don’t walk away. I need you.” Mom pleads.
Anger races through my body as I stop and then turn back around to face my mother with a glare.
“Are you serious?” I snap before continuing. “I needed you. There were so many times that I needed my mother.”
I pause for a few moments before speaking again. “I came here thinking that I still needed you, but I realized that I don’t. I want nothing to do with you.”
“You made this bed, Mom. Now lie in it.” I add before turning back around to walk away again.
I quickly get into the car and then wait for Marshal to join me. He doesn’t say a word as he slips into the driver’s seat before starting the engine.
Seconds later, he drives away.
Leaning my head against the window, I watch in the mirror as Mitch’s car falls into line behind ours. After a few moments, I close my eyes tightly while taking in a deep breath.
“Chloe…?” Marshal breathes out.
I reopen my eyes to look at him in question.
He glances at me before speaking again. “Are you alright?”
“I am,” I answer simply.
“Do you want to go to Russell’s now or…?” He trails off.
“Take us back to the hotel first,” I reply before a smile spreads across my lips. “I think it’s time to practice that duet. I want to change a few lines, though.”
Right now was the best time to use my emotions to our advantage. Anger and sadness sometimes produced the best music.
Plus, it would help me to get it all out.
“It’s your song, Chloe. We’ll do it however you want.” Marshal replies.
“Thanks, Marshal,” I reply.
He nods in response while turning onto the road that would take us directly back to the hotel.
****
“Where have you two been?” Russell questions as we walk through the front door and into his parent’s living room, where he was watching cartoons with Megan, Alex, and Lee.
“I talked to my mother, and then we went back to the hotel to practice the song that I wrote,” I answer while moving to sit down next to Russell.
He raises his brow. “You practiced without me?”
“For now…I changed a few lines. Tomorrow we can begin practicing together.” I reply.
“Good, we needed some fresh songs. No offense, Marshal, but I’m getting tired of hearing just your voice.” Russell teases.
Marshal chuckles as he sits down next to me. “Anytime you want to sing, Russ, you’re more than welcome to.”
“Oh god, no, are you stupid?” Lee blurts. “His voice is awful when he sings in the shower.”
We burst into laughter while Russell tosses a pillow at Lee.
Once our laughter dies down, Russell glances between Marshal and me before focusing his full attention towards me. “So, is everything alright now?”
“It’s getting there,” I reply softly.
“Good.” He replies while nodding his head briefly. “You’re not angry with me, are you?”
“No,” I answer before grabbing his hand.
I smile and intertwine our fingers together.
“Mom…they’re holding hands…” Lee suddenly shouts.
Russell growls dramatically before he leaps up from the couch. “I’m going to kick your butt, you little runt.”
Lee jumps up from his seat before running away.
I laugh loudly as Russell gives chase.
Judy rushes into the room just as Russell catches Lee.
“Russell, put your brother down, now.” She commands before sighing. “Dinner is ready. Can someone go outside and ask Mitch to join us?”
“I’ll do it,” Marshal replies as he stands.
With that, he walks towards the front door before stepping outside.
Russell releases Lee, and he runs from the living room with Megan and Alex. Judy glances between Russell and me before raising her brow.
“Do I need to worry about the two of you being alone together?” She questions.
“No, you don’t.” I insist.
She nods. “I trust you two to behave.”
“You have nothing to worry about, Mom,” Russell promises.
Judy nods once more before motioning towards the kitchen. “Alright; now, let’s get in the kitchen before the kids take all of the food.”
Without another word, Russell runs away, leaving me alone with Judy.
“Is everything alright?” She asks softly.
“It will be,” I reply while standing up.
She smiles in response. “You know, I’m always here if you need to speak.”
“I know,” I reply.
As I move closer to her, she searches my eyes. “Whatever happens, please don’t break my son’s heart. I love both of you very much, but I don’t want him to get hurt.”
“I understand, and I have no intention of ever hurting Russell,” I reply.
“Good.” She breathes out.
“Mom, Russell’s hogging all of the mashed potatoes,” Lee calls out abruptly.
Judy releases a long-winded sigh. “We better get in there before they start a food fight.”
I laugh and then walk into the kitchen with Judy.
We sit down at the table just as Mitch and Marshal walk into the room. Marshal sits down next to me while Mitch sits next to Russell’s father.
They begin talking while the rest of us fill our plates.
Glancing around the table, I smile. Even though they weren’t my actual family, they were the closest thing to it. I was happy to have every one of them in my life.
Still, it always felt as if a small piece of me was missing.
After a moment, I look towards Marshal. He glances towards me with a small smile.
Like always, my heart skips a beat. No matter what, he always made my stomach fill with butterflies, especially when he looked at me like that.
If only he felt the same way about me that I did about him.
Chapter 21
“That sounded amazing,” Mickie exclaims as he claps his hands. “This song is going to be our next hit single.”
“Do you think it’s that good?” I question.
“Are you kidding?” Russell snorts. “It’s freaking awesome.”
“Your voice is sexy as hell.” Micah chimes in.
“It’s better than good, Chloe.” Mickie insists.
I glance towards Marshal as he nods. “You could easily take my spot.”
“I would never do that.” I breathe out. “We’ll be lucky if I don’t chicken out the second we start singing this in front of our fans instead of an empty room.”
“All you have to do is focus on me as we sing,” Marshal replies. “The fans will eat it up.”
He had a point. When we stared at each other, the fans went wild. They loved a good song that included steamy moments with the guys.
“Either way, we need to be ready because our next show is tomorrow night.” Mickie stresses.
Our week of rest had flown by way too quickly. I had spent most of my time at the hotel, but I had spent a night at Russell’s house and then a night at Micah’s like I usually did.
His parents weren’t as involved as Russell’s, but they were kind.
Spending time with Micah was always fun. We watched bad movies, ate ice cream, and then fell asleep lying on the living room floor together with his family’s pet Great Dane laying between us.
Marshal had tried to get me to stay a night at his house, but I had refused.
I never wanted to tempt myself with being that close to him. I didn’t want to do something that I would regret later on. I would be mortified if I made a move, and he rejected me.
The best thing about having the week to rest was the fact that my bruising had nearly disappeared altogether. I had to hand it to the herbal facial masks that Judy had made; they had sped up the healing tremendously.
All I needed now was a bit of makeup, and it didn’t even look like I had been hurt.
“Are we going to be running into Lucky August?” Marshal questions abruptly.
Mickie sighs. “We are. Is that going to be an issue?”
“No,” I reply quickly.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure if it would be a problem or not because Shiloh had called me nearly every day. Of course, each day that had passed had surfaced more pictures of him with other women.
The latest picture that I had seen was of him making out with a girl.
It was a picture that he couldn’t lie about because the girl had posted it with a ton of photos from their last show.
There was a part of me that was upset about the picture, but at the same time, I was relieved that I had broken things off with him before it had happened. It made my decision that much easier to accept too.
No matter what, I would never take him back.
We were finished.
“Are you sure?” Mickie presses before continuing. “Because we’ve all seen the pictures, Chloe, they’ve been posted all over the internet.”
“I’m sure.” I insist. “I ended my relationship with Shiloh after he left.”
“You did?” Marshal blurts.
I glance back at him and nod. “He didn’t take it very well, that’s why I smashed my phone.”
“That explains why you tried to coax me into the shower.” Russell snorts.
“I hate to do this to you, Chloe, but you’re going to need to end your relationship publicly. We need to get ahead of this before Shiloh drags your name through the mud.” Mickie stresses.
“Let’s just get this next show out of the way before that happens.” I push.
He nods. “Alright, but after that, we need to make it public.”
“Okay.” I huff out.
“Anyway, you’ve got an hour to say your goodbyes and get ready to go. I want everyone on the bus on time, okay.” Mickie states sternly.
We nod in unison.
Without another word, Mickie turns and then walks away.
“Well, I should go and talk to my parents before we have to go.” Russell sighs.
“I should too.” Micah chimes in.
Russell looks at me in question. “Are you coming with me…or…?”
“I already said goodbye to your parents yesterday. I think you need some time alone with them anyway.” I reply.
He nods. “Okay, then I’ll see you later.”
With that, he leaves.
“I’ll see you guys later,” Micah states next before walking away.
Marshal turns his attention to me. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to go back to the hotel and take the longest shower possible.” I laugh. “I have a feeling that it will be a while before I get the chance to again, so I’m going to enjoy it while I can.”
“That actually sounds like a good plan.” Marshal snorts. “I might join you.”
In an instant, my eyes widen with shock while Marshal’s face turns red as he begins stuttering. “I…I didn’t mean that…I was just saying that I would like a long shower…but not with you; in separate showers, of course.”
…Of course.
It would have been too good to be true that he would ever want to shower with me.
“I understood what you meant, but watching you stumble over your words was quite entertaining.” I tease.
He chuckles while shaking his head. “You’re terrible.”
Once his laughter ends, he stands and then waits for me to stand with him. Without another word, we exit the bus and head to our rooms.
Marshal disappears in his room while I walk into mine. After I shut the door, I lean back against it while closing my eyes.
Before I move, someone knocks loudly on my door.
I sigh softly and then turn to open the door. I’m surprised when I come face to face with Shiloh.
“What are you doing here?” I question.
“I came to talk to you.” He replies before motioning towards the inside of the room. “Can I come in?”
“No,” I reply quickly. “I told you before that this was over. I have nothing left to say to you, and even if I did, I wouldn’t be able to get past the latest group of pictures that have surfaced. Did you really think that you could lie to me and still make out with other girls without me finding out?”
“I was drunk.” He insists.
“That’s a terrible excuse,” I reply.
“Just give me another chance.” He then pleads.
I open my mouth to say something, but a group of photographers appears behind Shiloh. He glances back at them before cursing.
Moving out of the room, I march towards the photographers.
I stop in front of them before speaking. “If you want a story, here’s one for you. I’ve ended my relationship with Shiloh. I ended it a week ago, and there is no way in hell I’ll ever take him back after seeing the pictures of him with other girls.”
A smirk crosses my lips as I glance towards Shiloh. “Take as many pictures of this as you’d like.”
I then raise my hand towards Shiloh before flipping him off.
The photographers snap pictures wildly as Shiloh bows his head.
I think he realized then just how badly he had messed this up. He had ruined any feelings that I had or could have had for him.
After a few moments, I move back towards Shiloh. “Change your tour dates. I don’t want to see you again after this next show.”
He nods absently before looking up at me. “For the record, I’m sorry, Chloe.”
“Just leave, Shiloh,” I reply while pointing my finger towards his bus.
“Goodbye, Chloe…” He whispers before walking away.
Turning back towards the hotel, I close my eyes and take a deep breath before moving forward. Once I’m in my room with the door shut, I burst into laughter.
The door connecting my room to Marshal’s opens, and he walks into the room wearing a bright grin. “That was freaking awesome. Did you see the look on his face? I never expected you to flip him off in front of the cameras like that.”
“It felt good.” I laugh.
“I bet it did,” Marshal replies.
“You are a badass.” Marshal then laughs.
After a few moments, I release a long-winded s
igh. “I should probably warn Mickie. Those pictures will be everywhere before we leave.”
“I doubt that there will be any issues,” Marshal replies before continuing. “Everything that I’ve been reading from fans was angry reactions to those pictures of Shiloh coming out. They were waiting to find out how you would react.”
Suddenly Marshal’s phone starts beeping.
He pulls it from his pocket before holding it up. A smile spreads across his lips before he laughs. A moment later, he turns the phone around to show me the screen.
I read the message that simply stated, don’t mess with our rock goddess; she’s got spunk. I then watch the newly made video of me flipping off Shiloh under the message.
“See, they love you.” Marshal insists.
I nod and then watch as he reads some more messages on his phone with a huge smile.
After a few moments, I sigh. “I’m sorry that I didn’t listen to you before.”
Marshal looks up at me. “You don’t have to apologize. I just didn’t want you to get hurt. I should have acted a little better, though.”
I nod. “I still should have listened.”
“At least it’s over now, right?” He replies.
“Yes, and there’s no way that I’m going to jump into another relationship unless I know everything about the guy. I’ll even make sure that you approve.” I laugh.
“That would be for the best,” Marshal replies before pausing. “So, do you think you’ll try to date Russell again?”
“I honestly don’t know.” I breathe out.
“He would be good to you.” Marshal presses.
Marshal wasn’t wrong; Russell would be good to me, but he wasn’t the one that I truly wanted to be with. Don’t get me wrong I cared about him, but he didn’t give me butterflies.
If I was going to be with someone long-term, then I wanted, no, I needed that feeling of excitement every time we were together.
I had experienced it with Shiloh, but not like I did with Marshal.
“Maybe…” I reply before motioning over my shoulder. “I’m going to get that shower now.”
Marshal grunts in response. “If you need me, just yell.”
With that, he leaves the room.
I watch as the door between our rooms closes before I move towards the bathroom.
Rock Me Page 13