“All of you are officially off the hook, I’ll consult you when any decision involves the band. Bottom line, I’m mentally and physically capable of taking care of myself. It’s time I start doing it. Even if Zoey and I never get back together. I owe it to all of you and to her.”
Connor surprised us all by speaking. “How is she? No one has told me anything.”
“She’s got a lot of PT in her future, but she’ll fully recover.” Ty’s lips formed the hint of a smile before turning back into a frown.
I couldn’t help but ask, “Are you staying here with her?”
Ty visibly shrunk into himself just for a second before shaking it off and standing tall. “I’m flying her home with her parents in a few days. But, no. I’m flying back to Seattle tomorrow with you guys. When her parents finally let me in to see her, she told me that her life was ruined and that we weren’t going to be together. I guess I’m going to finally take the hint.”
“Jesus Christ,” Connor snarled, folding his arms. “Here we go—”
Ty’s gaze locked with our grumpy bassist. “Connor, I’m not sure what the fuck your problem with me is, but it ends here. While I’m sure you’re rightfully annoyed by my latest scandal, rest assured it’s the final one. Finito. And, for the record? I didn’t fuck Ronni. Okay? I never fucked Ronni. She’s become one of my best friends, so deal with it. And if you don’t mind, I’m going to get Zoey home, I’m going to fuck up Sienna and Andrew so badly they’ll never work as publicists again, and then I’m going to spend every single day doing the right thing to be deserving of the love that woman gave me. Even if I never get her back. No matter what happens, for the next year, I’m going to make sure as many kids as possible can play music.”
Katherine, Zane, and I all stared at Ty with our mouths agape. He ignored us but addressed all of us in succession.
“Katherine? Are we good?”
She nodded in the affirmative.
“Jace?”
“Yep?” I mumbled, exhausted.
Ty pointed at me. “Thank you for holding down the fort. Again. Your services with respect to me and Zoey are no longer required. I appreciate all that you have done, but I will take over from here. Go take care of yourself. I love you, man.”
My eyes threatened to swell, but I tamped my emotions down and gave him a small salute.
“Zane?”
Zane got up and embraced Ty, holding his cheeks in his hands, looking him in the eye. “Yes, my brother?”
Ty embraced him and mumbled something I couldn’t hear into his ear. They clapped each other’s shoulders and Zane strode out.
Connor got up to follow Zane, but before he left turned to Ty. “I’ve been a dick; you haven’t deserved it. Well, all of it. Take care of her, she’s worth it.”
Katherine and I followed the others out, hugging Ty before we left. Not more than a half-hour later, we piled into a couple of cars and managed to avoid detection of the media that were still camped outside the hotel. None of us spoke on the way to the private airstrip. All of us slept the entire way home. And there wasn’t much to say when we landed. Everyone was still fried.
When I unlocked the door to my condo at just after 9 a.m., I knew she was there. I could smell her. Tiptoeing down the hall, I peered into my bedroom. Alex was curled up in a ball, knees almost to her chin. My comforter was half-covering her, half off. She clutched her phone, as though she was waiting to hear from me. I stood staring at her for what seemed like an hour before her eyelids fluttered open. She blinked a couple of times, almost like she didn’t believe I was standing there, then she smiled.
And she held her hand out to me.
God help me, I reached out and took it.
Chapter 26
ALEX
With Zoey laid up and the guys scattered around the city, I was counting my blessings that Jace was still living with me. To say things were back on track would have been a lie. He was so in his own head; we barely had a conversation. Our sex life, on the other hand, was off the charts. I spent my days doing chores around the property. Jen and Jace built a covered garage for the work vehicles with an attached shed for extra storage.
At night, we vegged in front of our respective devices.
Jen begged him to get some counseling and to deal with Jessica once and for all, but he refused. Anytime I tried to bring up the paternity situation, he shut me down. He wasn’t acting like the man I knew, the responsible guy who had such a sly sense of humor. But going through hard times was part of being in a relationship, as was giving him a certain amount of space. So I persevered.
One thing that niggled at the back of my mind was Jace had completely stopped bringing up going public with the band. Completely.
We also didn’t spend Thanksgiving with either of our families. Claiming that we had the flu, we spent the holiday weekend together but with little fanfare. And no turkey. Or stuffing. Or fun.
Once a week, I’d go into the city to sit with Zoey and help her do her PT. She hadn’t seen Ty, but she was also so drugged that she barely remembered anything we talked about at my visits. Afterward, I’d visit my mom. And while she’d give me some great perspective, I couldn’t exactly tell her about Jace’s situation. Because he’d sworn me to secrecy.
Basically, I was being forced to keep two very big secrets about my life from the people who were closest to me, and I was feeling really bad about it. Bad enough that I didn’t want to go down to LA for the holiday show, even though Jace said he wanted me there.
Then the stars aligned and the angels sang from the heavens because Zoey was off the strong painkillers, and she and Ty finally were able to reunite. And move in together. I was so thrilled, that it gave me new energy with my own relationship with Jace.
I had just finished setting the table when he came in for the day.
“Whoa! Are you actually cooking?” Jace banded his arms around me.
“Yes, dinner is served.” My mom had given me a couple of really easy recipes that I’d always loved as a kid, so I’d made them both for Jace. Tomato-basil soup and a baguette cut into slices, slathered in butter mixed with mustard and dried onion, then baked with slices of swiss cheese.
After we ate and settled on the couch, I grabbed his phone and put it on top of mine on the ottoman. “Are we okay?”
Jace sighed heavily. “Can we talk about all of this another day?”
“We are supposed to leave next week for LA, do you still want me to go?” I was scared to hear the answer.
“Of course.”
“Christmas is coming up, are we spending it with our families?”
“Of course.” Jace raised an eyebrow and reached for his phone.
I was getting really annoyed. “Do you want me to suck your cock?”
Jace smirked. “Of course.”
With sarcasm, at least I got a little bit of my boyfriend back for a second.
“Zoey wants me to fly down with her and her parents. Are you okay with that?” I sprawled out on the couch and rested my head in his lap, reaching up to stroke his cheek.
Jace leaned into my hand. “Sure, it makes the most sense.”
Staring into his clear, green eyes, I felt the telltale zap that always happened whenever we wanted each other. Without breaking eye contact, I lifted my shirt, exposing my breast. His cock immediately sprang to life, I could feel it through his sweats where my ear rested. He cupped my breast and flicked his thumb across my nipple. When I pulled the waistband away from his taut stomach, the tip of his dick bobbed against my lips. I took him into my mouth.
Three hours later, thoroughly sated, I was on the brink of falling to sleep when a thought popped into my head.
We might not be able to carry a conversation right now, but at least we have this.
Chapter 27
JACE
When we landed in LA for the holiday show, I went straight to the hotel with the guys and texted Alex that I needed to get a few hours of sleep. In reality, Ty had arranged for Zoey
and Alex to have a private meeting with Christian Siriano, a famous designer to style their red-carpet looks, and she didn’t know about it.
When I woke up from my nap, I was greeted by a picture of Alex by the pool with Zoey and her mom. They were all waiting for me and the guys to get there for a barbeque. I was a bit surprised that she hadn’t mentioned the style session.
Our relationship had devolved into a really weird dynamic. I couldn’t wait to see Alex because just being with her gave me solace. Our sex life was out of this world. The problem was, since I’d come back from New York, I couldn’t talk to her. Fielding the barrage of texts that Jessica sent me each day drained me of any ability to have more conversation. I was putting off all things paternity because I was in denial. My sister hounded me. Alex tiptoed around me. So we walked on eggshells.
Until we were naked. Then, we fucked like we’d never fuck again.
I was living on borrowed time. Knowing my Poppy, she wouldn’t put up with my bullshit for much longer. I knew this because I wanted her on my arm on the red carpet. Hence, why I’d pushed Ty to include Alex in Zoey’s fashion surprise. She’d agreed to accompany me and go public. To me, she didn’t seem very enthusiastic. Or excited.
Because she’s figuring out when she can leave you.
So I was constantly on edge. The edge of a breakdown. Waiting for the shoe to drop.
I was in the car on the way to Ty’s house when I got another text from Alex.
Poppy: Heads up - Zoey’s been grilling me about us all day, and I told her that I don’t know where I stand.
Jace: WTF! You know where I stand. We agreed to let everyone know we’re together, why would you tell her that?
Poppy: GAWD! Jace, we don’t talk about what is happening with you, and you won’t tell the guys. I don’t know what to do.
Jace: I’m ready to tell them the truth.
Poppy: ugh
Jace: Ugh? Is it that hard? Is this what I’m walking into.
Poppy: It’s kind of hard to tell them this truth when you won’t tell them the entire truth. When you get here, I’ll duck out and go into the guest room, find me, we’ll talk, don’t be mad at me.
Jace: Well, I am mad.
Poppy: No!!! I didn’t want to add to the stress for the band since no one, but Zoey and Ty, know anything about us.
Jace: Jesus, Alex, everyone knows about us, goddamn, we’re the ones making it weird.
Poppy: I don’t know what to say.
Jace: Who do you think arranged for you to get styled? It’s so we can go public.
Poppy: …
Jace: What did you say to Zoey, tell me exactly.
Poppy: That I’m hoping we’ll work out and that we are both tired of hiding, but also that I’m not sure where we stand.
Jace: Wow. Fuck.
Poppy: Well, it’s kind of true, if you’re all about the truth.
Jace: Why would you say that to her? She’s going to tell Ty that, you’ve just created a shitstorm of drama!
Poppy. I’m the one being honest, Jace. But I promised to keep your secret, and you get so weird about me when it comes to talking about you possibly being a father.
Jace: Well if u didn’t want to add to the drama u did a shitty job.
Poppy. …
I couldn’t respond. My blood pressure shot up and it felt like my head was going to explode. My heart felt like it was shattering. All my insecurities flooded and filled my head. Goddamn it. I was drowning. Alex was pulling away. I was driving her away. But what could I do?
A million thoughts went through my head, all ending in rage. Why couldn’t we get on the same page and fucking stay there? The next thing I knew, the car had already pulled up to Ty’s house and I was walking down the path to his front door.
Chapter 28
ALEX
I hated lying to Zoey. I needed desperately to confide in my best friend because I was flying blind with how to handle the situation. Telling her half-truths made me feel like gagging. Internally cringing because I knew Jace wouldn’t want me talking to her at all didn’t help, I just couldn’t stop myself. Now Jace was upset. We were teetering on the head of a pin, and I could tell from the tone of his texts that he was about to fall off.
Then I saw my gorgeous, shirtless Jace standing in the patio doorway wearing his mirrored Ray-bans, board shorts, and flip-flops, his hair blowing in the slight breeze. My heart stopped. I loved him desperately. I knew he was looking at me even though I couldn’t see his eyes. I chose to wear a bikini from Italy, hoping to get us back on track.
But Italy hadn’t ended well, so I was now worried about bringing bad juju into an already volatile situation.
Hoping he’d follow me like I asked, I headed to the guest cottage, eager to at least get some one-on-one time. He didn’t follow me. Eventually, I changed into a T-shirt and cutoffs and went inside to test the waters in the group. He said a polite hi but didn’t make any move to talk to me the entire evening, instead, he got engrossed in a conversation with Zane and Connor.
So much for coming out to our friends.
While Ty cooked, I joined in a conversation with Zoey and Ronni Miller, the actress, who seemed to now be on the safe list. She was delightful, and we were all laughing and having a good time hearing about her and Ty’s fake romance. Even though I was enjoying hanging out with the girls, I could feel Jace watching me. Every second. Finally, when I looked over, his eyes locked with mine and then he very deliberately looked away, his jaw set.
The party was breaking up anyway. Ty and Zoey had to get up early to do an interview in the morning, so everyone began making moves to leave so they could get some sleep. Jace stood by the door with his arms crossed, waiting for Connor and Zane. Deliberately avoiding eye contact with me. I hung back, not knowing what to do. I was supposed to go to the hotel with him. All of this sneaky shit was so goddamn stupid.
I felt like such an asshole. We were surrounded by some of the most important people in our lives, yet somehow, I felt like it was my fault that Jace was questioning my commitment to him. I decided to make a move. To explain and get things back on track. Strolling closer to where he was sitting, I stopped when I was beside him and gave him a nudge and a smile. He didn’t smile back.
“Can we talk for a second?” I said super quietly, no one really noticed because of all the goodbye conversations going on at once.
“I’m good.” Jace didn’t look at me.
“No, you don’t. Can I meet you at the London?” I whispered, hoping he still wanted me to stay with him. And also hating myself for chasing after him. Games. Emotions. It was hard to tell what was really going on with us.
“Whatever.”
“You’ve got it so wrong,” I implored, my voice raised above a whisper. “Let’s talk.”
“Shhh. You don’t want anyone here to know we were together, so you should keep your voice down.” Jace rolled his eyes all the way back into his head.
“Were?” I gaped at him, shocked.
“You tell me,” he said through clenched teeth.
“We’re together.”
“Doesn’t really seem that way, Alex.” He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Look, I get it. None of this is your fault.”
“I’ll be there, give me an hour,” I said under my breath and headed down to the pool house.
Exactly an hour later, my Lyft pulled into the drive of the London hotel in West Hollywood. I walked through the marble lobby, and Jace was sitting on a powder-blue velvet couch with white, fluffy feather pillows waiting for me. He looked tired and stressed, but slightly relieved to see me.
“I’m an asshole.” I sat on his lap and kissed his full lips. “I’m sorry.”
“Things are so fucked up, Poppy.” Jace helped me stand, took my hand, and moved us toward the elevator. “Let’s get up to my room, there’s a lot of fans milling around now that they know we’re staying here. I’ve already had to sign a bunch of autographs and pose for selfies. I’m not in the mood.”
Jace swiped his card in the elevator, which was lined with gray velvet and we headed to his penthouse suite, which was huge and opulent with powder-blue furniture and gold embellishments. His room was darkened, and the turndown service had already been there so the curtains were drawn. Only the lamp by his bed illuminated the room. Soft, ambient music was playing through the television. The minute the door clicked, I reached for him and he let me hold him.
“I do want everyone to know, Jace.” I reached up and smoothed his dirty-blond locks away from his cheeks. “I heard the words spilling out of my mouth, and they felt so wrong. But I can’t keep half-lying.”
“Maybe tonight was for the best, Poppy.” Jace kissed my forehead. “At least until I find out.”
“Why do we make this so complicated?” I traced his lips with my finger. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” Jace finally smiled at me, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “But, to be honest, I feel like I have a boulder on my chest right now.”
It was the first real thing he’d said to me since New York.
Guiding me toward the low-profile couch in the living area, Jace flopped down on his back. I lay next to him, snuggled in the crook of his arm. His hand lazily stroked my stomach, and he kissed my temple. I reached for his other hand and linked our fingers together. We lay wrapped together for a long time.
“I can never stay away from you,” Jace murmured. “It’s like you’ve cast a spell on me.”
“Do you really want to stay away?”
“No, but I also don’t want to keep going back and forth like this. It is so unsettling.”
“Don’t you think once you tell everyone what you’re going through it will be easier?”
“Of course, but I’ve backed myself in a corner. We’ve kept things secret for too long. Now I’m not telling them another huge, life-changing event.” Jace pinched his nose like he had a headache. “I feel like I’m under so much pressure, I’m not sure what to do. I’m going to lose my bandmates’ trust.”
LIMITLESS: A Less Than Zero Rockstar Romance: Book 2: Jace & Alex Page 26