“Okay? It’s great. And very thoughtful. I wasn’t sure you’d remember.”
He gestures to the suitcase. “Where do you want it?”
“On the rack thingy, I guess. It doesn’t make sense to unpack if we’re only here for a few days.”
“After this we go south to St. Augustine. I’ll text you the schedule.”
“Are you off tomorrow?”
“No. We play two gigs here. We’re opening for another band at an amphitheater by the football stadium. It seats over five thousand. It’ll be our largest gig here but the only one where we’re not the headliner.”
“I’ll for sure have to go to that one. Uh, if you can get me a ticket.”
“You don’t need a ticket, El. You’re with us. You can come backstage.”
“That could be fun.”
“I should warn you about Ronni.”
“Who’s that?”
“She’s our rep from our record label. Veronica Collins. She’s kind of like a manager, except we already have one of those—Jeremy. He’s cool. She’s a bitch. Might want to steer clear of her. She hates Bria. To be honest, I think she hates all women.”
“Got it. Stay away from the Queen Bee.”
He laughs out loud. “That’s exactly what she is. She’ll sting you if you let her. Don’t let her.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“She’ll only be here a few more days. She has to get back to her other clients in New York.”
“And everyone else? Anything I should know about them?”
He thinks on it and shakes his head. “Nope. They’re all good.”
I sit on the end of the bed, the day weighing on me. Being here is surreal. I gaze at Liam. He’s perched on the arm of the couch with an easy smile on his face. “Liam, what are we doing? This is all so strange. I don’t know you, but I’m sitting in your hotel room. The room you gave me so I can be here and what—inspire you in some way? I don’t even know how to do that. I mean, what am I supposed to do?”
“Just be here—at the hotel, the beach, and a few of our gigs. Doesn’t matter as long as I know you’re close.”
“But why do you need me here?”
“I don’t know. I just know I do.”
“I’m not sleeping with you.”
“God, El, you’re beginning to sound like a broken record. I told you that’s off the table. I’m not blind. You’re hot, and any guy should be so lucky. But that’s not why you’re here. There are plenty of women I could get off with if I wanted to. But none of them have inspired me the way you do. I told you, you don’t want someone like me. You deserve …”
“I deserve what?”
He goes to the door and opens it. “You deserve better,” he says, right before stepping through and letting it shut behind him.
Chapter Eleven
Liam
Thirteen years ago
Dad, Crew, and I are sitting in the stands at Luke’s baseball game. Dad and I only miss a game when I have one of my own. Dad coaches my team this year. He can’t coach Luke’s anymore, now that Luke is fifteen and plays on the high school team. He alternated coaching our teams every other year, because he didn’t want to play favorites.
Luke is on deck. He runs behind the dugout for a second. It’s because he has to throw up. He does it every time he’s going up to bat. He also throws up before taking a big test. Sometimes he throws up at home for no reason at all. Dad calls him Nervous Nelly.
Luke steps up to the plate and whacks the ball over the fence. Everyone stands and cheers. “You see that, son? That’s how a real man plays ball.”
I pout. “I’m a real man. I’m eleven.”
He laughs. Then he looks at me in a way he never has before. “You know, maybe you’re right. Maybe you’re becoming a man.”
For the rest of the game, I feel him staring at me. I’m proud of myself for bringing my maturity to his attention. I have noticed a few hairs down there recently.
“Your brother is really good,” Crew says.
Crew is my best friend. He comes to a lot of Luke’s games. I think he likes hanging out with Dad and me. His parents got divorced last year. I feel bad that he doesn’t see his dad much anymore. It makes me think back to when I was little and didn’t have a father. Now my family is the one everyone envies.
When the game is over, Dad takes us out for pizza and ice cream and then to Uncle Dirk’s for a swim. Mom almost never joins us. She works the second shift as a nursing assistant. But Dad’s hours have always been flexible. He’s a manager at Uncle Dirk’s car dealership. He’s related to the boss, so he gets to do whatever he wants. He says maybe someday Luke and I can work there. Uncle Dirk is a lot older than Dad, and he and Aunt Sylvia don’t have any kids. I guess it’s why he always lets us use his pool.
Crew and I do cannonballs into the deep end, splashing Dad. He jumps in and dunks us. Luke sits at the side of the pool on his phone. He’s always on his phone.
“Aren’t you coming in?” I ask.
He shakes his head.
“You’re missing out,” Dad says.
“I’m good here,” Luke says without looking up.
An hour later, when we’re drying off, Crew nods to the house. “Why is your uncle always watching?”
I study the house. It takes me a second to find him among the many windows. He’s standing in his office, sees us staring, and moves away. “Maybe he’s jealous that he doesn’t have kids.”
“He’s weird.”
“That’s what Luke used to say.”
“Used to? Luke doesn’t think he’s weird anymore?”
“I don’t know. He never really talks about him.”
“Weird or not, you guys are lucky to be related to someone who lives here.”
“Yeah, it’s kind of cool.”
“Come on,” Dad says. “We need to get home and walk Sally.”
We drop Crew off at his mom’s and head home in our decked-out Mazda SUV. Another perk of working for Uncle Dirk is that Dad gets to drive all the great cars.
We pull up to our house. Sally’s furry face is in the front window. She tackles me when I go inside. “Hey, girl. Did you miss me?”
She licks my entire face and neck. I think she loves me the most because I’m the only one who will let her do it.
“You two hit the shower before bed,” Dad says.
“Me first!” I yell, racing to the bathroom I share with Luke.
Hair wet and a towel around my waist, I go to my bedroom. Dad is sitting on the bed, waiting for me. He has a magazine in his hand. Maybe he’s going to give me his old Sports Illustrated.
I duck into my closet and put on pajama pants. He pats the bed beside him. I sit.
“You got me thinking,” he says. “Today at the game you said you were a man. I guess it’s only fitting you find out what it takes to become one.”
“Okay.” I scoot back against the headboard, expecting a life lecture.
“Mom hasn’t talked about this with you. She said it’s a father’s job. Like all women, she’s embarrassed to talk about what goes on down there.” He nods to my lap. “And it’s really none of her business, is it?” He puts a hand on my knee. “You’ve probably been touching yourself for a while, right?”
My cheeks flame. How does he know?
He offers me an understanding smile. “It’s okay. All men do it. Even me. It’s perfectly normal. Healthy even. You shouldn’t be ashamed of it. But that doesn’t mean we go around talking about it. A man never tells what happens in his bed. Understand?”
I nod, still embarrassed.
“Have you ejaculated yet?”
My face heats up again. It’s something I’ve heard about, but I don’t really get it. I shrug.
He squeezes my knee. “Don’t worry, it’ll happen soon. And when it does, your whole world will change.”
I can’t speak. This whole thing is mortifying.
“You can talk about it with me. I’m your safe place
. Whatever you tell me will never go beyond these walls. I’m here to protect you. I brought you and Luke and your mom into my home. We have a good life. Lord knows what would have become of you if I hadn’t married your mother. I hate to think of you back in that tiny apartment, wondering where your next meal is coming from. You wouldn’t want to go back to that, would you?”
“No. I love it here.”
He grins. “I love having you here. I love you and your brother. I love you as if you were my own flesh and blood. We’re family. Nothing will ever change that.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
“You know I don’t like to play favorites.” He slaps the rolled magazine on his leg, then hands it to me. “I gave one of these to Luke when he was about your age. When he, too, became a man.”
I check out the cover. It has a half-naked woman on it. I gulp.
He leans over and opens it to a picture of a woman touching a man’s penis. I’m shocked, but at the same time, I feel hot and tingly.
“This is yours now,” he says. “It makes it better when you touch yourself down there. Just make sure you hide it where Mom won’t find it. It would only embarrass her.”
He gets off the bed, then leans down and puts his hands on my shoulders. “I envy you. If only I could go back and relive those fine moments of becoming a man.”
My eyes stray to his crotch. His sweatpants are bulging. I wonder if he gets hot and tingly, too, when he sees the women in the magazine. I guess what he says is true—that it’s normal.
“Goodnight, big man,” he says, crossing to the door.
“Night, Dad.”
After he leaves, I thumb through the magazine, feeling all kinds of zings through my body. I reach under my pants and stroke myself. He’s right. It is better this way.
Chapter Twelve
Ella
I’ve been to my share of concerts, but I’ve never had the privilege of going backstage. It’s a whirlwind of activity. Liam and his bandmates are being treated like royalty. If I’m honest, so am I—by association.
Bria sees me standing alone. “What do you make of all this?”
Even though this amphitheater is a relatively small venue in the overall scheme of concerts, it’s still more exciting than anything I’ve ever done. “It’s kind of surreal.”
“I’m still getting used to it myself.”
“But Liam said you used to be a backup singer for White Poison. This must be like small potatoes compared to that.”
“It’s different when you’re out in front,” she says. “I was invisible back then.”
“Do you get nervous?”
“Every time. But Crew keeps me grounded.” She gazes longingly at him. He winks at her.
“You guys are great together.”
“We are,” she says. “In more ways than one.”
“Liam tells me you’re all moving into the same apartment when you return to New York.”
“Everyone but Brad. He’s moving in with Katie.”
I glance around, searching for someone who looks as lost as I do. “Where is she? Maybe we can hang out when you’re playing.”
“She didn’t come on the tour. She rarely goes to any performances.”
“Why not?”
“She doesn’t like rock and roll. Or alcohol. Or crowds.”
“And he’s dating her? Seems odd.”
“They’re more than dating. He’s going to marry her.”
I glance at Garrett. “How about him? Is he attached?”
Bria snorts. “Garrett? No. He’s the stereotypical musician. He goes out with a lot of women but rarely more than once or twice.”
“What about Liam? Would you say he’s a stereotypical musician?”
She gazes at me for a long moment.
I met Liam’s bandmates this afternoon, and they all seem to know my being here isn’t because Liam and I are dating. But maybe she thinks I’m interested.
“I don’t care if he is,” I add. “It’s just that he doesn’t say much about himself, and I haven’t known him long.”
“I hope you don’t find this question rude, Ella, but exactly why are you here? If you aren’t interested in a relationship with Liam, why follow him to Florida and agree to stay for six weeks?”
“He didn’t tell you?”
“He’s not exactly a Chatty Kathy. He told us you’re his muse.”
“I came to get away from my ex.”
“Bad breakup?” She looks concerned. “Oh, gosh. He wasn’t hurting you, was he?”
“No, nothing like that. We dated for a year and a half, but after we split, he kept showing up—at the hospital after I fell, at the park when I went running. And he wouldn’t stop sending me things.” My eyes shift to the floor. “In some ways I still love him. I didn’t trust myself to be around him and not take him back, so when this opportunity presented itself, it seemed like the perfect solution.”
She smiles, satisfied with my explanation. “To answer your question, no, Liam is not the stereotypical musician. He’s …” She studies him as he chats with the sound guy.
“Dark and twisty?”
She thinks about my words. “Actually, I think that’s exactly how I would describe him. What has he told you? I’ve known him for a year, and I still can’t crack that hard exterior of his.”
“Nothing much, but some comments he’s made had me assuming he’s got a fractured past.”
“Dark and twisty. Fractured past. I’d say you’re right on point, Ella.”
“He’s not, I don’t know … dangerous, is he?”
She laughs. “Liam? Dangerous? He might have skeletons in his closet, but he’s one of the gentlest men I’ve ever known. They all are, even Garrett the playboy.”
“Good to know.” I breathe a sigh of relief, even though deep down, I’ve felt he’s one of the good ones.
The woman with black hair keeps staring at me. She’s been talking to someone wearing a headset. Someone important, by the looks of it. The man is directing everything and everyone, keeping things moving like a fine-tuned machine.
Bria sees me watching the woman. “That’s Veronica. Excuse me—Ronni.” She air quotes the nickname.
“Liam warned me about her. Said I should avoid her.”
“That’s good advice. The woman hates me. Has from day one. She gets along much better with the men.”
I eye Ronni’s long, thin legs, jet-black hair, and inviting cleavage. “Gee, I wonder why?”
The man wearing the headset calls Bria and the others over.
“Gotta go to work now,” Bria says. “Enjoy the show.”
“Break a leg.”
She chuckles, and my cheeks heat. I mentally smack myself. Is that just what you say to actors, or does it apply to musicians as well? I hope she doesn’t think I’m stupid.
Bria joins the others, and they huddle together. Then they shout, “Let’s get Reckless!”
Liam picks up his guitar, slinging the strap over his shoulder. He seems completely at ease. I’d be throwing up if it were me. I feel a little sick just watching. I peek out at the audience. The seats are almost full. I’ve never heard of the band they’re opening for, but I’m told they’re big in the state of Florida.
They start playing, and I’m mesmerized. I’ve heard all of Reckless Alibi’s songs by now, and I’ve seen them live. But somehow this is different.
Liam glances over at me and gives me a lift of his chin. I return the gesture with a thumbs-up. Then I feel stupid a second time. Who gives a rock star a thumbs-up? Don’t they do some rocker “I love you” sign with their hands? I guess I have a lot to learn.
“I wasn’t aware RA had groupies yet.” Ronni is standing next to me. The music is loud, and I’m not sure I heard her correctly.
“Hi, I’m Ella Campbell.”
Her eyebrows hit the ceiling. “Liam’s sister?”
“Actually we’re—”
“Jesus, please tell me that boy didn’t do something monumentally
stupid, like get married.”
I step back. “It’s a coincidence. We’re not together.” I extend a hand. “Nice to meet you, Ronni.”
She doesn’t shake it, but she does give me a distasteful once-over. “You probably shouldn’t be back here.”
“I, uh … I’ve got this thing.” I pull the lanyard out from under my shirt.
“Those credentials are meant to be worn on the outside of your clothes, so people can see them.”
“Yeah, sorry.”
“Liam brought you here, but you’re not together?”
“That’s right.” I don’t offer her any more information than I have to. Based on what Liam, and now Bria, told me, I probably shouldn’t even be talking to her. “I’m really excited to hear them play. Excuse me while I watch.” I take two steps away. She doesn’t follow, but I can feel her stare boring into me. I try to ignore it and enjoy the show.
Thirty minutes and eight songs later, Reckless Alibi leaves the stage. Liam comes over and gives me a quick hug. “Thanks for coming.”
“It was incredible. You should have been the main act.”
He thumbs at the crowd. “Let’s hope some of them think so too, and buy our albums.”
We step out of the way to let a bunch of large men move their equipment off the stage.
Garrett slaps Liam on the back. “You were on fire, man. Really top-notch tonight.”
Liam smiles and turns back to me. “See, I told you. It’s not only the composing. You bring out the best in me all the time.”
He says it so matter-of-factly, as if he just said the sky is blue. If it weren’t for him being the perfect gentleman for the past twenty-four hours, I’d think he had ulterior motives.
“Score another one in the books,” a man says, joining us.
Liam steers me over to him. “Ella, this is our manager, Jeremy Halstead. He skipped out on us to take his mom to dinner.”
“Nice to meet you, Ella. I didn’t miss much,” he tells Liam. “Snuck in after the third song. I figured you were in good hands with Ronni. I don’t get to see Mom much anymore, since she refuses to travel.”
Reckless Invitation (The Reckless Rockstar Series) Page 7