“When would you like to leave?”
When? Now. She should never have come here. “As soon as possible.” She needed to be long gone before Jack returned.
“Very good.” Anthony smiled cheerily again. “I’ll call when the cab is here.” He turned and walked with purpose down the hallway.
Shutting the door, Emily leaned against it. She was being a coward and hated it. Pushing off the door, she walked to the desk and found the complimentary hotel stationery and a pen.
What the hell was she going to say? Jack had gone out of his way to be—no, not out of his way. That was his way. He was genuinely nice, caring, and an all-around great guy. But she wasn’t in any shape to start a relationship, not after everything that happened with Sully. Fucking bastard.
Maybe if they met in six months—No. Vacation was over. It was more than great while it lasted, but Emily needed to return to reality. Her shitty, miserable, gut-wrenchingly awful reality.
She picked up the pen.
Dear Jack,
I’m sorry, I have no excuse for lying. I needed to leave, and you wouldn’t take no for an answer. I never wanted or meant to hurt you. But I know that I have. The road to hell and all…
I know you have feelings for me, feelings I’m unable to return. You deserve the best, Jack. I know you’ll find what you’re looking for. Someday, probably sooner than later, I’ll regret that it wasn’t me.
I won’t lead you on. I can’t make promises now, even though it would be easy enough to do so. You’ve been honest and forthright with me, and being so to you in return is the least I can do.
I had a wonderful time last night, as well as today. You helped me reestablish my self-esteem and confidence, and for that I will always be grateful.
Please let this be the end. For both our sakes.
Best wishes,
Emily
That didn’t seem like enough, or was it too much? She couldn’t just leave without a note, but was it for his sake or hers?
She stood and looked around the room. Folding the note, she placed it in an envelope and wrote his name in block letters. She laid the envelope on the table next to the six-foot-tall phallus. Elliot. She liked him, too. When the room phone rang, she jumped. She hoped it wasn’t Jack. “Hello?”
“Miss, your cab is here.”
“Thank you. I’ll be right down.” The sick feeling in the pit of her stomach intensified.
She considered changing and leaving the clothes Jack bought, but that would piss him off. He’d meant it as a gift. Emily put on the jacket and grabbed her purse and the package with her laundered clothes.
She plodded to the door but hesitated before her hand reached the doorknob. No, this was the right thing to do. The only thing to do. She turned the knob, opened the door, and left.
J
I blend into the background of the lobby as I’m waiting for Jack to be done in the ballroom. I’d only caught a glimpse of him before the doors closed. It’s been months, and waiting for this moment has frayed my nerves, but Jack is finally going to see what he’s been missing out on. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself. Jackie needs a strong woman in his life. Calm, cool, and collected.
I can’t contain my smile when I see that little groupie whore rush out of the hotel. Good, one less thing to worry about. As soon as I find out what Jack’s plans are for tomorrow, I’ll plan our meeting.
It’s a cheap trick, but Jackie can’t resist a damsel in distress.
chapter
TWENTY-FOUR
Jeremy was cool because he’d kept the interview professional, about the band. His only personal question was to Buzz, about his sobriety, which he was okay with talking about it. The fans worried.
None of them liked talking about their private lives, although since Christie was an actress, Jack didn’t get as much privacy as he would’ve liked. He tried to keep it business, limiting his answers to her professional career, but sometimes these guys asked far more personal questions. First and last interview.
“Thanks a lot, guys,” Jeremy said, as he shook Jack’s hand. “Sorry for the short notice, but we wanted to get this in the next issue.”
“Not a problem.” Jack checked his phone again, but Em couldn’t text him because they hadn’t exchanged numbers. He’d rectify that when he got back to the room.
“Sebastian, you ready?” Jeremy asked.
“Yeppers.”
Jeremy and his photographer, Sebastian, were setting up by the time he’d arrived. Curt was even later. Elliot wouldn’t let that go. He was still in a pissy mood because he hadn’t talked to Siobhan yet.
Yesterday, they’d all been pissed. The flight delay and the bumpy ride had only worsened their mood. He’d been miserable, lonely, and hurting. Since meeting Emily, his world changed. Today he felt like a new man. Jack wasn’t a fool, so he knew she wouldn’t make this easy. He didn’t blame her, not after what she’d been through. That fucker. Every time Jack thought of what he’d done, he wanted to break something, preferably him.
If he’d met her six months ago, after his final breakup with Christie, he wouldn’t have been in any shape to start a new relationship either. They couldn’t un-ring any bells here, but they’d slow things down. Now that he’d convinced her to stay, they could get to know each other better. If they also happened to have sex, then so be it. Shit, just thinking about her made him hard. He couldn’t imagine being around her for a week without being able to touch her, but if that was what she needed, he’d damn well do it.
As Sebastian adjusted the lighting, Elliot nudged Curt in the ribs.
“Hey, why the fuck did you do that?”
“You were late.”
“What are you, the time police?” Curt said, giving Elliot the finger. Sebastian’s camera flashed.
Buzz smacked Curt upside the head. “Knock it off. What are you guys, ten?” Curt was the youngest, and they never let him forget it.
Curt pulled his hair back and fastened it with an elastic into a ponytail.
“Hey, dickhead, you call your wife yet?” Jack asked. Nothing made Elliot pissier than the situation with Siobhan.
“None of your fucking business, Jack-off,” Elliot sneered through his smile.
Another set of camera flashes.
Jack, Curt, and Buzz shared a look. “That’s a no.”
“I called you like six times, Curt. Even Jack picked up his phone and pried himself away from his new piece—” Elliot winced. “Sorry, man. Emily isn’t any man’s piece, she’s a lady.” Elliot lowered his voice. “From your shit-eating grin, I can tell you had a nice day together.”
“How’d you know we spent the day together?”
“I have my ways.”
“Would that be the same way you got a six-foot-tall, acrylic cock filled with rubbers into my room?”
Curt spit out the water he’d been drinking. They all broke out into juvenile laughter, and Buzz high-fived Elliot.
Elliot gasped for air. “I would’ve loved to have seen your face when you saw it.” He coughed and laughed some more. “Oh, shit,” he said stifling his laughter. “How did Emily take it?”
“We were kinda busy, so we didn’t notice it at first. She pointed it out to me, and lucky for you buddy, she has a sense of humor.”
“What did she say?” Elliot asked.
“She laughed so hard she couldn’t breathe and said you’re an evil genius. I told her you’re just evil.” Jack took a swig of his water.
Elliot’s laugher filled the ballroom. “I knew I liked her.”
“Then why haven’t you called your wife. Change your mind about Emily’s idea?”
Elliot stopped laughing. “No.” He ran his hand through his hair. He glanced over at Sebastian, who was making more adjustments. “I’m…scared. What if it’s too late? Or if she met someone else?”
“Dude,” Curt said. “It’s better to know where you stand than not. Besides, say
she is seeing someone”—Curt stopped at Elliot’s growl—“hear me out. Maybe it’s because she thinks you don’t care, since you haven’t been speaking. Maybe she needs to hear you still love her.”
Curt wasn’t known for his sage advice, so Jack was impressed.
“What idea?” Curt asked. Sebastian moved into position. “Never mind. Nicki said Emily gives great advice, so I’m sure it’s good.”
“Where’s Nicki?” Jack asked.
Buzz and Elliot groaned and said, “Why?”
“For shits and giggles,” Jack said.
“She’s tied to my bed. Wanna see?” Curt grinned as he pulled out his phone.
Buzz pushed Curt’s phone away. “Way more information than we needed.”
“Like I’d show you buttheads.” Curt shoved his phone back into his pocket.
They’d learned a long time ago not to share too much information about any girl they saw for more than a few hours. Never knew who might end up as the next girlfriend.
“Shit,” Curt said.
“What?” Elliot asked.
“I hope I put the do not disturb sign on the door.” He grinned from ear to ear.
Elliot smacked him upside the head.
Rubbing his head, Curt turned to face Elliot. “Call her.”
“I will,” Elliot whispered.
Jack threw him a disbelieving glance.
“I will,” Elliot repeated.
After fifteen minutes, Sebastian packed up his gear.
“Hold up. Listen to this.” Jack tapped the recorder app on his phone and turned up the volume. “I wrote this last night, needs work, but I… You’ll tell me what you think.”
They listened in silence. Not the best quality, but Jack was still pleased with the song.
“Holy shit, brother.” Elliot said as the song ended. “That’s fucking awesome.”
“Jack, damn.” Curt rubbed his beard growth. “Maybe two acoustics, keep it simple.”
“That’s beautiful.” Buzz tapped on his thighs. “Drums?”
“Absolutely. It’ll add strength.” Jack thought it was brilliant, but there was always a chance that since he was still high on the best sex of his life, the song was really a piece of shit. Wouldn’t be the first time.
“Let’s work on it after soundcheck,” Buzz said.
“Great idea,” Curt agreed.
Elliot scoffed. “Harmony will want to put that out ASAP.”
“How about after we work the kinks out, adding it to the encore as a special thank you to all the fans who come out and support us,” Jack said. “Release it after the tour ends.”
“I love that idea.” Elliot clapped him on the back.
“Are we agreed?” Jack asked.
Yups all around.
Jack checked the time on his phone as he waited for the elevator. They’d have time to talk before the band had to leave for soundcheck. He’d tell Em he’d be as patient as she needed him to be. Dating was normal. She wanted normal, and he was a normal guy who happened to be somewhat famous. They’d keep their relationship private, but it would come out, eventually. Hopefully by then she’d realize they were perfect for each other. It’d be tough at first, but the paparazzi would move onto someone else. Normal was boring.
He’d been so caught up in his thoughts Jack hadn’t realized Curt stood next to him. He had a goofy grin on his face, much like the one reflected back at Jack this morning while shaving.
Curt pushed the up button several times. “Nicki’s great.”
“Emily thinks highly of her, so I’m sure she is.”
The elevator doors opened, and they entered. Jack pushed the buttons for their floors.
“Is Emily coming tonight?” Curt asked.
Jack smiled. “Yeah.” He couldn’t wait to see her. “Is Nicki coming?”
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“If she’s been a good girl.” Curt wagged his brows.
The elevator doors opened on the thirty-fifth floor, and Curt stepped off with a wave. “Later.”
When the elevator stopped on thirty-seven, he dashed out, almost colliding with an elderly couple. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
The couple smiled and nodded. Jack apologized again and ran down the hallway. Skidding to a stop in front of his room, he dug the key card out, and opened the door. Something was wrong; it was too quiet, empty. He couldn’t breathe.
Jack still stood there when Jeff walked down the hallway. His room was two down from Jack’s.
“Everything okay, man?” Jeff asked.
“She’s gone,” Jack managed.
“Have you been inside?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know?” Jeff peered into the room. “She’s probably in the bathroom.”
It was too quiet. Jack leaned against the wall and slid to the floor. “Gone.”
Jeff jerked his head toward the open door. Jack nodded and Jeff entered. A minute later, he walked out with an envelope in his hand. He handed it to Jack. “Sorry, man,” Jeff said and walked to his own room.
She’d used large block letters to write his name. He didn’t need to read it; he knew what it said. He’d been a stubborn fuck. She’d told him repeatedly she’d leave, but he’d been so arrogant. Jack opened it and read it anyway. She was nice about it, taking most of the blame on herself. She ended with asking him to leave her alone. How could he? He was in love with her.
How could he not? It was what she needed.
Getting up, he walked into the room and gently closed the door. Empty. The room and his heart. Jack went to the mini bar. Grabbing a bottle, he cracked it open and downed it. Then another. And another.
chapter
TWENTY-FIVE
Once the cab cleared the congestion of the city, the hum of the tires was a welcome relief. Emily tried to clear her mind, but thoughts of deep blue eyes, a lopsided smile, and tousled brown hair kept invading. Emily repeated her mantra, but nothing helped. She couldn’t get Jack out of her head. Did she really want to? The alternative was worse. Sean. Bastard.
She let her thoughts drift back to Jack. He’d been very attentive to her needs in bed and out. He was handsome, talented, funny, considerate—Shit.
As far as the cons, rock star was what he did for a living not who he was as a man. Not really a con. He was humble. Not a con. Damn. He looked out for people. When they’d left the Garden, he talked with many of the crew, genuinely interested in their lives. Also, not a con. Crap. But he lived in the spotlight, a definite con.
Elliot, Buzz, and that lovely couple from the restaurant all vouched for him. Elliot and Buzz might have been wingmen, and Antonio and Maya knew him a long time ago, but Jack had Jeff’s respect. Marine. That may not mean much to most people, but to Emily, it meant honor, faithfulness, and loyalty. The only tattoo her dad had was Semper Fi.
Had she made a mistake leaving Jack? He was a great guy. What was wrong with her? And she knew it was something wrong with her.
Until three weeks ago, she’d thought Sean was a great guy, too. But it was hard to remember anything good; her love vanished when she’d caught him. Why not just break up? Say he changed his mind, wasn’t ready, made a mistake, anything. Maybe she should’ve talked to him. Had he tried to talk to her? She only remembered the horrible picture of him inside that little bitch.
Sean said he’d be back to pick up the rest of his shit. He must have a new place by now. What the fuck was he waiting for? She’d call him and tell him to pick up his shit tonight or she’d throw it away. Not tonight. It’d have to wait three weeks. Maybe she’d just throw it all out anyway. That would serve him right. Too bad she wasn’t like that.
As the cab slowed to a stop in front of her apartment building, Emily took her wallet out and pulled out her credit card. She paid and gave the driver a nice tip. She plodded up the walkway, pausing at the bottom of the stairs. The broken stair had been there since the
heavy snow last winter. She’d seen it several times a day for months. Now every time she walked up these stairs, she’d remember Jack. Stupid dream.
It would’ve made for a great story, but in reality, it’d just remind her of one of the worst things she’d ever done to another person. Maybe after some time had passed, she’d only remember the good times they had. Maybe in another lifetime.
Emily closed the door to her apartment and leaned against it. After three weeks, how was it possible the apartment still smelled like Sean? She pushed off the door, trudged up the stairs, and got the scented candle that Gail gave her for her birthday. She hated scented candles, and everyone who knew her knew that. Everyone, except her future mother-in-law. Ex-future mother-in-law.
Edward and Gail Sullivan. Sean and his parents weren’t close, but she’d always hoped that after they married that would change. Emily got the impression they thought Sean could do better. Not that they ever said anything, they wouldn’t, bad manners and all that. Sean was well-mannered, never raised his voice, or used foul language around them. They were all very respectful but distant. Conversations never flowed easily.
When they’d first dated, he’d mentioned his family only once when he told her he was an only child. He didn’t talk about his parents because they weren’t close. She hadn’t talked about hers because they were gone.
The only fight he’d ever had with his parents happened when they’d insisted Emily sign a pre-nup. Sean had yelled and dropped two F-bombs. Said the last thing Emily was interested in was his money or theirs. He’d accused his parents of trying to sabotage their marriage. Did they think it wouldn’t last? Edward had raised his voice back. Not to the level that Sean had, but still. Having their lawyer draw up the agreement had been the last straw. He’d told them where they could shove it and stormed out, dragging her with him. He’d actually slammed the front door.
Emily had never seen him so angry. Until she’d said she would sign the papers. She hadn’t had a problem with it. She’d told Sean his parents were looking out for him, but he’d accused her of thinking their marriage wouldn’t last. He didn’t talk to her for two days after that, and he always talked to her. How did a man go from furious over a pre-nup to cheating in two weeks? Or just getting caught. He could have been cheating for a while or the whole time.
With You: A Rock Star Romance (Rocked in Love Book 1) Page 22