“Right.” Maybe if he told himself that often enough, he’d be able to. Jack’s eyes met Tabitha’s across the bar, and she winked and licked her lips. Jack nodded.
“I gotta take a piss.” Jack walked to the back of the bar to the men’s room. He took care of business, washed up, and when he opened the door, Tabs waited.
Taking his hand, she led him to the storage room. Unlocking the door, she pulled him in and flicked on the light switch. As soon as the door closed, she had him up against it, her hand cupping his dick through his jeans.
Jack groped her tits. Using his teeth, he lowered the V of her tight T-shirt until he could suck her nipple through the lace of her bra. Tabs moaned. She unbuttoned his jeans, slid the zipper down, and then curled her fingers around his cock. Her warm hand stroked his dick as her other hand ran through his hair, holding his head in place as she kissed him.
Jack turned them so her back was up against the door. He lifted her slightly and took her other nipple in his mouth, grazing it lightly with his teeth.
“Oh, yeah,” Tabs said.
Jack kissed his way up her neck and took her mouth in a fierce kiss, attacking her tongue with his. He nipped her lip, and his cock throbbed in anticipation. He couldn’t wait until Em took him in her mouth.
Except he wasn’t with Em. He was with Tabs. “I can’t do this.” Jack lowered her to the floor. He turned away and zipped up his jeans. “I’m sorry.” He ran his hand through his hair, and when he hit the bump, pain shot through his head. Jack deserved it. He should never have come here. When had he become such an asshole? His stomach burned and he was glad this room didn’t have a mirror. He was in love with Emily, and he wouldn’t be getting over that any time soon, if ever.
Jack had to end things with Tabs.
Before he could turn, her hand was on his shoulder. “She must be some girl, Jack.” Tabitha rested her cheek on his back.
Jack reached up and covered her hand. “She is.” He turned to face her. “I’m sorr—”
Tabs covered his lips with her finger. “I’m not.” She kissed his cheek. “I always knew this day would come, Jack. Remember what I told you when we hatched our friends with benefits arrangement?”
Jack nodded. “No regrets.” He sighed and looked down.
“I have none. It was great while it lasted.”
He looked at her then, and she smiled at him. A genuine smile, one he didn’t deserve. He nodded. With a quick hug, she left, closing the door behind her.
Standing there, in the cold, concrete room, the single naked bulb casted eerie shadows. It had been great while it lasted, but it was over. He was in love with Emily. Jack would give her the time she needed. He’d move back to New York, and by then, maybe, Em would be ready. He could only hope.
chapter
TWENTY-NINE
Elliot sipped his beer as he watched Tabitha return from the back of the bar alone. Jack emerged several minutes later looking more miserable than ever. Good, it worked.
Jack slumped on the bar stool. “What the fuck is this?” A whiskey sat next to Jack’s untouched seltzer.
Elliot shrugged. “You look like you could use a drink.”
Jack picked up the whiskey and downed it. As soon as the glass hit the bar, the dark-haired bartender filled it without asking.
Jack downed it and placed the glass on the bar upside down.
Elliot turned to face Jack. “What the fuck are you going to do?”
Jack’s head dropped into his hands. “About what?”
“About Emily,” Elliot said.
“Nothing. She asked me to leave her alone.”
“So, you’re just giving up?”
“It’s what she wants.” Jack ran his hand over the back of his neck.
Elliot shook his head. “Never thought I’d see the day when Jack McBride gave up. The whole reason we stayed together long enough to be a success in this business was because you refused to give up. One time or another the three of us wanted to quit, admit defeat, and go running home to mommy and daddy. But not you. You were always the one to rally us. You never thought of giving up.”
Jack scoffed. “Sure I did, many times.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
Jack rubbed a hand over his face. “Ever since I was a kid, I knew I wanted to be a musician. It was all I ever wanted, and nothing else came close. Remember when my folks insisted I go to college for at least a year before deciding if music was the best choice for me?”
Elliot nodded.
“I felt sick. College had nothing to offer me.” Jack laughed. “Even if we were still touring cross-country in that old battered van, pulling our gear in a trailer, I would’ve been happy”—Jack paused—“of course, this is better.”
“And how do you feel knowing you’ll never see Emily again?”
“Sick.”
“Then why are you giving up on her? Giving up on what you could have with her?” Elliot asked. “And don’t say because she asked you to. Why else?”
Jack turned to him. “I don’t know.” He shrugged. “What else can I do?”
“Find a way,” Elliot said in a low voice, pushing his beer away. He took out forty dollars, left it on the bar, and sent Jeff a text.
“That sounds familiar,” Jack said.
“It should, brother. It’s what you said to me the night I got hammered because Siobhan broke up with me while we were on the road. She wanted to get married and said it wouldn’t work long distance.” Elliot remembered all too well how he’d felt without Siobhan. Miserable. Just like Jack was now.
“What is this, payback?” Jack stood and wobbled.
“No, a reminder.”
“Of what?”
Elliot smirked. “That if you want something badly enough, you’ll find a way. Which, I’d forgotten myself until a lovely brunette with a smart mind and a smart mouth reminded me last night. I just love her.”
“So do I.”
Elliot pushed away from the bar. “Then let’s get the fuck out of here and go get your girl.”
“I don’t know where she lives.”
“No, but someone who’s tied up in Curt’s room sure as hell does.” Elliot rolled his eyes. Do I have to think of everything?
“Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Because you get all sappy when you drink. What would you do without me?” Elliot clapped him on the shoulder.
Jack turned and strode out the door.
Jeff waited at the curb. “Where to, gentlemen?”
Jack dialed Curt’s cell phone and hung up. Next, he dialed the hotel and asked for Curt’s room. “Bastard isn’t answering.”
“To the hotel,” Elliot said, with a smug grin. “Then to get Jack’s girl.”
Jeff hit the accelerator and they were off.
J
Jack barely waited for the SUV to stop before he had the door open. Last night—No more reminiscing. He’d see her again, tonight.
“How do you plan on getting Nicki to tell you?” Elliot asked as they got in the elevator.
“Don’t need a plan. Nicki will just tell me.”
“Why, because you’re so good-looking?” Elliot mocked.
“Why thank you, but no.” Jack paused as Elliot flipped him off. “Because she’s a talker.”
“Ah, always a good source of information.”
The elevator opened on Curt’s floor. He ran down the hallway to Curt’s room but paused before knocking.
“What are you waiting for?” Elliot asked, as he knocked.
When Curt didn’t answer, Jack knocked again, harder. It was late, and he didn’t want to wake up anyone else, but he needed that address. Now.
Elliot banged on the door. “Curt, open up.”
They heard voices but the door didn’t open.
“Fuck off. I’m busy,” Curt yelled from the behind the door.
“I need to talk to Nicki. Now.”
&nbs
p; Elliot pounded again. “Curt, open the fucking door.”
“Hey,” Buzz said, jogging toward them. “What are you doing? I can hear you all the way down the hall.”
“Jack’s going to get Emily. Nicki knows where she lives. Jack needs that address.”
Buzz’s fist hit the door. “Curtis Stevens, open the damn door.” At Jack and Elliot’s raised brows, he said, “Always worked for his mom.”
The door flew open. Curt’s face was covered in shaving cream, and he was pissed. “What the fuck are you guys doing? Fuck off, we’re busy,” he said, trying to close the door, but Jack’s boot blocked the door.
“Really?” Curt said. “What?”
“I need Emily’s address.”
Curt still blocked the door, but Nicki said “Can’t do it, Jack. If she wanted you to have it, she would’ve given it to you. Emi would kill me.”
“Enough of this shit.” Elliot pushed into Curt’s room. Jack and Buzz followed. Elliot stopped short, and they smacked into him. Curt closed the door behind them.
“Oh jeez,” Elliot said, looking away.
In the middle of the living room, Nicki stood half naked, her breasts covered in whipped cream.
Curt walked around his friends. “Babe, what the fuck are you doing?” He rushed over to her and wrapped the towel that had been around his waist around her.
“I’m not shy.”
“Nic, they’re my friends.”
Nicki clutched the towel around her body and blushed. “I’m sorry, babe, it won’t happen again.”
It would’ve been a very touching moment except Curt was now naked.
“Dude, put some clothes on,” Buzz said.
Curt faced them before walking into the bedroom, returning a minute later wearing a pair of sweat pants and carrying a robe. He tenderly put the robe around his girl.
“That’s not shaving cream, is it?” Elliot asked, trying to hide his smile.
“Hey, you guys barged in here. Don’t like what you see, get the fuck out,” Curt said.
Jack walked over to Nicki. “We’ll get out of your way in a minute.”
“What happened to your head?” she asked.
“Jack got drunk, fell, hit his head, and crushed his nuts,” Elliot said. “But that’s not why we’re here.”
“Why do I tell you anything?” Jack asked, looking over his shoulder at Elliot.
“Jack… I can’t, she’ll never speak to me again.”
“I understand, but I’m in love with her. I know it’s crazy, but it’s true. She asked me to leave her alone, but I can’t. I need to talk to her, convince her to give us a chance.”
J
Nicki plopped on the couch. What should I do? Emi would know what to do. Jack seemed so sincere, and Emi had looked happy when she and Curt had run into them earlier today. Ever since Emi caught that lying bucket of shit cheating she’d been so distressed, understandably, but Emi was strong, and it scared Nicki to see her so beaten down. Then having to dismantle her wedding. Oh, fuck. Tears welled and spilled down Nicki’s cheeks, but she didn’t wipe them away.
Curt rushed to her. “Babe, what’s wrong?”
She could barely swallow. Curt put his arm around her, but it didn’t help. “I’m the worst friend ever.”
“I’m sure that’s not true,” Jack said.
Curt grabbed a tissue, and Nicki swiped at her tears. Blowing her nose, she looked up, and four handsome men stared dumbfounded at her.
Curt whispered soothing words to her, but she didn’t deserve to be soothed.
Nicki took a few breaths trying to calm herself, then raised her eyes to meet Jack’s. “Emily was supposed to get married, Jack.”
“She told me about it. That fucker cheated on her. She kicked him out.”
Wow. “She told you that?”
Jack nodded.
Nicki considered that for a moment. So very unlike Emi to be so open about her pain, especially to a stranger. But earlier, she’d looked like her old self. Nicki inhaled deeply, slowly letting it out. “Today, Jack. She was supposed to get married today.” Nicki lowered her eyes as fresh tears formed and fell. Worst. Friend. Ever.
Jack sat on the couch next to her, looking like he’d been kicked in the gut.
“Why didn’t she tell me?” he asked.
“I’m still shocked she told you about that asshole. Emi isn’t a great sharer, Jack. She’s not like us.” Nicki patted his knee. “Did she tell you how she threw them out?”
“No.”
Nicki gave a humorless laugh. “It would’ve made a great story. She looks all nice and sweet, but don’t piss her off, she’s got a real evil genius streak in her.”
Elliot and Buzz laughed. They tried to stifle their smiles, but it didn’t work.
“What’s so funny?” Jack asked.
Elliot and Buzz exchanged glances.
“Maybe you were too busy mooning over her yesterday, buddy, because she went on this epic rant of all the ways she was going to”—Elliot looked at Nicki—“facilitate your demise for ducking out on her after you promised you wouldn’t.”
“Did she include me?” Curt asked.
“No. She was worried about you,” Buzz said.
“Oh, that’s nice.” Curt smiled.
“How did she throw them out?” Elliot asked.
“Okay, so long story short, she got home from work early and walked into her bedroom and caught her scumbag fiancé being—cheating with a tramp from his office. She opened the window, scooped up their clothing, her purse, his wallet and keys, and dumped the whole shebang out the window. They must’ve been in shock, because they didn’t get up, so Emi went to the closet and, in one armful, grabbed all his two-thousand-dollar suits, custom dress shirts, and silk ties and crammed them out the window, too.” Nicki smiled. “Then she told them to get out of her apartment.”
“Wow,” Jack said.
“That’s not even the best part. The bedroom windows are in the back overlooking the parking lot. They had to walk around the front of the building to retrieve them, and it was a chilly, sunny day.”
“Babe, I don’t get it,” Curt said.
“That bastard and Tiffany Fake Tits had to walk out wearing nothing but the bedsheets. A whole new twist on the walk of shame.” Nicki’s lips curled into a wicked smile.
“Wow,” Elliot said. “Evil genius.”
Jack implored her, “Nicki, please.”
“I can’t, okay, I’ve already been a bad friend. Ever since it happened, she’s been beating herself up over it.” Nicki burned with fury. “I was supposed to take her out tonight, so she wouldn’t sit home alone. She’s done enough of that the last three weeks. This gutted her.” Nicki took a deep breath. “Jack, you don’t know what she’s been through besides this. Not that everyone doesn’t deserve happiness, but Emi, well, she deserves it more than most.”
Jack heaved a sigh. “She told me about her family.”
Nicki jumped up and paced. Holy shit. She’d known Emi two years before she’d told her the whole story. The accident, her rehab, her grandparents abandoning her. She knew that Emi hadn’t told Sully about it until they’d been dating for several months.
She walked to Curt, who opened his arms to her, and she rested her head on his chest. Would Emi really never talk to her again? It was a possibility. She had her reasons for not staying in touch with Jack, and Nicki wished she knew what they were.
She shrugged out of Curt’s embrace, picked up her cell, and dialed Emily, but it went straight to voicemail.
Jack stood and looked her in the eyes. They shone with love. For Emi. How was she supposed to resist?
She grabbed Curt’s notebook off the table and wrote her friend’s address and phone number. She said a silent prayer that Emi would forgive her as she handed Jack the paper. When he hugged her, she whispered, “Don’t you fucking hurt her.”
Jack pulled back and looked her in the eyes.
“I won’t.”
chapter
THIRTY
Jack texted Jeff Em’s address and then ran to his room, showered, and was on his way to see her in fifteen minutes.
It was almost one, but he needed to talk to Em now. It was selfish, but he couldn’t wait. To see her, talk to her, beg her, to give them a chance. He considered calling, but what he had to say needed to be said in person. And she couldn’t hang up on him. But she could slam the door in his face.
He closed his eyes and rested his head against the seat. He’d give her all the time she needed, but she needed to understand he’d be waiting. The SUV pulled up outside her apartment complex. Jack broke out into a sweat, and his pulse hammered through his veins. Don’t fuck this up.
The cool night air breezed past him as he stood at the bottom of the stairs that led up to her door. He took a steadying breath, exhaled, and started up the stairs but stopped. It was just like she’d described it. Their stair. Taking out his phone, he snapped a picture.
Feeling inspired, he jogged up the stairs. His mouth was dry as his finger hovered over the doorbell.
J
Emily tossed and turned, but she couldn’t sleep because she couldn’t get comfortable. At least, that was what she told herself. It was almost one, and she needed to sleep, needed the escape.
She’d sat at the computer and written a smoking hot sex scene. It didn’t take long, because she broke her one rule. She wrote about her own sex life—Jack and her in front of the mirror in his hotel room. She’d never use it in a book, but she needed to get it out of her head. She’d been sure after her failed attempt at self-pleasuring that writing out the scene would allow her to either get off or fall asleep. Neither had happened.
Turning on the light, she picked up Nicki’s manuscript. She was on the second chapter and made a few notes but couldn’t concentrate.
The doorbell rang.
Looking at the clock, she saw it was ten minutes later than the last time she’d looked. Only one person would ring her doorbell this late. Nicki. Good. Let the murdering begin.
With You: A Rock Star Romance (Rocked in Love Book 1) Page 25