"What?" he asked.
"No, no, I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me." She looked down and forced herself to stop giggling then looked back into his eyes. "Okay, I'm alright now."
He touched her cheek gently, stroking her skin with his thumb. Leaning in again, he almost touched her lips when she giggled again.
"Really?"
"I'm sorry!" She couldn't stop the giggles this time, and they turned into full-blown laughter. "I can't help it!"
"It’s okay. You probably drank too much." He took her cup and saw it was still almost full and shrugged as he put it back on the small table beside her.
"What time is it?"
"I guess around 2am. I don't wear a watch."
"We really should head back. We're heading to DC in the morning."
"But the night is still young. Come on, Lucky."
"No, really, we're leaving first thing and I'm tired."
"Alrightie then, I'll bring you guys to your hotel." He stood up and took her hand.
Lucky grinned as she felt him squeeze her hand.
"Thanks for the fun night, Ross," Lucky said.
"Anytime. You owe me a kiss, you know, but I'm sure I'll see you again."
Lucky rode the elevator up with Kat in silence. She knew she looked silly with her stupid grin but she couldn't help it, it was nice to get that kind of attention from a guy. She wasn't used to it. Ross was super cute, but she really didn't care if she saw him again. Something about him seemed a little flaky, and she couldn't help but think he only cared about Lucky the singer. He never even asked about her real name.
4
Jordan
Jordan ran her fingers through her short blonde hair. She didn't mean to sleep so long. Reaching over to the nightstand, she grabbed her vibrating cell phone. It was a text from Lucky saying that she and Kat were going to some house party.
She understood all of this was huge for Lucky, but she couldn't help feeling left out. Knowing how Lucky was, she couldn't blame her, she had to blame Kat. Jordan was sure Kat was trouble.
Going to a stranger's house party didn't sound like Lucky at all. But maybe it did. Lucky never spoke much about how she felt about her overprotective parents. Jordan often wondered if Lucky threw herself so completely into her music as an escape. Jordan wished she had that kind of escape. Any escape really.
She came on tour with Lucky for exactly that reason--to get away. Lucky was like a sister and she'd do anything for her, but when she asked if Jordan would tag along on the tour, Jordan said yes more out of selfishness than anything.
Teasing Lucky about how her parents constantly called her was really her being jealous. Not that she wanted someone hovering over her every moment of the day. She just wanted her parents to notice her.
One Month Ago
"Mom, I can't do this anymore. I'm moving out," Jordan said sheepishly to her mother.
"It's okay. I know it's been hard on you here. I'm surprised you lasted this long. When are you going?"
"I don't know. I'll start looking for a place after I get back from Lucky's tour."
Hearing her mother's words of understanding shocked Jordan, and she briefly wondered if things could change at home.
After her parents divorced when she was five, Jordan's mom neglected her daughter. As best as Jordan could figure, Betty was embarrassed not only because she was a divorced woman in her twenties, but also because she had a child.
Once Betty remarried though, she didn't return to her motherly duties. She passed along all responsibility to Jordan's new stepfather, who resented her. To call her life hard was an understatement. She wouldn't wish her life on anyone.
An hour later, she was in her room folding her laundry when her mother entered.
"You don't have to leave." Her mother's voice was filled with venom. "You have it great here. You've never been anything but an irresponsible, ungrateful shit. You'll never do anything with your life."
"I guess you spoke to Tim," Jordan said.
Betty didn't respond. Jordan wished her mother's words surprised her, but she was used to it. They wounded her each and every time. Normally she wouldn't say anything, she'd be the good girl and keep her mouth shut. But her mother's sudden change stung more than usual.
"How am I irresponsible?" Jordan asked. Her nerves made her feel cold and she shook both out of fear and the chill. "I've been buying groceries for the family, paying utilities, and giving you money for years now. I never even asked for a thank you." The tears stung her eyes and spilled onto her cheeks. She angrily swiped at them with her sleeve. "You're my mother. You should have protected me!"
Betty stared blankly at Jordan. "I love him and when you love someone, you support them. He's the man of the house and he can do whatever he wants."
"But I'm your daughter," Jordan whispered as her mother turned her back and walked away.
Jordan pushed the door closed and leaned her back against it, hoping no one would try to come in. She let her tears fall as her sobs wracked her small frame. She promised herself that once she left, she would live on the streets before ever coming back home again.
A knock on her bedroom door woke her the next morning. 7am. It was Sunday, why were they waking her so early? She heard another knock then Tim's voice.
"Get up," Tim said. "Your uncle is going to be here any minute with his truck. You're moving out. I got boxes for you."
Jordan quickly packed her things. It all belonged to her. She bought her own bedroom furniture in high school. She had been supporting herself and her family while attending college and working. She didn't know what they would do for money without her, but she didn't care.
After finding a cheap storage unit, she realized this was probably the best thing that could happen to her. She felt free, weightless. She just needed a place to stay until Lucky's tour started.
"Hey, when do we go on tour?" she asked Lucky on the phone.
"I have to leave for LA tomorrow to start recording, and then the tour starts around two weeks later."
"Want some company in LA?"
"I'd love it! But don't you have to work?"
"Don't worry about it. I'll arrange for the time off. Mind if I sleep over tonight?" Jordan asked.
"Of course not! My parents would love to see you."
Present Day
Jordan didn't tell anyone she was homeless, not even Lucky. She knew she should open up more and tell Lucky what was going on, but she didn't want to talk about it. She could pretend she had a normal life if she didn't have to talk about it. Talking made the bad stuff too real. Lucky wouldn't understand, her life was different. Her parents cared and called her every day.
"That's what happens when someone loves you, they make sure you're okay," she said to herself.
Jordan left her mother's house three weeks ago and still hadn't heard from them. She considered reaching out to her father, but her mother made sure she never had a relationship with him, so she didn't know what to expect. Not that her father was bad, she just didn't know him.
She picked up the phone and called room service.
"Hi, how long would it take to get food delivered to my room?" she asked.
"We're a bit shorthanded right now, so at least two hours. I suggest you head to the restaurant, they're still open."
"Okay, thanks."
Grabbing her room key, wallet, and cell phone, she thought about texting Lucky back but didn't see the point in it. She was glad she was getting out. Lucky deserved it after working so hard. She couldn't help feeling neglected though, she was raised that way.
Dressed in skinny jeans, a pair of Uggs, and an oversized dark purple t-shirt, she slipped into the elevator and hit the lobby button. As the elevator doors closed, she saw Dylan, his light brown hair covering his face as he ran towards the elevator.
"Hold the elevator!"
She hit the door open button. As the doors retracted, Dylan entered the elevator and leaned against the back wall as he caught his breath.
Taking a side glance at him, Jordan reminded herself not to drool. He was that hot. He swept his shoulder-length hair back from his face, revealing the light scruff of a goatee and blue tinted sunglasses.
She appreciated the unique appearance of his black jeans, maroon striped button-down shirt, black vest, and the blue scarf casually draped around his neck. On anyone else the combination would have looked ridiculous, but on Dylan, it made him look even more like a rock star.
"You getting something to eat?" Dylan asked.
Startled by the question, Jordan didn't reply right away. She took a moment to secretly pinch herself to make sure she really was awake.
"Umm yes, I am. What about you?"
"Yup. Damned room service takes too long." He smiled at her. "Want to join me?"
Jordan smiled and nodded, unsure what else to say. The elevator started its descent and she caught Dylan looking at her.
"What is it?" she asked.
He grinned at her, his face angled down at the floor as his eyes looked over to her.
"I have a confession to make," he said. "I knew you would call room service so I told them to give you a long wait time and then to suggest the restaurant. They called me so I knew, or hoped, that you were going down there."
"For real? Why?"
"Because I wanted to get to know you better," he said.
Exiting the elevator, he put his hand on her back, between her shoulders, his fingers resting on the bare skin of her neck. The heat of his hand on her bare skin traveled through her body, and it gave her tiny chills up and down her spine.
The restaurant was a mixture of wood molding and tall windows which reflected back the glamour of the large room. With only two tables taken, the maître d' could have seated them anywhere but chose to place them in a secluded corner.
As they walked to their table, they passed a long, glossy wooden bar with mirrors behind the bottles. Paul, the band's drummer, sat at the end of the bar drinking with his head hung low and a cigarette burning between his fingers despite the hotel being non-smoking.
Jordan sat back and gave Dylan a suspicious look. She eyed the wait staff, who looked ready to pounce at any request, then noticed the maître d' slip what looked like cash into his pocket.
"What the hell is going on here?" Jordan asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't give me that. Just because I'm blonde doesn't mean I'm dumb. I wasn't locked away like Lucky. Now what is all this?"
Dylan laughed. "I've had my eye on you since LA. I like you and like I said, I wanted to get to know you better."
"Yeah, I've heard about you bass players," Jordan said playfully. "Everyone always says to watch out for the lead guitarist, but it's really the bass player who needs to be watched."
"Ha. You caught me." He smiled and waved over a waiter. "What would you like to drink?"
"I'll have a Coke."
"And...?"
"And? How many drinks should I have?"
"No, a Coke and...?"
"Ice?"
He laughed as he shook his head. "Amazing. I'll have the same. Guess there goes that plan."
"A plan? Spill it," she said.
"My diabolical plan was to get you drunk and have my way with you." He raised his eyebrows and gave her a lopsided grin.
"Well, who said you had to get me drunk?"
They spent the evening talking about whatever came to mind. Jordan counted it as the best date of her life. Time flew by and before either of them realized it, the staff was cleaning the restaurant around them.
"I'm glad you had dinner with me," he said. "We should make this a regular thing. I meant what I said before. I want to get to know you."
"I'd love that."
As the elevator doors closed, Dylan leaned back against the elevator wall again, this time holding her hand. Jordan gave him a sly glance as she waited for him to kiss her but then decided she shouldn't have to wait.
Turning towards him, he met her halfway and their lips locked. He was so much taller than her that she stood on tiptoes until he picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.
Her heart raced as he pushed her against the wall and pressed himself against her. She ran her fingers over his stubbled cheek and into his hair as he pressed her tighter against him.
Reaching for the elevator buttons, he hoped to stop it and not interrupt their moment, but then he heard a loud ding. The elevator slowed and opened its doors. He was too late, they were at their floor. He eased her down gently and they stood there looking at each other.
He slid his fingers between hers and they held hands. She didn't think her heart would stop pounding. As they walked down the hall, she tried to quietly control her breathing since she was still excited from their kiss.
He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her, slowing their walk but not saying a word. When they got to her room, she thought about inviting him in but quickly changed her mind. She was sharing a bus with Dylan for the next couple of weeks. If they slept together too soon, it could ruin everything.
"I'm not even going to ask," he said before smiling at her then slowly kissing her lips. "We have plenty of time. I'll see you in the morning."
Her heart skipped as she listened to him. She made a mental note to ask him about his strange accent, which sounded like a combination of places yet somehow suited him.
Grabbing him, she gave him one final deep kiss before she slowly, regretfully entered her hotel room by herself.
5
Lucky
The plans were to meet for breakfast in the hotel restaurant before getting back on the road. Bright sunlight streamed in through the windows and reflected on the silverware and dishes.
As Lucky entered the dining room, she groaned and pushed her dark oversized sunglasses further up her nose. She had never felt so lousy in her life. It wasn't that she drank the night before, she didn't have more than a few sips. She just hated mornings. A good night's rest and getting up closer to noon was more her style.
The smell of the breakfast buffet made her a little dizzy at first, but it was quickly replaced by hunger. Spotting Jordan by the waffle maker, she stumbled over as she tried to protect her eyes from the sunlight. This was her punishment for only getting an hour's worth of sleep.
"What did you do last night?" Jordan asked.
"Shhh! Why are you yelling? I'm not awake yet."
"I'm not yelling," Jordan said angrily before taking her waffle and making her way over to a table in the corner where she left her things.
Lucky followed her and dropped into the seat across from her. "I'm sorry I went out without you."
"Well, at least I don't have to tell you what you did. You've been so busy with everything and everyone else that I don't even know what I'm doing here."
"I'm sorry. I did text you though. We met some guys at the signing. They're fans, can you believe it? Plus I thought you were tired."
"Seriously, Lucky? Groupies?"
"No, they weren't groupies. They were…just a group of guys who…" Lucky's voice trailed off as she thought and then she started giggling. "I have groupies!"
Jordan sighed and shoved a big piece of waffle into her mouth. Lucky knew Jordan didn't like Kat, but that was because she didn't know her. Kat was the kind of girl Lucky always wished she was friends with. One with lots of experience who knew how to make the most of life.
"I'm telling you, I know girls like Kat. You gotta watch yourself with her."
"Give me a break, Kat's great. You just need to get to know her."
"Lucky, listen to me. She's an opportunist. She wants something. I'm also pretty sure she's on something. Look at her."
As if on cue, Kat entered the dining room looking stunning and refreshed. She was dressed in all black, from her knee-high boots over skintight jeans up to her off-shoulder blouse. She sauntered over and sat down beside Lucky.
"Geez, you look terrible. Didn't you get any sleep?" Kat asked.
Kat shrugged. "It's life on the road, girlie. You'll adjust soon enough." She turned to Jordan. "You should've been there last night. I'm telling you guys, there's nothing like a house party. I've been on the road for five years now. Someone tells me there's a house party and I'm there. You never realize how comforting a house is until you're living out of your suitcase."
Jordan rolled her eyes at Kat and let out an annoyed sigh.
"Is everyone here yet?" Lucky asked as she looked around, but no one answered her.
The dining room was empty except for wait staff and a few random people, the band, and the roadies. Lucky spotted Dylan at the buffet but not Paul and began to worry. She remembered how upset he was for messing up the show, but she thought maybe Dylan got through to him.
"Anyone see Paul?" she asked.
"We saw him last night at the bar while Dylan and I had dinner," Jordan said.
"We? My Dylan? Bass player Dylan?" Lucky asked, surprised. "When did this--?"
Dylan brought Jordan some pastries from the buffet and sat beside her. "Telling her about our date?" he asked.
Jordan looked down at her lap as a huge smile spread across her face. She shook her head. "No, I like to keep things to myself."
Lucky scowled in her seat. She let the excitement of the show get to her and forgot about her best friend. At the same time, it looked like her neglect had led to the biggest smile she'd ever seen on Jordan's face. Jordan couldn't be that mad at her.
Suddenly Lucky felt a kick from under the table and turned to Jordan in surprise.
"What is it?" Lucky asked.
She saw a stunned expression on her friend's face and followed her gaze to a man standing in the doorway.
Lucky's jaw dropped as her heart flipped inside her chest.
Lucky: A Rockstar Romance Two Book Boxed Set Page 4
