by JA Low
“You don’t know if they have,” I add.
Joaquin’s lip curls up on one side. “Ha.” He points at me. “This has affected you.” He grins like he’s unlocked some magical secret.
“Quinn is a consummate professional. She’s private, especially after everything with her ex. She is trying to reinvent herself out of the shadow of her past relationship. I know what that’s like.” Joaquin’s face softens. “Now, people are going to paint her in whatever light they want to suit their narrative, and it could damage everything she’s trying to build for herself.”
“You’re protective over her, I get it.” My brother slaps me on the back. “I’ll stop giving you crap over her.” As he walks out of the kitchen, I grab my cell and copy the link and send it to Lettie and Derrick. Hopefully, they will be able to get on top of it before Quinn wakes.
20
Quinn
What is that ringing sound?
Rolling over in the darkness, I reach out and grab my cell phone.
“Hello,” I answer groggily.
“Okay, so don’t freak out,” Lettie tells me.
These few words sober me up real quick.
Sitting up in bed, I’m wide awake. Why do I have a sheet wrapped around me? Then I look down and see a nipple poking out the top of the sheet. Pulling the sheet away from my body, I notice I’m naked.
“Quinn?” Lettie’s voice filters through my freak out.
I’m naked in bed.
“Quinn?” Lettie repeats my name again.
“Um… yeah.” Feeling a little confused, the night’s coming back, but it’s fuzzy.
Movement beside me pulls me from my thoughts. Turning my head, I spot the naked torso of a heavily tattooed man, who is sound asleep beside me. I lift the sheet and am greeted by tanned buns of steel.
What on earth! I internally scream.
“So, we have it all under control.” Lettie’s voice pulls me back to the conversation I completely just blanked out of.
“I’m sorry, can you please repeat what you just said? I got distracted by the naked man in my bed,” I tell her slowly.
“You’re in his bed, not yours?” Lettie asks.
Looking around, I search the room for anything that screams Lettie’s spare bedroom, but there isn’t anything, especially when I spot a myriad of guitars in the corner.
Shit.
Shit.
Shit.
Shit.
“Okay.” I don’t know what else to say because I think I’m having a heart attack as I grab my chest.
“Someone at the party took a photo of you and Tyler kissing, and it’s gone viral,” Lettie tells me slowly.
No. No. No. No.
“Fuck,” I scream loudly, which wakes the snoring rock star beside me.
For damn real, I’m having a heart attack.
“You all right, babe.” Tyler rolls over and puts his hands behind his head showing off his insane biceps.
I think I might have licked them last night. Idiot.
“I’ve sent you the link to the story,” Lettie tells me.
My cell vibrates with her message, and I pull it away from my ear and open the link. The article’s headline reads…
Quinn Miller’s Rebound with a Rock Star
“Shit,” I groan as I see the headline.
“What?” Tyler asks. He’s sitting up now that I have his full attention. Turning the phone around, I show him the article.
“Oh.” He runs his hand through his hair.
“They’re saying nice things about it, Quinn,” Lettie calls out through the phone. “Most of the women are giving you high-fives.”
I can’t hear this, not while I’m still naked in Tyler’s bed.
“I’ll call you back,” I tell Lettie as I hang up on her. “Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!” I curse as I cover my face. I can feel the tears prick my eyes and then begin to fall down my cheeks.
My heart is racing out of control.
I just wanted one night not being Quinn Miller.
“Hey, it’s all right.” Tyler places a reassuring hand on my naked shoulder. “I have an awesome PR team. We can spin this any way you want.” He gives me a sideways grin.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, babe, no tears. I hope the thought of spending the night with me doesn’t make you want to cry.” He wipes my tears away with his thumb.
Awe, he’s so sweet.
“I had fun,” I tell him as heat races over my body.
“I had fun, too.” He gives me a wink. “I wouldn’t mind having some more fun, but we need to sort this out first.” He points to the phone. “Because I don’t think you’re going to be in the mood if we don’t.” He gives me a Cheshire cat grin. “The photo’s grainy, and we can spin this any way we want,” he explains. “I understand why you would be upset. I have five sisters, remember?” he tells me.
“Men and women are treated differently on social media. They could be high-fiving me and calling you names.” He shrugs his shoulders in understanding. “I don’t think it’s fair or right. So, I’m happy to play it any way you want.”
Leaning over, I press a kiss to his cheeks. “Thank you.” I smile. “Thank you for being so kind and understanding, and so cool about my mini freak-out.”
“I get it. Not to sound like a fanboy, but…” he smiles, “… you were with Chad for a really long time. Finally, you’ve decided to dip your toes back into the singles’ market, and it’s gone viral. Now, I’m honored that you chose me for your rebound, and I’m happy to provide that service again for you.” I laugh. “Whatever you do, don’t feel ashamed about having fun.”
He reaches out and takes my hand in his, then leans over and kisses my knuckles. “You are a gorgeous, smart, funny, caring, talented, kick-ass woman.” He continues kissing my knuckles. “Don’t you ever forget it.”
I don’t think I could have picked a better guy to jump back into bed with.
“Thank you. That was exactly what I needed to hear.”
“My services are at your disposal anytime.” He kisses my knuckles again.
“What about now?” I raise a brow at him.
“Now seems like a great time to me.” As Tyler launches himself on me, I squeal in return.
After another couple of rounds of rebound sex and some kick-ass pancakes, I eventually make it home, and never have I been so thankful for Lettie’s gated community.
Tyler dropped me off. Thankfully, he had an underground garage and blacked-out windows on the car he borrowed. He decided to take one of the other guy’s cars, so it wouldn’t tip off the paparazzi that were hanging around outside his gates. He was able to lose them in the LA traffic and was able to get me home with the paparazzi none the wiser. He asked if he could take me out again. I told him I was leaving in two weeks for Barcelona, to which he replied that is two weeks’ worth of rebounding we could have. So, I might have agreed. I like Tyler, but in all honesty, I don’t see anything more than having some fun with him.
“Oh my God, are you okay?” Lettie frantically greets me as I make my way in from the downstairs garage.
“I’m fine,” I reply while grinning at her.
Lettie looks me over with a frown on her face. “Who are you, and what have you done with Quinn Miller?”
“It’s me. Just not as highly strung as I once was.”
“Multiple orgasms will do that to a girl,” Lettie tells me.
“Damn right, they do.”
We high-five each other.
“So, it was a good night, then?” Lettie asks.
“I’ve never had sex like that before. You know the type where you rip each other’s clothes off up against the wall or whatever surface you can find, down and dirty sex…” My body buzzes, remembering the crazy night I’ve just had.
“Good sex will do that,” Lettie tells me.
“I think I’ve been missing out all these years,” I confess.
“So, you and Chad weren’t like that?” L
ettie asks.
“No. Never. I mean it was always good, and I didn’t know any different, so I assumed that was it.” Shrugging my shoulders at her, she lets out a low whistle.
“And now… it’s ‘A Whole New World,’” she sing-songs, while I nod my head excitedly. “By the way, and not to rain on your orgasm parade or anything, just so you know… it was Sebastien who alerted us to the post.”
Everything stills.
“Sebastien?” Did I hear her correctly?
“Yeah, he wanted to warn you. He was worried about you,” Lettie explains.
“He was worried about me?” I point to myself.
“Yep.” She smiles smugly.
“I think I’m just going to go grab a shower and you know…” Waving my hand in front of me, Lettie nods and lets me be.
I rush into my room and close the door behind me. I pull out my cell and stare at it for a couple of moments.
Sebastien knows about Tyler and me?
I wonder what he thinks about the whole situation?
Shaking my head, he wouldn’t care. He did the exact same thing last night. Still, it was nice of him to warn Lettie, though.
I’ll just send him a quick thank you, and that will be it.
Quinn: Thanks for giving Lettie the heads up. Much appreciated.
A perfect response, and moments later, my cell beeps with a message.
Sebastien: It’s what friends do.
I stare at the message.
Friends.
He’s friend-zoned me.
It’s probably for the best.
21
Sebastien
“Morning, Derrick,” I answer his phone call.
“Evening, Sebastien. I hope you’re doing well on this fine day,” he carries on.
“Been pretty good. Production is here setting up on-site while I’ve spent most of my days riding a tractor and cleaning up the weeds,” I tell him.
“Sounds like fun,” he says, but it’s entirely sarcastic.
“What do I owe the pleasure of your phone call?”
“Just thought I’d check in on my favorite chef, that’s all.”
He’s fishing for gossip.
“I’m good. How’s LA?”
“Fine. Fine. Things are going good here, but...” I knew it. “Have you spoken to Quinn recently?” he asks.
It’s been a week since the whole Tyler situation, and I haven’t heard from her. But I have seen that she’s been spending time with Tyler, according to the blogs.
“Nope. I’ve been flat out,” I tell him.
“Right. Yeah. Well, if you get a chance, check in with her.”
What is he getting at?
“Spit it out, Derrick?” I ask him.
“Chad has sent her a slew of abusive text messages after the whole Tyler incident.” Oh, that fucker. “He’s gone to the blogs and spoken some shit about her, trying to ruin her reputation.” My hands ball into fists—that weaselly little shit. “I think it’s shaken her newfound confidence,” he adds.
“What can I do?”
“Ask her to come over earlier,” he suggests.
“What is that going to achieve?”
“The paparazzi attention is getting a little much for her from what I’ve heard from Lettie,” he adds. “You of all people know what it’s like when the paparazzi turn on you,” Derrick reminds me.
“I can’t force her to come if she doesn’t want to,” I reply.
“But you can ask?”
“Fine.” After letting out a frustrated sigh, I continue, “I’ll do it. If things are as bad as you say they are, I don’t want her to go through that.”
“I knew you’d understand. Well, my work here is done. So, have a great day.”
I have Quinn’s details, so I type out a message to send.
Sebastien: Hey, heard things are a little crazy there at the moment. You wanna come over earlier? I have a spare room you can crash in, away from it all.
There! That’s my good deed for the day done.
Moments later, my phone buzzes.
Quinn: Let me guess, Lettie told you.
Sebastien: No, Derrick. The offer is there.
Quinn: Are you sure?
Wow! Things must be bad if she’s contemplating the offer.
Quinn: I mean me crashing. I can stay in a hotel.
Sebastien: No. You are more than welcome to stay with me. Come over, let me show you Barcelona. Have a break before we have to work nonstop for the next three months.
Quinn: Okay.
That was a little easier than I thought.
Quinn: I’ll text you when I know the details. And thanks.
Sebastien: Anytime. See you soon.
Looking around my apartment, why does it feel awfully small knowing Quinn is coming over and staying with me?
22
Quinn
Picking up my cell, I call my Mom to let her know I’m going to be heading to Spain a little sooner than anticipated. Momma and I have a great relationship, she is my best friend. She was devastated over hearing about Chad and me breaking up, but she turned real quick when she found out about the other woman in his life and how he decided to take everything we had earned together using such stealthy methods.
We come from a small town, and she was best friends with Chad’s mom, Wendy, but they aren’t friends anymore. She was there for me when I called her in tears over the media finding out about my rebound fun with Tyler. She told me to hold my head up high because I hadn’t done anything wrong and that she still loved me and thought I deserved a little fun after everything that went down with Chad.
“Hey, darlin’,” she answers with a smile on her face, then she sees my tears falling down my cheeks. “Oh my, sweetheart, what’s happened?” I can hear concern laced in her voice.
“Chad has told stories about how I was boring in bed.” Her face pales at my comment. “He’s loving the attention, and I’m not,” I tell her.
“Come home, sweetheart, stay with me. I’ll protect you.” I know she would, and, in this moment, I desperately need a hug from her.
“I can’t. I’ve decided to head to Spain earlier.” That comment is met with silence on the other end. “Sebastien said I could crash at his place and hide out. We can do some work on the show, maybe get a head start on things.”
“You sure that’s a good idea, sweetie?” Mom asks.
“Yeah, I trust Sebastien. He’s a good guy. Plus, the media won’t know I am there. I think it’s the break I need. Nothing good has come from my stay in LA,” I tell her.
“There will be a bright light at the end of the dark tunnel, Quinn. I promise you,” she tries to reassure me.
“I know, Momma, but it just feels like one big dark cloud is hell-bent on hovering over me at the moment.”
“If your father was alive, he would have skinned Chad for doing that to his little princess,” Momma grumbles. “The whole town isn’t happy with Wendy and Phil for the stunts Chad’s pulling at the moment.” Her comment makes me smile a little. “That boy was raised right, so not sure where he went wrong.”
“Fame and fortune can change even the best of us,” I tell Mom sadly.
“You hold your head up high, sweetheart, because I am so immensely proud of you. You have conducted yourself like the woman I know you are. Whatever path Chad wants to take, rise above it because, in the end, it will be his downfall,” Momma reassures me.
“I know. It’s hard right now,” I confess.
“Go… explore Barcelona, sweetheart. Forget Chad, and try to forget about the gossips as well.” I know Mom is right. “I love you.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
Maybe she’s right. I just need to forget all about the gossip because in a week, something else will be trending, and no one will care about me.
23
Sebastien
Forty-eight hours later, and Quinn is touching down in Barcelona. I am at the airport waiting at arrivals for her with a baseball ca
p on.
The doors finally open, and a planeload of passengers come through. I scan all the faces until I see a familiar one. She looks pale, almost fragile, as those bright blue doe eyes look around the waiting area for me.
“Quinn,” I call out her name and wave my hand, so she can see me. Her face lights up, and she rushes toward me. The last thing I expected was for her to rush and jump into my arms, but I catch and swing her around when she does. She holds me tightly. It’s nice having her in my arms, feeling her warm, soft skin against mine. We stay wrapped around each other for a little longer than would be considered normal.
“I’m so happy to see you.” Quinn sniffles into my neck.
“Hey.” Pulling her face away from mine, her blue eyes are now red-rimmed. “It’s going to be okay now.” She nods her head slowly. “I’ve got you,” I tell her.
Her body relaxes almost instantly at my comment.
“Thank you.” She gives me a sad smile before wrapping herself around me again.
“Come on, let’s get you home. You must be exhausted from your flight.” Letting go of her to grab her bag, she links her arm with my free one, and we walk arm in arm out of the bustling airport. We head over to the parking garage, and I place her bag in the trunk of the car as she slides in.
Quinn lets out a heavy sigh as her head hits the headrest. “I’m so happy to be out of LA.” She stares out the front window as I reverse out of the parking space.
“I’ve heard what’s been happening.” Looking over at her, I am gauging how she might take that news.
“Of course, you have,” she groans. “I feel like the entire world knows about my indiscretions.”
“It’s hardly an indiscretion. You’re single,” I remind her as we head out of the airport and onto the freeway that leads back into town.
“Urgh, I was trying to have ‘new experiences,’” she says, her fingers making air quotes. “And now, instead, I look like a slut.”
