The Essential Jagged Ivory (Jagged Ivory Boxed Set)

by Lashell Collins

  The room was quiet as Buz and Cory stared at one another. And finally Cory took a deep breath, and nodded his head. He understood what Buzzy was trying to say. He couldn't imagine being without Donna for twenty-eight years. That was a lifetime. And he would never want to stand in the way of either of his parents being happy.

  He patted Buz on the arm as he stepped away from the glass wall and turned back toward the mirror, letting the matter drop. And Noah stepped over to where Otis stood fumbling with his boutonniere and reached out to help.

  “Let me do this,” he said, grabbing the flower and taking over. He glanced up at his brother and smiled.

  “What?” Otis frowned.

  Noah shrugged his shoulders as he continued to work with the tiny flower and the stick pin. “Mmm. I was just thinking about how you're the last holdout now.”

  “The last holdout?” Otis questioned as his frown deepened.

  “Yeah,” Noah mumbled, concentrating on his task.

  “What are you talking about, hot shot?” he asked.

  Noah smiled as he successfully pinned the flower on Otis' lapel and looked up at him. “Well, look around you, O,” he said, looking his brother in the eye with a sly smile. “Things are changing, man. Rapidly. And for the better, I think.”

  Otis continued to scowl at him as he glanced around at their bandmates. And Noah could tell that he still wasn't following him, and he chuckled. He draped his arm across his brother's shoulders and looked out at their bandmates.

  “Otis … Benji and Fae are practically living together in that brand new house of his. And in a few months, Donna is gonna give birth and make Cory the family man that he's always wanted to be. Your best friend is getting ready to say 'I do' to the woman who's about to give him baby number two. And Mercy and I are slowly heading down the aisle behind them,” he said.

  Otis looked at him with wide, surprised eyes. “Something you want to tell me, little brother?”

  Noah smiled and shrugged at him. “Just that I know she's what I want.”

  “Have you asked her yet?”

  “No,” he shook his head. “But I know that I'm going to.”

  Otis shook his head as he smiled at him. “I see. And so now, you think it's your duty to get me paired off too, is that it?”

  “Nah, I'm not going to start trying to fix you up or anything, if that's what you mean,” he said, smiling at him. “But I do want to see you happy, man. And as hard as you try to fight it, I think you know that the groupie scene is not where happiness is. And I've watched you with Bobby these past few weeks. You are actually crazy about that kid, aren't you?”

  Otis shrugged in protest as he attempted to downplay his attachment to Buzzy's little boy. “Yeah well, like you said … he is my best friend's kid.”

  “Yeah, I know,” Noah nodded. “Doesn't change the fact that he's made you wonder what it might be like to have one of your own though.” Otis stared at him for a long time, saying nothing, and Noah smiled at him again. “Okay. Lecture over,” he said, patting his arm as he walked away. And Otis watched after him for a moment, thinking about all his brother had just said.

  “Hey, Otis,” Buz spoke up as he pulled on the jacket of his tuxedo. “First, I want you to know that I second everything Noah just said. But uh … I notice that you brought the dancer as your date today.”

  Otis laughed slightly and nodded his head. The dancer was his latest conquest, and damn, was she fine! Her name was Brooke, and she had crashed into his life only a few days ago. But that's another story.

  “Yeah, I know. But I just couldn't help myself,” Otis replied. “There's just something about her, man.”

  “Uh oh,” Benji mumbled, smiling at them. “When Otis starts saying shit like that you know hell's about to freeze over, right?”

  They all laughed as Otis began to protest. “Oh, no, no, no! Hold up,” he objected with a raised hand. “All I said was that there was something about her. That does not mean that I'm ready to marry her. Or that I even have feelings for her! All that means is that I'm willing to take a little time to get into her panties, okay?”

  “You mean you haven't done that yet?” Noah asked loudly, clearly astounded as he stared at his brother with raised eyebrows. “Oh, shit! Benji, I think you might be onto something, brother!”

  Their laughter continued, as did Otis' growing agitation. And Buzzy suddenly felt all thumbs as he attempted to straighten his pale blue tie. Janie had chosen the color because she said it brought out his eyes.

  He smiled as he thought about her and wondered how she was doing right now. Was she nervous about getting married, or was she as sure about what they were doing as he was? He hoped it was the latter. He didn't want her to have any misgivings or second thoughts today. He wanted their day to be perfect.

  As he and the guys made their way out of his bedroom and outside to his large yard, he pictured their barbecue from a couple of days ago and smiled. It had been a nice distraction. A calming deep breath before the yard was turned into wedding central. And as he took his place under the flower covered arch, he stood looking around his immaculately kept backyard at the infinity pool off to the side and the amazing view of the city below them. They had decided to keep it extremely intimate. Only family and a few close friends. His Jagged Ivory brothers stood at his side. Both of his parents were here, and his mom was already dabbing a handkerchief at her eyes as she sat with Bobby at her side. His father, in all of his military regalia, sat on the child's other side. They had both been so surprised and excited to learn that they had a grandchild they knew nothing about, and Bobby was enthusiastic about having grandparents again.

  Donald and Gregory were both here, along with their families, and Buzzy smiled at the dress uniforms they wore. He had never shared their passion for the military, but he did respect it, and he was very proud of his father's and his brothers' service to their country.

  Monroe and Kay Ivory were here. And Ellen and Charles Dutton. Mike and Alison. Mercy and Donna and Fae. His entire family.

  Janie had family here too. Beverly and a few other friends from the restaurant acting as bridesmaids. Her aunt and her two cousins. Even her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Stanley had been very excited to make the trip. Her Uncle Hyo had come to walk her down the aisle. And when the music began – “Here Comes the Bride” played on an electric guitar by Noah Ivory – and the bridesmaids strolled down the aisle in their navy blue dresses, all of Buzzy's earlier assertions that he wasn't nervous went flying away on the wind. He was a wreck!

  Janie stepped out of the house in her pale blue Oscar de la Renta wedding gown, feeling like a princess. “Your mother would be so proud of you, Janie. And so happy,” her uncle had said when he saw her in her gown. And Janie knew that it was true. Her mother would be over the moon happy to know that life had finally worked out for her and Bobby, and that they were reunited with the boy's father. That was all Sandy Kim had ever wanted for Janie. To know that her daughter was happy and loved. And as she made her way down the aisle to meet her groom, Janie had never felt such happiness in all her life.

  She smiled at Bobby as she passed by him, and she thought briefly about the baby she was carrying. The baby Robby had been so overjoyed to learn about. She couldn't help getting tearful as she neared him. And when her uncle placed her hand in his, Janie could see that Robby was just as emotional as she was.

  “You are so beautiful, Janie,” he whispered to her as he gently took her hand, and she smiled as they turned toward the preacher.

  *****

  Buz's eyes opened slowly and looked around. It was dark now, and he could see the lights of the city in the distance out the back wall of his bedroom. He took a deep breath and started to stretch, and he frowned as he realized that he was alone. Janie?

  He sat up and let his eyes focus in the darkness. Then he climbed out of the bed and pulled on a pair of pajama pants. As he did, he looked out the glass wall once again to the backyard and felt his heart trip and stumble a bit at
the sight. She was standing at the edge of the infinity pool, staring out at the night view as her hair and the short, pale blue, satin nightie she wore floated on the breeze, hugging the shapely curve of her butt and thighs. He smiled as he walked to the glass door and stepped out.

  Feeling first the soft grass and then the cool stone pavers beneath his bare feet, he quietly made his way over to her, and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

  Janie moaned softly as she felt his arms encircle her and his lips on her neck, and she smiled.

  “I know it may seem as though there's no one around for miles and miles as we stand here looking down on the city,” he whispered. “But we do have neighbors here, Mrs. West. And you are going to cause a scandal standing here dressed like that.”

  Janie giggled as she turned around in his arms, facing him. “I don't care. Let them watch all they want.”

  Buzzy looked at her in playful surprise. “Why Janie Kim West! I am shocked at your brazenness,” he stated as her giggles grew harder.

  “What? It's not like we're having sex in public,” she reasoned softly.

  “No, we're not. But we can if you want to,” he replied with a sly smile. “I mean … if that's some deep, dark secret fantasy of yours, I'm happy to help, darling,” he said, teasing her as he pulled her even closer, kissing her neck once more as one hand slowly slipped beneath her short nightie and caressed her ass.

  “Robby!” Janie's voice was a shocked gasp as she attempted to pull away from him.

  “Well, you started it,” he smiled, and she giggled at him again. He kissed her for real then, holding her close as his tongue lingered, and Janie wrapped her arms around him. “Are you sorry that we didn't leave on a regular honeymoon?” he whispered. He still felt unsure about that decision.

  “No, not at all. Robby, in three weeks, you are going to take me to Australia and New Zealand, and all over Asia. I am really looking forward to that,” she answered.

  “Yeah, but it won't be just us,” he replied.

  “That doesn't matter. And honestly, I'm very excited to have these three weeks of normal family time before the tour starts up again,” Janie said. “I know we're supposed to be enjoying a few days of alone time here … and believe me, so far it's been heavenly. But I can't wait for Bobby to get back from Benji and Fae's.”

  Buzzy laughed a little and nodded his head. “Yeah, I'm excited for that too. I can't wait for the three of us to turn this place into a real home. For so long it's been … like a lonely bachelor pad. But I can't wait to build new memories here with both of you. Or I should say the three of you,” he smiled softly as he ran his hand over her flat tummy. “Family memories.”

  Janie smiled at him. She knew that he was so thrilled at the thought of being present for this baby's birth and early years, and she couldn't wait to experience all of that with him this time. She was so incredibly happy, for the first time in a long, long while. Only one thing could possibly make this better for her.

  “I wish that my mom had been here,” she suddenly said, glancing around the beautifully kept backyard and remembering how it had looked two days ago for their wedding. “I wish she had been here to see us get married.”

  Buzzy tightened his arms around her. He remembered the tearful way Janie had spoken about her mother on their wedding day. “Janie, she was here,” he whispered. “Your mom has been watching over you and Bobby every step of the way, baby. And there is no doubt in my mind that she was here, watching us say our vows. In fact … you know, she probably had a hand in us finding our way back to each other.”

  Janie laughed and nodded at him. “Yes, you're probably right. All she wanted was for me to find you and tell you the truth. And for you and Bobby to know one another. This is probably all her doing,” she laughed.

  Buzzy smiled at her. “I don't think that's all she wanted, baby. She also wanted for you to be happy. And I promised her that I would spend the rest of my life making sure that you're happy.”

  “You promised her?” Janie questioned, looking at him with a puzzled expression. Buz silently nodded his head. “I don't understand.”

  He smiled again. “Well, at the risk of sounding crazy … let's just say that I … talked to her. The night before our wedding, I came out here and I talked to her. Sort of like a prayer,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.

  Janie stared at him in disbelief for a few moments. What an amazingly sweet thing for him to do! “What did you say to her?”

  “The same thing I always say to you,” he answered quietly, looking into her eyes. “I promised her that I will love you forever.”

  The End.

  Visit http://jaggedivory.com to immerse yourself in the Jagged Ivory experience!

  Jagged Surrender

  Prologue

  “Where's Fae?” Otis asked, changing the subject and looking at Benji as Noah and Cory joined him on the bed. This was their normal tour behavior during the day - to gather in Benji’s hotel room and gossip while they played video games. That behavior hadn’t changed any now that Benji’s girl was a regular part of the mix.

  “She and Mercy went with Mike and Alison to the Rock Hall,” Noah spoke up.

  “The Rock Hall?”

  “Yeah. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum,” Noah clarified. “It's here in Cleveland. Remember, we all went the last time we were here.”

  “Oh, yeah. I like that place,” Otis responded. And then he smiled. “Hey, another twenty years and maybe Jagged Ivory will be inducted.”

  They all smiled and snickered at his comment. “Yeah, with any luck, man. You never know,” Noah answered. Then he gave his brother a questioning frown and asked, “So who was that chick leaving your room just now, O? Was that the same girl that was on the prowl in the dressing room?”

  Otis smiled at him and then stared off into space for a moment as his brain tried to access the pertinent information. He honestly couldn’t remember where that one had come from. Backstage? At the club? Hell, he didn’t know.

  “Hmm. I don't remember her name,” he admitted with a shrug. “Some chick I met at that club last night. Why?”

  Noah shrugged his shoulders. He was almost certain that had been the same girl whose tits they had autographed. “Because she looked like trouble, that's why.”

  Otis couldn’t help his conceited laughter at his brother’s observation. “Yeah, she was hot as hell, wasn't she?”

  “You didn't meet her at the club, Otis. You met her in the dressing room after the show,” Cory pointed out, agreeing with Noah.

  “I did?”

  “Yep. She came in the limo with us, and her girlfriends followed us to the club, remember?”

  “Well, I definitely remember that limo ride,” he said with a grin and a slow nod of his head. The pleasures he was treated to in the back of the limousine last night were difficult to forget. “Oh, yeah. Kinky Kiki … that was her name,” he said as he recalled autographing her very ample breasts in the dressing room after the show. “And you both should have taken her up on her offer, 'cause shorty had some skills, let me tell you. You, I can understand,” he said, pointing to Cory. Then he turned to Buz and added, “But you had no excuse, and baby girl knew what to do with a lollypop, you know what I'm saying?”

  Buz smiled slightly at Otis’ lewd comment, but said nothing as the others chuckled at him.

  “Yeah, well her oral skills are not what I was talking about when I said that she looked like trouble,” Noah responded as he looked at Otis.

  Otis frowned at him. “Okay. What'd you mean then?”

  “I mean she looked young, man! Like jailbait kind of trouble,” Noah explained. “I didn't realize that in the dressing room. How old was she anyway? Seventeen maybe? Sixteen?”

  “Oh, hell, man … I don't know,” Otis frowned, getting defensive. Was he really about to get a lecture from his little brother on proper tour sexual conduct? “I don't usually stop to ask that question, do you? I mean, you certainly didn't seem to have a proble
m pawing her tits when you gave her an autograph last night.” He could see that his words had hit their mark as he watched the self-assessment play over Noah’s face.

  Noah stared at him for a moment and then shook his head. “No. I guess I didn't,” he admitted quietly. And it was true. Before Mercy had come into his life and put an end to the endless groupie machine, age wasn't something he had really concerned himself with when it came to sex on the road. And he wasn't sure why he was concerned about it now with Otis, but something about that girl had struck him the moment he saw her emerge from his brother's hotel room this morning. In fact, from the moment she had propositioned him last night in front of Mercy. That girl was trouble. He could feel it.

  “Alright, then,” Otis replied. “Lecture's over.”

  Noah rolled his eyes. “I wasn't trying to lecture you, O. I'm just saying she looked young to me, that's all.”

  “Well, why do you care?” Otis demanded, looking Noah in the eye. What the hell was his problem anyway?

  “Because I care about you,” Noah shot back, returning his accusatory gaze. “Damn, man, don't get so defensive. It's not like we all haven't done it before at some point. But I'm just thinking about you! Just … be careful.”

  Otis sighed as he let the matter drop. He wasn't sure what was really going on in his brother's mind, but he did know when Noah was being sincere and when he was being an ass. And right now, his little brother was not being an ass. He seemed genuinely concerned. And for some reason, it pissed Otis off.