by Faith Gibson
“You should play for your dad,” Tracy told Taryn when they stopped off in the music room. Taryn blushed, but she bit her lip and waited to see if Sloane agreed.
“Play what?” Sloane asked.
“I have a surprise for you,” she said. He expected his daughter to go to the keyboard, but she shocked him, picking up one of his guitars. Derik appeared in the door, and Tracy excused herself to go help him with the burgers. Sloane figured it was an excuse to give the two of them some alone time.
“So, show me what you’ve got,” Sloane urged, and after making sure his thousand-dollar rhythm guitar was in tune, she played one of 7’s Mistress’s older songs. Like a pro.
Sloane picked up his bass, and together, the two of them got lost in song after song. Taryn missed notes here and there, but the way her fingers glided over the strings with ease meant she’d been playing a while. She was damn good for a twelve-year-old, and Sloane couldn’t be prouder. He lent his voice to the music, and when he urged his daughter to sing along, she shook her head.
“You really don’t want me singing,” she said, laughing.
“It can’t be that bad,” Sloane argued.
“Okay, you asked for it.” She strummed the intro to “Deliver Me,” and Sloane sang the first verse. When Taryn came in on harmonies, or tried to, he grinned but didn’t stop the song to tell her she was right. As good as she was on guitar, her voice really was awful.
When Tracy came back into the room, she announced the food was ready. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was until his stomach growled. Sloane slung an arm around Taryn’s neck as they walked down the long hallway to the patio doors. “You’re really good,” he told her.
Taryn beamed at his praise. “Thanks. It’s all I’ve ever been interested in. Plus, when your dad’s this world-famous rock star, everyone sort of expects you to have some of the same abilities. I figured since I loved music, I might as well prove them right.”
“I used some of the money you sent on soundproofing the garage,” Tracy said. “She wasn’t always this good, and the neighbors didn’t appreciate having a rock star wannabe next door.”
“Well, you’re not a wannabe any longer. You’re better than a lot of guys out on the road,” Sloane told Taryn.
“Yeah, right.” She shook her head, but Sloane didn’t miss the smile she tried to hide.
“Who’d you get to teach you?”
“I watched YouTube videos.” Taryn shrugged as if teaching herself to play was no big deal.
“No shit? Damn, girl. If you had a professional give you lessons, there’s no telling how much you’d grow your craft.”
“If I only knew a professional,” she deadpanned.
“Pauly would be perfect. He’s the most talented guitarist I know.”
“I was talking about you,” she said, bumping into his hip with hers.
“Maybe, but there’s not a better guitarist out there than Les Paulson.”
“Speaking of Pauly, he stopped by earlier,” Tracy said.
“That’s impossible. He’s in Nashville.”
“Sloane, I think I know who Pauly is. He came by earlier. I told him you and Taryn were in the music room and he should join you. He got a funny look on his face and took off.”
“What the hell?” Sloane asked more to himself than his ex. Pauly was here? In Malibu? “I need to make a call. Please go ahead and start eating.” Sloane left the others to their own devises as he headed back inside to find his phone. He expected there to be either a missed call or at the least another text from Pauly, but there was nothing. He pulled up his favorites and hit Pauly’s name. When the call connected, it went straight to voicemail. “Dude, what the fuck? You come all this way and don’t come in the house? Call me.”
He tried calling again with the same result. Instead of leaving another messing, he sent a text.
Sloane: Call me.
Sloane: Please?
What the ever-loving hell was Pauly’s deal? He said he wanted to stay in Nashville, and then he comes to California anyway. It didn’t make any sense. Sloane didn’t have time to contemplate what his lover was thinking. After ensuring his phone was set to ring and not vibrate, Sloane returned to the patio. Even though he was no longer hungry, he didn’t want to be rude. While fixing a plate, Sloane asked Tracy, “Did Pauly say why he was here?”
“No. He looked really surprised to see me open the door. I apologize for that, by the way. I probably shouldn’t have, but I did look through the peephole first. Since it was him, I figured it’d be okay.”
“Of course, it’s okay. You’re living here now, so you can open the door whenever you want, unless it’s the paparazzi. Then I’d suggest you run the other way.”
Tracy roller her eyes. “Anyway, whenever I told him you and Taryn were in the music room, he almost looked like I’d kicked his puppy. He said it was good to see me, and then he just left.”
The only thing Sloane could think of was Pauly was jealous. After the comment he made about Sloane going back to his wife… And now, that’s probably exactly what he thought, that Sloane had run home to Malibu and moved Tracy and Taryn in. Pauly didn’t know the truth. Rarely did he and Pauly talk about their kids, and whenever Sloane talked with Taryn, he didn’t share the subjects of their conversations. Never felt the need to. If he’d only told Pauly Tracy had remarried. Sloane really needed to find him.
“I’m sure he’s fine. I’ll catch up with him later,” Sloane lied. He did his best to not let on his heart was about to burst out of his chest at the thought of Pauly thinking Sloane didn’t want him. He wanted nothing more than the two of them to be together, and Sloane was in it for the long haul. Had been for a while.
Once they finished eating, Syd had to take off for work, so Sloane encouraged his three houseguests to make themselves at home. For about the twentieth time, he assured both Tracy and Derik it was no imposition, and he had plenty of room. Now he knew Pauly was in town, Sloane was on a mission to find his best friend and figure out what was going through his head. He would pack a bag and go stay with his lover, giving everyone their own space. Since Pauly wouldn’t return his call, Sloane pulled out the big guns.
“Sloane, what’s shaking?” Echo asked when the line connected. “You and Pauly ready to sign a contract?” The woman had been their manager for 7’s Mistress, and she was eager to continue with at least two of the four of the band.
“Not exactly. I need your help. Pauly’s not answering my call, and I really need to get hold of him.” After a little prodding on Echo’s part, Sloane explained what happened that morning at the hotel and afterward when Pauly arrived at the beach house. “I really need to talk to him.”
“Let me see what I can do, and I’ll call you back.”
Sloane went to his room, doing his best to avoid Tracy and Derik. He wouldn’t mind spending time with Taryn, but he had opened his house to them as a place to stay after their tragedy. He wasn’t going to make things awkward by insinuating himself into their interactions. If Taryn wanted to talk to him, she would find him. He packed a suitcase with enough clothes for a week. He added a few items from his bedside drawer he and Pauly could enjoy together. Then, he began pacing. He opened the French doors in his bedroom and stepped out onto the patio which overlooked the ocean. He’d owned his house for over ten years, and he’d only seen the view from this perspective a handful of times. What a waste.
Taking a seat in one of the cushioned chairs, Sloane propped his feet on the railing and threaded his fingers together across his stomach. He loved the beach. The waves crashing as they broke, the seagulls circling overhead, the salty aroma that wafted on the wind. As much as he loved the area, Sloane no longer needed the large house or the flashy red sports car, if he were being honest with himself. He was glad to have somewhere Taryn could stay until her mom and step-dad got back on their feet, but after that? That was one of the things he wanted to talk to Pauly about. Living together. Making music together. Having a family together.
He would give it all up to live in a shack with his lover if that’s what it took for them to have a future.
It was a couple hours before Sloane heard back from Echo. He was still sitting on the patio when he answered the phone.
“That boy’s all kinds of messed up over you. I didn’t tell him the truth of why I reached out to him, because I figured that needed to come from you. If you want to talk to Pauly, show up at Rooster’s tonight. There’s a special guest playing there around ten.”
“A special guest, huh? Was that your doing?” Sloane asked, already knowing the answer.
“Maybe. Jackson Cane has been trying to get hold of you guys for years, and while it isn’t the whole band, he jumped at the chance to have any one of you show up for an impromptu set.”
“Didn’t Pauly ask how you knew he was in Cali?”
“Sure did, and I told him he was trending. Y’all can’t fly commercial without photos showing up on social media. Just so you know, you’re trending as well, so look out for the leeches.” That was Echo’s term for paparazzi. Sloane had gotten used to having cameras stuck in his face a long time ago. It came with the territory.
“Thanks for the heads-up, and thanks especially for getting Pauly the gig. I have an idea of how to get him to talk to me afterwards. Please call Jackson back and let him know I’ll be there right at ten. If he can sneak me in the back, that’d be great.”
“You’re welcome, and I’m on it. I wish I was in the area. I would love to see you on stage together. You two are truly magic.”
“If things go my way, there will be plenty of future magic for you to partake in.”
Echo sighed. “I sure hope so. Text me tomorrow and let me know how it goes.”
“Will do. Love you, spitfire.”
“Love you, too.”
Sloane glanced at the clock. It was too early to head down to the club, and with the time difference, it felt later than it was, so Sloane closed the patio doors and pulled the black-out curtains together. He set his alarm and lay down for a nap. By the time the chime sounded, he was well rested and ready to see what the night would bring. One way or another, he and Pauly were going to hash out everything between them, and Sloane meant everything.
Sloane called for a car service to take him to Rooster’s. The company was one which was used to dealing with high-profile customers, and the drivers were always courteous and professional. Being accustomed to having stars in their backseats meant Sloane didn’t have to worry about a star-struck person talking non-stop or asking for autographs and selfies.
After taking a shower, Sloane lined his eyes with kohl, painted his nails black, and dressed in tight black jeans and a black, nearly sheer button up. Instead of piling his long, blond hair up in a bun, he brushed it out, letting it fall around his shoulders the way Pauly liked it. Lastly, he spritzed Pauly’s favorite cologne into the air and walked through it. Taking one last look in the mirror, Sloane said goodbye to his houseguests and headed to Rooster’s.
Chapter Four
Pauly never could say no to Echo, and playing in front of people was what he thrived on, even if it wasn’t an arena filled with twenty thousand fans. A small crowd was the perfect venue to showcase the latest songs he’d written to gauge their interest in the new sound. Jackson Cane had been trying to get 7’s Mistress to play Rooster’s for many years. He wasn’t getting the band, but Echo assured Pauly that Jackson was just as eager to have one member, especially now the band had broken up. Seeing any one of them continuing to play gave the fans the band’s music. Gave them hope they hadn’t truly heard the last of 7’s Mistress.
Playing guitar and singing would take his mind off things even if just for a little while. He’d made the mistake of confiding in Echo why he was in California. He’d even confessed how he was torn up over Sloane being back with his ex. Pauly understood Sloane’s need to be around Taryn; she was his kid, after all. Before Echo’s call, Pauly finally got hold of both his own kids and apologized for the lack of a Christmas card, but he assured both he would see them soon and try to make up for lost time. Les Jr. seemed more thrilled than Juno, but his son had always thought having a rock star for a father was the shit. Then again, the kid was only ten.
Both Corinne and Dana, his kids’ mothers, had agreed to his seeing Juno and Les Jr. They knew Pauly loved his kids, even if he hadn’t been there for all the milestones. He promised both he planned to do better in the future now that he wasn’t going to be on the road constantly.
Pauly dressed in torn jeans and a black T-shirt. He popped his fedora on his head, grabbed his favorite acoustic guitar – the one he didn’t take on the road – and then headed out. He would get there early, but having a couple drinks before he took the stage would take the edge off his nerves. What he wouldn’t give to have Sloane joining him for a duet. The two of them had made some beautiful music together over the years, but it didn’t seem like that was in the cards for the immediate future.
Jackson Cane was waiting at the back door for Pauly. He welcomed him with an outstretched hand and a straight, white smile. If Pauly was into older men with stylish salt and pepper hair and striking blue eyes, Jackson would fit the bill. Pauly’s heart belonged to a tall, thin blond with hazel eyes who knew him inside and out.
“Pauly, come in. I can’t thank you enough for playing tonight.”
“It’s my pleasure. I love the crowds, no matter how large or small.” And that was the truth. Pauly just loved playing guitar. He wasn’t as thrilled about singing, but he had a decent enough voice that the fans would forgive him for not sounding like Tag.
“I’ve prepared the dressing room. Is there anything I can get for you?” With a hand at the small of his back, Jackson ushered Pauly to a private room that was small but clean and set up with new-looking furniture. Most of the smaller places he’d played over the years had been equipped with folding chairs or sofas that looked like they’d been picked up off the side of the road. At least this room was brightly lit and bigger than a broom closet. As well as being neat, there was a bouquet of flowers on the dressing table. Pauly wondered if those were for him or just the usual decoration.
“I’d love a drink, but I have no problem going to the bar.”
“Nonsense. You’re practically royalty, so please, let me treat you as such. Just tell me what you want and I’ll see to it you’re taken care of all night.” Jackson Cane was pouring on the charm, and if Pauly didn’t know better, he was acting like more than just a bar owner. He was a fan, too, but there was a certain gleam in his eye that Pauly thought might have been interest. Would it hurt if the man was flirting with him? Yes, it would. Pauly wasn’t going to believe the last years with Sloane meant so little he’d so quickly give up on what they had.
But he’d already done that. Hadn’t he?
“Pauly?” Jackson asked, bringing his attention back to the handsome man standing in front of him. Pauly was tall, but Jackson had a few inches on him, plus the man was broad. Pauly had never given much thought to what type of man, or woman, he was attracted to. They either caught his eye or they didn’t. For the last several years, he’d never considered taking anyone to bed other than Sloane. It seemed his dick was still on the Sloane train, since it wasn’t twitching in the least under his tight jeans.
“I’ll take a Jack and Coke. But you don’t have to cater to me.”
“It’s no trouble at all. You settle in, and I’ll be right back.”
Alone in the room, Pauly set his case down and pulled his guitar out. He knew it was already tuned, but he plucked at the strings anyway. He was going over the latest song he’d been working on when a knock sounded.
“Come in,” Pauly called out, expecting it to be Jackson. A pretty blonde with huge tits spilling over her low-cut Rooster’s T-shirt came in holding a tray.
“Hello Mr. Paulson. I’m Jess. Jackson asked that I see to your needs tonight,” she said, looking Pauly over like he was a lollipop and she wanted to lick him. “I brought a set-up s
o you can have more than one drink, if you wish. Also, I grabbed some snacks in case you’re hungry.”
Pauly was surprised Jackson had sent someone else, but he did have a bar to run. “Thank you, Jess. And please, call me Pauly. Mr. Paulson was my father.”
“Okay, Pauly.” After setting the tray on the table, Jess filled the rocks glass with ice from the bucket before adding a strong serving of whiskey followed by a dash of Coke. He appreciated the fact that she was trying to give him good service and not skimping on the alcohol, but Pauly only wanted to take the edge off, not get drunk. If this had been back when the band first started, he’d have just chugged from the bottle.
“You can set that down,” he said, indicating the glass. He wouldn’t hurt her feelings by pouring it out in front of her. “I’m going to warm my fingers up first.”
“Is there anything else I can do for you?” Jess bit her bottom lip. She was a beautiful woman, and the gesture would have caught his interest at one time, but not any longer.
“I’m good. Just please close the door behind you when you leave.”
Jess’s smile faltered only a couple seconds before it was back in place. “I’ll be here all night,” she said before walking out of the room with a little added swing in her hips. Pauly had to give her aces for trying. Instead of drinking what Jess had poured for him, Pauly dumped out half the drink into a fresh glass and added more Coke on top of what was left. He sipped the new mixture, letting the alcohol calm his nerves. He wasn’t anxious about playing. He was still dealing with the sadness of finding Sloane’s ex at his door.
