She tried to smile at Carlie but her smile was as cold as a winter’s morning.
Chapter 8 Gina
I HADN’T SPOKEN TO Jackson since that night. I hadn’t even wanted to. Not unless he apologized. And groveled. Jackson didn’t seem the type to grovel. He was the type to hold onto his stubborn pride, no matter what.
I’d gotten over my anger, almost.
I’d had a few drinks when Drew came over to talk to me.
“What’s up, Drew? You look a little bit down lately.”
He told me about how he’d been trying to talk Jackson into teaching him to play guitar.
“No matter what, he won’t teach me. But he should, Gina. He should get off his high horse and teach me.”
“Why Jackson?” I asked. I mean the whole bar was full of guitarists. Why pick the one person who’d definitely say no.
“He’s the best. Alex and Razer and all those guys think they are good. They are good. But Jackson is a legend. He was the best, really. Then he quit because he injured himself. But that shouldn’t stop him teaching. He doesn’t have to play himself, just tell me stuff. I really want to learn, Gina. Can you ask him about it?”
“Not me. We aren’t talking.”
“Ah, yeah. I noticed that.” Drew sighed. “He set me a challenge and if I do it, he’ll teach me, but it’s impossible. It’s the hardest challenge ever. Harder than beating Carlie at Galaga. Did I tell you about that?”
I smiled. “You sure did.”
Carlie yelled out for Drew to get back to work. He jumped up and ran off to wipe down tables.
I didn’t think Drew would win out on this one. Jackson hated the guitar now. No matter what, he’d not let Drew win. The challenge would have to be something super hard for Jackson to even offer it to Drew. He never talked about his guitar-playing past but sometimes, when we watched other bands play, a look came into his eyes. I never knew if it was envy or sadness, just that there was something he missed. A part of him that was no longer whole.
After a while, Drew sat back down with me. Violet joined us.
“So, what’s the challenge?” I asked him.
“He’s got to ask a girl out on a date.” Violet laughed. “It’s been pretty woeful.”
“Violet, it’s not a joking matter. I’m perfectly capable of asking a girl out. But it’s wrong to ask out someone just for the sake of winning. She might really like me, and even fall in love, then be devastated when she found out. I have to think very carefully about this. You can’t go into one of these situations lightly.”
“Tell me about it,” Violet said.
“Huh?”
“Remember the bet between Alex and Razer? The one I had to agree to so evil Chuck wouldn’t sell the club? Look what happened there.”
“Yeah, but that worked out good for you, right? You were just too much of a ‘fraidy cat to admit you liked Razer. Although, if it were me, I’d have picked Alex. He’s much cooler.”
Violet punched Drew on the arm. “Did Jackson say it had to be a girl? Because otherwise, you could ask Alex out on a date.”
“I’m not in love with Alex. I just admire him.”
I sat back quietly while this conversation went on between them. Drew tried to be serious about the dating thing but Violet kept teasing him. All the while, I had a plan brewing in my head. Jackson had been such a jerk, it wouldn’t hurt him to suffer a bit for it. He had no regard for my feelings and, this way, I could teach him several valuable life lessons in one hit.
“Have you ever asked a girl out?” Violet asked.
“Well, that depends on how you define ‘ask out’,” Drew replied. He crossed his arms and seemed to be considering it.
“There’s only one definition, dude.”
I inhaled deeply. I had to jump in before I lost my nerve. “Ask me out.”
Both Drew and Violet turned to me.
“Wow, Gina, that’s really nice. I never knew you thought about me like that.”
“She doesn’t, Drew. She’s got ulterior motives. But you get to win the challenge and Gina gets to do the shit she needs to do. You don’t even have to worry about breaking anyone’s heart because it’s a set-up. Nice work.”
I grinned at Violet. She totally got where I was going.
“Just don’t fall in love with me, Gina,” Drew said. “I don’t want to break your heart.”
I tried not to grin. Drew took himself very seriously sometimes and I think it hurt him a little to be teased too much. Part of me wished I would fall in love with Drew. It’d be so simple and uncomplicated. He was a sweet guy and he didn’t have the emotional baggage of some other people. But I could never see him as more than a friend.
“I promise.”
“Woohoo, you’re my ticket to guitar stardom.”
“Yeah, well no word of it to Jackson. He’s not to know it’s a set-up or he’ll never give you lessons.”
Drew nodded. “That’s not really honest but if Jackson wants to think we’re going out, he can think it. It’s not outright lying, just not giving him excess information.”
I grinned. Jackson could laugh at me all he wanted, I’d show him.
Chapter 9 Jackson
“I’VE DONE IT,” DREW said. “I’ve won the challenge.”
Bloody hell, I never expected that. The kid was lying, that’s for sure.
“No way,” said Carlie. “You got up the balls to actually ask someone on a date? And she said yes?”
Drew pursed his lips. He sat down at the bar, looking like he was the king of the world. His face glowed with his success.
“Carlie, I find it kind of offensive that you think I’m incapable of going on a date. Chicks dig the Drewster.”
I choked on my drink. I coughed and spluttered until Carlie had to run out from behind the bar and thump me on the back. I’m not sure if it was the shock of Drew actually getting a date or him calling himself the Drewster, but he would surely kill me.
“Jackson, get ready to teach guitar.”
When I could breathe again, I glared at him. “I need proof.”
“You’ll have proof alright. I’m meeting her here tomorrow. It’s my night off. You’ll see.”
Shit, I had not expected this. I could not, would not teach him guitar. The thought of picking that instrument up again made shivers run through my body. I had nothing in me to give, if only Drew realized. It was all in the past, every bit of talent leeched out of my body.
“Hey, Carlie, can we talk in private,” Drew said. “I need to get some advice from a woman.”
Carlie shot me a cheeky grin before taking Drew out into the back room.
DREW TURNED UP AT THE bar the next night looking more dapper than usual. Hell, that wasn’t hard. He normally wore an extremely baggy t-shirt covered in stains, with a pair of baggy jeans and runners. His hair usually hung in a lank mess around his face. I’d never really thought about whether Drew was good-looking or not. It just wasn’t one of those things you considered. Like you never thought about whether the clock on the wall was good-looking or the carpet on the floor. He was just Drew.
I didn’t know what they’d done to him but he looked like a normal human being. His clothes fitted him and he stood up taller. His hair was tied in a ponytail at the base of his neck. It made him look like a bit of a wanker but, short of getting it cut off, I guess it was the best they could do.
He glanced over, as though worried about what I’d say. I shot him a grin. The poor kid needed all the confidence he could get tonight. As much as I hated losing the challenge, it’d do him good to get out of the club and have some fun. He had no outside life, nothing but hanging out here. Much the same as me, but he was far too young to have no life. He should be out dating and having fun.
I gave him the thumbs up when he sat down at the bar.
“What do you think?” Carlie said. “We took him shopping before work and got him to wash his hair. It makes a big improvement.”
“I don’t look stupid?” Dre
w said. “It seems stupid to wear a tight t-shirt when I’m not buff like Razer.”
“It looks more stupid to wear something twenty sizes too big for you. Now, make sure you make eye contact instead of staring at your feet and don’t look nervous.”
Drew nodded then stared at his feet.
“Don’t twitch, Drew,” Carlie said.
“I’m not twitching.”
Carlie poured him a beer.
“Drink this to help with the nerves but not too fast. You don’t want to be drunk before she gets here.”
Drew took the beer but sat it on the bar without taking a sip.
He hadn’t said who he was dating. Maybe one of the younger girls who came into the bar or someone he’d met elsewhere. I couldn’t even imagine him approaching a girl without it being a little disturbing but there’s no accounting for taste. Maybe he found a girl who liked his fumbling and muttering.
Before I could ask, Gina came into the bar. She had her hair done up and makeup on. I hoped she wasn’t doing it to impress me because she’d be wasting her time. That red lipstick did make her mouth look incredibly appealing, though. It’d been a long time since I’d kissed a woman, a long time since I had any desire to, but it took all my willpower to hold back.
I was almost tempted to go over and say hello to her, there was no harm in being friendly, when she sat down next to Drew.
Before I could tell her that Drew was waiting for his date, I realized what was happening. Gina and Drew? Together?
Impossible. She felt sorry for him and agreed to help him out. That had to be it. She couldn’t be seriously dating him. Not Drew. Surely, she could do better than that.
I waited for her to glance over, a sign that she was only dating him to get to me, but she never took her focus off him. Not once. He said something to her and she laughed. I loved her laugh but, when she was laughing at Drew’s joke, I hated it.
“You snooze, you lose, buddy.” Carlie s put a double whiskey down beside me before I even asked for it.
I didn’t snooze but I’d surely lost. This was what I’d wanted but that didn’t make it taste any sweeter. Gina dating Drew would be the worst possible outcome. I’d have to see them all the time, being all over each other. Drew would be that type, all mushy and love-struck. I’d never have a moment’s peace. Hell, I’d rather teach him guitar than cope with that.
I ran my fingers through my hair and tried to forget about them. At least Drew would never hurt her. He’d treat her like she was made of glass. She was in the safest of safe hands with Drew.
“It’s one date, it’s not like they’re getting married,” Carlie said. “Why don’t you get that stick out of your arse and go for it? And don’t give me that ‘I’m too damaged bullshit’ either. Just get yourself un-fucking-damaged or you’ll be a miserable bastard the rest of your entire life.”
Not much a man could say to that. But damaged I was, and damaged I’d stay. There was nothing else for it.
Before I could even open my mouth, Carlie jumped in.
“Don’t even think about bitching about this to me, Jackson. Drew’s more of a man than you’ll ever be. He’s proved it tonight.”
Chapter 10 Gina
“DID YOU SEE JACKSON’S face when we left the bar together?” Drew said. “I think he wants to kill me.”
I’d pretty much been walking beside Drew without knowing where we were going since we left the bar. I assumed he had plans for this date but I had no idea what they were.
“I don’t care what Jackson thinks.” He’d seemed unsettled, though. I’m glad Drew had noticed it too and it wasn’t just my imagination.
“You care, Gina.”
“Well, I’m on the date with you tonight so let’s not talk about Jackson. What’s the plan?”
“The movies. There’s that new one, with the car chases and explosions. Oh, maybe you want to see a chick flick...”
“Hell no, explosions are good for me. Especially with excessive amounts of junk food.”
Drew actually high-fived me for that. “This is going to be the best date I’ve ever been on.”
I wondered if it was the only date he’d ever been on but didn’t like to ask. I’m pretty sure that Drew never dated. If it were an easy thing for Drew, then Jackson would’ve never have set him this challenge. It seemed like Drew’s entire life revolved around the club. Mine too. It was nice to get out of there and do normal people things for once.
I’d never admit it, but I’d never been on a real date before either. Not the whole “going to a movie or out to dinner” type of date.
We got our tickets and headed to the snack counter.
“I’m getting one of those deals with the insanely huge popcorns,” Drew said. “Maybe the one with the collector’s cup. And the bonus M&Ms.”
I nodded. “Sounds good to me.”
“But I’m paying, Gina.”
“You paid for the movie tickets. It’s only fair I pay for the snacks.” I didn’t think Drew earned that much money and I didn’t want him wasting it on me.
“It’s my date and it’s a cheap price to pay for guitar lessons. I insist.” He glared at me, with a look that was supposed to be all determination. I had to hold back my giggles because I didn’t want to hurt him. I’d see if Carlie could slip a bit extra in his pay this week to make up for it. Tell him it’d been a tip or something. That would be the best way to let him keep his pride.
With arms filled with drinks and popcorn and all the foods in the snack bar, we took our seats. Three hours of action-packed excitement later, we walked out of there with aching bellies.
“That was awesome,” Drew said.
“Yeah, it was.”
“Should we get dinner?” Drew asked.
“Hell no. I can’t eat any more.”
“Me neither.” Drew hugged his belly. “We can’t go back to the bar, though, let’s go to the game center.
I followed Drew into a den of insanity, with more noise than I thought the human ears could tolerate. I’d never been into one of those places before. They looked scary as hell.
He led me around, making me play stupid basketball games and that one where you bash the moles on the head with the hammer.
“Get into the fighting spirit,” Drew yelled.
“I can’t. They are cute little moles. I can’t bash them.” I banged down the hammer but way too late to actually hit anything.
“They’re plastic moles.”
I struck again but I missed completely. Those little moles were as fast as anything. Trying to whack them made my arm ache.
It was the same with the other games. I was happy to see Drew do well but I seemed to lack that part of me that other people had. My desire to win wasn’t that strong. Since I’d most likely lose anyway, why make the effort?
Drew had a mountain of tickets in his hand.
“Air hockey!” said Drew. “Come on.”
I ran after him. That was more fun. Drew could knock that thing around the table with such force though.
“Put some muscle into it,” he said.
“I have no muscle.”
As I rolled up my sleeve to show him, he whacked the puck down the table and got another point.
“Hey, that was mean.”
“You need to get some killer instinct.”
“Who do you think I am? Carlie or someone?”
I’d never be like Carlie. Hell, if I was, I’d have punched Jackson in the face when he laughed at me instead of running home and crying. She’d have screamed and kicked until he was the one crying. Sometimes I wanted to be like that. Not just with Jackson but with the girls from work who could be such bitches or with just life in general. In my head, I screamed and fought but the words never came out. They were stuck behind this wall of “being nice”. My mouth dried up and there was no way for me to speak and my heart beat so loud no one would hear me anyway.
I didn’t want to tell Drew all that. I could talk about those things with Jackson but Jac
kson wasn’t here. I was with Drew and I was determined to have fun.
I went with Drew to cash in the tickets.
“What do you want, Gina?” he asked. “It’s all yours, anything you want up to the value of these tickets.”
“But you won them all. Well, except that one from the basketball game, and I only got that by accident.”
“There’s nothing here I want. You could get a stuffed toy.”
In the end, I picked out a large red teddy bear. I wasn’t that into stuffed toys but it made Drew happy and the bear was kinda cute.
“You could call it Jackson, it has a fierce look like him.”
“I’m not having a teddy bear called Jackson,” I said. Then I held the bear up in front of us. “Grrr, get me some more whiskey, woman. Grrr.”
Drew and I both broke into giggles.
After that, we went for coffee.
“What are you going to do about Jackson?” Drew asked.
I had no idea he even knew anything about that. I shrugged.
“You can’t just give up, Gina. You need the killer instinct there too. If you let him go, he’ll sink down and down until there is no saving him. You too. You need Jackson just as much.”
He stared at me while sipping his pumpkin latte, waiting for a response.
“It’s not possible, Drew. He rejected me. He made his thoughts well known. If I do anything now, I’m just going to look like a desperate fool.”
“Nope, you’ll look like you are trying to break through that tough armor. He’s like an armadillo. He’s all squishy and meaty inside but you never get to that sweet armadillo meat because the shell is so tough.”
“That is the most disturbing image I’ve ever heard. You want to eat an armadillo?”
“Not real armadillo. The Jackson armadillo. And I don’t want to eat him, you do.”
That wasn’t making it any more appealing, but I totally got what Drew said. Just how, though? I couldn’t even talk to Jackson without that horrible laughter playing in my head. As much as I cared, the hurts inside had grown too strong. If he made a move, just one little thing to let me know he was sorry or that he wanted to talk to me again, it’d be different but I’d gotten nothing from him but lingering glances. You can’t build anything on glances. They were as substantial as air. I’d found that out already.
The Trouble with Rock Stars: Jackson's Story (Access All Areas, #3) Page 4
