by L. T. Kelly
Chapter Seventeen
“Did you see her little face when you walked in?”
“I know. I didn’t want to leave.”
She squeezed his hand in response to the sadness laced in his voice. “You’ll see her again soon enough.”
He sucked in a breath. “You’re right.”
They’d boarded the flight at Heathrow on time. He traveled a long way to get her to head straight back with him, but she knew as well as he did she’d never have agreed to it if he’d merely sent the tickets through the mail. She’d have ignored them, just as she had his messages and calls.
“You’re gonna love my place. I left a bedroom empty. Maybe, you’ll want to pick out some stuff and make it a room for Jess when you both come visit?”
“Sounds great. She’d love that.”
“I know.”
“So come on. Tell me what’s been happening with you and Alex to make you leave the band?”
“Do we have to spoil this lovely eleven-hour flight by talking about Alex?”
Katie tipped her head forward and raised both brows.
“Okay, okay.”
She listened as he explained how they’d fought over the album name and her breaking up the band before they’d even left England. It stung her that he’d failed to let her in on that, that knowledge may have helped her realize he was lying about Evan sleeping with someone else. She’d been left clueless about the rift. She and Evan had spent a lot of time together, but she hadn’t spent more than a few minutes at a time with the rest of the band.
Why the hell would Alex think she’d want to watch Evan’s future torn apart? She loved him!
“Okay, well, we’re going to have to fix this,” she muttered, as much to herself as to him.
“Good luck with that,” he huffed.
She slapped him playfully. “Naysayer. You watch.”
“I will.” He winked. “It’ll be fun.”
“What’s the bet?”
He looked at the ceiling of the cabin. “I’ll have to think on that. There are too many things I want from you. But I’m guessing you’d give them all to me anyway, without there being a bet involved.”
“Wow.” Her eyes widened. “You’re cocky now that you’re a whole twenty-two years old.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm. “I’ll have to come up with the forfeit for when you lose.”
“Ah, I see hitting thirty gives you false hope.” He laughed as he dodged her second playful swipe. “Stop using your valuable energy to hit me. You better get some sleep, angel. You’re going to need it.”
She pressed her lips against his before putting her head on the pillow. The last time she’d been on an international flight, it had been with Lee, stuffed in coach class without the space to breathe properly, let alone sleep.
In their first few days together, Evan had made it clear she should never feel bad for thinking or talking about Lee. She’d wanted to snort at the comment, but in another way, she understood why a man could be jealous of her dead husband. Ultimately, Lee had made her happy, and he’d given her Jess. To Jess, Helen and even Evan, he’d been some sort of unsung war hero. While she understood the notion, hell, she even thought it sometimes when the mood took her, above all, he’d been a runner. He’d taken the easy way out and left her to deal with the fallout the hard way.
Katie had always overanalyzed, and that’s what she figured Evan to be when he’d left England so hastily…a runner. She’d given herself wholly to him and fallen madly in love. She’d been afraid she was no longer a conquest for him. He’d won her heart. When it had become abundantly clear through the media the exact reason for his departure, she’d still refused to believe it. It had become a self-fulfilling prophecy. She obviously fell for runners.
She shifted and turned over on her little airplane bed, hoping that turning over would help with a turn in her thoughts. Luckily, tiredness hit her hard, and she fell asleep.
* * * *
After landing, Katie and Evan hit the ground running. They headed over to Evan’s sleek, new apartment, dropped their bags, showered and changed. Katie insisted on putting on her war face—when she tried to convince Alex she wasn’t out to break up their band, she’d do it with makeup on. Then they headed to the meeting Al had kindly set up to restore them. Guilt for poor Al yanked her, he must have gone through hell when Evan left. He was still a household name, even years after Monument had disbanded. She highly doubted he’d become the band’s manager for financial reasons; he’d obviously done it for their talent.
She heard the voices coming from behind the doors. She stared up at Evan’s nervous face and bit her lip. Nerves weren’t something Katie wore well, but they seeped though her skin like a contagious disease. She needed something to lighten her mood.
“Okay, so here’s the deal. This meeting goes hunky-dory, right?”
He nodded.
“Then you wear a pair of panties onstage at a London arena gig for one song.”
“Okay,” he breathed.
She grinned. She knew he didn’t have any idea of what she’d asked him to do, he was too busy focusing on what was about to happen at the meeting. However, his promise had given her the determination to do what she needed to do, and that was to fix this mess.
Evan didn’t look as if he could move any farther, so she took the lead and shoved open the meeting room door. She strode in as though she were an expected and long-awaited guest, dragging Evan along with her by the hand.
Al immediately scrambled to his feet as though he’d better handle her appearance from a standing position. Alex did the same, sending his chair flying backward.
“What the fuck is she doing here?” His eyes bounced from Katie to Al and back again.
“Nice to see you, too, Alex.” She tightened her hold on Evan’s hand. “I needed a word with you, love,” she drawled and tipped her head to one side theatrically.
She exuded bravado, but inside, her stomach lurched. There was no way on earth she’d let this little shit fuck up Evan’s career. And there wasn’t a chance she’d let Alex, as much as she wanted to poke out his eyes at that moment, walk away from a lifelong friendship for a problem he’d created in his own head.
“Hey, you listen here, you—”
She held up her palm before he had the chance to insult her. “No, you listen here, Alex. I came all the way from London to tell you something. So listen up. I have never nor will I ever try to break up this band. I love this band.” She stopped speaking and pretended to huff so she could catch her breath then attempt to stop her voice from shaking, due to the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins.
“You need to get a grip of yourself, love,” she continued, “and stop being a whiny little bitch.” She narrowed her eyes to slits as she watched him crumple beneath the weight of her words. “You and Evan are meant to be mates.” Her gaze flew to Evan then back to Alex. “Do you think I’d let a bloke come between me and my mates? Even if they did piss in your bed.” Her lips quirked at the corner as she stared at Alex. She wanted to break into hysterics when a smile crept onto his lips, but she managed to swallow them.
Poor Mel, please forgive me. It was for a good cause. Maybe, I can get the name Mel put on the arse of the panties? she thought.
“Have I made myself clear?” she demanded, jutting her chin toward Alex.
“Crystal.”
“Good, now, let’s tip that bloody coffee down the sink where it belongs and go for a real drink.” She nodded and turned on her heel, letting go of Evan’s hand before she lost her nerve and revealed her bravado was fake.
“Angel, it’s like ten AM.” Evan caught up with her as she strode toward the car, her adrenaline causing her to speed up.
“You’re in a bloody rock band, Evan. It’s what rock bands do.” She shrugged reaching the car that had brought them there. “Besides, my body doesn’t know what time it is anyway.”
She ducked into the car and blew out a slow breath, wiping away the bead of sweat t
hat had formed on her forehead. Glancing out the window, she saw Alex, Tom, Jamie and Al come through the door and head for the car.
Evan got in and sat opposite her.
She grinned. “I hope you heard what your forfeit is.”
“Oh, I did, angel. For now, I’m glad you pulled this off.”
“I hope you like pink, babe,” she whispered with a wink as Tom climbed into the car.
* * * *
“Hey, do you guys remember when Missy Phillips offered to suck Evan’s dick behind the bleachers after football practice, and she sat there for an hour, but he didn’t show?” Alex’s voice got louder with every beer he drank. If he and Katie hadn’t made up, Evan guessed Alex would be getting a swift uppercut from her around about now.
“Now, now, arsehole. Do you think I want to hear about some silly cheerleader sucking my boyfriend’s dick?”
Evan couldn’t believe how well Katie commanded Alex. Even Al looked at her in awe. She’d given him a one-way conversation about what he’d said to her on the phone. If it wasn’t so serious it would have been comical, he’d sat there and took it from her with the look of a chastised infant. She had Alex right where she wanted him, and he responded to each cue. She’d adapted well and became one of the lads instead of the raving sex siren he knew she could be.
He wanted to get her home to his bed as the evening drew in, but she’d whispered to him to let her have this night with the boys so she could get to know them. He’d have the other nine nights.
“Let’s go to a club,” Alex slurred loudly.
“I’m hardly dressed for that.” Katie waved her hand up and down herself, gesturing to her cream-colored slacks and white shirt.
Alex fumbled for his phone and held up a finger. “Got the solution for that,” he slurred as he hit a few keys on the screen then put the phone to his ear.
“Maria, it’s Alex. You wanna come to a club tonight?” He nodded and looked lost in conversation. “Aha, aha. Okay, well, I need a favor first. Meet me at your store?”
Al said goodnight to them, saying clubbing really didn’t suit him.
After they’d drained the remainder of their drinks, Alex stumbled to his feet and beckoned them out of the bar and into the waiting car. The driver went a few blocks until they pulled up outside a little boutique store with expensive-looking wallpaper and an oversized, black chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
“What are we doing here? We could have gone back to Evan’s place for me to change.”
“No way. I’m buying you a dress to apologize for lying to you, and for having to come over here and sort out this mess.” He waved a hand between himself and Evan but kept his eyes on Katie. The night air appeared to have the opposite effect than usual on Alex. Usually, it made a person more drunk, but Alex looked as if he’d sobered up a little.
“You don’t owe me anything; I was coming over anyway. I’m glad the situation has been resolved.”
Alex ignored her and shoved the car door open. “Hey, Maria, you’re rocking that outfit.”
* * * *
Alex ducked back in the car after Katie had gotten out and Maria had taken her inside the store.
Evan studied his friend’s face. “Why are you being so nice to her?”
Alex shrugged. “She came here. I took the time to get to know what’s fascinated you so much.”
Evan huffed out a laugh. “And what’s that?”
“She’s like one of the boys wrapped up in a hot body.”
Evan swiped Alex’s arm. “You keep your hands off that body. It belongs to me.”
Katie emerged, wearing a sexy black dress with crystals sewn in around the plunging neckline that revealed the curve of her breast. Room in the car was tight with all of them in it, including Maria. Soon, the vehicle filled with chatter. Maria had gone to school with all of them, and they were busy catching up. As with most of the hot girls at school, Alex had dated her for a while and they’d remained friends.
“You look amazing. Like the angel you are,” Evan whispered to Katie. “I want to take you home and bend you over while you’re still wearing that dress.”
Katie giggled. “One dance then we can slip away, okay?”
He nodded and pressed his lips to her cheek. The smoldering look of promise in her blue eyes sent a wave of heat to his groin.
The car pulled up outside one of Hollywood’s most exclusive nightclubs. You literally couldn’t get in unless you were someone. Or a raging-hot chick, who generally went there because they wanted to fuck someone who was someone. Any guy with any sense would steer clear of them, unless they wanted their mug shot all over the gossip mags.
Katie’s mouth hung open as a photographer pointed and shot. Evan did what he knew best and kept walking, ignoring him and tugging Katie along with him.
The thud of the bass attacked him, and the heat reminded him how tired he’d gotten from all the traveling. Relief from the day’s events had helped him relax, but this journey with her seemed far from over. He still had to tell her about his mother. He was reminded of that when he saw Jared Peterson standing at the bar with a pretty blonde. He’d spent a good portion of his youth at the Peterson mansion. Grace, Jared’s mom, had tried to help his mother countless times.
Katie tugged on Evan’s hand. “Bloody hell, is that who I think it is?” She nodded toward Jared, her eyes wide.
Evan nodded and smirked, pulling her toward Jared and his companion. Evan’s mother and father had hung out with Jared’s before he’d been born. Grace had given Lynn a job on her show, but she’d screwed that up. He hadn’t wanted to pass his mother to someone else and make her their problem, but he needed help.
“What do you want to drink?”
“Nothing. Thanks, love.”
The blonde with Jared turned to look at Katie. “Hi, I’m Cassie.”
“Katie,” she replied with a smile, looking happy to have another Brit in her midst.
Jared handed Cassie a glass of champagne then guided her away, heading for a table. Evan grabbed Katie’s hand and followed the couple. “Go have your dance. I need to speak to Jared for a minute then we’re out of here.”
Katie grinned and beckoned Jared’s girlfriend to the dance floor.
Evan leaned in to speak to Jared. “Hey, man. How’s it going?”
“It’s great to see you. Congratulations on your recording contract.” Jared clapped him on the shoulder affectionately.
One of Evan’s first memories was sitting in the Peterson mansion while his mother wept on Grace’s couch. He must have been around five years old, so Jared would have been ten or eleven. He’d always been kind to Evan, especially when Evan’s mother was a crying, drunk mess. Jared had taught him how to play video games while Grace worked his mother back into a fit state.
“How’s your mom?”
Evan had known Jared would ask, and it made him cringe. Evan had taken her to rehab, and she’d stayed two weeks before checking out. It was apparent what a fuck up she’d become. He’d had to contact a lawyer and threaten her with being cut off if she didn’t sort herself out.
“That’s sort of why I wanted to speak to you. Do you think you could ask your mom to call me?” He’d shamelessly beg Grace to help him convince his mother to take the right path.
“Yeah, sure. No problem. I’ll speak to her tomorrow.”
“Thanks, buddy. So who’s the blonde?” Evan quickly changed the subject, talking about his mother always brought him down.
“Cassie,” Jared replied with a shit-eating grin.
“We should get together for a drink sometime. Katie’s British, too.”
“Yeah, sure. Looks like they’d get along pretty well.” Jared nodded toward the pair on the dance floor where they danced and laughed together.
“Yeah, we flew in this morning, so we’re heading home now. But I’ll call you.”
Evan reached the dance floor and grabbed Katie’s hand, dragging her to the exit. He suddenly felt the need to explain why h
e’d hidden away his embarrassing mother.
They got outside and waited for the car to come around. Evan hadn’t bothered trying to find the rest of the band to tell them he was leaving. They’d only encourage him and Katie to stay for a drink. Try as he might, his mood had changed after talking about his mother.
“Are you okay?” Katie’s voice lilted with concern as she seemed to pick up on his vibes.
“Sorry, did you want to stay?”
“No, it’s not about that. You’re distant? Did someone say something to you?”
He sighed as their car stopped for them to get in. “No, it’s just that I have something to tell you.” He opened the door, ushered her inside then followed her.
Chapter Eighteen
“What is it?”
Katie’s face paled, as if he were about to tell her he had a month to live. He couldn’t help but chuckle, which turned into a nervous laugh.
“It’s nothing for you to worry about. This particular problem is mine alone.”
She shook her head and smiled sweetly. “If it’s your problem, it’s mine, too.”
“It’s my mother,” he forced himself to tell her. If he didn’t, she’d find out soon enough. He took a deep breath. “She’s an alcoholic to the point that she’s fucked up beyond all help.”
“I’m sorry,” she soothed, rubbing his thigh affectionately.
“Like I said, it’s not your problem. She’s gunning for me, and I don’t know what she’s going to do next. It’s like waiting for a bomb to explode.”
They waited until they’d arrived at his West Hollywood apartment before continuing their conversation. Tiredness attacked him, but getting to know him was what Katie had come here for. She wanted to know everything, and this felt like the right time to tell her. He could see how tired she was, too, so he made them coffee while she went to sit on the terracotta-tiled terrace.
“It’s lovely out here,” she said, looking up at him.
He smiled back at her, content to sit and stare over at the twinkling lights in the distance.
“So, how long has she been like this?”
