Blinking in disbelief, I continued to stare at him. Finally, I whispered, “Oh Jake,” before I threw myself at him. “Say it again,” I commanded, my voice muffled against his chest.
“I love you, Abby,” he whispered into my ear.
“I love you, too. So very, very much,” I replied, squeezing him tight.
“I never thought I’d ever hear you say it.”
After he wrapped his arms around my waist, he pressed his forehead against mine. “I could say the same about you.”
“Jake!” Rhys called again.
“Fuck, I don’t want to go out there. I just want to stay right here with you.”
“We’ll have time together after the show.”
Jake’s expression darkened. “It’s never enough time, especially since you have to fly back tomorrow.”
“We’ll figure something out. We always do.”
“Maybe next time instead of those douchebags from Vindicated we can have Jacob’s Ladder open for us.”
I laughed. “That would be awesome.”
“I’m totally serious, Abby.”
When he used my real name, rather than Angel, I knew he really was. “But—”
He pressed a finger against my lips to silence me. “All I have to do is bring it before the suits, and usually when I go after something, I get what I want.”
I shook my head and couldn’t keep the smile from forming on my lips. “There you go with that ego again.”
“Come on.” He then took me by the hand. He led me along the darkened corridors. We reached the stage just as AJ was making his usual grand entrance. Jake pulled me almost to the edge of the wings. “Stay here for the show, okay?”
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Right here? I’m practically on the stage,” I protested.
He laughed. “I’m serious, Angel.” He leaned over and kissed me. Just as his tongue brushed against mine, we were interrupted by the announcer saying, “And lead singer and guitarist, Jake Slater!”
Jerking away from me, he regretfully said, “Gotta go.” He then proceeded to smack my ass playfully before strutting out on the stage with more swagger than I’d seen him use before.
Lily wrapped her arm around my shoulder. “So I take it all is well with you guys, huh?”
I couldn’t keep the goofy grin off my lips. “Yes, it is. Thank you so much for coming to talk to me.”
“You’re welcome.” She gave me a knowing smile. “I’m pretty good about spotting true love when I see it, and you and Jake are the real deal.”
My heart fluttered at her assessment. We then fell silent to watch our men perform. When a technician brought Jake a headset and took his microphone, my brows furrowed in confusion. I didn’t know that they had added a different part to the show.
After he adjusted the headset, he turned to me and winked. “So as some of you may know, this is usually the part of the show where I have a fan brought up on stage to sing to. But tonight I want to change things up a bit.” Jake paused for a moment like he was trying to find the right words. “Three weeks ago a girl fell into my life. Well, actually she accidentally fell into my bed, but that’s another story.”
I gasped as the audience whistled and catcalled. “Before her, I may have sung about love, relationships, and being with that special someone, but I really didn’t believe in it. But through her physical and inner beauty, she taught me about the gift of giving your heart to someone.” Jake drew in a ragged breath, and my chest clenched as I could tell he was fighting his emotions. “In so many ways, she saved me from the hell surrounding me. She is truly an angel—she’s my angel.” Turning to the wings, he met my gaze and smiled. “So come out here, Angel.”
Frozen, I couldn’t blink, least of all move. Lily had to nudge me forward, or I would have remained rooted to my spot. On trembling legs, I strode across the stage to where Jake stood beckoning me. At my appearance, the crowd went wild, causing my ears to ring from the noise.
A wide grin curved on Jake’s lips as he took my hand in his. He brought it to his lips and gallantly kissed my fingers, which caused the audience screamed in approval. “Atlanta, this is Abby, but to me she’s Angel.”
In a weird, out-of-body experience, my gaze swiveled out to the crowd, and I gave a lame wave with my free hand. “And while I could’ve written a song that would have captured everything you are to me, I feel like this one pretty much says it all.” Glancing over his shoulder, Jake said, “All right boys, let’s hit it.”
AJ started in with a drum beat before Brayden began a melting guitar intro. Almost instantly I recognized the song and gasped. It was Aerosmith’s Angel, and it was all for me.
“I’m alone, and I don’t know if I can face the night…” Jake sang into the microphone on his headset. I gazed into his eyes and saw the emotion reflected in them. Without a guitar or microphone to hold, his hands were free to roam over me. As he sang, his eyes never left mine. Warmth spread over my cheeks and throughout my entire body at the devotion he used singing the lyrics. At the second verse, he spun me around and pulled my back against him, wrapping his arms around my waist. Closing my eyes, I swayed to the love song while he crooned into my ear. Well, even with the microphone, it felt like he was singing just to me when actually he held a crowd of fifty thousand in rapt attention. I barely realized when Brayden harmonized with him.
In that moment in time, there was nothing in the world but Jake performing those amazing lyrics just for me. When it got to the part where he repeated “Come and save me tonight”, he turned me around. Pulling me flush against him, Jake cupped my cheek before bringing his lips to mine. I could’ve cared less that we were in front of thousands and thousands of people. It felt like it was just the two of us, and I couldn’t get enough of him. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pressed myself against him and deepened the kiss. My tongue danced tantalizing around his as AJ chimed in with Brayden to finish the lyrics for Jake. We didn’t break apart until the music ended, and the screams and whistles interrupted our moment.
I stumbled away from Jake before turning my wild gaze to the crowd. Jake chuckled into the microphone at my reaction. “So what do you think, Atlanta? Can you see now why this amazing girl has stolen my heart?”
Wincing, I waited for a round of boos and hisses to come at me for being the bitch who stole Jake from his adoring female harem. But surprisingly I heard nothing but cheers and more whistling. “And you know something else? She has a kickass voice, and not only did we just record our first duet, but we wrote the song together too. Would you like to hear it?”
Although the fans went wild, I couldn’t help grabbing his shirt and protesting, “No, Jake!”
He leaned over to whisper in my ear. “Don’t argue with me, Angel. Even though you don’t want to believe it, you’re ready for this moment. All you have to do is tune everyone else out and just look into my eyes. We’ll sing to each other just like always.”
A ripple of pleasure ran through me at his words. Pulling my shoulders back, I finally nodded in agreement. It was a good thing because a technician appeared out of nowhere with an exact replica of my guitar.
“But how—” I began as other technicians raced around placing stools on the stage and adjusting the microphones.
With a wicked grin, Jake’s only reply was a wink. He handed off his headset and then turned back to the crowd. We both eased down onto the stools and adjusted our guitars on our laps. I made sure to smooth out my dress to ensure I wasn’t flashing half of Atlanta.
“All right, this is a very special song, and it’s called I’ll Take You with Me.”
Jake began strumming the introduction, and then I joined in. Instead of singing to the audience, he swiveled on his stool to where he could look at me as he sang. Once again, his performance was so heartfelt and strained with emotion that I found tears stinging my eyes. We sang the chorus together, and then it was time for my solo. I didn’t take my eyes off of Jake the entire time. A shadow of a smile played on hi
s lips as he strummed his guitar.
When we finished, I leaned over to kiss him. “I love you, Jake,” I murmured against his lips.
“I love you too, Angel.”
He rose off the stool before taking the microphone off the stand. “Thank you Atlanta! My hometown crowd, you’ve been amazing as always. See ya next year!” Taking my hand, he then led me off the stage. As soon as we were in the wings, he swept me into his arms. Sliding his hands under my butt, he hoisted me up, and I wrapped my legs around him.
Our lips raged against each other until Brayden cleared his throat behind us. After I reluctantly pulled away, I glanced over my shoulder at him. With a smile, he asked, “I guess this means you two are good now?”
Kneading my butt cheeks with his hands, Jake gave me a wicked grin. “I’d say we were more than great.”
I tugged the strands of hair at the nape of his neck hard. “Stop manhandling me in public, Mr. Slater.”
“Angel, you’re going about getting me to stop the wrong way. Pulling my hair is a hell of a turn-on for me,” he whispered in my ear. I shivered at both his words and the warmth of his breath.
“Hmm, so if I let you take me back to the bus and fool around a bit, will you bail on me again?”
A determined gleam burned in his eyes. “Never. You’re mine, and you’re not getting rid of me.”
I grinned. “Good, I’m glad to hear it.”
Frank, along with LL, came up to us. “We’ve got a pretty large crowd outside waiting for you guys. Lots of stuff with them to sign.”
“Okay,” Jake replied. Reluctantly, he eased me back down onto my feet. He still kept an arm around my waist as we started out the backdoor of the arena while the guys followed behind us. At the sight of Jake, a ripple of screams and shouts erupted in the throng of mainly girls and women.
As the fans swarmed at Jake and the guys, I grinned at him. “I’m going on to the bus.”
He smiled and then kissed the crown of my head. “Frank,” he called.
Frank nodded and put a protective arm around my shoulder. “Come on, Angel.”
The fans barely acknowledged us as we weaved past them. They only cared about seeing Runaway Train—but most importantly it’s lead singer.
Unable to keep the goofy expression off my face, I glanced up at Frank. “Did you see what Jake did?”
He chuckled. “Oh yes. I saw and heard.” He winked at me. “And I couldn’t be happier that he’s finally wised up and fallen in love with an amazing girl.”
I giggled deliriously like I could only imagine someone with a few shots of liquor in them would, except I was stone cold sober. Well, extremely high off life at the moment. Twirling out of Frank’s embrace, I walked backwards for a few moments to face him. “I cannot believe he took me out there and sang to me in front of all those people—that I’m really his angel.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “And that he loves me.”
“I gotta admit that even for a gruff old fart like me, it was downright touching and so damn romantic.”
The piercing squeals of girls screaming interrupted us, causing both of us to glance over Frank’s shoulder. The boys seemed cornered by all the fans, and Jake’s wide-eyes swept over to us. Frank pulled his phone out of his pocket and called for more of the security detail.
“I can make it from here. Go on and help Jake out.”
“Okay, Angel.”
I twirled the hem of my dress back and forth while I felt like I was walking on air. I’m sure if anyone saw me they would swear I was tripping on some elicit substance. I had to bite on my lip to keep from grinning. Jake really and truly loved me. It was an amazing feeling.
Just as I turned the corner to the bus, someone grabbed my hair, yanking me back. I cried out just before my head was smashed against the side of the bus so hard that I saw stars before my eyes. Considering some of the rough areas I’d lived in, my parents had made sure I was enrolled in every self-defense class imaginable from the time I could walk. Of course, nothing quite prepares you for being taken off guard and having your thoughts jumbled by the pain of your head cracking against steel.
Fingers twisted further into my hair while my head kept being smashed against the side of the bus. Regaining my footing, I whirled around to launch two harsh punches at my assailant’s face, causing them to stumble back momentarily. In the dimly lit parking lot, I squinted my eyes. “Bree?” I questioned dumbly.
Her harsh voice echoed through my disoriented state. “You fucking bitch! It wasn’t enough he called out your name when he was inside me, but no, he has to go and sing to you?” She shook her head wildly. “If you think I’m going to give up on Jake so easily, you’ve got another thing coming!!”
I tried blocking her next hit, but she grabbed both of my shoulders and then smacked my head again, causing me to cry out. “What have you done to him? Jake never, ever would have gone for a girl like you. Now you got him singing songs to you and professing his love. He’s supposed to love me!”
“Yeah well, I’m sorry, but he doesn’t. It’s me he loves,” I protested.
Bree released my hair, but before I could get my bearings, she punched me in the mouth, sending blood spattering across the both of us. When I deflected her next two hits, she then kicked me hard in the stomach. I doubled over in pain as she kicked my back. Collapsing to the ground, I tried to disable her next kick, but it just ended up nailing me in the ribs.
“JAKE!” I screamed with what strength I had left.
“Yeah, let’s see how much Jake wants you when I’m finished with you,” Bree taunted over me.
A metallic rush filled my mouth, and I sputtered out a stream of blood. “Jake!” I whimpered again.
Just as everything started to go dark around me, I heard Jake’s voice, “ANGEL!” And then pitch blackness enveloped me.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
* * *
Jake
When I saw Frank heading back to me, I finally exhaled the breath I’d been holding. The last time we’d been mobbed like this I’d lost my shirt, a shoe, and my junk had been grabbed multiple times. I don’t know where the fuck the rest of the security team was, but their asses were going to get jacked up for leaving us with barely enough coverage, not to mention having to be saved by a roadie.
“Can you sign these?” a busty blonde asked as she jerked the collar of her shirt down and thrust her boobs up at me.
“Yeah, sure.”
She grinned. “You sign one and AJ signs the other.”
AJ chuckled. “I think this may be the last pair of tits our ol’ boy Jake signs, ladies. He’s officially been taken off the market.”
With my Sharpie, I scribbled my name across her skin. “I think I have to agree, man.”
The blonde pouted as AJ leaned in to sign. “His loss. This is an extra nice pair.” AJ winked as his pen lingered a little longer than it had to, which caused the girl to giggle. Leaning over, he whispered something in her ear. Her eyes widened and then she bobbed her head furiously.
I opened my mouth to argue that if he thought he was getting the bedroom tonight to bang this random chick, he could think again. I planned on some heavy third-base action with my girl but nothing more since I wouldn’t dream of degrading her by taking her virginity on the bus. No, she deserved rose petals and thousand count sheets and nice shit. “AJ—” I began but the sound of a scream cut me off.
“What was that?” Rhys asked, craning his neck around the throng of fans.
Then another bloodcurdling scream came—this time calling for me. It cut me right through to my soul because I knew that voice. “Abby!” I cried, dropping whatever the last fan had shoved at me to sign. I started pushing and shoving people out of the way.
“Move dammit!” I didn’t give a shit that I was manhandling fans. Abby needed me.
Once I was out of the crowd, I started sprinting through the parking lot. Frank and AJ were close on my heels. When I rounded the side of the bus, I saw Abby crumpled on the ground,
her once pristine, white dress stained with mud and grease, but worst of all blood. Bree stood over her, kicking her repeatedly.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I shouted running over to them. “Get your damn hands off of her, Bree!”
When she didn’t even falter at the sound of my voice, a growl erupted from deep within me as my fingers molded into Bree’s shoulders. With everything I had, I jerked her off of Abby. I slung her against the side of the bus so hard that I heard the unmistakable crack of bones breaking. Although Bree screamed in pain, I ignored her. My only focus was on Abby.
Crouching down, I nestled next to her and could see the extent of her injuries. Blood flowed like a crimson river from the large gash on the back of her head. Angry red welts were forming on her face, and her lip was busted and bleeding. Her hand clutched her abdomen while her head turned from side to side as she moaned.
My chest twisted so tight in agony that I found it hard to breathe. “Oh Jesus, Angel!”
Her eyelids fluttered open. “Jake?” she questioned hoarsely.
“I’m here now. You’re safe. No one is going to hurt you ever again.”
When Abby’s eyes closed, I glanced up at Frank. “Get the car!”
Without even answering me, he sprinted away. As gently as I could, I gathered Abby into my arms. When I pulled up to a standing position, it jostled us, and she cried out. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m so, so sorry.”
Her eyes widened as her brow furrowed in pain. “Jake…hurts…so bad.”
I grimaced. “I know, Angel, and I’m sorry. But we’re going to get you to the hospital just as quick as we can.”
Cradling her to my chest, I hustled to the curb just as Frank came screeching up. AJ opened the door for me, and I eased Abby onto the seat. She shrieked and clawed at my chest from the pain. Tears stung my eyes as I murmured “I’m so, so sorry,” over and over again. Once I was seated and had pulled her back onto my lap, she just whimpered, rather than cried hard.
LL hopped up front with Frank while AJ slid in beside me. As I held Abby to my chest, I watched her eyes close. “Try to stay awake. Don’t go to sleep.” I didn’t have any medical training, but I knew from how damaged her head was that she probably had a concussion.
Rock Star Romance Ultimate Volume 2 Page 22
