Teacher: Act Two (A Hollywood Rock n' Romance Trilogy Book 2)

by Merrill, R. L.

  “Let’s take the ride thing day by day, ok? I do want to take you, but I know my schedule is going to be hectic when we get in the studio.”

  “I understand. I don’t want to be in the w-”

  “Don’t say that, please? You are my girlfriend, I love you, and you are never going to be in the way.”

  I smiled sheepishly at him. “I just-”

  “Jesse, let me promise you something. If it’s not the right time for you to be with me someplace I’m going, I’ll let you know. For example, when we first go in the studio and are recording, it gets intense and I’m really focused. You probably won’t want to be there and I probably won’t want you there because I won’t be pleasant to be around.”

  “You mean you’ll be a dick,” I said with a mock frown.

  He gave me a stunned look. “Jesse!”

  I reached out to tickle him and he grabbed my hands. “I’m kidding! I’m only repeating what you said.” I tried to look apologetic, but he wasn’t buying it.

  “Fine! Yeah, I’ll be a dick. But also I’d get too distracted looking at those legs, and the guys would have to ban you from the studio, and then I’d have to kick their asses. That would be non-productive.”

  We were sitting at the bar finishing our work for the day at this point and he stood and wrapped me in his arms. I remembered my conversation with Alex and Julian.

  “You know, they joke about being able, or unable, to take you in a fight. Are you a fighter, Danny?”

  He frowned and rubbed my back with his thumbs absently. “I guess. We used to fight all the time when we were younger.”

  I was shocked. “Really? Like knock-down, drag-out fighting?”

  He nodded with a smirk. “Yeah.”

  “With whom!?”

  He laughed nervously. “With each other, with other guys... I don’t know! You know I have a short fuse.”

  I laughed out loud. “I knew you had a short fuse, but I wondered why they acted kind of afraid of you. Are you like a badass or something?”

  He pulled me closer to him and said, “Would that make me hot or a total dipshit?” I laughed and pinched his side.“Ow! I don’t know! I can handle myself. I don’t go out looking for fights, if that’s what you mean.”

  I shook my head and rested it against his chest. “As long as you know I can still take you in a tickle war I guess it’s ok.”

  His chest rumbled with laughter and it was music to my ears. “You can take me however you want me, honey. I’m all yours.”

  At that I looked up at him wishing we had just a little time alone, but we heard Nora and Jane come into the kitchen.

  “Hey, you two,” Danny yelled. “It’s almost time to go. You better go get showered.”

  They both hollered they needed a snack.

  “I’ll put something together. You can eat on the way, now scoot! I don’t want to miss the play.” I loved it when he got bossy.

  We made it out of the driveway only fifteen minutes late with Danny half-heartedly scolding us. I’d gone into Jane’s room to help her find something to wear and it turned into a fashion show. The girl had a ton of clothes.

  “Daddy! I had to have the perfect outfit to wear. I haven’t been to the theater since you took me to see ‘Phantom of the Opera’ all those years ago.” Jane had her arms crossed next to me in the backseat. I’d insisted Nora sit in front with Danny so I could prepare Jane for the play.

  “Now, the language might be a little confusing so you can ask me questions if you get confused, but we have to be super quiet.”

  She nodded. “Ok. Is this something I’ll do in high school, too?”

  “Absolutely. Romeo and Juliet is required reading for all freshmen. It’s good to read, but it’s much better to see it performed live. I hope you like it.”

  She smiled at me and grabbed my hand. “I’m sure I will.”

  I squeezed hers and was surprised that she didn’t let go until it was time for us to climb out of the Range Rover.

  The play was beautifully done. The costuming was elaborate in contrast to the minimal set. Jane was enraptured! She sat on one side of Danny, between him and Nora, and I sat on Danny’s other side. A couple of times I saw her whisper to Danny, but the rest of the time her eyes were glued to the actors. When it was over, she was in tears, hugging her daddy.

  “I know, baby. It’s very sad. It takes such a tragic event to bring people together sometimes.”

  She nodded and then she hugged me tight. “I really liked it, Jesse. It’s just so sad.”

  I smoothed back her hair. “I know. I try to focus on their love story, how they came from two different worlds and looked beyond the obstacles because they loved each other so much. They were willing to do anything to be together. That’s what I take away from it. On the other hand, the realist in me says they were so young and were carried away by their feelings. They acted irrationally and took things too far. But I don’t listen to the realist all that much.” I winked at her and she smiled.

  “Good,” she said and glanced at her dad.

  We piled into the car and cruised down Hollywood Boulevard. Jane had taken over the radio so we were listening to Kelly Clarkson. She and Nora were singing along in the backseat. Danny was quiet but smiling.

  “Daddy, we’re going to Hard Rock, right?”

  He glanced in the mirror. “Yes, Janey dear. I promised.”

  She leaned forward and pinched his cheek. “You’re awesome, Daddy.”

  He looked tearful as he turned back to the road. I knew he was having a moment.

  After we parked, Jane and Nora walked ahead of us chatting happily and pointing out interesting people. Danny placed his hand on my lower back. He was still pretty quiet, so I asked, “You ok, over there?”

  He nodded, his face looking tense. “Yeah. Just thinking. I don’t know. Just kind of emotional.”

  I reached for his hand and held it as we walked down the block. “I get it. It’s been a roller coaster for you recently.”

  He squeezed my hand and tried to smile. He seemed really affected.

  The Hard Rock had a line of people out front waiting to be seated, but Danny’s notoriety got us a table within minutes. While we were waiting, some fans out front asked for his autograph. He put on a huge smile to sign for them. One young man asked for a picture with him, and he posed graciously.

  I looked to Jane to see how she was taking this. She was beaming. I stood next to her and asked, “Is it weird for you?”

  She shook her head and laughed. “No. I mean, I get it that people like him. It’s funny, though, because to me he’s just my daddy. He’s not a huge rock star at home.”

  “I get it. I was a big fan before I met him, but it’s like they’re two separate people, you know?” She nodded. I wondered about something. “Jane, have you ever been to one of his shows?”

  She shook her head. “No. He always said they were too loud and rowdy. I want to go, though. I wonder if he’ll say I’m old enough now.”

  She looked up at me. “Have you ever been?”

  I shook my head. “Nope. Tickets are so expensive. I just stick to the radio.”

  She laughed and whispered conspiratorially, “I bet he would give you tickets now.”

  We were giggling when Danny came back over to us.

  “What are you two giggling about?” He put his arms around both of us and we followed the hostess back to a table near the rear of the restaurant. Jane was looking around at all the memorabilia.

  “We were just discussing the fact that neither of us have been to one of your shows.”

  He had a bemused expression on his face. “No? Hmmm. Would you want to go,” he asked me and I rolled my eyes.

  “Duh! Omigosh, that would be like so cool! Hey Jane, maybe I’ll get to meet that really cute lead singer, what’s his name?”

  She giggled. “I forget. I think my daddy knows him.”

  Danny chuckled while the two of us geeked out. Nora excused herself to go to the
restroom.

  “Seriously, Daddy. Am I old enough to come see a show now? Please? Me and Jesse could come cheer for you.”

  He blushed, her 'gimme' look doing a number on him. “I thought you hated my music.”

  She looked confused. “I don’t hate it! I just don’t really get to listen to it. Mom doesn’t let me play it, but I like what I’ve heard on the radio.”

  He looked like he’d been kicked in the gut, but he recovered quickly. “She probably has her reasons. I tell you what, the first show we play that seems like it will be in a safe place, I’ll let you come watch.”

  He looked up at me. “You really want to come, too?”

  I raised my eyebrows at him. “Are you serious? Danny! I would love to come see you!”

  He smiled shyly and nodded. “Ok, it’s a date. Well, assuming I can still sing.”

  I patted his knee, knowing he’d probably rather not talk about that possibility. I looked to Jane. “So what kind of music do you like?”

  She shrugged. “I like some pop music I guess, like Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Katy Perry. That’s all I’ve really listened to, just whatever mom had on.”

  I frowned. “They’re all talented ladies, but you need to start your rock n’ roll education, my dear.” She giggled and Danny smirked at me. “Don’t you think so, Danny?”

  He shrugged. “I guess I’ve fallen down on the job.”

  I looked at him, questioningly. I wondered why that was.

  “I like coming here because I know Daddy’s guitar is here, and Uncle Julian and Uncle Bronson have their guitars here, too. And there are some other people Daddy knows that have their instruments here. Daddy, would you teach me to play sometime?”

  He looked shocked. “You want to play music?”

  She nodded. “I've always wanted to ask you, but mom said it was a waste of time.”

  Danny ground his teeth together, the muscle in his jaw twitching like mad. His naturally reddish skin tone grew darker and he pressed his lips together.. “I had no idea. Look, Janey, I would love to teach you to play and I would love to have you listen to my music, but I don’t want you to feel like you have to, ok? I mean, I love being in my band and making music, but that’s the life I chose. You know I’ll be happy with whatever you decide to do, don’t you?”

  She nodded. “I do. But it would be fun! Will you teach me?”

  Danny’s eyes filled with tears. “Of course, baby. Do you want to learn piano or guitar?”

  She shrugged. “Can’t I learn both?”

  I laughed and leaned over to kiss Danny on the cheek as I saw the tears spill from his eyes. Janey hugged her dad tight and I think at that moment he needed us to hold him up.

  Nora came back to the table and found us like that.

  “What’d I miss?” she asked.

  Danny wiped at his eyes and kissed Jane on top of her head. “Janey’s just made her old man a happy guy that’s all.”

  He kissed her again and then the server brought our meals. Jane ordered a huge cheeseburger that was bigger than her head. Danny and Nora had the steak and fries. I opted for a salad. They all shook their heads at me.

  “What,” I cried in protest. “I like green stuff!”

  After we finished, Jane asked me to go to the bathroom with her. “I want to show you Daddy’s guitar.” She took my hand and led me to the area near the restroom. There, in a large glass case, was a display for Blackened. There were pictures of them performing, a Les Paul signed by Danny and a Flying V signed by Bronson. Julian donated an autographed Epiphone bass and Alex had even autographed a Zildjian cymbal. Jane was looking at the pictures with adoration.

  “He’s pretty cool, huh,” she whispered.

  I nodded. “He is. But how is it that you’ve gone this long without really hearing his music? Did he not play it when you were around?”

  She shook her head. “I was like 7 or something, still pretty little, when he left, and he was gone a lot before that on tour and stuff. It’s really only been in the last couple of years that I’ve spent a lot of time with him and we always do what I want to do. It’s mostly been like weekends and holidays. That’s why I’m happy I’m staying with him now. I hope I get to keep staying with him.”

  I put my arm around her. “Is that what you want?” She nodded. “Then I’m sure you two can make it happen.”

  She smiled and then narrowed her eyes at me. “I want you to be there, too, Jesse. When are you moving in?”

  I wasn’t sure what to say so I went for honesty. “I’m not sure, sweetie. I’m not sure how I feel about living with your dad so soon. We decided not to make any plans just yet. Even though I’ve been working with him for a while now, we’re only really just getting to know each other. I love him very much, though. I’m going to be around as much as he wants me.” I figured now was as good a time as any to ask her how she felt. “Are you sure you are ok with us being together?”

  She looked at me like I was crazy. “Why wouldn’t I be? I'm not like those kids who have this fantasy that their parents are going to get back together someday. He and my mom were never around each other very much even when they were married. Plus, they’re like, soooo different. And he is way more fun when he’s not with her. He’s happy.”

  “I hope so. He’s made me very happy.”

  She cringed. “Ok, I don’t want to know the details. That’s just gross.” She shivered and I bumped her with my hip.

  “I get it, alright!”

  We went into the bathroom together and I heard Jane humming in the stall next to me. Then she shrieked, “Oh No!”

  “Jane, what is it? Are you alright?” She didn’t say anything for a minute so I hurried, finished in my stall, and knocked on her door. “Jane, sweetie? Are you ok?”

  I heard her groan. “I will be if you have, like, some girl products? I can’t believe this just happened!” She opened the door to let me in and sat back down on the toilet with her head in her hands.

  “Did you just start your period?” She nodded, groaning again. “Is this your first time?” Poor thing. At least she wasn’t alone.

  “Uh huh. Mommy told me it would happen soon, but I guess I hoped it wouldn’t.”

  Her voice was cracking a little so I bent down and said, “It’s no problem. Let me just grab you a pad from the vending machine.”

  She looked up at me and her eyes were red. I stepped out of the stall and luckily there was a vending machine on the wall. I had some change in my purse so I got her a pad. It was the big, bulky kind, but it would have to do. I went back into her stall and she was sniffling a little. I showed her how to use it and she thanked me. I left her to finish and went to wash my hands. When she came out, she smiled nervously at me in the mirror.

  “Are you having any cramps or anything?”

  She shook her head. “No, but this is kind of embarrassing.”

  I put my hand on her shoulder. “No need to be embarrassed, Jane. We all have to go through it. I think I was a little older than you. It happened for me at school. I remember after learning about it from my mom, thinking to myself, ‘Please don’t let it happen at school! Please don’t let it happen at school!’ I had to ask my male teacher to go to the office and he was like, ‘Why, Jesse? Are you not well? Do you feel sick?’ I just wanted to get out and he made this big deal in front of the class. I thought, ‘They’re all going to know!!!’”

  She laughed and then covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh, I’m sorry. But did anyone know?”

  I shook my head and laughed. “No. I went to the office and called home. The next day I just told my girlfriends that I wasn’t feeling well and that was it. I was horrified!”

  “What did your mom say?”

  “She just gave me a hug and took me out for ice cream.” I put my arms out and she hugged me tight. I sighed and gave her an extra squeeze.

  “Congratulations, Jane. Welcome to womanhood.”

  She groaned again and said, “Ugh! Is it really bad?”


  “It doesn’t have to be. If it is, you just need to see a doctor and they can give you medicine to help.”

  I wasn’t going to go into my own need for medication with her. I didn’t want to freak her out by telling her that I bled so much I passed out and got anemic until I got on the Pill. Hopefully she would have a normal menstrual cycle and there’d be no need to worry.

  “I’m so glad you’re here, Jesse. Will you tell Dad for me? He should know, I guess, but I don’t want to have to tell him. Too weird.”

  “Of course I will. Don’t worry. Do you want to call your mom when we get back to your house?”

  She looked at me wide-eyed for a minute and then shook her head. “No. I don’t want to talk to her yet. Is that bad?”

  “No, sweetie. Have you talked to her since you’ve been back?” She shook her head. “You’ll talk when you’re ready. In the meantime, I know I’m not your mom, but you can talk to me or Nora about anything you ever need, ok? And I’ll run out and get you some pads tonight... Some that aren’t quite so uncomfortable.”

  She laughed and squirmed a little. “Yeah, this one is so huge!”

  I smiled at her and ran my hand through her hair. “Are you ready to go back?”

  She nodded and thanked me again. One more hug and we headed back to the table, arm in arm. Nora and Danny were talking quietly when we got back.

  “I hope you girls wanted dessert. Nora ordered us hot fudge sundaes.”

  Jane and I looked at each other and burst out laughing. Neither of us could breathe and Danny and Nora looked nervous.

  “Ok, I think we missed something,” she said and I waved at her.

  “Nope, we were just talking about how much we wanted ice cream, weren’t we, Jane?” She nodded at me and winked, then we giggled some more. I sat next to Danny and squeezed his thigh under the table. He looked at me questioningly. I mouthed, “Later,” to him and he accepted that. I was stuffed, but knew I better eat a little more, or I was going to hear it. Our sundaes came and Danny entertained Jane by tying the cherry stem in a knot with his tongue. She clapped and laughed with him.

  “So tell us about the guitar in the case back there,” I asked.