by Skye Turner
Erik has beat me to it and has the photographer pinned to the wall by the neck. “You pathetic cretin! Give me that camera!”
While he holds him to the wall, I march over and take the camera out of his hand, pulling up the photo folder. I see the pictures of Lexi and me in our passionate embrace and delete them while growling at the photographer. “How dare you intrude on my privacy this way? These pictures will never see the light of day. You will not exploit Lexi to sell magazines. Do you hear me? She’s not some groupie slut! You. Will. Not. Do. It! Do you understand me?”
I am in his face and he’s terrified. With Erik holding him by the throat and me deleting his photos, he looks like he’s going to pee his pants.
Dade breaks in, “Um, dude. Let him go. You gave him permission to be back here and photograph everything. Don’t assault the prick. Let him go.”
Erik looks at me and I nod. He releases the photographer. I get in his face. “I may have given you permission to take photographs, but you will not photograph her. Do I make myself clear?” Drops of spittle are hitting his glasses I’m so close.
He nods and shakes, “Yeah, man. I’m sorry. I get it. No pics of the babe.”
Before I can punch him, he ducks under my arm and scrambles away.
Blue looks at me and then Lexi. “If you don’t want her photographed, she shouldn’t be here. There was no disclaimer on the photos. If she’s here, she’s fair game.”
Shaking my head to keep from strangling her, I grit out, “Shut the fuck up, Blue! No photographs of her. End of story! You got it?”
I look at Lexi. She’s got a hurt and confused look on her face. Blue looks smug. Dade and Cruz look concerned, Liam is still smirking, and Jessie just looks pissed. Bradi, Micah, and Erik look like they want to beat me into the ground.
What a fucking awesome night!
Chapter Sixteen
Lexi
I don’t know what the hell is going on, but I don’t like it. What the hell is up with Jude and this bitch from Rock Hard Magazine? Why is Jessie so pissed off? Why are Dade and Cruz looking at me like they feel sorry for me? And what the fuck just happened with that prick with the camera?
Oh my God… I was basically screwing Jude against the wall, in front of everyone, like some kind of slut. I’m not a slut. And if pictures like that got out of me… I’d be ruined. Everything I’ve worked so hard for these past few years would be gone… just like that.
What am I doing? I’m not this girl. What am I doing? Why does Jude make me feel things and do things that I otherwise would never do?
This girl is not me. Well not the me that I show to the world, but if I’m being honest… this girl is me. This is the me I really am. The me that I can only let out when I’m with Jude.
What the hell am I going to do?
Jude takes hold of my hands, and calls my name to get my attention. Apparently he’s been calling my name for awhile. “Lex? Lexi, baby. Can I talk to you? In private? For just a second?”
I look over at the crowd and nod my head yes. I need a minute away from everyone.
He looks at Erik and says, “We’ll be right back. Give us a few minutes.” He looks at the guys next. “Look guys, go get set up. I’ll be there in a few. I just need a minute with Lexi, ok?”
Before they can respond, he’s taking my hand and pulling me back down the hall towards the band’s dressing room. His legs are so much longer than mine, and in my stilettos, it’s taking all of my effort to keep up with him and not fall flat on my face.
Finally we reach the door and he opens it, pulls me inside, and shuts it. He cradles me in his arms and just breathes into my hair. “I’m sorry, Lex. I’m so sorry for that.”
I hug him hard, and try to settle my racing heart.
From me getting so involved with Jude that I forgot where we were, to the throng of stares as we were caught in our passionate embrace, to the race down the hall… I’m out of breath. “What the hell, Jude?”
He kisses my forehead and then moves down my face, kissing my nose, before landing a kiss at the corner of my mouth.
“Baby, I’m so sorry. I forgot where we were. I’ve had a shitty day and then you walked in looking like a Goddess. Jessie has been on my ass all day. And then I treated you like… like that in the hallway… God. I’m so sorry.” Jude lets me go and starts pulling at fistfuls of his hair.
I put my hand on his arm, attempting to calm him before he rips his hair out. “Jude, stop. It’s ok. I participated too you know. I was so into you, I kind of forgot where we were for a minute.” I catch his gaze with my own eyes, and lean in to kiss his mouth. “It’s just I– I’ve never been the center of attention for such a private moment before. It’s a little more than I’m used to. What happened today? Why is Jessie on your case?”
“I should’ve known better. But I can’t think straight when I’m around you. I’m sorry.” He kisses my mouth again, as his eyes trail down my body, taking in my appearance. “Shit, Lex. You are so beautiful. You’re enough to make a sane man crazy and I’m not 100% sane, so what hope do I have with you!?”
Blushing, I pull him back and kiss him hard on the mouth. “Thank you. I was hoping you’d like it. And as long as you wanting me is what’s making you crazy, I’m good with that.”
“You’re all I want, Lex.” He pulls me in close and holds me tightly as he cups my ass and kisses my hair.
“Well, you have me. We’ll talk after the concert about what’s bothering you. Because something is. I can tell. But I’d better get you to the guys. I know they’re probably stressing and you do have a concert to perform! So, let’s go Rock God!” I pull on his hands.
He sighs as he mutters, “Yeah, we’ll talk later. I’m so glad you’re here, Lex. So glad.” He entwines his fingers with mine and we head to the door. He opens it and pulls me into the hall as we walk towards the stage together.
As we reach the stage, Erik, Bradi, and Micah are all standing around talking to four very anxious band members and one seriously pissed off looking stage manager. They see Jude and me and a collective sigh of relief echoes.
Erik looks over at our approach, takes in our clasped hands and asks “Everything good?” at the same time, Jessie asks, “You straight? ‘Cause that fucking crowd is not going to wait much longer.”
Jude and I look at each other and respond, “Yeah. We’re good.”
Jude squeezes my hand, before slapping my ass, and leans in for one last kiss, murmuring against my lips, “Stay back here to watch us? I want you back here and not out there, dressed like that. Please?” He’s pointing to the audience.
I smile at him, drag him down for a hard kiss, lick the seam of his lips and grab his ass, before whispering in his ear, “You bet. And everyone else can look if they want. You are the only one who gets to touch. And I expect some serious touching later!” With the last word, I lick the inside of his ear, push away from him and slap his ass. Hard.
He groans out, “Fuck, babe! You are trying to kill me!” and grinning turns to the guys who are all watching the exchange with surprised faces. “What? You fuckers ready to play or what? Well let’s go! What are you waiting on?”
They shake their heads, looking between each other, then over at me with some serious smirks, and shrug before heading onstage. I follow along with Erik, Bradi, and Micah.
I try to walk by them and act like nothing happened, but Bradi slips her arm through mine as we follow the band and leans into me. “What in the fucking hell was that all about? Holy shit, girl. That was so hot. I thought y’all were going to fuck right there against the wall.” She says, fanning herself and smiling. “Damn, that was intense. I never knew you had such a little slut in you! Then again, with Jude Delecroix… holy hell… I’d fuck him against a wall with an audience too. That. Was. So. Hot!”
I feel my face flame as I think about what she’s said. “Shut up, Bradi! Geez! What did everyone say when we went to the dressing room? Were people saying… were they saying bad things
about me?”
“Um, no. No one said anything for awhile. I think we were all in shock. But then that chick from the magazine said something about how she’d never…. And Jessie jumped all over her about minding her own fucking business. They kind of got into it, and Dade and Cruz had to pull him away. He kept ranting at her as they pulled him down here. Liam ended up steering her away and things settled down. A few minutes later, they were all back, but I haven’t seen her. That chick is strange. Something is up there!” she spits out.
“I know. I think something is up too. But when I asked Jude just now, he didn’t answer me. I’m going to talk to him later though. We promised to talk after the show.” I know something is up, but I don’t know what it is. Did Jude sleep with that woman or something?!
We feel an arm around us and a warm body is pushed in between us. “So, love… what exactly was that? And are you sure everything is good?” Erik asks me.
Sighing, I wrap my arms around his waist as Micah comes up to claim his woman. “Yes, E. Everything is good. Just the life of a rock star, right?”
But secretly I wonder what in the hell that was about. Because something is definitely up.
We get to the side stage and people are running around with cords and instruments. Jude is popping his neck and stretching. Jessie is holding his guitar and dropping to do squats and standing back up. Dade is stretching his fingers as a roadie hands him his guitar. Liam is standing there with his eyes closed, looking bored. And Cruz is twirling his drum sticks as he says some sort of chant. The excitement is evident and Bradi and I are both bouncing on our toes with nervous energy.
The stage manager calls out, “FOUR minutes!” The guys all turn towards the stage, as Dade and Cruz head out.
Bradi is holding my hand so hard, I can’t feel my fingers, and we feel Erik and Micah standing directly behind us.
“ONE minute!”
“Let’s do this shit, fellas!” Jude says to Jessie and Liam, before the two of them head out to the darkened stage, leaving Jude near us.
All of a sudden, the beat of a drum and bass guitar come from the dark stage and Jude turns around and winks at me as he heads out… to his fans.
The lights come on just as he takes center stage and his voice echoes through the arena.
His voice is electrifying and I can’t take my eyes off of him.
For half an hour, the four of us are mesmerized as we take in the show. Jude has the audience in the palm of his hand. They love him and it’s clear as to why. He owns the stage.
Finally the last notes of the song they just sang fade away and Jude talks to the audience, as a roadie brings out his guitar and a stool for him. He addresses the audience. “How you doin’, Baton Rouge? It’s so good to be home!”
The crowd goes wild. Bras are being thrown onstage and women are screaming and trying to push past the barricades and security guards to get to the stage.
Jude wiggles his eyebrows at them and winks. “Hello, ladies! You are looking simply gorgeous tonight. Enjoying the show?”
The female fans scream and some cry. This is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. But after watching Jude perform live… I so get it.
He sits down and sets the guitar on his lap, as he lowers the microphone to reach his mouth. “We’re going to do something a little different tonight. This song is an oldie but goodie. It’s actually one of the first songs I ever sang to a certain special someone. And she’s here tonight. So, if it’s alright with y’all, I’d like to sing it now.”
The crowd goes wild and starts chanting his name… “Jude… Jude… Jude…”
He pushes his hands down to calm the crowd, and as they quiet, he starts to play. It’s a slow song. Different from what they usually play, but the ballad is beautiful and tears start to fill my eyes.
Jude looks over his shoulder to where I am and smiles. “This one’s for you, Lex.” And he starts to sing My Heart Was Red.
As he gets to the chorus, Bradi is also choked up. Erik pulls me back against his chest and squeezes my shoulder as he mutters out, “Well, shit…”
“I was always alone; alive but not living.
Until the day broke clear and my heart was Red.
Red… Red… My heart was Red.”
The crowd goes insane and he looks over at me and smiles.
I’m done for… Jude just sang my song to me in front of 30,000 people in our hometown.
I’m so gone.
Jude
Was that too much? Too soon? Was that the right move? Is she crying?
Oh shit, why is she crying? Did she not like her surprise?
I’ve never sang that song in front of our fans before. I sing it at every rehearsal and for every warm up, but never before in front of a crowd, but they seemed to like it.
We sing a few more songs and it’s just me going through the motions. I can do this in my sleep.
Dade and Jessie take over the crowd interaction and my mind drifts to Lexi.
We have a small “Meet and Greet” after the show, but after that, as soon as we can… I’m taking Lex out of here. I need to be alone with her… right now… tonight.
As we wrap up the last song of the concert, I look over to the side stage and see Lexi, Erik, Bradi, and Micah there. But I also see Blue…
Shit!
Lexi
As Jude wraps up his song, I feel a presence at my side. I look over. Blue is standing there with a strange look on her face, looking at Jude’s back and then into my face.
“So… you’re the girl?” She says it with a bit of awe.
“The girl? What girl? What are you talking about?” I ask with a bit of bite.
“You know ‘The Girl.’ Jude’s girl. You’re the girl who broke him.”
“Excuse me? Look, I don’t know you and I’m not going to discuss my personal business with you. But, I never broke him!” I rumble out scathingly.
“You really believe that, don’t you?” She smiles sadly and shakes her head at me. “Look, I’m sorry I came off as rude. I didn’t realize who you were. I’ve known Jude a long time and, well, I didn’t know who you were. I sincerely apologize for making you uncomfortable though.” She taps her fingers against her lips.
I look at her for the first time and really notice her appearance. She’s stunning. Her rich brown stick straight, pixie-cut hair really accentuates her heart shaped face and azure eyes. She’s curvy, with large breasts and rounded hips. She’s also taller than me, as is made obvious by the fact that I’m wearing five inch stilettos and she has flat knee high boots on and is still taller than me by a good half of an inch. Her figure is clearly accentuated in her black stretch pants and black skintight sleeveless shirt.
Who exactly is she to Jude?
“Well you have me at a distinct disadvantage, because other than knowing you’re a journalist, I have no idea who you are.”
“I’m just a friend, Lexi. Jude and I were over a long time ago. In fact we never really began, so no worries there, ok?” She’s trying to sound soothing now, but my nerves are so shot by this conversation that I have to walk away.
“Excuse me. I need some air.” And I grab Bradi and Erik and pull them with me off the stage and into the hall. Micah is holding tight to Bradi, so he trails behind.
Once we reach the hall, I drop down to a squat and sit on the back of my knees as I cup my face in my hands and scream in my head.
Erik drops down beside me. “Lexi, what’s wrong, love? What did she say to you?”
“Nothing… Everything… I don’t know… She didn’t know who I was… She’s slept with Jude… I broke him.” I’m rambling and talking into my hands.
“Wait… what the fuck? She told you she slept with Jude?” he sputters out.
“Oh hell no, I’m kicking that bitch’s ass!” Bradi screams and tries to go back towards the stage. But Micah holds onto her firmly.
“Wait! No… sh-she didn’t come out and say she slept with Jude. She just said they were ov
er a long time ago and they are friends… but I read between the lines.” I choke on my words. “I mean, I know he’s been with other people since me. Shit, he’s a rock star for God’s sake. But to see her and know that they’ve been together… She’s beautiful. How many more women am I going to hear from about them having sex with my man? How am I supposed to be ok with that, E? I don’t know how to live in this world!”
“Well, that’s still a shitty thing to do. Who does shit like that?!?! She’s a bitch. And she’s not that gorgeous, Lexi! She has nothing on you!” Bradi is still seething and ready to go to battle for me.
Micah kisses her head. “Calm down, Baby. Not that I don’t think you can take her, because you’d totally whip her ass. It’s just not worth it. Jude dedicated that song to Lexi in front of 30,000 people. Everyone knows who he’s with… who he wants to be with.”
He looks at me. “Lexi, seriously. I know you’re upset and I don’t blame you, but you can’t let this shit get to you. Jude has a past. We all do. It’s not the past that matters. It’s what we do in the present. And in the present, that man wants you!”
“He’s right, Lexi” a familiar voice interjects. “I’m sorry that you found out like this. Yes, Blue and I have been together, but it was a long time ago and there is nothing there now but friendship and mutual respect.” Jude holds his hand out to me to help me up. “I don’t want her in that way. I don’t want anyone else in that way. Just you, Baby. Only you!”
His eyes are pleading with me to take his hand.
I reach up and grab it.
Jude
My heart fell to my knees as I looked over and saw Blue and Lexi with their heads bent together, and then I saw Lexi tense up. It took everything in me to stop from jumping over the guys and running over to the side stage to see what was happening.
I can only imagine what Blue was telling Lexi. We’ve known each other since we had our first number one hit. Blue was an intern at Rock Hard Magazine and we became friends. One night after drinks, things got sexual and after that, we’d hook up from time to time, but I never thought about her romantically. We used each other, plain and simple. She’s seen me at my lowest. Back when we’d hook up, I was drunk all the time to numb the pain. I’d sleep with any attractive woman who offered herself up to me. Blue is who made me see what a mess I had made of my life. She’s who snapped me back to reality.
