Contracted For Love: Famous Love Series

by Tracey Pedersen

  “You’re not going without me.”

  “Fern, Luca, do you want to come down to the stage?”

  “I would, but I’m kind of attached to this free alcohol,” Fern said, raising her glass of wine at them.

  “Well, now I’m torn. The good stuff is here, but the girls are down there,” Luca looked from the buffet to the stage area. “Fuck it—I can meet girls on the Strip tomorrow night. I’m staying with Fern.”

  “Suit yourself. We’ll see you backstage afterward, unless we come here to get you first, okay?”

  “Don’t give Jack a heart attack when he sees you down there.”

  Charlotte smiled to herself; that’s exactly what she planned to do.

  ***

  The concert started and the opening band was mind-blowing. Their songs had a heavy beat and the crowd was soon jumping in their seats and stomping their feet. They couldn’t have chosen a better opening act. The break between the bands was scheduled to be twenty minutes, Jack had told Charlotte, and she patiently waited for the main event to start.

  She and Courtney had managed to slither all the way up to the stage during the dancing that had gone on during the previous set, and Jack was sure to see her standing down there at some point. She hoped he’d be pleased and not mad at her for giving up her prime seats.

  Charlotte had bought a t-shirt from the outside vendor as they’d made their way down to the stage, and she’d put it on over her dress. His made-up face stared at her every time she glanced down, and she couldn’t quite get used to seeing him with those dark eyes. Her attention was dragged up to the stage and the shirt forgotten, though, as the first strains of Rough Desire’s first US hit rang out through the stadium. The people in the crowd were instantly on their feet and everyone in the standing area surged forward. Charlotte and Courtney were pressed hard against the barrier as they joined in the screaming and shrieking.

  A loud explosion rang out and blue and silver sparks sprayed across the stage as the band seemed to materialise through the back wall. The screaming escalated and suddenly the crowd was screaming Jack’s name over and over. The rest of the band stepped forward as they continued to play the opening sequence. They moved carefully to the stage and took up their positions as the music got louder, and Charlotte’s eyes strained to see where Jack might appear. All of a sudden, her attention shot upward as he dropped lithely from the ceiling, along with blue and silver streamers and confetti. She gasped along with everyone else as he ran to the microphone and strapped on his guitar. He strummed the instrument and waved to the crowd, and suddenly the full band kicked in and the show started.

  What a show it was!

  Spectacular lighting, video, and more fireworks made every second a visual overload. The music was loud and the bass rocked through the crowd as people screamed and danced their way through the set. Jack stayed back from the front of the stage, much to Charlotte’s disappointment, and it wasn’t until the third song that she had a chance to see him up close.

  His stage presence was blinding. She found that she couldn’t look anywhere else but at him as he sang. He was so unlike himself on stage that she could hardly believe it. Shirtless, his pants were covered in coloured patches with studs and pieces of shiny, black material hanging off them. His face was made up, just like on her shirt, and his hair was stiff, like the other band members. A soft pair of hands had been airbrushed onto his chest in tones of grey and smoky red; the effect was amazing and made her want to reach out and touch him.

  Glancing at the crowd every now and then, Charlotte could see she wasn’t the only one he had this effect on. Girls were screaming and crying, clutching at each other, waving their arms, and holding out their hands. As the fourth song started, the crowd gave a sigh as they recognised the haunting sounds of the ballad that had just been released to the public. Sales of this one had been shaky, and this tour was meant to promote it to increase sales.

  Jack stood at the microphone and waited for the crowd to quiet enough to hear him. “You all know what song this is, right?” They cheered and hung on his every word as he played a few chords. “I want you to grab the person you love right now and enjoy this song with that special someone.” The crowd cheered wildly again. “You might also know that I have my own special someone.” Charlotte blushed as the women in the crowd screamed and Courtney nudged her. She ignored the few boos she heard, too. “I’m getting married in February, ladies, so I’m afraid I’m off the market. Anyway, this song is dedicated to Charlotte Shipton, my love.” He said it with an enormous smile on his face and twinkling eyes. The crowd lapped it up—he really was a great actor.

  As he sang the first line, he moved to the front of the stage. He stood off to the right and crooned to a woman in the crowd while she screamed louder than the rest and held out her hands to him, begging him to take her up with him. He touched her hand gently and moved to the left. He sang and reached out to the crowd, slowly going from one side of the stage to the other.

  Courtney was jumping up and down with excitement, waiting for him to get to her and Charlotte. As he continued to sing and look along the front row of screaming women, his eyes fell on Charlotte and he stopped dead. The band kept playing as they glanced at each other, wondering why he’d gone silent. A roadie prepared a new microphone at the side of the stage, in case Jack indicated his was broken.

  She smiled up at him and pointed to her t-shirt, snapping him out of his stupor and making him beam the big smile he occasionally bestowed upon her—the one she knew meant he was happy and not just acting.

  He cleared his throat and looked out at the audience, “Sorry folks, I just got a surprise. Charlotte is right here, singing along with all of you!” He pointed to her and the people in the crowd closest to her turned to look. They crowded in and excited chatter started all around them. The band had started playing the main part of the song repeatedly in the background as they waited for Jack to start up the show again. “I get her the best seats in the house and she gives them up to stand by the stage with everyone else.” He announced, and the crowd roared their approval. “Come up here, Charlotte.”

  She shook her head, but he ignored her, and she found herself lifted up by his hands, the security guards standing in front of the barrier, and the fans, too. Soon she stood beside him and he took her hand. He glanced behind him at the band; they launched into the full rendition of the song and he took up where he’d left off. He sang to her on stage, and the stadium went crazy for the two of them, whistling and cheering as she put her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.

  When the song was over, he turned her to face the front and wrapped his arm around her waist, “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you my lovely fiancée, Charlotte Shipton. Watch out for her at your local movie theatre—she’s going to be a force in Hollywood for many years to come. I’m so proud of her.” Then he kissed her on the lips and smacked her on the bottom before letting her escape into the crowd.

  Courtney was going crazy with excitement as Charlotte was helped over the barrier, and the concert kicked up a notch after that. Everyone in the crowd had their phones out and wanted a photo with Charlotte; she happily obliged between songs. By the time the set ended and the two encores had been performed, she headed for the backstage like she was floating on air.

  ***

  Courtney, Fern, and Luca were drinking with the band when Charlotte was escorted to Jack’s dressing room. He’d said for her to meet him there after the show, but she’d needed to make sure her friends were settled first. Rob, the tour manager, left her at the door; Charlotte pushed it open to be confronted by a half-naked Cindy for the second time that week. Once again, her presence went unnoticed as Cindy spoke in her whiny, high-pitched voice.

  “What does she have that I don’t, Jack?”

  “I’d say the answer to that is pretty fucking clear,” Charlotte said as she walked further into the room. “Pants, obviously.”

  Cindy jumped away like she’d been shot, but she
quickly regained her composure. “Don’t you ever knock? You should have been here a few minutes ago, sweetheart—you could have joined in.” She licked her lips and eyed Charlotte with a sly smile. “Jack was magnificent. He knows exactly how to make a girl feel great.”

  “Get out, Cindy.” Jack growled as he got up from the table.

  “Okay, Jack. We’ll have all the time in the world, once we’re on tour. I can wait until then for round three.” She grinned at him and picked up her bag from the corner as she smoothed down her skirt and scooted past Charlotte.

  Charlotte grabbed her arm when she was close to the door. “If you’d really been with Jack just now, you’d know that it takes a lot longer than a few minutes to satisfy him. He can go all night—something you just confirmed you have no experience of.” She let go of Cindy’s arm and gave her a little push out the door before slamming it behind her.

  “Charlotte, I…”

  She held up her hand. “Save it, Jack. I don’t want to know. What the fuck would that have been like for you if my friends had been with me?”

  “I know, I know. I told her to leave, but she started peeling off her clothes.”

  “Next time, throw her the fuck out. You need to stop being such a pansy-ass.” She shook her head at him. “I don’t understand. You’re always trying to boss me around, but you let Cindy do whatever the hell she wants. Put a fucking stop to it.”

  “I will. I’m just glad you’re not mad.”

  “Oh, I’m pissed, but with her, rather than with you. I don’t want this to happen again. I’m tired of seeing her pubes.”

  Jack burst out laughing as he gathered her in his arms and leaned back to admire her t-shirt. “I could have gotten you one of those for free, you know.”

  “Yeah, I hear you have an in with the PR woman.” He scowled and she raised her hands to placate him. “It was an impulse buy.”

  “It suits you.”

  “It’s weird seeing you made up. I’m not sure how I feel about it.”

  “Do you hate it?”

  “No. It’s just… new. The ladies in the crowd lap it up, though—I know that for certain. You should have heard them discussing what they’d like to do to you.”

  He laughed and moved to the basin to wash his face. “I hope you told them off.”

  “No way; that’s the stuff that sells records. The sex appeal of you four is worth money in the bank, so don’t mess with that. For me, personally, you’re sexier without the guyliner, though.” He glanced at her in the mirror as she spoke, and she looked away.

  “I’ll keep that in mind. Where are the others?”

  “With the boys. I told them we’d come to them.”

  “I hope your friends are ready for Reid?”

  It was her turn to laugh. “I did warn them, but it’s up to them if they take heed.”

  Finished with his face, Jack took a quick shower and emerged barefoot, wearing his usual tight jeans and plain t-shirt.

  This will always be the way I see him.

  ***

  They danced and socialised at a local bar for a few hours before Charlotte and Jack headed home, leaving the others to party the night away. From the look of the group when they left them, Luca wouldn’t be making it home tonight. He’d caught the attention of a woman at the bar, and she’d seemed set for the evening. In fact, she’d informed the group early on that she’d be taking him home.

  Charlotte was glad to get away. She’d been fending off Reid all night as he kept asking for some of what Jack had. It was funny at first, and he was definitely cute in a bad-boy kind of way, but after several hours of his hands on her leg, waist, and cheek, and Jack doing nothing to stop it, she’d had enough. They’d made their excuses and she watched in amazement as Reid smoothly transferred his affections to Courtney.

  Wow. He has no shame.

  She was silent on the way home, until Jack took her hand in the car. “Charlotte, can I ask you something?”

  “What?”

  “Do you need your parents and friends to be at our fake wedding?”

  “Yes. Why are you asking?”

  “Well, hear me out. We live in Vegas, the city of quickie weddings. Why don’t we just get married this weekend, while your friends are here, and then it’ll be done?” He watched to see her reaction as she opened and closed her mouth without a sound.

  “What brought this on?” She searched his face to make sure whatever he told her was the truth.

  Jack sighed, slid down in his seat, and closed his eyes. “Nothing major. I’d just really like to be married before we go on tour. It might help get Cindy off my case.”

  “You mean off your groin,” Charlotte nudged him, making him smile.

  “Maybe. Anyway, I can wait—it was just an idea.”

  “How about we compromise? Let’s change to a traditional quickie wedding after my shoot in LA and before you go on tour? That’s only a couple of weeks away, but whoever wants to come should be able to organise themselves by then.”

  “Okay, deal.” He opened his eyes with a smile and a sigh of relief. “Can we call your parents tomorrow and get their info, so we can book their flights?”

  “Sure. You’re awfully keen. Did Freddy put you up to this?”

  “Nope, no one has said anything to me. I just want it done sooner rather than later. We won’t get to take that trip to Australia until after the tour, now.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Everyone will come for the wedding and that’s almost the same.” She looked out the window as they drove home. “The press will go mad. How much do you want to bet they’ll start reporting that I’m pregnant?”

  He laughed. “The first thing they’ll say will be, ‘Shotgun wedding for Hollywood starlet,’ especially since someone recently announced that I can go all night.” He laughed again and settled beside her for the drive home. The concert had taken a lot out of him, which fascinated Charlotte. She’d never considered that being a rock star was such hard work. It was now clear why he worked out so much.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “I need to see Char.”

  “You can’t. It’s bad luck before the wedding.”

  “I know, but I need to talk to her before we walk down the aisle.”

  Charlotte’s mother frowned at him as she blocked the door with her body. “You aren’t calling this off, are you? I’ll kill you if you are, Jack Fawkner.”

  He shook his head. “I’m definitely not calling it off, I promise. I just need to see her for a few minutes.”

  Sharon sighed and shook her head. “Wait here.” She ducked into the room, and a few moments later, opened the door and let him in.

  She slipped out behind him as she heard him say, “Wow, you look spectacular.”

  “Thank you, Jack. Now, why are you here? You’ve nearly given my mother a heart attack.”

  “I know, I’m sorry.” He walked toward her as she watched him.

  Don’t cry. Don’t cry. He’d never cancel.

  He took her hands and the panic ratcheted up a notch in her body. “I just need to know that this is what you really want, Char. Are you truly okay with marrying me like this?”

  “I thought I was. Aren’t you? Why did you leave it until now to have this conversation? All of our friends and family are outside!”

  “I know, I know.” Jack hung his head and she could see the anguish written on his face. He was sweating slightly and he looked pale. “It’s unlike me to want to create a scene, but I have to know for certain.”

  “Jack, we signed a contract. We made a commitment to each other that day, and so far, we’ve both held up our end of the deal. Our careers have moved along nicely which was the whole idea, wasn’t it?”

  He locked eyes with her and pulled her into his arms as her breath caught in her throat. “It was the original idea,” he muttered, “but things are complicated, now. I don’t think you should marry someone you aren’t in love with.”

  “I shouldn’t?” she frowned up at him. �
�Or you shouldn’t? If you don’t want to do this, just fucking say so.” She pulled away from him and went to the window. Guests were still pulling up outside and she could hear happy chatter floating in through the opening. “Is this because of Cindy?”

  “What?” he looked startled. “No! Of course not. I already told you: I have zero interest in her.”

  Charlotte turned to face him and crossed her arms. “Then what, Jack? Spit it out. If we’re going to cancel, we’ll need to go out there and tell them soon.”

  I do not want to cancel this fucking wedding!

  He walked over to her and pulled her close again. Their noses were almost touching as he gazed into her eyes. “You’re young, Char. I know how perception can change as you get older. I don’t want you to regret this, one day. Our careers have progressed enough that you don’t have to go through with it. A break-up would work just as well, if that’s what you need.”

  She put her arms around his neck and moved closer. Her eyes were level with his lips and her heart melted a little as she saw a slight tremble. He was losing his cool over exchanging their vows. “Listen,” she said in her most calming voice. “This isn’t the end of the world. If we decide not to get married, I’ll just go out there and tell them I’ve changed my mind, and we’ll enjoy the huge party afterward. This happens every day, although not usually to celebrities.” She moved one hand to hold his cheek and smiled up at him. “If you can’t go through with it, it’s alright. After all, you did suddenly move the wedding forward by nearly five months. Don’t pull out because you think I can’t handle it or that I’ll be unhappy in the future, though. The future will take care of itself.”

  He sighed and buried his face in her shoulder, and her veil snagged on his chin where the stubble had peeked out since his morning shave. His voice was muffled as he spoke into her neck, “You’d really go out there and cancel, instead of making me do it?” He held her tightly and she frowned into his shoulder.