“I know. I guess I’m just confused. I wasn’t expecting Jackson to be here. And I haven’t heard from Nic at all since I left.”
“Wasn’t it their final concert tonight? I’m sure he was a little busy.”
“You’re right.”
“But?”
“I’m just surprised he didn’t phone or text after the show. I don’t want to be out of sight out of mind.”
“I don’t think Nic is anything like Jackson. I don’t think he’d do that to you. At least not from the things you’ve told me about him.”
I nod. “Yeah, that’s what Nic said. He insists he’s nothing like Harvard. That’s what he calls Jackson.”
Brooke laughs. “I like that. I might steal it.”
“He gave me Chatter.”
Brooke looks confused. “Who? What? What are you talking about?”
“I haven’t told anyone yet because I’m still trying to come to terms with it myself. Nic signed Chatter over to me. I own it.”
She laughs. “And you’re worried? The guy is obviously crazy about you.”
I swallow. “He does have a history.”
“Did he tell you he wants to be with anyone else? Are you guys exclusive or is it an open deal?”
Now I’m the one who laughs. “It’s definitely not an open deal. He made that very clear. I’m his and his alone.”
She raises an eyebrow. “And what about him?”
“He says he doesn’t want anyone but me.”
“I bet he’s on a plane right now trying to get out here as fast as he can. Care to take that wager?”
“You’re probably right. I’m just being paranoid. I think seeing Jackson again is doing a number on me.”
“Honestly, Harper, I think you’re doing a number on yourself. Things are over with Jackson. I know you want to make your parents happy, especially under the circumstances, but you need to tell everyone the truth.”
“You’re right,” I say. “And who would have ever thought I’d be taking words of wisdom from Brooke Rhodes?”
“I guess all those AA meetings finally paid off.”
“Speaking of AA.” I narrow my eyes at her. “Are you going back?”
“I promise I’ll call my sponsor in the morning. Does that make you happy?”
“Immensely.”
“Good, now go to sleep. I have a feeling we’ve got a full day of hospital duty ahead of us tomorrow.”
Twelve
My dad is just finishing breakfast when we arrive. My mom gives him a big kiss and then Brooke and I follow. Jackson brings up the rear with a pat on my dad’s arm.
“The gang’s all here,” my dad remarks as he scans the small crowd in his room.
“How are you feeling?” my mom asks.
“Like I want to go home. And sleep in my own bed. With my beautiful wife.”
That puts a smile on my mom’s face. I can’t imagine what it must be like to almost lose someone you’ve been with most of your adult life.
“The kids all stayed with me so I wasn’t completely alone,” my mom reports, which puts a small smile on my dad’s face.
“Have they told you when you might be released?” I ask.
My dad shakes his head. “Maybe tomorrow, if I’m lucky. I don’t know. They’re still doing a few more tests. But the good news is I don’t have to have surgery. The bad news is that I won’t be eating bacon any time soon. I’ll be joining your mom and the other granola munchers every morning.”
At least my dad’s starting to get his sense of humor back. I take that as a good sign.
When my phone buzzes I grab it from my pocket and everyone in the small room stares at me as I look at the text.
I’m on my way.
That’s all it says.
But I’m suddenly nervous. More nervous than I’ve felt in a while. I can actually feel the muscles in my stomach start to clench.
“Who’s the message from?” my dad asks.
I open my mouth but no words some out. Brooke elbows me but I still can’t speak.
When I glance over at Jackson, he’s frowning.
Time feels like it’s standing still and everyone is staring at me waiting for a response.
“Are you okay?” Jackson whispers to me as he grabs my elbow.
I try to pull away because I feel very uncomfortable with him touching me but I’m not quick enough.
When Nic enters the room his eyes land right on Jackson holding my arm.
“What’s going on?” Nic’s eyes are blazing and my heart feels like it’s going to beat right out of my chest it’s thumping to hard.
I finally manage to yank myself free from Jackson’s grasp but Nic still looks furious. I’m sure the situation looks much worse from his perspective.
“Nic,” I say as I move closer to him. “You made it.”
When Nic bends down and places a kiss on my cheek there’s a collective gasp and it feels like all of the air is sucked out of the room.
“Who are you?” I hear Jackson say as he steps right on the other side of me.
“Let me guess,” Nic says as he glares at Jackson. “You’re Harvard.”
Jackson’s eyes turn to angry slits. “My name’s Jackson,” he manages through clenched teeth. “And you didn’t answer my question.”
“Nic Rayne.”
Jackson blinks rapidly for a few seconds as if he’s processing the name. “The actor? What are you doing here?”
Nic glares at him. “No, a better question is what are you doing here?”
“I’m here for Harper.”
Nic actually laughs at him. “You’re a few months too late for that, don’t you think?”
Jackson frowns. “You’re not really into this guy, are you Harper?” It’s like he can’t believe I would choose Nic over him.
I cross my arms over my chest. “What if I am?”
“Look at him? He’s got tattoos. And did he even finish high school?”
“I finished high school.” Nic glares at Jackson. “And do you mind not talking about me like I’m not even here?”
Jackson shakes his head in disbelief. “I go to Harvard Law School, Harper. It’s the best in the country. The president of the United States went to Harvard Law. As did the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.”
“Didn’t the Unabomber also go to Harvard?” Nic chides.
Jackson glares right back at him. “He didn’t go to Harvard Law. He studied mathematics as an undergraduate.”
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?” my dad asks.
We all turn to look at him. In the midst of our little quarrel we all seem to have forgotten we are in my dad’s hospital room.
“Sorry, Dad.” I pull Nic over to my dad’s bedside. “This is Nic Rayne.”
“Glad to meet you, Sir.” Nic puts out a hand for my dad to shake.
My dad still looks weak but he does manage to shake Nic’s hand.
“Maybe we’d better take this conversation outside,” I suggest as I look back and forth between Jackson and Nic.
“What?” My dad protests. “This is a lot more fun to watch than those stupid reality shows they’ve got on television.”
“We’ll be back.” I lean down and place a kiss on my dad’s cheek.
“Whatever makes you happy,” my dad whispers.
“I know, Dad.”
I pull both Nic and Jackson out into the visitor’s waiting room with me. Fortunately, it’s still early enough that we’re the only ones there.
Nic makes a point of grabbing my hand and lacing our fingers together. I can see Jackson looks uncomfortable and for a brief moment I do feel bad for him.
For a very brief moment.
“Thank you for coming to see my dad.” I address Jackson. “I know it means a lot to him.”
“I didn’t just do it for your dad,” Jackson admits.
“I know. But I told you we weren’t getting back together.”
“You didn’t tell me it was becaus
e of another guy.” He makes a point of glaring at Nic again.
“It’s not really any of your business, Jackson, but I am sorry I didn’t tell you. I just didn’t want to upset my parents.”
Jackson nods but I can see he’s still hurt and angry. “I should have never broken up with you. It took me a while to realize it was a huge mistake. I guess I just realized a little too late.”
I nod because I’m not sure what else to say.
“I hope you’re happy,” Jackson spits.
“Don’t worry,” Nic says. “I’ll make sure she is.”
“Tell your dad I hope he’s better soon.”
“I will.”
I feel like I should give Jackson a hug or something, but I know it would be uncomfortable with Nic standing here. And he’s got a pretty tight grip on my hand.
“I guess I’ll say goodbye then.” Jackson gives me a forced half smile and I return the gesture.
After Jackson leaves, Nic takes me into his arms and pulls me in tight. “I missed you so much.”
I can’t help but laugh. “It hasn’t even been a full day yet.”
“But you weren’t there last night. Everything felt off. I’m sorry it took me so long to get here. There aren’t a lot of night flights across the country.”
“I’m glad you made it.”
He runs his thumb along my cheek as he looks into my eyes. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sorry about Jackson. I didn’t ask him to come. He just tried to push his way back into my life.”
“He can’t have you back,” Nic says. “Unless you really want to be with him.”
“I want to be with you, Nic.”
He leans down and gives me a kiss. It quickly turns a little bit too passionate for the middle of the hospital waiting room.
“You have no idea how badly I want you,” Nic whispers in my ear.
“I think I do.” I can feel his erection already coming to life.
“I got us a suite at the Omni.”
I laugh. “But I live here. I have an apartment.”
He shakes his head. “As much as I’d love to stay with you at your apartment it’s too much of a risk. We need to stay someplace that has more security. But even more important, I don’t want the paparazzi to ever get wind of where you live.”
For a moment, I guess I forgot that my Nic, the guy who has his arms around me, is the famous Nic Rayne.
“Do you ever just want to be a normal guy?”
He gives me an odd look. “What do you mean?”
“Do you ever want to be not famous, just for a little while, maybe a day or two?”
“As much as I appreciate all of the money and other perks of being a star there are times I feel like trading it all just to have my old life back. It’s a trade-off. You can’t be famous without having a public life.”
“I guess it’s something I still have to get used to.”
“I’m going to try to protect you from it as much as I can.” He runs his thumb along my jawline. “I promise.”
“I should probably get back inside my dad’s room. I’m sure he’s wondering what’s going on. I don’t want him to worry.”
“I have something for him.” Nic removes a small gift box from his pocket.
“What is it?”
He gives me his smug grin. “You’ll see.”
When we reenter my dad’s room I notice Brooke is gone. It’s just my mom sitting next to my dad’s bed.
“Where did Brooke go?”
My mom looks up at me. “She had to make a phone call.”
I hope she kept her promise to call her sponsor.
“Nic Rayne,” my dad says. “It’s a bit surreal having you in my hospital room.”
“I would have been here sooner but I had a concert in New York. The final show of our North American tour.”
“A singer too. I can’t say I’m familiar with your music but I have seen a few of your movies.”
“Did you like them?”
My dad laughs. “Well, I’m not a teenage girl. I think I may have appreciated them a little more if I was.”
“Fair enough.”
Nic approaches my mom and puts out hand. “I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to meet you, Mrs. Leigh.
My mom gives Nic a quizzical look. “Why?”
“Because I love your books. I’m a big fan.”
“You’re a fan of mine?” My mom sounds like she doesn’t believe him.
“And I hope one day you’ll sign my copies.”
“You want my autograph?”
“Mom,” I butt in. “Nic has a huge library. He loves books. He has hardback copies of your books in his collection.”
“That’s quite flattering.”
When Nic gives her his million dollar grin my mom blushes in response. I guess Nic’s magic works on women of all ages.
“I brought you a gift.” Nic hands my dad the small box he showed me in the waiting room.
“You didn’t have to do that,” my dad replies.
“I wanted to. I hope it will motivate you to get better a lot faster.”
My dad furrows his brows as he slowly opens the box. I’m not sure what he’s expecting but he’s clearly hasn’t anticipated what’s inside.
“These are keys to a Mustang Boss 429.”
“A 1969. Candy apple red.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Harper told me it was your dream car.”
“It is. It always has been. But these cars are worth two hundred and fifty thousand.”
Nic nods. “About that. In mint condition. I’ve still got to drive it out here for you.”
My dad tries to hand the box back to Nic. “I can’t take this. It’s too much.”
Nic shakes his head. “I didn’t think it was cool for me to give you flowers and I wanted to give you something to look forward to. For when you get out of the hospital and back on your feet. Just imagine taking a joy ride in that baby.”
My dad smiles just thinking about it. “I bet it’s a really sweet ride.”
“The sweetest.”
“You really want to give me your car?”
“I do.”
“Well, if I knew there was going to be a vintage Mustang involved I would have had a heart attack years ago.”
My mom gives my dad a playful nudge. “Not funny.”
“I disagree completely,” my dad counters. “I think I’m very funny.”
My dad lovingly strokes the keys to the car. “A 1969 Mustang Boss 429. Wow.”
“We should probably let you get some rest,” I suggest to my dad.
He nods. I think the car may have been a little too much excitement. I know I probably shouldn’t worry so much, but I’m not sure I could handle losing my dad right now.
Not that anyone ever can.
I don’t think my mom could handle losing him either.
As if on cue, Brooke enters the room. “What did I miss?”
“Nic just gave my dad a get well present. A car.”
Brooke raises an eyebrow. “Nice. You give good gifts. I heard you already gave Harper a company. My birthday is in November, by the way. I’ll remind you when it gets closer to the actual day.”
“I’m sure you will.”
I was hoping my parents weren’t paying that much attention to Brooke but no such luck. They’ve always had eagle eyes and ultrasonic bat hearing.
“What was that?” my mom asks. “Harper has a company?”
For the first time since he’s arrived Nic actually looks a little uncomfortable.
“I do, Mom.” I grab Nic’s elbow and give him a kiss on the cheek. “Nic purchased Chatter and he’s given the company to me to run.”
“That’s a big responsibility,” my dad suggests.
“I’m sure Harper can handle it,” Nic replies. “And she can hire people to help with the day-to-day operations.”
“Dad, we’ll come by again later this evening for another visit.”
“And we’ll work out the details of getting the car to San Diego for you. I’ve got a few days off before we start shooting the sequel to Fire in the Twilight. Maybe I can convince Harper to fly to Phoenix and drive the car back with me.”
“Maybe you can twist my arm,” I tease.
“I’ve got to bolt,” Brooke says as we exit the hospital.
“Where?” I ask.
“My sponsor is going to pick me up. We’re going to spend some time at Denny’s drinking coffee and talking. It’s a recovery thing. Denny’s and coffee.”
“I’m glad.” I give her a big hug. “Call me later.”
“I always do.”
“I’ve got a driver waiting,” Nic says as he grabs my hand. He points to a limo waiting near the hospital entrance.
“Back to your hotel?” I urge.
“Is that where you want to go?”
“Let’s just say you’re not the only one who’s missed being together.”
“And I still have to keep the rest of my promise.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
“I said I’d fuck you, then make love to you, then fuck you again. I only managed two out of three so far.”
When I think about being with Nic again it sends a wave of heat through my entire body.
“Then we’d better get to it,” I tease.
***
“I need a quick shower,” I say as we enter the huge suite. The place is even more massive than the suites we had when we were on tour. It’s almost the size of my parents’ house. “I want to get the hospital smell off me.”
As I head to the bathroom, I strip off my clothes. I start the shower and wait a few seconds for the water to warm before I hop in.
“Mind if I join you?” Nic suggests as climbs in the shower behind me.
He grabs me and pulls me close so that I can feel his erection on my backside. The water feels good beating down on me but it feels even better with Nic holding me tight.
“I’ve never taken a shower with anyone before.”
Nic laughs. “After meeting Jackson that doesn’t surprise me.”
I turn to face him. “That’s the first time you’ve ever called him anything but Harvard.”
“I guess I feel a little sorry for the guy. But not too sorry because I have you and he doesn’t.”
Always Rayne (The ALWAYS SOMETIMES NEVER Rock Star Romance Series) Page 15
