CLASS ACT (A BRITISH ROCKSTAR BAD BOY ROMANCE)

by Julia Gardener

  Heath chuckled. “I have my youth, liquor, and the company of a very lovely tutor. Some of the older bands cut down on the traveling when their knees start getting wobbly.”

  I blushed. “Do you think you’ll reign it in when you start pushing fifty?”

  “I’ll be touring the world when I’m geriatric, even if it’s in a wheelchair,” he boasted. “Excited for California? It’s the last leg of the tour.”

  Unfortunately, I had more somber thoughts. “Heath, what will happen to us after the tour ends? Will we be able to spend more time together?”

  “I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” he sighed, rubbing his forehead. I felt my heart sink at the news. “I’ll probably be even busier after the tour ends. I have to write and record my next album. There will be more endorsements and photo-ops I’ll have to show up for. It’ll be a packed schedule.”

  “I’m sure we’ll work something out,” I said, mustering all my strength. “You still have to pass the first part of the GCSE exam. It’s why they hired me.”

  “Just enjoy our time together in California, Charlotte,” he whispered, stroking my face. “I’ll show you around.”

  “I always wanted a tour of California,” I said, planting a soft kiss on his lips. “So many places and people I’ve wanted to see.”

  Heath flashed teasing smile. “Speaking of people, Megan will be in Los Angeles.”

  I recalled Heath’s close friend. “Will you be spending a lot of time with her?”

  “Only for business,” he said, sensing and defusing my envy. I didn’t know why I felt that way about her. I guessed that she had history with Heath that I lacked. “I have you for pleasure…”

  With that, he took me into his arms and placed me flat against the bed.

  I forgot about my job.

  I forgot about Jared’s orders.

  I even forgot that this romance would have to come to an end sooner or later.

  I just forgot everything except the taste of his lips.

  Coming to back to California was like putting on an old shoe. The state had been where Howard and I had cemented our overseas success. Many of the bands we looked up to, such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, were natives of the state.

  I loved my motherland of England. I loved mushy peas and fried cod in newspaper wrappings. I loved the trolley service. Nevertheless, there was something liberating about The Golden State.

  More importantly, the United States was much more of a lucrative market than the United Kingdom. The music industry was a business at the end of the day. Americans lined up to attend my concerts and shell out money to buy merchandise.

  Things were simpler back in the day. Howard and I may have had to live paycheck to paycheck but we could focus on our craft. Now, I spent more time selling music than composing it. I spent even more time trying to win endorsements from mega-corporations. Honestly, having Charlotte around was like having a second wind.

  I thought I’d get tired of her. I was the type of guy who only liked the beginning of a relationship. Eventually, I would get bored and lose interest. Howard used to joke that I would only play a song to completion and nothing else.

  However, Charlotte roused something deep within me. I wasn’t a romantic. Not by long shot. Yet, I hadn’t felt this happy since I had first toured with Howard.

  I’ve fucked more women than I could count. They were all gorgeous nobodies that could land on the front cover of a lad’s magazine. Yet, these encounters were as shallow and superficial as glossy photos in a magazine.

  What I had with Charlotte felt as real as the air I breathed in. Like I said, I wasn’t a romantic. Yet, I thought of a life with her beside me. I wondered if I would have the courage to leave the music behind and live a normal live with Charlotte.

  Sure, there would be mind-blowing sex on a daily basis. Nevertheless, we would still do the same things normal couples did. Together, we would buy groceries, pay bills, and all the other mundane things in life. It was what Howard had planned with Megan before his untimely death.

  I wasn’t anything like my old friend. I didn’t have the patience or strength to commit to a relationship. It was a miracle that I was even faithful to Charlotte.

  Nothing had gone on as I had expected when I first met Charlotte. I actually put in work during my tutoring sessions. I practiced with what free time I could spare. Most of all, I was falling for her.

  For her sake, she’d better wise up and leave me. I was walking whirlpool of misery and destruction. Sooner or later, I would hurt Charlotte. I would break her heart because I was some unwanted, illiterate orphan who duped everyone into thinking he was worth something.

  Charlotte deserved someone better than me. She was this sweet, passionate woman. She didn’t need to teach idiots like me but she did it anyway because she cared. She deserved the best.

  God, I needed a drink.

  Thankfully, after parties were home to a variety of free alcoholic beverages. Ever since I met Charlotte, I didn’t drink as much as I usually did. I was still a boozehound by most standards but I was cutting down. It’s hard to learn mathematics with a hangover.

  Now, I’d make up for lost opportunities.

  Lost in a bit of a daze, I wandered the dance floor of the party. In all modesty, I was quite a skilled dancer. Those hip thrusting antics on stage were just a fraction of my ability. Nonetheless, I didn’t like dancing at parties. I preferred talking to the bartender about what cocktail I should order.

  Perhaps, Charlotte could change my mind. No one would think twice of me innocently dancing with my teacher. Thankfully, I didn’t have to search for very long.

  I found her talking to a businessman with a charcoal grey suit and greyer temples. These parties always attracted these types. They were as much a social gathering as they were an opportunity to ink new deals.

  Worse, they thought the women here were easy pickings. They would just flash their Rolex watches and say they had a private room booked at a five-star hotel. I had to rescue Charlotte from these lechers.

  Unfortunately, a buxom model blocked my path. “Oh, Heath! You were amazing!”

  The woman was a fucking stunner. Her revealing dress fit well against her hourglass figure. She looked to be a fantastic shag. Yet, I didn’t feel anything for her.

  Reigning in my frustration, I said. “Thank you-”

  “How long has it been since you’ve been to Los Angeles?” she asked, leaning towards me. It didn’t help that she pressed her breasts against me. “It feels like it’s been ten years.”

  “It was five,” I answered curtly, leaning away from her. “If you excuse me, I have some business to attend to.”

  The woman grumbled and hissed in disappointment as I walked away from her. My bandmates would’ve laughed at the scene. The great Heath Lawrence had turned down a woman who looked like a Page Three girl.

  I continued to walk towards Charlotte and the man putting the moves on her. Unfortunately, he was putting a lot more on her than that. I saw him place his hand on her thigh and slowly bring it up higher.

  Charlotte glanced towards me with panic in her eyes. The man was clearly drunk and all the more lustful for it. He ignored her polite protests.

  My heart thundered as I watched that bastard grope her.

  I wanted to pummel him into a bloody pulp. I wanted everyone to know what happened when you disrespected Charlotte in front of me. Everyone would know that we were fucking each other.

  I didn’t care.

  No one treated Charlotte like that and got away with it.

  Adrenaline flowed through my veins I rushed towards him. I drew back my first. Damn the consequences. I was going to teach this man a lesson

  Suddenly, Charlotte slapped him.

  The man stepped back and nursed his cheek. There was a chorus of ‘Ahs’ and ‘Oh’ at the spectacle. I realized that I had still had a cocked fist which I lowered before anyone realized my original intentions.

  Charlotte glared at the man. “I�
��ve met school boys more well-behaved than you.”

  Still rubbing his cheek, the man spat back. “I’ll sue you for this! You’ll hear from my lawyer.”

  I took Charlotte by the hand and led her out of the room as the man stormed off. “You sure showed that son of a bitch.”

  She blushed. “I hope I didn’t get anyone in trouble.”

  “Please, we can do without these blood-sucking businessmen,” I laughed. “Just remind me to never piss you off again. That slap looked like it stung like a bee.”

  She playfully slapped me on the cheek before turning it into a caress. “That’s one way to get you to study.”

  “Perhaps, a late night study session is in order,” I whispered. A wave of sexual energy surged through after witnessing the event from earlier. “One with a very well-behaved student.”

  “Sorry, Heath,” she sighed, turning away. “I have some… work to do.”

  The adrenaline rush wore off. I guessed it was another errand for Jared. God, I hated all of these lies and deception.

  “I understand,” I replied, not bothering to look into her eyes. I could almost sense her look downcast at my cold response. “Good night, Charlotte.”

  I worried about Heath. As a teacher, I always made sure to know how my students were feeling emotionally. Call me nosey but I didn’t want to ignore the problems of my students.

  But Heath was something else entirely. The man was my lover with all the ups and downs that came with it. He would treat me like family one moment and a stranger that next. Now, I felt shut out completely.

  Who was I to Heath Lawrence? Was I his teacher and friend? Was I his lover and confidante?

  I didn’t know the answer. I went over the next lesson plan before checking my emails. That usually helped me clear my head.

  Heath clearly had feelings for me. The man looked like he would murder that businessman who had groped me. I didn’t know how long how this secret relationship could go on. Sooner or later, one of us would slip.

  Or Heath would actually get to beat up a man in plain view of everyone. My career would suffer a similar pummeling. No one would hire me after learning what had gone on between Heath and me.

  I knew this was an unusual job but I had never expected it to end up this way. My lover felt more like a force of nature than a man. We’ve had some amazing times together both professionally and personally. I had never been pushed this much intellectually or emotionally. Sleeping with Heath may have been a lapse in judgment but I didn’t regret it one bit.

  Suddenly, a new email appeared from my inbox. It was strange since so few people knew my work email. Stranger still was the fact that it was from Megan. “Now, what’s this about?”

  I double-clicked it and read it. “‘Charlotte, I’m contacting you since I want to discuss a private matter with you. My phone number is attached. Please call me as soon as possible – Megan.’”

  I fished out my phone and dialed the number. This was unusual to say the least. Nevertheless, this sounded serious.

  “Hello, this is Charlotte,” I began. “You emailed me Megan?”

  I heard Megan sigh in relief on the other line. “Thank God, you got the message. Heath never checks his damn emails.”

  “Is something wrong, Megan?”

  “More like something doesn’t add up,” she replied. “Remember how I told you that the funds for our Asia development project didn’t come through?”

  I nodded which she couldn’t see. “Are they still missing?”

  “No, they came through a few days after we talked,” she answered. “However, they didn’t come from Heath’s account. In fact, most of the funds we receive from Heath aren’t coming from his savings or checking accounts. None of the routing or account numbers match what should be Heath’s bank accounts.”

  That was strange to say the least. “Then where is the money from?”

  “That’s what I’m trying to find out,” Megan said. “What’s worse is that some of the other funding we receive from Heath is delayed as well. It’s been happening more frequently during these past few weeks.”

  “The funding hasn’t arrived?” I said in alarm. “Will the orphans be okay?”

  I heard a giggle. “I’ll keep these kids warm and fed even if it means setting my clothing on fire. Short term, I can take loans to cover up the difference. Nonetheless, I have to get the bottom of this discrepancy. We can’t operate effectively with our funding constantly arriving late. We’re missing several millions worth of American dollars.”

  “Does Heath know about this?”

  I knew the answer before she spoke. “He’d go berserk if he found out the orphans weren’t getting his money. No, let’s keep him out of this until I find out more information. He has enough on his mind with the tour and private tutoring.”

  “How about Jared?” I asked. “I think he’s in charge of Heath’s accounts.”

  “No, it could be someone hacking his accounts or a screw up with the bank,” Megan answered. “If I made a blunder or it was an honest mistake by the bank, then I don’t want Heath doing something stupid to his manager on account of me. If someone is deliberately delaying the funding, then I don’t want to tip my hand too soon.”

  “I see…”

  “Sorry to lay this one your lap,” she began. “But I had to tell someone about this and you were the only other person than Heath that knew about the delayed funding.”

  “Understood, do you need any help?”

  “No, just keep me posted if anything strange happens to Heath’s finances on your end,” she requested. “I’ll do the same for you. Goodbye Charlotte.”

  “Goodbye, Megan.”

  This job just got stranger and stranger. I hoped it was just a screw up with the paperwork. Otherwise, I didn’t know what I had gotten myself into.

  Whatever tension between Charlotte and me didn’t affect the last leg of the tour. Maybe it was the stress of juggling the touring with the studying and romance but I just didn’t have the energy to be a bad boy. Jared seemed to like the lack of drama well enough.

  My academic performance had increased as well. I had done much better on the practice tests. It was still up in the air whether or not I’d pass the first exam that was due out in less than five months. Nevertheless, I now knew that I had a fighting chance.

  I stared at the mirror in my dressing room.

  For the first time in many years, I felt like a normal human being.

  I heard a woman clear her throat. I turned around to see the woman who dominated my every waking thought. “Charlotte?”

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to spook you,” she said with a small smile. “That was the best performance yet, Heath. You and others have really outdone yourselves.”

  “We usually work out the bugs in this leg of the tour,” I answered. By this point, the band found its rhythm and technical difficulties were kept to a minimum. “You want to talk about my coursework?”

  She took a seat beside me. “No, to talk about us.”

  I shrugged. “What’s there to talk about? Round peg goes in hole. That’s all there is to us.”