Lucky Break

by Liliana Rhodes

  She waited for him to say the word, but he didn’t.

  “You should get some sleep.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do.”

  He sat down and picked up his notebook, slipped a pen into the open page and closed it. Lucky couldn’t help but be curious. She never pictured Jude as a writer.

  “Working on a song?”

  “Didn’t I ask you to leave?”

  “Actually no, you didn’t,” she said.

  She sat beside him and reached for the notebook, but then stopped when she thought about how she would feel if roles were reversed.

  “I’m sorry,” Lucky said.

  “For?”

  “For barging in. For reaching for your notebook. For being here. Feel free to stop me at any time.”

  “No, keep going. I’m enjoying this.”

  “I hate you,” she said although she couldn’t stop smiling.

  “I can tell. I’d hate to see what would happen if you liked me.”

  He gave her a crooked smile and she felt the blood rush to her cheeks. Suddenly she felt a little dizzy and warm.

  “Are you ok, Liv? Are you going to be sick?”

  “I…I don’t know. I’m just not feeling well all of a sudden.”

  Jude got up and poured her a glass of water, then sat down beside her, his muscular arm behind her on the back of the couch.

  “Drink this, its just water. How much did you drink? I know you’re young and on tour, but you should try to watch yourself.”

  “One. And I am watching myself.”

  “One? One drink? Geesh you’re a lightweight. Guess you’re a cheap date.”

  “Guess I would be.”

  “Guess?”

  “I’ve never been on a date.”

  Damn, why couldn’t she keep her mouth shut? It seemed she embarrassed herself more and more in front of him. And of all people too.

  “Wow, why not? A beautiful girl like you must’ve had guys falling all over you.”

  She felt the heat in her cheeks intensify as she shook her head. She wanted to hear him say it again.

  “You think I’m beautiful?”

  “You know you’re beautiful. Don’t play coy with me. When you’re on stage–”

  “Yes, when I’m on stage.”

  “Ok I get it, but you don’t need the stage.”

  He looked deep into her eyes and she felt lost, as if time and the world stood still. As he slid closer to her on the couch, she held her breath hoping he was going to kiss her.

  He slid his arm onto her shoulders and pulled her closer. With his other hand he softly stroked her cheek before moving his fingers into her hair. Her heart was pounding wildly. Tilting his head slightly, their lips were about to touch when he stopped.

  “Never been on a date, huh?” He whispered, his lips so close to hers she could feel his breath. “Have you ever…?”

  She was too naive to really know what he implied, and the answer to anything he might mean would be the same anyway.

  “No. Never. Nothing.”

  He kissed her nose and stood up, turning away from her.

  “You really should leave.”

  “But why? What if I don’t want to?”

  “There’s a whole world out there you need to experience. You need to try things, make mistakes, and move on from them. I don’t want to be one of those mistakes.”

  “Fine,” she said annoyed.

  Lucky felt drunk but she couldn’t say if it was because of the alcohol or because of Jude. Whenever she saw him she felt a little drunk. She stood up to leave and lost her balance, but Jude quickly caught her and helped her back onto the couch.

  “Stay here. The couch pulls out, you can take the bed.”

  “I guess I’ll be one of the many who get to say they spent the night in Jude Morrison’s bed.”

  Lucky giggled softly as she felt her body slowly relaxing as everything finally caught up with her. Jude carried her into the bedroom, pulled the sheets back and laid her on the bed. He took her shoes off her then pulled the blankets up around her. After he put a glass of water on the nightstand beside her, he kissed her forehead and let her sleep.

  Chapter Eleven

  Lucky woke to the sound of her phone vibrating on the nightstand next to her. Sunlight was just beginning to seep through the partially opened drapes.

  “Hello?” She whispered into the phone, then cleared her throat.

  “Did I wake you dear? You had us worried. You never forget to call before bed,” her mother said.

  “Oh hi Mom, I’m sorry I was really tired last night.”

  She looked around the room then spotted a pair of Jude’s worn leather boots by the closet door. Shocked she sat up realizing she wasn’t in her bed. Damn hotel rooms all look alike. As she tried remembering how she got there, she remembered barging in on him and groaned.

  “Is something wrong dear?”

  “No, no, Mom everything’s fine. I just remembered something I forgot about.”

  “How are things going with that new drummer of yours? Umm Jude…something. Isn’t he that tattooed man on your wall?”

  “He’s not there anymore Mom, that was in high school.” She sighed, glad Jude couldn’t hear the call. “He’s fine. No, actually, he’s great. He’s an incredible musician.”

  “That’s good. Did I ever tell you a story I heard about him? You were too young for me to tell you before, but I guess now that you’re a big rock star–”

  “I’m not a rock star, Mom.”

  “Fine. Now that you’re away on tour, I suppose you’re old enough to hear this.”

  “I’d rather not to be honest.”

  “Remember your cousin Jessie? Well you know she’s not the most conservative woman. Anyway she met him once while he was on tour with…what was the name of his band? Gold…silver?”

  “Silver. Silverlight. I really don’t want to talk about this Mom.”

  “But its a great story honey. Anyway Jessie managed to get back stage and meet the band. She took a liking to Jude and ended up back at his hotel room–”

  “Mom! Please!”

  “You need to hear this Olivia. I think its important.”

  Lucky knew whenever her mom called her by her real name, she meant business. Defeated, she knew she had no choice but to listen to the story, this time not from a friend of a friend, but from her own mom, first told by her own apparently slutty cousin. She couldn’t wait to get off the phone.

  “Fine, go ahead, but I’ve heard enough already.”

  “So they went back to his hotel room and ordered in some take out and listened to music. From what Jessie said his real passion was in songwriting, but the band had very specific roles and refused to give him a chance.”

  “Really? Go on.”

  “Oh now you’re interested?” Her mother teased. “Well by the time they finished talking it was late so Jude offered her his bed to stay the night while he slept on the couch. Jessie was actually very upset he was such a gentleman, but when I heard he was going on tour with you I felt a little better about my baby being away from home.”

  Lucky shook her head in amazement, knowing he was asleep on the couch in the next room. She wondered how many times that happened with those friends of friends she heard so much about. Maybe that was the smoke and mirrors Stan talked about.

  “Why did you think I needed to hear this?”

  “Because I know there’s a lot of temptation out there on the road. I know your father and I sheltered you from a lot of things, but just because you’re away for the first time, it doesn’t mean you need to try everything. Look at Jude. He’s a big rock star and all he wanted was someone to talk to. Sometimes its the little things in life that are more important.”

  “Thanks Mom. I gotta go. Give Dad a kiss for me.”

  Thinking about everything her mom said, Lucky decided she needed to talk to Jordan immediately. None of it made sense to her, maybe it would to her best friend.

  Sl
owly opening the door, not wanting to wake him, she was shocked to smell bacon and see Jude cooking in the small kitchenette. He was dressed just in his jeans, no shirt just like she remembered him last night. With his back turned to her, she was able to see a color tattoo on his shoulder blade of a scorpion.

  Surprised to see him cooking, she didn’t say anything for a moment. She admired the strong muscles of his back, the way it V’d down from his broad shoulders to his waist. As she imagined what his muscles felt like, she heard the bacon grease splatter.

  “I see you like to live dangerously,” she said as she tried to ignore the thumping in her chest.

  “You’re up. I was wondering when you’d wake. What are you talking about?”

  “The bacon. And you without a shirt on.”

  He laughed as he plated scrambled eggs, bacon and buttered toast for her.

  “Well I like to fly close to the sun.”

  “That’s a good line. So you never answered me last night, do you write?”

  “We’re not talking about that. I hope you like scrambled eggs.”

  “Thanks, this is great. Why did you do this? They have breakfast downstairs.”

  “I thought after last night you needed a good breakfast.”

  “Well aren’t you a gentleman,” she said thinking about what her mother told her.

  “Don’t let it get out,” he joked.

  She wanted to ask why not but knew he’d never tell her. Besides, she might be reading too much into it. She looked over at the notebook on the coffee table, even from the short distance she recognized the tattered, stained edges that come from carrying a notebook everywhere.

  “There’s so much I want to know about you,” she blurted out.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Why not?”

  “It just isn’t. Besides, you’re young. Go out with Kat and have fun.”

  “And what about you?”

  “I’m doing my thing, don’t worry about it.”

  Getting Jude to open up was like trying to get water from a stone. She almost gave up, especially since she wanted to talk to Jordan so badly, but then thought about that time she saw him play live with Silverlight.

  “You know, Silverlight was the only live show I ever saw.”

  “That’s too bad, there’s a lot of great bands out there.”

  “You know, you’re impossible to talk to sometimes. I’m trying to have a conversation here.”

  “Sorry, I just… I think we’re better off not getting to know each other that well.”

  “Why not?”

  “I already told you last night.”

  She was quiet for a moment as she tried to remember what he said last night. Unfortunately an emerging headache blocked any memory except for her making a fool of herself.

  “Since you came on tour, I’ve been wanting to tell you how much you inspired me. I remember that one show like it was yesterday. Your solo was an experience.”

  “Now you’re just trying to flatter me.”

  “No, really. The way you slowed it down. Those grooves and rhythms. It wasn’t some big showy spectacle like other drummers do. You weren’t just banging away. You played music. It was intimate and sexy as all hell.”

  “Thanks,” he said.

  His face softened and he leaned on the counter a bit closer to her. With the slightest movement of his hand, he touched hers and her heart banged wildly in her chest. She could tell he wasn’t used to being complimented.

  “I really mean it. Its because of you I decided to become a musician. Before that music was just for fun. It was then that I realized work could be fun. Every song I’ve ever written was for you.” She realized what she said and felt her face flush. “I mean, the drum part. I imagined you playing it.”

  He leaned forward a little further and gently touched her chin and pulled her face closer to his. Lucky’s heart continued its crazy rhythm as she held her breath, waiting for his lips to finally touch hers.

  He kissed her. Quickly. His lips barely brushed against hers before he pulled himself away, backing from the counter she sat at, and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “You really have to go,” he said sternly.

  “Oh, well ok then. Thanks for breakfast. I guess I should get ready to hit the road. How long is it to Dallas?”

  “About twelve hours, just a bit longer than our last leg.”

  “At least we get the night off. Thanks for letting me spend the night. And I’m sorry about barging in on you and–”

  “Forget about it.”

  She didn’t want to leave Jude, but she knew she couldn’t stay. Lucky wasn’t paying attention to the time, but she knew they’d have to meet for the bus soon. As she left Jude’s hotel room, her mind swam with questions for him she knew he’d never answer.

  Jordan surprised her as she entered the suite.

  “Where have you been? I can’t believe you were out all night. Your mom called me last night and I had to lie to her! What is going on with you? This isn’t like you at all!”

  “Geesh, calm down. I spoke to my mom. Even she wasn’t as crazy as you.” Lucky plopped herself down on the couch. “I really need to talk to you so if you’d like to get back to being my best friend I’d really like that.”

  “I’m sorry, but its not like you to just disappear all night. Are you just getting back?”

  “No, I just got up and had some breakfast.”

  “Where did you sleep?”

  “In Jude’s room.”

  “Are you freaking kidding me? Doesn’t he always leave with a groupie or two?”

  “I’m serious. And that’s what I want to talk to you about, it doesn’t make any sense,” Lucky said.

  “Well we don’t have time now. Stan wanted to leave early remember? You can tell me on the bus. I’ve been packing your things too. I don’t know why you unpack so much for an overnight.”

  “Crap! The bus. I told Ross and Mike they could ride along.”

  “Who? Ugh, those damned groupies? Seriously, what’s wrong with you?”

  “It was Kat. She just kept pushing and I couldn’t say no.”

  “I gotta teach you to grow a backbone one day. I think you’re going to need it if you stay in this business. Besides who gives a crap what Kat wants?”

  She knew Jordan was right and admired that her friend always seemed so tough, but she knew how sensitive she really could be. Looking at Jordan in her leggings and an over sized men’s plaid men’s shirt, she realized she didn’t have the sadness she had when she left her last night by the bus.

  “Did you and Dylan make up?”

  “Seriously Lucky, we’re going to be late!”

  “They can’t leave without me, its my band.”

  Lucky ignored Jordan’s eye roll. She understood her desire to not be late, but it was her tour, her band, her bus. They wouldn’t leave without her. Plus she needed to change out of last night’s clothing.

  Changing her jeans and putting on a clean lavender cotton tunic, Lucky was ready for the long bus ride. She parted the front of her hair and braided it then pulled the braids back to clasp them to the back of her hair, letting the rest of her hair flow wildly around her.

  As she and Jordan grabbed their things and headed to the lobby, Lucky couldn’t stop thinking about Jude. She believed she had him all wrong from the start. Whether he used women in the past she still wasn’t sure, but it didn’t seem like it was something he did anymore. She hoped that wasn’t wishful thinking on her part.

  Entering the glass encased lobby, they noticed Stan closing the bottom storage area of the bus then climbing aboard. When the bus began to move, Lucky’s heart dropped to her stomach.

  “Oh–! You can’t be serious!”

  She grabbed Jordan by the arm and began running through the lobby with their luggage rolling behind them. Bursting through the front door, they waved wildly at the bus hoping someone would see them. The bus stopped at the corner and they qui
ckly ran over to it.

  “See Luck, its not your bus, its Stan’s,” Jordan said.

  ALL MY EX’S LIVE IN TEXAS

  Chapter Twelve

  Jude

  Jude fell in love too easily. The gossip was true, he had slept with hundreds of girls, possibly thousands. But that was all in the past for him, like a bad dream he couldn’t escape.

  Right now he was certain he was in love with Lucky. She embodied the perfect woman to him. Beautiful, curvy, talented, but no ego. Reminding himself that in the past, his perfect woman seemed to change as often as he met one, he knew he needed to control himself.

  It was difficult. He couldn’t wipe the image of her tousled hair and sleepy eyes when she caught him cooking out of his head. If only he didn’t care so much, he would have kissed her; and maybe more.

  He found it hard to believe that a gorgeous girl in her twenties would have never been kissed, but that wasn’t something people lied about. Nor was Lucky the type to lie. As much as Jude wanted to be her first kiss, her first everything, he knew the importance of experiencing the world and other people. Plus he’d rather be her last, than her first.

  Climbing aboard the bus in his jeans, a black fitted t-shirt, and his favorite boots, he listened to the heavy thud of his footsteps and wondered where she was. Jordan hadn’t boarded either so he assumed they were just running late. If they didn’t get to the bus soon enough, they’d learn Stan didn’t tolerate lateness. It was a fact he himself learned plenty of times on tour with Silverlight.

  As he settled into his seat, he heard loud voices he didn’t recognize boarding the bus. Ross and Mike threw their duffle bags on a couple of seats. The men were interchangeable with their college boy, clean cut look. Both wore jeans and striped polos, the only difference being that Ross’s was sky blue while Mike’s was pale green.

  Jude saw guys like them around all the female musicians. He never liked it. To him male and female fans were completely different, the women seemed to genuinely care about the band and musician they were following. The guy groupies, were looking for something different.

  They wanted more than just a sexual relationship, they wanted a piece of the pie. He’d seen it too many times before. The male followers wanted a little bit of that stardom for themselves.