Taming His Rockstar

by Morgan, Samantha

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Katie,” Jane calls my name in a way that arrests my attention. “You do, and denying it is not going to help you at all.”

  “It will pass,” I reply, staring at my phone as I lick my spoon clean. “It’s just been a while, that’s all. Plus, I guess I’m a little lonely these days. Maybe I’ll call Phoebe and see if the squad wants to hang out for a few days.”

  “Really?” Jane looks excited to hear the squad may be meeting. “Do that. Call them.”

  The squad are four of my best friends. Women I have become very close with over the years. There’s Phoebe. She’s a musician like me, and we met after she helped me with some backup singing one of my albums a few years ago. Heather owns a café, and she kept me company while I wrote the majority of the songs on my second album. Violet runs a flower shop, and Ava is the CEO of a cleaning company she started seven years ago.

  Ava used to clean my apartment, and we were friendly enough. Then one day, she stopped and told me she had an investment opportunity for me. It wasn’t the first time someone I knew tried to pitch an idea, and I was ready to tell her I had no interest. But I saw how nervous she was, and I decided I should at least listen to her before I showed her how her idea, no matter how cute and optimistic it was, wouldn’t work. And to be honest, these ideas never worked. They were always half-baked formed by acquaintances trying to take advantage of my money or popularity. Ava shocked me when she gave me a full pitch, complete with projections, business plans, and financial projections, all with colorful binders and slides. Her dedication alone was enough to have me interested. The intelligence behind her business plan cemented the deal for me. I asked her to get a drink with me that night, and the next morning, I signed a document making me her business partner. That deal remains one of the best I ever made, and now Ava is more than just my business partner.

  Next to Jane, these four women are my closest friends, and even though we live in different cities, we still manage to stay in touch. At least once a year, we make sure to spend a few days together. I’m sure if I have my squad around, I’ll be able to forget about this whole Jake nonsense. But all these women have lives of their own, and I don’t want to make them suspend them just to be with me.

  “I don’t know,” I say after mulling it over for a second.

  “Come on,” Jane says. “I think it would be nice. Especially with this whole Jake thing. You know what? I’m going to text Phoebe right now and tell her all about it. I bet they would like to know you’ve got a guy who makes you moan so loud you keep me awake.”

  I suddenly remember one thing about my girls. They are intrusive and meddlers, in the most well-intentioned way, of course. Instead of taking my mind off it, they’ll probably kidnap Jake and tie him up in my room. No, they’re the worse people I can have around me right now.

  “No,” I say quickly. “Don’t tell them about Jake. I’m serious, Jane,” I add sternly. “You do that, and I’ll tell Travis you said Jesse was a better lover than him.”

  She cocks one brow. “I didn’t say that, and Travis is not going to mind anyways. He knows the truth.”

  “Don’t,” I warn as she begins to type. “Or I won’t . . . I won’t . . . I won’t babysit for you when next you and Travis want to have naked weekends.”

  Jane’s hands pause on her screen, and she looks at me, ready to call my bluff. “You wouldn’t. You enjoy having them too much.”

  “I think I can manage,” I reply with my best poker face. I was bad at poker, so I’m not exactly sure if this one is working.

  Her hands leave her screen, and she drops them. “Low blow, Katie.”

  “Sorry.” I scoop up ice cream from the bowl and lift it to my mouth. “You forced my hand.”

  “And what are you going to do about this Jake thing then?”

  “There is no Jake thing.” I pick up my phone and scroll down my feed. Something catches my eye, and I click on the link. Then show it to Jane. “Hey, how about I get a dog? Look at how cute they are.”

  “A dog?” Jane looks at me like I’m crazy.

  “Yes.” I nod. “I’ve always wanted to have one. And look, they said we’d be rescuing them. I want to rescue a dog.”

  “So rather than fuck Jake, you’d prefer to adopt a dog that you’d need to take care of twenty-four seven?” She shakes her head as she begins laughing. “Oh boy, that guy really did a number on you.”

  “He didn’t do a number on me. And Jake has nothing to do with why I’m getting a dog.” I stare at the pictures of the dogs on the site. They all look cute with eyes that say come and rescue us. “I want one. You know I’ve always talked about one.”

  “Sure. It’s just this time you’re not just getting a dog because you want one.” She looks at me. “And I think I know why. But if you think getting a dog is what you want, we’ll go down tomorrow and pick one out.”

  I smile at her, and she smiles back at me. I take one of the buds of her earpiece and put it in my ear, and we watch Doctor Who and eat ice cream until morning comes.

  Chapter 11

  There are very few things that can melt my heart like staring into the eyes of a cute puppy looking up at me. One of those things is six puppies staring at me.

  “Can I take all of them?” I ask as I reach into the cage and pick one of them up. It immediately begins to lick my face, and I laugh as I nuzzle it. “Can I?”

  Jane sighs. “No. You’re picking just one, remember? Do you like that one?”

  “Yes,” I reply. I drop the puppy in my hand back into the pen and reach for another one. “And this one too. I can get two, right?”

  Jane gives me a stern glare. “No. Pick one. Let me get an attendant.” She looks up and motions one of the attendants over.

  “Have you made up your mind?” she asks when she comes closer.

  “I don’t know.” I look up from the pen at her. “It’s so hard to choose.”

  She blinks twice and I realize the exact moment she recognizes me. Seems the baseball hat and big sunglasses have failed. She begins to tremble excitedly.

  “It’s . . . I know . . .” She jumps up and down a few times, pointing at me and struggling to get the words out of her mouth.

  “Take a deep breath,” I say with a big smile.

  She does just that and begins to breathe fast. “I’m sorry. I know I should be cool and all. It’s just—”

  “I know.” I give her a big grin. “What’s your name?”

  “Rebecca,” she replies, giving me the same look I’ve seen on the faces of a million other fans.

  There are times when meeting impromptu like this can be inconvenient for me. When that happens, I try to be as polite as I can be. But there are also times when meeting a fan feels nice.

  “So, Rebecca, I want to adopt a dog, and I need you to help me pick one.”

  “All right.” She nods. “All right. I can do that. It’s my job, after all.”

  Jane rolls her eyes behind Rebecca and wanders off.

  “So, do you have any questions for me?” Rebecca asks. “Some people want to know if the dogs are rescue or strays. That sort of thing.”

  As Rebecca talks about the puppies, she relaxes. It’s clear she knows what she’s talking about, and even clearer still that she loves the dogs and loves her work. I end up picking a cute little Golden Retriever.

  “Do you have a name for it yet?” Rebecca asks me as we both watch the puppy play in a small play pen.

  “No. I didn’t know if I would be adopting a male or female, and I didn’t want to get ahead of myself.”

  “Great idea,” Rebecca says with a smile. “Now, do you have a leash for the dog? Food and water bowl? Food? Do you know about dog training?” I must look as confused as I feel because she immediately looks mortified. “I’m sorry for dumping everything on you like that. It’s not that complex, I promise.”

  “You’re not the one who is supposed to be sorry,” I say to Rebecca. “I’m the one who should be sorr
y for not preparing adequately for this. To be honest, I just saw the ad for the shelter on my feed last night.”

  “You saw the ad?” She sounds excited. “That’s was my idea. We’ve been trying to find ways to make people think of adopting a dog.”

  “How hard is it to convince people to come and adopt these puppies? They’re cute as hell.”

  “Everyone thinks that at first,” Rebecca explains. “But they learn quickly that dogs are like babies. Everyone tells the mother how cute they are. The mother knows the sleepless nights and stress that comes with the cute baby. Most people return their dogs after a few weeks. Those are the better ones. Some people neglect their pets or maltreat them. It’s why I need to ask if you’re really serious about adopting a pet. Because if you’re not, it would be better you turn around right now and not go through with this.” She suddenly slaps her hand against her mouth. “Oh God, I can’t believe I just said that. I am so sorry. Don’t be mad at me.”

  I laugh out loud. “Why would I be mad? You’re just doing your job. Excellently, if I might add. And I am serious about adopting a dog. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Your ad reminded me.” I smile at her. “You love your job, don’t you?”

  She nods. “I’m studying to be a veterinary doctor in college. I’ll graduate soon and maybe someday have my own clinic. But I like to volunteer here.” She shakes my hand. “I can’t wait to ram it in the face of all those people who were asking why I would like to be a vet. I wonder how many of them got to meet KD at their jobs.”

  I chuckle. She sees me laughing, and her eyes crinkle at the corner. Then she leads me to the store section of the shelter where she helps me pick out everything I need. When I’m done, she helps me move everything to the car, and I carry my new puppy in my hand. At the car, I notice her hand inching toward her pocket for her phone before she loses courage and moves it away.

  “You can have a picture,” I say to her.

  “Really?” She’s surprised.

  I nod. “With how much help you’ve been today, you more than deserve one.”

  I smile as she takes several pictures with me. I get into the car and wave at her as Jane drives out of the parking lot.

  “You got your puppy. You happy now?” Jane asks.

  I smile and nod as I kiss my little puppy. “Yes, I am. What name do you think we should call him? I’m thinking Kent.”

  “Like Clark Kent? Why would you name your dog after Superman?”

  “Shhh!” I scold. “Don’t tell the world his secret.”

  “Fine. I’m thinking Jake.”

  I glare at her. “No, we’re not calling him Jake. Maybe Charlie.” I shake my head and nuzzle the puppy’s nose, loving the feel of it tongue against my cheeks. “You know what, I’ll think of a name later.”

  As I hold my new puppy in my arms, I realize not once in the two hours since I walked into that shelter did Jake cross my mind. Two hours, and I didn’t think of him once. Of course, the puppy has nothing to do with that. After all, I’m not getting a puppy to distract myself from him.

  Chapter 12

  I learned after the first night Kent spent with me that I shouldn’t leave anything I love that can be chewed around. After ruining two running shoes and one leather boot, I move all my shoes into the walk-in closet in my bedroom and make sure to always keep it closed. The very next day, I bought him several chew toys and enrolled him in training school. Still, it’s nice having him around. He’s so cute he makes me laugh with how he seems so curious about his new environment. Like when he stands in front of the mirrored door that leads to the balcony for fifteen minutes, trying to figure out who the other dog is.

  I also start to write down ideas for my next album. Or at least I try to. I mostly end up just doodling meaningless lines on my pad. Jane’s leaving this weekend, and so I’m trying to spend as much time as I can with her before she leaves. We sit in the living room, painting our toenails. I just got mine finished, and now it’s Jane’s turn. As I coat her nails in pink, she fills me in on some of my upcoming engagements. Mostly it means that I have like two weeks more before I will need to start showing up for shows and paid gigs. It’s two weeks I’m now wondering how I’m going to fill up without her. As for Jane, it’s clear she misses her husband and kids. And I can’t blame her.

  “So, why did you not try to see him again?”

  The question is so random and yet I have no problem understanding who she’s talking about. This time, I don’t bother denying or making excuses.

  “Because I went in wanting just a one-night stand and ended up wanting several more.” I nod and grin back at her. “Yeah, it was that good. But I couldn’t do that to him.”

  Kent comes around and nudges at Jane. She absentmindedly picks him up and begins to pet him. “Do what?”

  “Upset his life like that.” I shrug, finally able to face the truth. “How long do you think we could carry out that whole charade before someone finds out and leaks it to the press? And then what? He’s going to have to go around trying to define a relationship he doesn’t want.”

  “How do you know he doesn’t want it?”

  “A relationship?” I cock a brow. “Because it was a one-night stand.”

  “No.” Jane sighs. “I meant how do know he doesn’t want several one-night stands?”

  I think back to that morning. “I think he did. I’m talking of what would happen when it goes public.”

  “Do you plan on leaking it to the press?”

  I shake my head quickly. “Of course not.”

  “Then why are you so sure they would find out before the whole thing blows over?” She stares at me. “Or does this have anything to do with Michael?”

  My lips curl in disgust as I hear the name I’ve been trying very hard to keep out of my mind from the beginning. “Maybe it does. But I’m not planning on taking that risk.”

  “Look, Michael was a douche for using you the way he did. Just because he was one doesn’t mean every guy you’re going to meet out there is one. Besides, I told you right away that he was a douche. You were the one who was so caught up in her feelings.” She sighs and looks up at me. “Jake seems like a pretty cool guy. Just be upfront with him about what this is, and you’ll be fine.” She leans close to me. “This is just physical, right? I mean, you’re not like having feelings for him?”

  “Hell no.” The idea is laughable. “I just really enjoyed sleeping with him.”

  She rolls her eyes at me. “I know. You won’t shut up about it.” She turns back to Kent. “All I’m saying is that you enjoy being with him. He is an adult and seems like a pretty good guy. If you think you want to have a fling with him, I don’t see why not. Besides, I don’t think he’s going to mind people finding out he is sleeping with a rock star.”

  “Okay, why are you doing this to me?” I groan. “I just got over him.”

  “No, you got a dog to take your mind off him. A cute dog, I have to admit,” she adds as she coos at Kent. “But this respite is going to last a few days, maybe a week. And one day, you’re going to be left wondering what if you’d given yourself the opportunity to have the best fling of your life. Besides, what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t stop you from having good sex?”

  “Not good,” I correct her. “Mind-blowing sex. Spine-altering sex. The kind of sex fantasies are made off.”

  Jane laughs. “See? So, would you go and see him again?”

  “I don’t know,” I reply honestly. But I’m thinking of it, so much that I’m almost sure then that I’ll be seeing Jake again sometime soon.

  “Exactly what did the guy do that rocked your world so much?”

  I want to tell Jane the truth. But remembering her reaction when we saw the whips in the sex shop stops me. Someday, I’ll let her know that her friend likes being told what to do. For now, I decide to keep it to myself.

  Chapter 13

  I hope that I can sneak into the club and get a chance to hide and observe Jake from a dist
ance before I approach him. That plan goes out the window as soon as I step into the club and our eyes meet across the floor. Even though I have on one of my many baseball hats, I can tell he knows I’m the one. I immediately think of turning back, and that reaction gets me mad enough that I hold his gaze and smile at him before strutting toward the bar. He holds my gaze all the way. Then, just as I’m getting to the bar, he tips his head, gives me a small smile, and looks away. Rather than become disappointed, I smile and take a seat at the other end of the bar. Game on.

  It’s a weekday, so the club isn’t as packed as it was the last time I was here. I also made sure to arrive close to midnight to be sure if he was working tonight it won’t be long before his shift ends. And if I didn’t see him, then I would’ve turned right around and headed back home. I admitted to myself in the car that it isn’t the best plan. But it was the best I could come up with, and it seems luck is on my side. The girl attending to my side of the bar asks me what I’d like to drink, and I’m immediately reminded of how Jake would know the perfect drink for me. I think of asking her to surprise me but decide not to and ask for a mojito instead. As I speak, she goes still as she recognizes me. Other than a small smile, she gives no other reaction to having a rock star sitting at her bar. I like her immediately. She comes back with my drink and drops it in front of me. I tell her to open a tab for me and make sure my glass doesn’t get empty.

  I take a sip of my drink and check my phone, not surprised to see that Jane has managed to send me five messages between the time I got out of my car and now. I quickly reply to her messages and some other messages I need to answer. Sometimes, I feel Jake’s eyes on me but don’t lift my head to meet his gaze. I’m not about to give him the satisfaction. Not yet.

  After my talk with Jane, I’m still wondering if I should’ve come back here to see him. And the fact that I’m taking so long to decide is why two hours ago I told Jane I was coming here, slipped on something nice and sexy, and got into the car. I wanted to see him again. Mostly because he’s good in bed and fulfilled a need I haven’t had met in years. He’s also fun, nice, and we click. I also know he wouldn’t mind having a fling with me. He’s good, but that sentiment is one I know is mutually shared, and that isn’t me bragging. So, if I want him, could have him if I ask him and see no other reason why I should not, why then am I still stalling? The answer is simple. I’m afraid of something. And I hate being afraid of anything. I am here to see if Jake has an interest in having a fling with a rock star.