Liquid Redemption (Liquid Regret Book 4)

by MJ Carnal

  “My personal life is off limits. You got that?”

  Her eyes are locked on mine. “Your personal life is of no interest to anyone but you. And I’d have to shotgun energy drinks to keep up with your harem of women. You’re safe.”

  “Honey, you’d be begging to be a part of that harem. Don’t kid yourself.” I huff like a child who didn’t get his way and sit back down in my seat. I shake my head and look out the window. This in unbelievable.

  This woman is like a rash I can’t get rid of. I’ve never met anyone who got under my skin so badly. She’s barely five feet and soaking wet, she’d hardly tip the scales at a hundred pounds. I should just be able to brush her off.

  “Chill. I know you get amped up when we’re on the bus. Take some deep breaths. I think it’s going to be a good thing.” Laney sits down next to me and takes my hand. I relax a little and she leans into me. “You don’t have to be interviewed unless you want to be. And nothing gets published without Joshua’s permission. It’s fine.”

  I try to get my breathing under control. I haven’t shared my past with anyone but Della. She was my rock. When Laney came into the picture, there were so many things about her that reminded me of Dell. She has no idea what happened to me but she knows I don’t travel well and she knows I have a hard time not getting my way. It doesn’t take a genius to see this about me. But Lane has a way of making me calm and I draw on that more often than I should.

  “Just do me a favor,” she whispers. “Don’t sleep with her.”

  “Hell would have to freeze over.”

  The crowd is alive tonight. I can feel their energy and it makes me feel invincible. They’ve been on their feet the whole set. It’s nights like this that fuel my love of touring. Regardless of how much sleep is lost and how many miles we log on the road, this electricity makes it worth it.

  It’s our second encore and Max starts the beat for our brand new hit, Redemption. The crowd screams even louder. I catch the eye of a blond in the front row and she licks her lips. I wink. Tonight’s conquest has been chosen. I keep my eyes locked on her as I sing back up to D’Rey. She’s mine. I won’t have to even say a word. She’d follow me anywhere. Maybe the hunt should be a little more difficult. Maybe then I would feel more fulfilled.

  I scan the rest of the front row. Laney’s eyes are locked on Harley. Lucky bastard. There was a time I got to roll around with her almost naked. Her perfect body pressed against mine, her smell lingering on my skin for hours afterward. Granted it was a music video but if she hadn’t been Harley’s, even then, I would have thrown her over my shoulder and shown her exactly what that tight body was made for.

  My eyes lock on Katrina. Anger instantly shoots through me and I almost miss a note. What is it about this woman that gets me so tied in knots? Why do I loathe her? Sure, she’s a scummy reporter but that’s not enough to illicit such a strong response. Maybe Rachel can shed some light on this if I can pry her away from Max long enough to ask. Our guards are pulling them to the side of the stage so we can get back on the bus. I take a minute to really look at her. She’s so tiny and I have an overwhelming urge to protect her. My brain must be fried. There’s nothing even remotely redeeming about this woman.

  “Goodnight, Seattle.” Damien runs off stage and that’s our cue to follow. The crowd is screaming for us to come back. I pump my fist in the air and watch as Harley throws his guitar pick into the audience. The spotlight dims and the stage goes dark. I smile as I hear the chants. We never do more than two encores so I know we aren’t going back out. I close my eyes and soak it in. This is what we’ve worked so hard for.

  “That was amazing.” Katrina fist bumps Max. “It doesn’t matter how many times I see you live, the shows get better and better.”

  I try to step around her but she stumbles into my path. Our eyes lock and we both step the other direction. Christ. I’m never getting by her if we continue this. She shakes her head and turns sideways in hopes I’ll walk by without saying anything. If I do, it makes me a dick. But if I speak, we’ll end up fighting.

  “Princess,” I lift my chin in greeting and move around her. Her eyes search mine for a split second before looking away.

  She groans her response. That sound. I swear she’s trying to kill me.

  “Thirty minutes. That’s all you’ve got. Drink some water, grab your shit and head to the bus.” Joshua looks directly at me. “No extras on the bus tonight. We’re heading right to the hotel.”

  Katrina smirks at me.

  “Smirk away, Princess. I don’t need to bring someone on the bus with me. There’ll be plenty to choose from lined up outside the hotel. It’s a buffet of willing women. You should write about that. It’s magical.”

  “You’re a pig.”

  “Oink, oink, baby.” She rolls her eyes and I laugh.

  “Chance, you’re up tonight.” Joshua turns to leave.

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  “Interview. You and King. Tonight at the hotel. There’s a private lounge at the end of the hall. We’ve got the whole floor to ourselves.” He dials a number on his phone and he’s gone before I can protest. There went the high I was on.

  “Fuck.”

  Chapter 6

  I step into the lounge and see him right away. He’s sprawled out on a couch in the corner, looking out the window at the city below. He’s wearing an oversized hoodie and a pair of old, worn jeans. Exhaustion is written all over him but there’s something else there, too. For a minute, I think it could be joy but he doesn’t strike me as much of a happy person.

  His phone is resting on his leg and his ear buds are tucked neatly under the hood of his sweatshirt. I never pictured him as someone who could just chill but he’s proving me wrong. This is the second time I’ve seen him relaxing with some music and just taking in the world around him.

  I pull out my recorder and take a deep breath. Here goes nothing. I just want to get this interview behind me so I can move on to one of the other guys. The last thing the world needs is any more Chance. He’s so full of himself and I know he’ll eat this shit up. I don’t want to feed into his ego and it burns my ass that I have to do this.

  I walk to the corner and for the first time, I notice his eyes are closed. I panic for a second thinking I’m going to wake him but his eyes pop open and lock with mine. There’s no expression on his face. I hate that I can’t ever tell what he’s thinking but I imagine it’s something along the lines of this being beneath him.

  “King,” he yawns and points at the couch across from him.

  “Let’s get this over with.” I throw myself into the cushions and glare at him.

  “I find it fascinating that you’re so put off by me without even knowing me.” He sits up a little straighter and tucks his ear buds into his sweatshirt pocket.

  I laugh. “I know your kind. I don’t need to know you.”

  “My kind? Sexy, self-assured, honorable, gorgeous?”

  “Self-absorbed, thinking the world owes you something. Proving your power with different women every night and not able to make a commitment to anyone who counts. I’ve met men like you my whole life.” The words are out of my mouth before I know what I’m saying and for a minute, I feel bad.

  “Listen, Princess. I want to be doing this just about as badly as you. But I won’t be used as your punching bag or as a scapegoat for some asshole in your past who hurt you. I don’t think you’ll be able to be objective with me and I’m not going to be a part of this.”

  He stands up and slides his feet back into his flip flops. His hands tuck into his pockets and he looks down at me. I’m used to him being a dick and that’s not the Chance standing in front of me. He’s right. If I want to keep this job, I need to get my emotions in check. I don’t have any idea why he makes me angry the way he does. He’s never done anything to me and the things that spill out of my mouth when he’s around me scare me.

  I put my hand up in surrender. “Wait. I’m sorry. Will you sit?”
<
br />   The look on his face confuses me. When he looks at me, I feel like he sees through me. “Careful, Princess. For a minute, you sounded human.”

  I roll my eyes and press play on the recorder. “How do you feel after tonight’s performance?”

  His eyes shoot to the windows and he takes a seat. “I’m not much of a feelings person, as you’ve pointed out so eloquently.” He thinks for a minute. “There’s always a rush when we’re on stage. You can feel the energy of the crowd and there’s nothing like it. It’s like a high and it takes a while to come down from that. You feel on top of the world after a show.”

  “Then why the women?”

  “Have you had sex before? I think the why is pretty obvious.”

  “So it’s just about getting off and feeding your ego?” He’s so frustrating.

  His eyes meet mine and the anger is apparent in his face. But he takes a deep breath and when he speaks, his voice is calm. “It’s nice to have companionship. You really should try it. I think you’d find yourself a little less angry at the world.”

  “I do just fine in that department.” I shift in my seat. I’ve never been in a relationship for more than a few weeks. I’ve certainly never been in love. But I have a friend who is a constant and provides me with anything physical that I need.

  “So, you’re in a relationship? I can tell how fulfilling it must be. You seem incredibly happy. He must be a real winner.” He zings me and I deserve it.

  “You said it was nice to have companionship. Are you close to your family? Don’t they provide a little of that for you or is something you missed out on during childhood?”

  His eyes glass over and he focuses his attention back at the city. “I’m afraid you’re digging where there’s nothing to find, King. I had a pretty normal childhood. I was just your average kid in an average family. Dad worked and Mom was home every day when I got home from school. It’s hard to see them much when we’re on the road but we stay in touch. That part of my life is boring so I’m sure that isn’t what the readers want to hear. I don’t have the big victim story like the other guys.”

  I have no idea where I’m going to go with this article. “Have you ever been in love?”

  He shrugs. “Once.”

  “And?”

  He shakes his head. “And nothing. I was just a kid and it lasted a total of about a minute.”

  “Where is she now?”

  He takes a breath and a look of peace comes over his whole face. He smiles to himself and I know I’m witnessing a private moment. “I don’t have any idea. It’s been years and I’m sure she wouldn’t even remember me. Hell, I can’t even remember her last name.”

  An idea forms in my head. I need to find this mystery woman. Reuniting them would be the story of the century. Finding the woman who the biggest playboy in the country fell for could change everything.

  “What about you? You love this guy who makes you so happy?”

  “I don’t believe in love.”

  “You don’t say,” he laughs and stands back up. “I’m exhausted and ready to hit the sack.”

  “Alone?”

  He smirks at me. “Are you offering?”

  I want to punch him. “Never going to happen.”

  “Never say never, Princess. Sometimes, you just need to take a chance.” I groan at the awful play on words. He just nods at me and walks out of the lounge.

  “How’s the article on Chance coming along?” Joshua takes my hand and helps me onto the bus.

  “I’m afraid it’s not. There’s not much of a story there unless we talk about the women. But you said it needed to be positive so I’ve got exactly zero.”

  He sits down next to me and sighs. “I don’t know what the history is between you two. I can only imagine. But I promise you that there’s a lot of good in him. He writes most of our music and he’s a rock for these guys when they need it. He saved Harley. He was the one who finally convinced him to head into rehab. He’s got a reputation but it’s never hurt the band and I know he’d give up the women in a second to keep this group together. Dig a little deeper. I think you’ll find he’s a good guy, despite whatever happened with you.”

  “You have the wrong idea about us, Joshua.” I turn my whole body toward him so he knows I’m serious. “Aside from the few times I’ve stalked him for the paper, I’ve never spoken to him.”

  “Then why the anger?”

  “I don’t know. I guess he just reminds me of someone. You hired me to do a job and I promise you that I’ll do it to the best of my ability and try to keep my feelings to myself from now on. I know I’ve been less than friendly with him and that’s my baggage, not his.” I lean my chair back and get comfortable for the ride to Portland.

  Joshua doesn’t move. He settles into the seat next to me and it gives me a chance to really look at him. My roommate, Ray, is obsessed and I can see why. He’s gorgeous. Freckles sprinkle his cheeks and his bright eyes are kind. He’s tall and fit with an air of mystery about him. I don’t want to let him down with this assignment. These men have been to hell and back and I want to make sure they get some positive press. I can’t imagine how they’ve survived but looking at them, I’m in awe of how close they all are. This is a family and I am witnessing just the beginning of their greatness.

  I glance behind me. Chance is sitting with Harley and they’re laughing. They both look so happy. I won’t give up on the idea of finding his mystery woman but I finally know my angle. I’m going to tell the story of how Chance saved him. I’m going to make him the hero.

  Chapter 7

  “Holy shit,” Harley laughs so hard he almost falls out of his chair. He looks at the cards that I’ve just played and I know I’ve won this round. “You’re sick, man. Sick!”

  I have tears coming down my face. Whoever invented this game deserves a medal. It’s so fucked up. I laugh even harder as Max tries to read the next black card and waits for us to find our funniest white card. When I throw mine onto the table, Max puts his head on the table and his laugh echoes through the whole suite.

  Tonight’s show was incredible and by the time we got back to the hotel, we were all too jacked up to sleep. We decided to meet in my suite to play the card game Rachel had brought us last time she came to a show. We’d played in that night and had so much fun, we decided that was exactly what we needed tonight.

  “Mind if I join you?”

  Harley looks up at Katrina with tears in his eyes and pats the seat between me and him. “Join at your own risk. Watch out for this one, he’s sick.” He points at me and we all laugh.

  “Let’s all tone it down a little. There’s a lady present.” Max winks at Katrina.

  “Who are you calling a lady? Deal me in. I love this game.” She laughs as she sees the shocked look on Max’s face.

  For a minute, she fumbles holding her cards. I lean forward and whisper, “See how good I am with my hands? I can hold all my cards. You should see what else I can do.”

  “I’m not up to date on my shots.” She doesn’t even look up at me.

  “I can help you with that. I’ve got a doctor’s bag in the bedroom.”

  She laughs. “That doesn’t surprise me one bit. Did some naughty nurse leave that for you?”

  “No. They hand them out if you’re an expert in anatomy. And believe me Princess, I am.” I like her when she’s relaxed and giving me shit. It’s a big leap from angry Katrina who wants to castrate me in my sleep.

  “Dinner is served.” Joshua pushes into the room with his arms full of pizza boxes. “It’s a mad house in the lobby. I had to send the poor bellhop out.”

  I check my watch. It will be a few more hours before it’s safe to head down and pick up tonight’s conquest. The press will still be in full force down there right now.

  “Somewhere you need to be?” Katrina’s voice in my ear startles me.

  “More like something I need to do.” I wink at her and she doesn’t even react. There have only been two women immune to my
charm. One of them is Max’s sister, Karen, and the other is sitting right next to me. I don’t understand it and it kicks my self-esteem right in the balls.

  “Something or someone?” She laughs when I glare at her.

  “Just to make sure we’re clear, anything I do behind locked doors is off record. Do we have an understanding?”

  “Chance, the last thing I want to know about is what goes on in your bedroom. I think I’ve been pretty clear on your slut syndicate.”

  “My slut syndicate? Really?” I can’t help but laugh.

  “Tramp troupe. Bimbo brigade. I don’t care what you want to call them. They aren’t newsworthy. Joshua says I have to keep the stories upbeat.”

  “Then maybe you should start with my whore harem. They’re always upbeat when they leave my room.” When she rolls her eyes, I chuckle. I’m not planning on making her job easy. She wants a story on me, she’ll have to work for it.

  I shove a piece of pizza into my mouth. I was so angry a few days ago when I saw her on the bus. I took it as a personal insult. Now that I’ve had time for some clarity, I realize the potential for her to do some good for us is there. I might as well have some fun with her. It’s so evident she loathes me. I don’t know why. It should be the other way around. She’s made our life hell and I don’t trust the press. But I do trust Joshua and I know there’s a reason she’s sitting here with us right now.

  “Can we call a truce?”

  My jaw drops. “I’m not sure I heard you right. Can you repeat that?”

  “I have a job I have to do. Answer my questions honestly and I’ll stay out of your way. You go on doing whatever it is you do every night and those stories don’t see the light of day. But you have to give me something, Chance.”

  “Oh, I’ll give you something.” I can’t help myself.

  “You’re such a pig.” She stands up and wishes everyone a good night.

  “You’re going to love me by the time this is all over. Just give it a chance.” I blow her a kiss.