A Second Chance at love The Rocker Girls Series

by Jennifer Byars

  Where were the people protecting Addison? Then he thought about how Lynn always acted like a mother hen, or Margie bursting in like a big sister. It was the girls. It had always been the girls protecting each other any way they knew how. And to save Addison they all ran away together, leaving everything and everyone they knew behind them.

  Chapter 12

  Win walked into his apartment to see Rex and South both on their laptops. Old magazines were tossed around all over the floor, as they talked to one another about what they were finding on the Internet.

  “What the hell’s going on?” he asked, looking around the disaster of their apartment. “And where’s Andy?”

  Rex looked up quickly from his laptop. “Andy’s at our place taking care of Tia. We thought you’d be staying with Addison,” he told him, then returned to looking intently at the computer screen.

  South rubbed his eyes with the palm of his hand, like he’d been staring at a computer for hours…which he had. He finally looked up at Win, crossing his arms over his chest. “Why the hell are you home, anyway?”

  Win went into the kitchen to grab a beer, slamming the fridge door shut. Guess he wasn’t going cold turkey on the drinking just yet, either. “She told me everything that I asked her about. Then she told me she was tired and wanted me to leave,” he told him, falling onto the sofa.

  “Shit, that isn’t good,” South commented.

  Win didn’t answer, but looked at all the magazines on the floor. “What’s with all the shit on the floor?”

  South got up, picked up a Playboy from about seven years ago, and handed it to him. “Well, we found Addie Richardson. Shit, I think I jerked off to a couple pictures of her,” he laughed.

  Win threw back the beer, just letting it slide down his throat after South’s stupid-ass comment. And looked down to see his angel, sitting with a guitar hiding her naked body on the front cover. Her hair was just as long, but raven black. She wore a straw hat and her silver aviator glasses.

  “Everything we found with her in the public eye was from about seven years ago. After that she just kind of vanished from the scene. I was thinking maybe because that’s when she decided she was going to go back to school,” Rex told him.

  South took a swig of beer. “Yeah, we’ve found only a couple things after that. Here’s a picture with James Richardson and her on the red carpet at some music awards…this was about three years ago.” Win came over and looked at the beautiful rock goddess in her red gown, black hair straight, luscious red lips and black stilettos. Her arm was around James’s waist; she smiled up at him lovingly, as he looked cockily into the cameras, holding her tightly to him.

  “That photo is the only one we’ve found that she isn’t wearing her glasses. Man, she was really good at hiding her true appearance. If we weren’t told who she was I would’ve never put the two together!” Rex said.

  He sat up quickly in his chair. “Holy shit, I found them!” he yelled out to South and Win. There in a club in downtown Hollywood was the band Spitfire. The girls were singing, having a great time, and the crowd was going wild; someone had posted it on YouTube.

  They found posts for Hot Spot being the place to go to meet the girls. All the social media loved them, and all the women wrote in about who they wanted Addison to stay with, James, or Mickey. There were photos of the girls everywhere. And posts about Lynn’s hair, Margie’s shoe fetish, Mindy’s Audrey Hepburn style, and then they called Addison the fashion to follow. They had her in shorts, dresses, hell, she looked hot in her baseball cap and sweats, holding books and walking around campus. And they were a little over a year old.

  “How the hell did they get into all these pictures?” South asked.

  Rex typed something. “Looks like the band was really big. The girls were taking photos for fashion updates. Look here, the tattoos on Ad’s back,” he told them, and lo and behold there she was…

  South hit Rex in the shoulder. “Hey, I found a fight between Mickey Tamms and James Richardson. Looks like they got into a fight one night at a club, and someone posted it.” Win had already heard about that. But to sit and watch what happened really hit the nail on the head.

  Those two didn’t have some little fight, they beat the hell out of each other that night. It was hard to hear what they were saying because of all the people talking in the video. But what he didn’t expect, and what Addison didn’t tell him, was that after the fight broke up James Richardson threw Addison over his shoulder, taking her out of the building.

  All their mouths dropped open but it was Rex who commented. “Holy shit! They beat the fuck out of each other!”

  “Was that Addison he threw over his shoulder?” South questioned, and Rex nodded, clearly stunned. “Wow, that’s not something you see every day.”

  Win walked into the kitchen to get away from all the shit they had everywhere, but kept the Playboy that South handed him. “I’m heading off to bed, see you in the morning.”

  “Hey, you still are coming with us to Los Angeles, right?”

  “I don’t know, guys. I really need to talk to Ad.”

  “Dude, this is what we wanted. Just think about that.”

  “What time are we supposed to leave?”

  “The flight leaves at seven at night,” South told him.

  Win nodded, heading into his room.

  ***

  Addison was thankful for the quiet afternoon they were having today. Relatively easy things, a couple of earaches, things broken, and some elderly who needed special care.

  She found Lynn at the counter talking to Mindy quietly, and they seemed to be making amends with each other. “Hey ladies, I’m off to the cafeteria to get a snack. Can I get you something?”

  “No, I’m good. Thanks,” Lynn said.

  “I could use something salty,” Mindy said quietly.

  Addison smiled. “Okay, I’ll be back.”

  Fifteen minutes later she came from the cafeteria with some good unhealthy junk food, handing a bag of chips to Mindy.

  “Someone waiting for you in the lobby,” she told her softly, opening her bag of chips and starting on some paperwork. “And he doesn’t look too happy either.”

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  She walked out into the lobby, looking around and seeing the tall lean frame of Winston. She knew this wasn’t going to be good, so she took a deep breath before making her way over to him.

  “Hey, I wasn’t expecting to see you today,” she said, placing her hand on his arm as he turned to her.

  His eyes roamed over her and he smiled. “You know, this is the first time I’ve seen you at work. You’re one sexy doctor, I might have to get hurt just to have you work on me.”

  She smiled up at him. “I only have a couple minutes. It’s slow, but I still have tons of paperwork to do.”

  “Can we sit for a minute?” he asked.

  She took his hand and pulled him to a quiet spot in the waiting area; he took a seat and she sat next to him. His hand kept hold of hers and he wouldn’t look up as his thumb caressed her skin. “The guys still want to go to Los Angeles. I told them that I’m not sure that’s what I want anymore.” His blue eyes now found hers. “But I want to know how you feel about it…if I did go?”

  She bit her lip. This was going to be one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do. “Winston, I want you to go fulfill your dreams. I want you to do what’ll make you happy,” she told him. His eyes dropped to their joined hands and he frowned. “But if we sign, and we do get a recording deal…would you come with me?”

  She looked at him, his auburn hair, blue eyes, and her heart broke. “No. I’m sorry, but I can’t do that, not even for you, playboy.” She touched his face, and the whiskers that were growing in. “You see I lived the life you guys are hoping for, and truthfully, I really don’t want it.”

  “Then maybe I should just…”

  She sighed, squeezing his hand. “I can’t tell you what you want to hear, Winston. I can’t tell you not to go
, I can’t take that away from you, can’t you see that?” she told him earnestly. “But I promise, whatever decision you make I will be proud of you, and truly happy for you.”

  He nodded, but his frown was deeper, and she could tell he was upset. “But you won’t come with me.” He sounded like he was speaking more to himself than to her, but she answered anyway.

  “No, but don’t let that play a part in what you want. You’ll always find someone else.” His eyes went wide in shock at what she said, as she stood up quickly, holding his hand in hers. “Go see Nickels, see if that’s what you want and if it is, please don’t let me stop you from signing. I can tell you guys will be big,” she said, smiling down at him. She kissed his lips tenderly. “I’ll see you in two weeks, playboy.”

  She walked towards the double doors, looked back, and he was watching her. She smiled at his frowning face, trying to hide how devastated she really was inside. She wished she knew why she fell in love with musicians, when someone like Frank would be so much easier for her heart to love. She stood there for a minute more soaking up his appearance, while he still sat there hunched over with his elbows on his knees, watching her, so she waved to him before she swiped her card and walked into the back.

  Lynn was behind the door watching them, and stayed to talk to Ad when she entered. “So what did Win want?” she asked, looking back out the window at Win, who just now was getting up and walking out of the waiting room.

  “He wanted me to tell him to stay. That I don’t want him going to California,” she told her, wiping a couple of tears from her face, and taking a deep breath.

  Lynn put her hands on her hips, still looking over at her best friend and seeing how devastated she looked now that she was away from Win. “Well, what did you tell him?”

  Addison put her hands to her face, and sighed as they dropped to her sides. “I told him to go, of course. I won’t steal his dream from him, Lynn, if that’s what he wants.”

  “And what are you going to do then?”

  She met Lynn’s eyes and looked around at the people who were walking around the ward. “I like it here. I guess move on, live my dream of being a doctor, with me and my best friends growing old together.”

  “Ad…” Lynn started in.

  “Look, Lynn, one rock star was enough. I dated another and look what that brought me. If that’s what he wants then he should go. Because you and I both know what happens once they make it big. I was lucky I survived the first rock star… I’m not willing to push my luck once more. My heart just couldn’t take it.”

  She heard her name being called through the speaker system; they both looked at each other. “I’m off, don’t worry, okay. Let’s see what happens in two weeks,” she told her, walking away.

  ***

  When Win and the guys got into LAX, and took their first steps in the California sun, one thing ran through their heads…it was fucking hot! With bags in hand they made their way to find the driver that they’d been told to look for.

  Standing over by a black limousine was a man dressed in a black suit, black hat, with sunglasses on. He looked like something they’d see in a damn movie. South and Rex took everything in stride, really excited about this opportunity, looking around and trying to make conversation.

  But the only thing that was running through Win’s mind was Addison telling him he’d find someone else. Damn, that killed him. Sometimes fate’s a bitch! Right when he gets the woman of his dreams, this falls into his fucking lap. He looked over to Andy who looked exactly like he felt, an absolute fucking mess.

  The massive hotel was amazing, and as the sun set they really felt like they were in some kind of movie. Once they checked in, Nickels called South’s room, telling him to let them all know that tomorrow they would get into the details of the contract, and just relax and enjoy their night there in the City of Angels. He thought that was kind of ironic.

  Andy knocked on Win’s door. “What’s up, man? I thought you’d already have your ass talking to Tia?” Win laughed as Andy came in.

  “No, I know she’s upset with me. I think I’ll call her a little later…when I know I’ll have time to really talk to her,” he told him. “You call Ad yet?”

  Win shook his head. “No, I know she’s at work. I don’t want to bug her. I did send her a text that we were safe, and at the hotel.” He looked over at Andy. “That might ease Tia’s mind, if you told her you’d call her tonight.”

  Andy sat on the end of the bed, pulling out his cell, when a loud pounding came at the door. “Dude, open the door,” Rex laughed.

  Win rolled his eyes, letting the asses in, when they saw Andy texting. “Man, what, we’ve been here for what, twenty minutes. She’ll be fine, Andy!” Rex barked.

  Win and South both saw that a fight was about to happen after Rex’s comment. “Hey, let’s go down to the bar, get a drink and just relax, guys,” South suggested.

  Rex turned to look at South, his pissed-off stance fading instantly. “Sounds good, let’s change and head down and see what L.A. has to offer,” he laughed.

  South looked at Andy, who really didn’t seem all that thrilled to go. “Come on, one drink, then you can call Tia.”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  Rex slapped Win on the back. “I know you’re in, right, Win?”

  “Yeah, I guess I can get a beer,” he placated them. No sense in making a big deal, they were here to see what L.A. had to offer, might as well head down and have a beer.

  Fifteen minutes later they were down in the hotel bar, sitting at some fancy-ass table having a beer, and South was talking about what kind of car he was going to buy with his first paycheck. The waitress made another round for them and set down their new beers, when some women came over to say hi.

  “Hi guys, didn’t know if you guys wanted company?” a hot little redhead offered.

  Rex sat right up, smiling at her, pulling out a chair next to him. “Sure, come on over.”

  Andy didn’t look too happy with Rex at all at the moment. Rex gave with the “shut your fucking mouth and don’t say a fucking word” stare.

  The rest of the girls pulled out chairs, making themselves comfortable and ordering drinks. “Hi, I’m Sally; that’s Tracie, and the one next to me is Jane.”

  Little Jane seemed to like Andy as she moved closer to him. “Hi, I like the tattoos on your neck,” she cooed. Her finger came up, touching one. “What does this one say?” she asked, tracing it.

  Andy popped up like a damn jack in the box popping out of its box. “You know I’m really tired, so you guys have fun. Night, ladies,” he said, excusing himself quickly.

  South looked over at Win, and he could see the questions running through his mind as Tracie talked. There was no way in hell they were going to get Andy to leave Tia, and Win thought South just realized that too.

  Little Jane moved over to sit next to Win, as Sally struck up a conversation with Rex.

  “Did I say something wrong to make him run off?” Jane asked him.

  “No, sweetheart, you just picked the wrong man. He is totally whipped,” Win chuckled.

  “Well, what about you? Are you available?”

  “Oh no, sweetheart, I’m way beyond whipped.”

  “So who’s the lucky girl?”

  He smiled. “Just some girl back home.” He chuckled, taking a sip of his beer. Then a thought came to mind. This is where Addison was from. He looked to all the girls at the table and wondered something. “Hey, have you girls ever heard of Addie Richardson?”

  They all started laughing at his question with high-pitched giggles, making him miss his angel’s deep voice even more. “Of course I’ve heard of Addie Richardson! Who hasn’t?”

  “You know we’d go to the Hot Spot every Friday night just to see them play. They used to have angry girl night. They’d have a drink called the dirty dick, and sing songs about how men are asses!” Jane giggled. “So much fun!”

  “And once a month they would set a theme night…the fi
fties was kick-ass!” Tracie told them with a smile.

  “No, the best was twenties gangster!” Sally laughed with the girls.

  “Oh, man, on those nights you better know someone to get in, too, that was no joke!” Tracie told the guys, who now were completely fascinated by the stories that were being told.

  “Yeah, or you’d have to get there early cuz the line was out the door!” Tracie reminded the others.

  Sally leaned forward like she was telling some secret. “Some nights in the back of the club, and out of sight from Spitfire, Death Ever After would be there watching their show! James and Addison’s marriage is so romantic,” she told them excitedly. “I even had James Richardson sign my t-shirt once when I was there…he’s so hot!”

  Now Tracie joined in. “You know I heard that Tom Hunter, you know, the movie star, was trying to like, bust up her marriage. But James found out and they got into a huge argument with him, telling him to leave his wife alone… Man, it would be so cool to be married to someone like James Richardson. I bet he was defending her honor.” The girl sighed.

  Little Jane now started sharing information. “No, I heard she’s divorcing James, for Mickey Tamms. Could you imagine marrying Mickey, she is so lucky! I saw her play with Acid Pool. She was so cool! The way she can play that guitar… Wow! And I love the way she dresses. I used to follow the Spitfire spotting so I could keep track of what they were wearing. I got the angel wing tattoos on my back, because of her.”

  All these girls wanted to be like his girl. They were all really cute, but he had the real deal back home. He didn’t need anything else. And after hearing all these girls talking about his angel with their annoying voices… “You know, I’m heading up as well. I’ll talk to you guys in the morning,” Win told them.