“What is it?” Jeff asked. When she didn’t answer, he added, “Nothing is silly. If you’ve seen something, we need to know about it.”
“I didn’t see anything. It’s just that, when Jack and I were out, both days, I had the distinct feeling I was being watched. I’d assumed it was because people are always staring at Jack, but this felt different.”
“How?” Jeff said.
“The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and I got a creepy feeling.”
Jeff grabbed pen and paper. “When and where?”
“Friday when we left The Rock House, after I saw you”—Emily smiled—“while we were walking. Then again while I waited on line for water outside the jewelry store and outside the café where we had lunch. Yesterday in the park, when we were near Strawberry Fields.”
“You saw me yesterday too, didn’t you?” Jeff asked.
Emily shrugged. “Yeah.”
Jeff’s eyes narrowed. “Anything else?”
“I’m not sure.” She’d thought someone was outside Jack’s hotel room yesterday, but she’d chalked it up to another guest stopping to check their phone. “After Jack left yesterday to go workout, I thought I heard someone outside the door, that he’d forgotten his key card. When I opened the door, no one was there, but I smelled perfume.”
“What time?” Jeff asked.
“Ten after nine.”
Jeff called hotel security. “Son of a bitch.”
Emily had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.
“System was down for routine maintenance from eight until noon.”
Jack put his arm around her. “You think that was a first attempt to deliver yesterday’s letter?”
“Could be.” Jeff rubbed his beard stubble. “Jack told me your dad was in private security. Did he train you?”
Emily shook her head and smiled. “Ever since we were little, my dad played this game with us when we were out. He’d say he spotted something and give us one clue, and we had to figure out what it was.”
“Did your mom play too?”
“Yeah, once you thought you knew what it was, you’d say ‘got it’ and wait for everyone else to catch up.”
Jeff smiled. “You always got it first, didn’t you?”
Emily considered that. “Not at first, Riley was four years older, so he’d been playing longer, but by the end, I left Riley and my mom in the dust. Sometimes, I’d hide things in the yard, you know, to test my dad. Got him a couple times.”
“You lived on base?”
“Yeah, until my dad retired. When we were older, he’d have some of his Marine buddies, who worked for him, follow us to see who figured it out first.”
“He was training you to be aware of your surroundings. Did an excellent job.” Jeff shook his head as a small smile played on his lips.
Emily had always been proud of her dad, and it pleased her immensely that Jeff was impressed.
“Next time you get that feeling, I want to know immediately. Understood?”
Emily smiled at Jeff’s authoritative tone. “Yes, sir.”
“Good.” Jeff smiled.
“Hey, Emi, now you and Jack have something else in common.”
Emily turned to Nicki, giving her a warning look, but Nicki was looking at Jack.
“What’s that?” Jack asked, standing behind Emily and wrapping her in his arms.
“Nic, ball gag, one word or two?”
Nicki narrowed her eyes at Emily. After a second, Nicki’s confusion cleared away to understanding. “Two.” She looked down.
Emily felt Jack tense. Shit.
“Nicki, what do we have in common?”
Nicki looked at her apologetically. “You both have stalkers.”
Emily’s chin dropped to her chest. Fuck. Jack’s arms tightened around her, and Jeff stepped in front of her. Nicki returned to her kill list. “It’s not like she’s making it sound.”
“Do you have a stalker?” Jeff asked. He tilted her chin up until she met his eyes.
“Not really.” Damn Nicki and her ever-open mouth. She’d have to start carrying that ball gag. She’d get her a pink one.
Jack turned her to face him. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“He sent some letters and flowers and balloons.”
“Is he in jail or dead?” Buzz asked.
“He’s in a psych ward,” Nicki said.
“No, he’s not,” Emily said.
“Since when?”
“About a year ago.”
Jeff cleared his throat. “Details. Now.”
Emily gave Nicki a death glare as she plopped on the couch. Everyone watched her expectantly, and they looked worried. She sighed. Definitely need to buy a ball gag. “It’s really nothing like Jack’s stalker. A fan got…obsessed and then a little…deluded. But he got help, and now he’s monitored. He hasn’t contacted me.” Emily had never told Sully about it because they’d only been dating a short time, but Nicki had known.
Jack sat and hugged her. “You’re so brave.”
Emily laughed mirthlessly. She’d felt helpless and scared. “Yeah, so brave that I called Uncle Griff. He jumped on a plane from California, dealt with the police, and stayed for an entire week. Before he went home, he arranged for a buddy of his to keep an eye on me. I wasn’t supposed to leave the house without him. I hated it.”
“Uncle Griff?” Jack asked.
“My dad’s best friend and business partner.” For the first time in years, being the center of attention didn’t make her wish she could disappear.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Nicki asked.
She looked genuinely hurt, which made Emily regret not telling her. “Because you thought he should get the chair for stalking me.”
Nicki pulled away from Curt and stood in front of her. “You weren’t worried enough.”
“You were too worried, so we evened each other out.”
“It doesn’t work that way, and you know it,” Nicki yelled. “I hired a private investigator to look into it. And you were constantly dodging your security detail.”
Jack’s head snapped up. “Why?”
“I can take care of myself. I never thought the guy was a real threat, just creepy.” She turned to Nicki. “You hired a P.I.?”
Nicki softened. “I wasn’t leaving my best friend flapping in the breeze. The sooner the guy got caught, the better.”
Emily hugged Nicki. She was blessed to have her as a friend. Nicki was permanently removed from the kill list. Emily chuckled. “You finally kept a secret.”
Nicki glanced around and then back at her and winked. “I think they’re waiting for us to kiss.”
“Okay.” Emily leaned closer. At the last second, they said, “Pigs.”
“Damn,” Curt said.
Emily shook her head. Men are so easy. Jack wasn’t amused. She went to him. “It was three years ago. I was never in danger.”
“You couldn’t have known that. You ditched your security. How could you?”
Emily scoffed. “Says the man who regularly ditches his security?”
“I don’t ditch Jeff. Just wanted a normal outing with my girl. He followed us.”
Her temper rose unexpectedly. “Yeah, that’s normal.”
“Enough, you two,” Elliot said. “We have other business to discuss.”
“Like?” Jack asked.
“Like no one says shit about this to Siobhan.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Jeff stood. “I think that’s it for now except to remind you this conversation doesn’t leave the room.”
“No one else knows about Jack’s stalker?” Nicki asked.
“Just my team, Dex, the FBI, and now you two.” He gave Nicki a pointed look.
“Contrary to popular belief, I can keep a secret,” she said.
Just as they were leaving, Jack’s cell rang. “It’s Kevin.” Jack walked to his door. “You guys
want to hang around for a minute?”
They filed into Jack’s room as he connected the call. “Hey, man, what’s up?”
After a few minutes, he hung up and smiled. “Kevin was really impressed with Eric’s proposal for revamping The Rock House. He still thinks it’s risky, but since we all want to invest, he feels okay about it. You guys still interested?”
Nods of approval all around. Soon after, everyone left. Viv stopped by to pick up the items the band had signed for the ASPCA to auction off: two guitars, four tour jackets, a dozen shirts, and several sets of Buzz’s drumsticks.
After Viv left, Jack paced the room. “Can we get it over with?”
“What?”
“The fight we’re going to have about me not telling you about my…situation.”
“No fight,” Emily said.
Jack ran his hand through his hair. “So, you’re not gonna scream at me and throw shit at my head?”
Emily furrowed her brow. “No.”
Jack seemed to consider that. He resumed pacing. “Were you going to tell me about your stalker?”
“No.”
“Just no?” Jack stopped short.
“It’s no longer an issue.”
“How can you say that? The guy’s free.”
“He’s out but not free. His release was conditional on his continuing therapy, and he’s not allowed to contact me or my publisher.”
“Restraining order?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not concerned?”
“Not really. He’s upheld the terms of his release.”
She could tell he wanted to argue, but he managed to restrain himself.
“I’m going to take a shower.” Jack stomped into the bedroom.
Emily sat on the couch. She was too upset to write. She hadn’t thought about the stalker in quite a while. Jack was doing his best to give her some space. She got up and stripped on the way to the bathroom. When she walked in, Jack was already in the shower. She knocked on the shower door.
Jack opened the door and pulled her in.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “It hadn’t even occurred to me to tell you, but even if it had, I wouldn’t have.”
“Why?”
“It’s not the kind of thing you bring up in the first week when you’re dating someone.”
Jack kissed her hard. “It feels like longer.”
Emily didn’t know what to say to that, so she said nothing.
chapter
TEN
Tonight was the band’s last gig at the Garden, and Jack was both amped up and sad. Their last night together. He kept reminding himself that he’d be seeing Em Friday night. They decided she’d take the bus to Hartford instead of Albany so they could have two nights together. It was four hours either way, and she’d use that time to write, so she wouldn’t feel guilty about the time they’d spend together. Since they’d be in Albany on Sunday, Jack planned on having lunch with Trish and Brad because Em was taking the two o’clock bus back to Oakdale. Jack felt more secure in their future. He was sure that they had one.
When they got to the Garden, the band went straight into their soundcheck. Siobhan sat with Emily and Nicki in the front row.
After the last song, Elliot jumped down and hauled Siobhan into his arms and kissed her. “How’d we do?”
When he finally let her up for air, she said, “Amazing as always.” Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled.
Siobhan had never looked lovelier, and Elliot practically floated on air when he walked.
“Guys, we need a minute to go over the details of the meet and greet,” Brian said. Viv stood next to him with her tablet and a smile.
Emily wandered over to Holden. Jack could tell she asked him questions about his job because Holden, who was usually quiet, became animated and loud.
Wes, one of the new bodyguards that Jeff had hired, was dressed as a crew member, and milled around backstage. They hadn’t told anyone they were bringing a new guy in, so hopefully the guitar gremlin would strike and be caught, and they could put an end to this stupid shit.
Brian stopped talking, and Jack realized he hadn’t heard a word he said. “Shit, sorry, man. What?”
“When do you want to sign the merch for the meet and greet?” Brian asked.
All Jack wanted was to spend every second he could with Em, but he had a job to do. “After we eat.” He walked over to Emily, who was now talking to the Pearlow sisters.
“Drums need to be tuned?” Emily asked Val.
“Sure do, and the heads have to be changed most days.”
“How long does that take?” Emily asked.
“I get Buzz’s kit from setup to ready to play in about ninety minutes,” Val said.
Emily nodded and turned to Jack. “Wow, you weren’t kidding when you told me you guys just show up. Did you know some of these guys get here at ten to start getting everything ready? And the light riggers start at six a.m.?”
The excitement in her eyes made Jack feel special. She cared. He knew it. “Yeah, baby, I do.”
Emily blushed. “Of course.”
He lifted her off her feet and kissed her. “Don’t be embarrassed. I love that you’re interested in this.” In my life.
When Emily wrapped her arms around him, Jack had never felt more protected.
“Enough, you two,” Elliot snarked. “The crew has to get back to work. I’m starving, let’s get dinner.” He bent and picked Siobhan up and carried her over to catering.
Emily’s smile grew as she watched. “Another thing you weren’t kidding about. Elliot’s gooey center. He’s like a different person.”
Jack couldn’t help himself. He kissed her with all the love he felt inside and only broke the kiss when Nicki whistled. He pulled back, expecting to see anger, but instead, Emily smiled at him.
J
Emily sat next to Jack as they ate dinner. He had a small piece of chicken and some steamed veggies. Even though they were in the band’s dressing room eating dinner, at Madison Square Garden, it felt normal. Friends having dinner before a concert was normal.
A single knock and the door opened. “We got him!” Jeff yelled. Relief washed through Emily. They caught Jack’s stalker.
Everyone raced out the dressing room. Miller and Polson had one of the crew members by the arms. Emily had met him but couldn’t remember his name. Then it dawned on her—guitar gremlin not the stalker. A lump formed in her throat. Fuck. When she saw the expression of disbelief and hurt on Jack’s face, she forgot all about the stalker.
Curt walked over. “Jay, what the fuck, man? Why?”
Jay tried and failed to free himself. “Call them off, okay?”
“Not until you explain yourself,” Curt growled. Jack, Elliot, and Buzz stood next to him.
Jay huffed. “When Milt left, you promised to hire my brother as your tech. He was crushed, and he’s back to using.”
Anger flooded Curt’s face. “I have news for you. Bob was high when he did the first gig with us. No way I was having that around here.” Curt glanced sideways at Buzz.
“He was just nervous is all. He would’ve kept that shit out of Buzz’s way. At least I’d have been able to keep an eye on him.” Jay’s face reddened.
Buzz stepped up. “Let him go.”
Miller and Polson looked to Jeff.
“I said let him go,” Buzz said through gritted teeth. “Jay, Bob’s an addict. He needs help not more excuses. Believe me, he’s making plenty for himself.”
Jay’s head dropped to his chest. “I don’t know what else to do for him. He won’t go into rehab.”
Buzz nodded. “Until he’s ready, there isn’t anything you can do. He has to want it for himself.”
“Would you…I mean…I know it’s a lot to ask after what I’ve done, but would you talk to him?”
“Of course.”
Jay took out his phone and dialed Bob, but it went s
traight to voicemail. No one expected it to go differently except Jay. Tears spilled down his cheeks.
“Listen, Jay, if Bob decides to get help, I’ll pay for it,” Curt said. “When I think about what could’ve happened to Buzz if he hadn’t gotten the help he needed—”
Jay smiled at Curt. “I don’t know what to say…”
Curt clapped him on the shoulder. “You don’t have to say anything. One brother helping another.”
Tears rolled down Emily’s cheeks, and she took the tissue that Nicki offered. She was crying, too. As she glanced around, every crew member had either pained expressions or tears.
Brian cleared his throat. “What do you want to do about this?”
The guys formed a circle, and Jack shook his head. “Jay’s always been such a solid worker and a great guy.”
“Yeah, but after what he did, can we still trust him?” Elliot rubbed the back of his neck. “Buzz?”
“He’s in a shitty situation. He took his anger out on Curt when he’s really pissed at his brother. When my parents and Stephanie visited me in rehab for family day, it was the first time I’d really understood how angry they were at me for…everything. I had to accept that even though I’d never meant to hurt them I had. My sister’s still mad, but it’s getting better.”
Curt wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “I feel betrayed, you know? We’re on the road with these guys for years, and I gotta know they have my back. But I get that he thought he could keep his brother clean if he was around. We all think stupid shit like that when we’re scared for someone we love.” The muscles in his jaw tightened and relaxed. “He didn’t really do anything illegal, and nobody got hurt.”
Elliot and Jack nodded.
“I say we give him another chance. If he fucks up again, he’s gone,” Buzz said.
“Agreed,” Jack said. “Black?”
“Yeah.” He looked at Brian.
“I’ll handle it.” Brian walked over to Jay who was still being guarded by security. He was visibly relieved that he still had a job. He waved in thanks and got back to work.
“Wow, I did not see that coming,” Viv said. “Jay’s been with the guys since their second tour.”
No More Yesterdays: A Rock Star Romance (Rocked in Love Book 2) Page 10
