“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“If I was with you, I’d sit and hold you, and if you didn’t want to talk, that’d be fine, but I’m here.”
“It’s Mother’s Day, and I miss my family.”
He flopped back on the bed, put the call on speakerphone, and set it next to him. “Where are you?”
“Cemetery.”
Shit. He didn’t know what to say. No wonder she hadn’t even considered coming with him today. He’d made it all about him.
“It’s okay, Jack.”
“No, it isn’t. I should be with you.”
“No, baby, you’re right where you belong. Today is a day to celebrate the living.”
She had such compassion, and his heart expanded with the love he felt. “I don’t understand why my mom is being so stubborn about you.” Jack ran a hand through his hair. “If I explain it to her, I’m sure she’ll understand. I’m coming to get you.”
“No!”
“Em—”
“You can’t do that to her. This is her day, and it was planned long before we met. You don’t see her that often. It’s not fair to foist me on her on Mother’s Day.
“I love you. I love my mom and my family. Is it so wrong for me to want to be with all of you?”
“It’s not wrong, but it’s Mother’s Day. She’s shared you with the world since you were nineteen. She deserves one day with you all to herself, doesn’t she?”
Jack sighed as his anger dissipated. “Of course.”
J
Maggie stood outside Jack’s room. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but the door was slightly open, and Jack raised his voice. He was talking to that girl.
“Hey, what’re you doing?” Will asked, hugging her from behind. “Isn’t Jack a little old for you to be listening at the door?”
“Shush. He’s on the phone with that girl. He wants to leave and bring her here.” Maggie huffed. She loved her son, but his good nature was easily taken advantage of, and she hated that he let it happen. Ever since he was a toddler, he bore the weight of the world on his tiny shoulders.
Just like Will. It was why she’d fallen in love with him, but Jack also had her sensitive nature, which made for a bad combination in the hands of the wrong woman. Maggie shuddered as she thought of his last girlfriend. She’d been so wrong about Christie.
Will, always the supportive husband, stood with her listening in on their twenty-nine-year-old son’s phone conversation. If he’d wanted total privacy, he should’ve shut the door. Someone has to look out for Jack.
“I love you. I love my mom and my family. Is it so wrong for me to want to be with all of you?”
“It’s not wrong, but it’s Mother’s Day. She’s shared you with the world since you were nineteen. She deserves one day with you all to herself, doesn’t she?”
“Of course.”
Tears formed in Maggie’s eyes, and she turned in her husband’s arms to bury her face on his shoulder. Will hugged her close. Jack’s bed creaked, and they quickly went down the hall and into their room. Will shut the door quietly and joined her on the bed.
“Magpie, she seems really nice.” Will pulled her into his arms. “This one’s different.”
“We thought that about the last one.” Maggie wasn’t convinced this Emily was any different than Christie or Sandra. She knew her son had more girlfriends, but they were the only ones he’d ever brought home.
“Jack could easily be on his way to pick her up now, but Emily stopped him.” Will stroked her arm. “You know Jack can be very forceful in getting his way, but he listened to her when she made a very intuitive point.”
“You like her, don’t you?” She couldn’t keep the accusation out of her voice. Will liked everyone until he didn’t. She always needed a little proof before giving her heart to anyone, friend or lover. Jack took after Will.
“As a matter of fact, I do. I think she’ll look out for him, the same way he looks out for her. She obviously cares about him.”
“He’s in love with her. She’s damaged goods. I just think Jack deserves better.”
“Her family gets killed in an accident, and her fiancé cheats, and you’re gonna hold that against her? Maybe you could make a case she chose that guy, but her family, what’d they do?”
Maggie sat up and scowled at Will. She hated when he was the voice of reason. She hated it even more when he was right.
J
Jack knocked on Jimmy’s bedroom door. He’d been locked in there since they’d returned from church. “Hey, you got a minute?” Jack heard grumbling from the other side of the door, so he took that as a yes.
Jimmy sat at his desk working on the computer.
“How’s it going?” Jack asked.
“How’s what going?” Jimmy asked, not looking up from the screen.
Jack had enough. “What the fuck’s your problem?”
“I don’t have a problem.”
Jack stretched out on Jimmy’s bed. “Really? Because from where I sit, you’re a spoiled little shit who can’t spare a minute for his brother.”
“Fuck off.”
“Fine, then let’s talk about Mom and Dad. Why didn’t you come home last night? Or call? You know they worry, or can they fuck off too? And what about Trish? Have you told her to fuck off?”
Jimmy turned and glared at him. “No, you can fuck off. Everyone else is okay.”
“You’re behaving like a teenaged little shit. If I’ve done something, man up and talk to me about it.”
“Why are you even here? You haven’t spared a minute for me in years.”
“You’re full of shit, little brother. I’ve spent hours with you and dad working on the GTO. Who did you come to for advice on how to go down on a girl? You used to talk to me, and I’m sick of this passive-aggressive bullshit. Talk to me.” Jack turned on his side and propped his head on his hand. Jimmy turned to look at him, and anger shot from his eyes, but he just scowled and turned back to the computer.
Fuck. He used to be able to piss the little shit off enough to talk to him, but Jimmy wasn’t biting. Jack forced himself to calm down. “Was it a girl?”
Jimmy glanced at him. “Was what a girl?”
“The reason you stayed out all night? Did you get laid?”
Jimmy stood and used too much force to push his chair in. “None of your fucking business.”
Not a girl, but he riled him. His indifferent demeanor was replaced with seething anger. Jack had no idea what he’d done to piss his brother off, but he planned on finding out. “That’s a no.” He paused then nodded. “I get it. You can’t get it up.”
Jimmy stopped pacing long enough to flip him off.
Jack turned on his back and clasped his hands behind his head. “Ah, broken dick, that’d make any guy pissy. You’re young for that to happen, so it’s probably psychological. Have you talked to Trish about it?”
“My dick works just fine, asshole.” Jimmy’s face reddened.
“Then why stay out all night and leave Mom and Dad to worry? If your problem’s with me, why take it out on them?”
Jimmy shrugged. “That was an accident. Crane and I went on a bar crawl, and I got drunk and passed out at his place. I meant to call, kinda thought I had.” Jimmy sat at the foot of his bed, his head dropping in his hands.
Jack hadn’t been around enough to do anything to piss him off. His attitude had gotten worse over the years until Jimmy stopped talking to him altogether. Nothing Jack did made it better. Jimmy resented him, but he had no idea why. At least he had the decency to be miserable over upsetting their dad.
It didn’t seem like Jimmy was ready to talk to him, so Jack backed off. He sat up and put his arm around Jimmy’s shoulders. “Listen, if you go to Dad before he comes to you and tell him you fucked up, you’re sorry, and it won’t happen again, that’ll go a long way toward derailing his anger.” Jack stood and stretched. “Of course, it can’t happe
n again.”
Jimmy looked up at him with—if he didn’t know better—gratitude and even managed a small smile and a mumbled “Thanks.”
Jack opened the door. “I was just kidding about talking to Trish. She’d probably write her thesis about you.” He dodged the pillow that Jimmy hurled at him.
His dad fired up the grill while his mom relaxed on the patio and chatted with him and Trish. She looked happy, and Jack noted with satisfaction she’d worn the new earrings.
Jeff picked him up at six thirty Monday for their ten o’clock flight to Buffalo. Eight days till he’d see Em again. Eight long days.
chapter
EIGHTEEN
Friday morning was hectic. Emily answered without checking the caller ID because she assumed it was Jack.
“I need an update,” Meg barked into the phone.
She wasn’t as far along with the new book as she would’ve liked. “I have a few chapters I can email—”
“No. Meet me in the city for drinks. I haven’t seen you in ages, and I need an in-person conversation.”
Emily furrowed her brow. This was a first. Meg had always conducted business with her over the phone, by email, or in her office. They’d never socialized before; although, Emily had invited Meg to her wedding. Crap, maybe they were passing because she’d missed her deadline. “Okay, when?”
“Tonight.”
Jack would be in Maryland at the Merriweather Post Pavilion. They were scheduled to go on at eight thirty. She called him before each gig to wish him luck, but Emily didn’t want to do that in front of Meg, so hopefully he’d be okay with a text and not blow it out of proportion.
“Where and when?”
“The Colonial Hotel, Upper East Side. Seven thirty.”
“Okay.” Emily’s head dropped to the desk and landed with a thud. She needed to come up with a convincing story for Meg about Jack. Meg would take one look at her and know she was seeing someone, but Emily wasn’t ready to share. Vince knew, but he’d figured it out on his own. She’d been meaning to call Eddie, but she didn’t really know what to say. She didn’t mind fudging the details with Meg, but she’d never lied to Eddie or Vince, and she wouldn’t start now.
She was dating a rock star. How was she supposed to tell her friends that? What if they crashed and burned? Jack being away was different than she’d thought it’d be. Emily had imagined all those lovely hours she’d have to write, peppered in with a few phone calls and a daily Skype session. Instead, she found herself flitting away precious writing time daydreaming about Jack. She found it hard to knuckle down and, more often than not, found herself staring at a blank screen. Was this writer’s block? She’d never had a problem concentrating before, and she had plenty of scenes outlined.
“Problem?” Ben asked, as he stood in the doorway of her office.
Emily didn’t bother to raise her head. “Yes, and no.”
Ben sighed. “Yes, a problem, and no you don’t want to talk about it.”
They knew her so well. She lifted her head off the desk and smiled. “Thanks.”
Ben nodded and walked away.
Emily rushed home after work, changed into a long black skirt that fell just above her ankles, tights, and a short-sleeved hunter-green cashmere sweater. She finished off the outfit with black suede lace-up boots with a one-inch heel and a bold gold necklace and drop earrings. She hit a crap ton of traffic driving into the city but was only a few minutes late.
She spotted Meg at the bar, laughing at something the guy next to her said. Since it was Manhattan, they were both dressed in stylish business attire. His charcoal suit, white dress shirt, and red tie was a classic look. Meg’s tailored red dress ended well above the knee, and Emily tamped down a pang of jealousy. The dress fit Meg perfectly, showing off her long, perfect legs. Her four-inch tan heels added to her five-foot-six height.
Meg turned as Emily walked up. “There you are, darling.” She stood and kissed Emily on the cheek as she hugged her. The gentleman she’d been talking to now had a view of Meg’s butt, and he didn’t waste it. “Let me look at you.” Meg pulled back and placed her hands on Emily’s shoulders.
Emily was sure this was a ruse to give the guy extra time to ogle Meg. She noted the sparkle in Meg’s crystal blue eyes and her smug smile. Yup, giving him the chance to ogle.
Meg turned. “Stefan, thank you so much for the drink.” She tossed her perfectly coiffed and highlighted chestnut hair over her shoulder as she turned back to Emily. “Let’s get a table.”
Stefan followed their progress to the table Meg had chosen by the large windows that overlooked Fifth Avenue and Central Park.
Emily placed her small briefcase on the seat next to her and unzipped it.
Meg eyed her with concern. “What’re you doing?”
“You wanted to talk about my book.”
“I never said that.”
Emily shook her head. Shit. “Okay, what did you need an in-person conversation to talk about?”
The bartender arrived with two drinks. She looked at Meg who shrugged. “Compliments of the gentleman at the bar.” The bartender stepped aside, and Stefan waved and smiled. Meg blew him a kiss.
Meg took a sip of the martini. “Yum.”
Emily didn’t drink martinis, so she pushed the drink closer to Meg. Meg would be taking a cab, so she didn’t worry about her ability to drive.
“No.” Meg’s eyes widened, and she pushed the drink back toward Emily with her perfectly manicured fingers. “That’s rude.”
“I don’t like martinis.”
“Just take a sip. It’s really good.”
Emily sighed and lifted the glass to her lips and took the smallest possible sip. Yuck. She glanced toward the bar where Stefan sat watching them. She got the distinct impression he thought he’d be leaving with both of them. She sent a cold smile to disabuse him of that notion, which he clearly acknowledged with a shrug and resumed ogling Meg.
“Loosen up, let’s have some fun tonight.” Meg’s eyes glinted with mischief.
If Emily didn’t know better, she’d think that Nicki had possessed Meg. But Nicki’s on tour with Curt. Not here. “Shouldn’t we discuss my book?”
Meg took another sip of her martini. “Certainly, but I wanted to see you, see how you were doing.”
“Well, I have six chapters.” Emily opened her bag and laid the pages on the table.
Meg sighed. “Are you being dense on purpose, or are you looped from one sip of martini? I want to know how you’re doing? After—we all know what happened, no need to rehash it. How you holding up?”
Emily was confused for about ten seconds and then it dawned on her what Meg was talking about. Sully. Not Jack. “I’m okay.” She still had questions about what had happened with Sully, but they seemed to matter less. Which reminded her he should be returning from his trip this weekend, and she wanted his shit out of her place.
Meg studied her for a long minute then broke into a grin. “You’re seeing someone.” She tapped her long red nails against her black beaded necklace. “Do tell.”
Crap. Emily needed a drink but not the martini. She flagged down a server and ordered a glass of cabernet. “Yes, I’m seeing someone. We met a few weeks ago, rather unexpectedly, and it’s new, so there isn’t much to tell.”
“Bullshit. You slept with him. Start with that.” If Meg continued grinning like that, she’d pull something.
Emily held Meg’s gaze. Meg didn’t know anything. “I never said that.”
“Darling, you didn’t have to. You were with him when you called me three weeks ago to cancel our appointment. I could hear it in your voice; you sounded thoroughly fucked.”
Emily almost spit out her wine. She took a few sips of water and smiled. It was better to give Meg a few juicy bits. “He’s a musician.” She couldn’t help but smile when she talked about Jack.
Meg slapped her hand on the table. “I knew it. Oh, those musicians can
get any girl out of her panties.” She took another sip of her drink. “I slept with several in my twenties. Best sex I ever had.” A dreamy look softened Meg’s features, and she leaned in. “I slept with one of the guys from Alchemy Riot, although that was a lifetime ago, long before they hit it big. Then there was…”
Emily didn’t hear another word. The idea that Meg could’ve slept with Vince weirded her out. She wanted to ask which one but thought better of it.
“Miss, compliments of the gentleman at the bar.” The bartender placed another glass of red wine on the table. “1992 Sonoma Valley Cabernet, excellent year.” He smiled and walked away.
When Emily looked to the bar, it wasn’t Stefan who raised his glass but a man dressed in a navy button-down shirt. Before she could even react, he hopped off the barstool and headed their way. Damn. She looked at Meg who merely shrugged.
He stopped in front of Emily. “Hello, beautiful. May I join you?” He pulled a chair over.
“Actually, I’m in the middle of a business meeting. Thank you for the wine, but I need to get back to business.” She threw Meg a look that said she’d better go along. She wasn’t in the mood to make nice with some random guy who sent her a drink. Weren’t guys supposed to wait for eye contact?
“Of course.” He put the chair back and walked to the side of the bar where she’d be able to see him if she looked away from Meg.
“So, tell me all about this musician.” Meg smirked.
Emily sighed. She’d never seen this side of Meg before. “His name’s Jack.”
“That’s it?” Meg laughed. “How’d you meet?”
Emily shrugged. “Nicki dragged me to see a band.”
“And?”
“And he’s out of town right now.”
“Okay, I get it. Not ready to dish. I’m just glad you’re not pinning away for that bastard. But listen, kiddo,” Meg reached for her hand. “You’re vulnerable right now, so take it slow with this new guy.”
Emily shook her head. Meg went from dish to concern faster than even Nicki. “Well, since he travels a lot, we have to.”
No More Yesterdays: A Rock Star Romance (Rocked in Love Book 2) Page 18
