No More Yesterdays: A Rock Star Romance (Rocked in Love Book 2)

by Jessica Marlowe

  Jimmy’s smile dipped. “Jack McBride’s girlfriend will get pulled in, so you better prepare.” Then his smile grew, but he looked like he was trying to contain it. “Stone Highway’s the hottest band in the world.” His smile dipped again. “Does Jack really think I hate him?”

  Emily nodded. “He loves you. You’ve shut him out, and he doesn’t understand why, but he’ll never give up on you.”

  Jack walked into the room. “Hey.”

  Jimmy pushed away from the desk, grabbed Jack, and hugged him. “She’s amazing.” He winked at Emily and released Jack. “Don’t fuck it up.”

  Jack looked dumbfounded as Jimmy left. “What was that all about?”

  “Maybe he has a new perspective.” Emily stood. Discomfort rolled through her. She’d have to prepare. Am I really gonna do this? With her emotions in turmoil, Emily needed to be alone.

  “Please, don’t.” Jack stopped her before she could walk out.

  He stood so close she could feel his body heat.

  “If you’re upset, talk to me. Please don’t shut me out.”

  Shit. Isn’t that what I just told Jimmy he’d done? “I’ve got to figure it out on my own.” She wouldn’t complain to Jack about his mother. Or his fame. Not again.

  “Is it my mom?”

  When she didn’t answer, Jack said, “I’ll talk to her.”

  Emily moved away from him. “Please don’t. You can’t fix this, Jack.”

  “You won’t let me try?”

  “Whatever her problem is, it’s with me, not you. Promise?”

  She watched him struggle, knew that he wanted to argue, wanted to fix this. “Okay.”

  “Thank you. I’m going to see if your mom needs help with dinner.” Jack wouldn’t give up on Jimmy, and for Jack, she wouldn’t give up on his mother.

  When they walked into the kitchen, Trish and Brad had just arrived.

  “Trish.” Mrs. McBride wiped her hands on a towel and embraced her daughter. “You made good time. I didn’t expect you until after dinner.”

  Trish smiled. “Can I help?”

  “You can get the salad together.” She turned back to the stove.

  “Hey, sis.” Jack hugged his sister, lifting her off her feet before putting her back down. “Brad,” he said, extending his hand.

  “Good to see you, Jack.”

  Emily stepped forward. “Anything I can do to help?”

  Mrs. McBride didn’t turn from the stove. “No thank you, dear. Trish and I have it covered.”

  She had to get out of here. “Okay, then I’m going for a walk.” Maybe she’d walk all the way back to New Jersey. But she’d promised Jack, so she needed to suck it up. Jack followed her out the screen door. She took his hand. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  Jack didn’t push it, and they walked around his neighborhood in silence. How the fuck am I going to get through this awful weekend? Why invite her only to alienate her? For Jack, of course.

  Three blocks from his childhood home, Emily stopped in front of a lovely bi-level. It was set back from the street, and the landscaping was well maintained. The two-story white house had brick around the bottom half and deep red shutters. The paving stone driveway led to a two-car garage.

  Jack turned her to face him. “What?”

  “I like this house. The brick sets if off from the other houses.”

  “Yeah, I liked it too. That’s why I bought it.”

  “When?”

  “Last summer when I was home, I saw it was on the market.” Jack pointed across the street. “See that gray house on the next street?”

  Emily could just see the back of the gray house between the two houses across the street. “Yeah?”

  “That’s Elliot and Siobhan’s house. It’s a great neighborhood, good schools, all in all a wonderful place to raise a family.” Jack’s grin was epic.

  “Oh.” She couldn’t handle another uncomfortable conversation right now. Kids, houses, all too soon to be talked about. Of the eight weeks since they’d met, they’d only spent seventeen days together.

  Jack took her hand, and they continued walking. He also took the hint and dropped the subject. Emily knew it wasn’t easy for him, and she was glad he was making an effort. When his phone rang, Emily knew her respite was over.

  “Hi, Dad. Okay.” Jack snapped a picture of her before putting his phone away. “Dinner’s in fifteen minutes.”

  Emily smiled. “We’d better get back then.”

  J

  Jack sat at the dinner table, but the conversation washed over him. His brain finally got the message his heart had been sending. He wouldn’t risk losing Emily because of Christie. If she ever went to rehab, he’d pay, but there was nothing else he could do for her, and he’d told Amber that. He’d figured out a long time ago that Christie was manipulative, but he hadn’t realized his folks had. He’d loved her and naïvely thought that was enough. It wasn’t. Love was the building block of a relationship, but it needed trust, support on both sides, give and take, and common goals to hold it all together. Like his parents had. Like he wanted to have with Em.

  Realizing how deeply in love he was with Em rattled him. The fact that she hadn’t shared how she was feeling yet was all he could focus on. Realistically, he knew it was too soon, but with a month apart looming in front of them, he didn’t care about being realistic. He was feeling increasingly desperate but still hadn’t figured out why.

  Dinner had been tense. His mom wasn’t nasty, but she was polite, which Jack knew from Christie was almost as bad.

  Everyone hung out in the family room after dinner. Brad and Trish sat on the love seat holding hands. Jimmy stretched out on the floor, and his folks sat on the couch next to Jack. When Emily walked in, she sat in one of the club chairs.

  “Emily, I hope you’ll be joining us for church on Sunday,” Will said.

  “Of course.”

  Maggie smiled. “I’m sure Jack told you we dress for church, so I hope you brought something appropriate to wear.”

  Em’s eyes widened as she looked at Jack.

  “Shit.”

  “Jack,” Will said.

  “Sorry. I forgot to tell Em that we dress for church.”

  Emily laughed. “I won’t be naked.”

  Maggie stood. “Jack means that we expect him and his girlfriend to dress appropriately. No shorts, jeans, or T-shirts.”

  Emily’s face reddened. “I only brought jeans, but I have a light sweater I can wear.”

  “Mom, it’s not really a big deal, is it?”

  “No, of course not. I’m sure your sister or I have something that will work. Trish?”

  “Emily’s taller, but I have a long skirt that should fit.” Trish stood and extended her hand to Emily. “Might as well try it on now.”

  Fuck. This was his fault. He knew the rules. Nothing his mother or sister had would be long enough for Emily to feel comfortable. “Trish—”

  Em pasted a smile on her face. “It’s okay. I’ll try it on.”

  Trish rolled her eyes at Jack. “What’s the big deal, it’s just a skirt. Sheesh. Let’s go.”

  As soon as the women left the room, Jack stood and paced. “Fuck.”

  “Jack, language.”

  “Come on, Dad, Mom’s not here. This is all my fault. I’m so stupid.”

  “Your sister will lend Emily a skirt.”

  Jack sat in the chair Emily vacated. “You don’t understand. Emily was injured really badly in the accident. She has bad scarring on her right leg, and she’s very self-conscious about it. I’m not sure she even owns a skirt.” Jack knew she owned at least one, but he wouldn’t think about that.

  Will sat forward. “How bad?”

  “Mid-thigh down to her ankle. Bad.” Stupid fuck. He should’ve remembered to tell her to pack a pair of slacks. He’d fix this.

  “Fuck.” Will sat back and didn’t ask any more questions.

  A
few minutes later, the women returned to the room, bringing silence with them. She’d told them, been forced to. And it was his fault. He pulled her onto his lap. “I’m sorry, baby,” he whispered.

  She nodded.

  “Hey, if you have to do some writing…”

  “No, I’m good.”

  Jack was trying to give her an out. “You put in so many extra hours so you could be off yesterday I’m sure you fell behind on your writing.”

  Emily smiled. “Nope, I got ahead of where I wanted to be, so I’m free all weekend.”

  Jack kissed her deeply, not a porno kiss but with passion, until his father cleared his throat. “Sorry, I just had to.”

  Em shook her head at him. “Jack, I didn’t come here to hide in your room. I did what I had to, to be where I needed to be, to not fall behind. No big deal.”

  But it was. To him and to his mom. He could see from her expression that she was impressed. The last year with Christie, she’d do just that. Headaches, running lines, whatever, anything to avoid his family. If earlier he’d slipped deeper in love with her, now he was falling from the sky. Em was it for him.

  J

  After a few intense rounds of poker, Will and Maggie went up to bed. Brad was sleeping on the pullout in the den, and he’d been up early, so he begged off. Emily played a few more hands then went up to bed.

  That left him, Trish, and Jimmy. Jack expected Jimmy to bolt, but he hung out, playing Go Fish, like when they were kids. It had been a long time since the three of them had just hung out like this, and Jack loved it.

  Another thirty minutes, and they were done. He went up to say goodnight to Em, but the door was closed and the light off. It was ridiculous how disappointed he felt at not getting to kiss her goodnight. He went into Jimmy’s room and changed into his pajamas. When he got back to Jimmy’s bedroom after brushing his teeth, the door was closed. What the fuck? Screw it, he’d sleep on the couch.

  Jimmy opened the door. “Sorry, phone call.”

  Jack lay down on the cot and pulled the sheet up. Jimmy clicked off the light.

  Jack couldn’t sleep. His beautiful, sexy girlfriend was only a few feet away and he was stuck in his brother’s room. After Jimmy fell asleep, he planned on sneaking into her room.

  “You asleep?” Jimmy asked.

  “No.”

  “I’ve been a dick. I’m sorry.”

  “Okay.”

  “That’s it? Just okay?”

  “What do you want me to say?”

  “I missed you when you left. You hardly ever came home, and I was mad. We used to do stuff together, and then you were just gone. I felt like I didn’t matter to you anymore.”

  “I’m sorry, Squeak. I had no idea.” Jack turned on his side, facing Jimmy’s bed. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “I’m telling you now. Does that count?”

  “Absolutely. You’re my brother, and I love you.”

  “Love you too, bro. And Jack?

  “Yeah?”

  “Don’t forget about the squeaky floorboard outside the bathroom.”

  “Thanks.” It was after one when Jack snuck into his bedroom, careful to avoid the loose floorboard in the hall. He stripped out of his pajamas and crawled into bed next to Em. She was on her side, so he spooned her.

  “Jack William McBride, what the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

  He ground his groin into her back; he was already hard, but when she said fuck, his dick jerked. “You said fuck, so you must have some idea.”

  She turned, trying to face him. The moonlight spilled in through the open curtains. “We’re not doing this.”

  He kissed her lips and cupped her breast, her nipple hardening under his palm. “It feels like we are.”

  She moaned and kissed him back, her fingers curling around his dick, stroking him. “What if we get caught?”

  Jack helped her out of the tank top. “We won’t if you keep it down.”

  She bit his lip. “You’re not exactly quiet.”

  He sat up. “It’s not like my dad’s going to bust in on us. If we get caught, he’ll talk to me privately.” He knelt on the bed and slid her pajama bottoms off. The moonlight covered her in an ethereal glow that sent shivers up his spine. He’d never seen anything more beautiful in his whole life. He opened the nightstand and pulled out a box of condoms, and ripping one open, he rolled it on. He settled between her thighs, covering her in kisses on her chest, neck, and finally her lips.

  “How long have those been in there?”

  “Since we got here.” He slid inside her slowly so she could feel every inch of him.

  “You planned this all along, didn’t you?”

  “Yes.” His lips ended all communication that involved words. He showed her with his body just how much he loved her. His orgasm built slowly as he brought her to climax twice. When he finally came, tears formed behind his closed eyes.

  The alarm he’d set on his phone went off at four forty-five. Even though it was Saturday, his dad would be up at five. Em was snuggled up against him with her head on his shoulder. Jack slid out of bed without waking her. He dressed, dropped a kiss on her lips, and left. He avoided the loose floorboard. His folks’ room was at the other end of the hallway, and the door was closed. Jack snuck back into Jimmy’s room. He had an errand to run after they put up the tents. He drifted back to sleep wishing he was still with Emily.

  Jack covered his head with the pillow. Jimmy had been farting in his sleep for the last hour. This was punishment enough if he were to get caught. Needing relief, Jack got up and showered. The enticing scent of pancakes and coffee had his stomach growling. Em stood at the stove, and his dad sat at the kitchen table reading the paper and sipping coffee.

  Jack hugged her from behind as she flipped the pancakes. “Smells delicious.”

  “You’re just in time.”

  “My dad was here first.”

  “I’ve already had some, but if Jimmy and Brad don’t get up soon, I’ll have seconds.”

  Jack poured himself a cup of coffee and refilled his dad’s. Emily handed him a plate stacked high with pancakes. Jack poured syrup over the top and dug in.

  His father looked at him over the top of the newspaper. “How’d you sleep, son?”

  “Okay.”

  “You showered?”

  “Yup.”

  “Rookie. It’s going to be ninety today, you’ll need another after we get that tent up.”

  Jack had showered for another reason, and he was pretty sure his dad knew why. “Wish you would’ve let me pay to have the party company set it up.”

  “Waste of money. There are four, able-bodied men in this house.” Will checked his watch. “Where’s your brother?”

  “Still sleeping when I got up.”

  Brad walked into the kitchen. “I smell pancakes.”

  Emily handed him a plate. “Welcome to pancake nirvana.”

  Trish yawned as she walked into the kitchen. “Emily, you need some help?”

  “Nope. Pancakes will be about five minutes.”

  “Trish can have mine, I’ll wait.”

  Jack smiled at his sister. “Aw, sounds like love to me.”

  She smacked Jack on the arm. “Shut up.”

  Trish and Brad exchanged a look, and both smiled and looked away.

  Maggie walked into the kitchen, finger combing her hair. “Will, why’d you let me sleep? You know we have a hundred things to do before the families arrive.” She stopped dead when she saw Emily at the stove.

  Disappointed, Emily looked away. “I didn’t mean to step on your toes, but I was up early, so I made breakfast.”

  Jack glared at his mom.

  “That was very sweet of you. Thank you.” She poured herself a cup of coffee.

  “They dropped off the tent, tables, and chairs an hour ago. Get your brother up,” Will said. “We need to get everything set up before my father gets here and
starts giving directions on how to do it the right way.”

  Jack laughed. His grandpa owned McBride and Sons Roofing. All his sons had joined the family business except his dad. Grandpa was used to being in charge, which was one of the reasons his dad had turned his back on the family business. He wanted something that was his own.

  Jack had to get a move on if he wanted to pull off his surprise for Em.

  chapter

  THIRTY-ONE

  Emily watched through the kitchen window as the guys set up the tent and tables. By the time they were done, they were all dripping with sweat. Jack beat Jimmy to the door, which apparently won him the first shower.

  She and Trish laid out the paper plates, cups, napkins, and plastic cutlery. Emily regretted her choice of jeans. Even though the humidity was low, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The sun beat down, its unrelenting heat burning the ground.

  Jack grabbed her around the waist and lifted her. “Hey, stop that, I’m gross.” Sweat trickled down her temples.

  “Not gross, beautiful. And wonderful.”

  He put her down, and she turned in his arms. “Wonderful?”

  “For coming. For helping. For everything.”

  She placed her palm on his forehead. “Heatstroke?”

  Jack just smiled at her. “I have an errand to run. Need anything?”

  “More ice. We used up what was delivered, and there are still two coolers that need ice.”

  “On it.” He kissed her and strode toward his truck. Dressed in a pair of cutoffs and a white T-shirt, he looked sexy as hell. She forced herself to look away before she got caught drooling over their son. Mrs. McBride had thawed slightly, and Emily didn’t want to give her any cause to refreeze.

  A honk alerted her to Jack’s return. He’d been gone for almost two hours, and his relatives were due to arrive in just over an hour. Will, Jimmy, and Brad helped Jack unload the truck. He’d gotten enough ice to start his own ice age.

  Emily stirred the chili and lowered the heat. His mother and Trish sat at the kitchen table, slicing the toppings for the burgers.

  Jack sauntered into the kitchen. “Hey,” he said taking her elbow. “I got you something. Come upstairs.”