I walked into the bar, and she was there talking and laughing with some regulars. She saw me arrive, smiled and then made herself look busy.
"Hey, Es."
"Jack and Coke?" She asked.
"Um... No, thanks. Can I talk to you?"
"Sure."
"In private?"
"Um... My break is in fifteen minutes, can it wait til then?"
I nodded to her and said; "Got some work to do, I will be over there." I said pointing to the table furthest away. She nodded and told me she would be over soon.
Waiting for Esme to come over was like torture, I thought I knew what I wanted to say but it was all getting jumbled up in my head. I started to feel nervous as I saw her approaching me. She handed me a bottle of water.
"Thanks."
She sat down opposite me, opened her bottle of water and began taking large gulps. "You ok?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to talk to you since the other night... I wanted to apologise for almost kissing you. I got carried away with the romance of the song, I had so much fun with you, it felt almost right. But, I am with Cindy, I'm not a cheater. I really do like you, maybe if things were different..." She cut me off.
"Jax, honestly don't worry about it. I haven’t given it a second thought. These things happen. I know you have a girlfriend, hopefully we can still be friends?"
"Yeah, definitely. Thanks, Es, for understanding. I didn’t want you to think I was leading you on."
"Let's just forget about it and move on."
"Ok, great. So as we are friends... Did you get home ok… With Dan, was it?"
"Drew, and yes he got me home fine."
"You know I would have taken you home, you didn’t need to get some random guy to do it."
"He offered and you had Cindy with you, don't think she would have been too happy. And just for the record, he wasn’t a random guy, we went to school together, I’ve known him for years."
"I guess you’re right, just didn’t want anything to happen to you, that’s all."
She nodded and smiled at me and went back to the bar.
That was easier than I thought it would be, though I was a bit unhappy that she said she hadn’t given it a second thought, I knew I had no right to feel like that, but you feel what you feel, right? And as for this Drew guy? She didn’t seem to want to talk about him, maybe he was the reason that she hadn’t given me a second thought. I hated the fact that that night meant more to me than it did to her.
Esmeralda
I felt a bit relieved that Jax had been in to talk to me tonight. I had been thinking about that night a lot, and what it meant. I was obviously gutted about what he said, but knew that he had a girlfriend, and I was glad that he was a good guy. I felt better that the air between us had been cleared and that we could go back to being friends. He did seem protective over me though… Like with all the questions about Drew… It was like he didn’t want me and he didn’t want anyone else to have me either. That was confusing.
"Hey, Es." Rick called out as he came up to the bar.
"Hey, what you doing here? It’s closing time."
"Just needed to check on music for tomorrow night, won’t be long."
He walked away, went over to see Jax and then disappeared back stage. When he came back out, he and Jax made their way over to the bar and Jax told me he was going, so we said our goodbyes and he left.
"I’ll walk you to your car." Rick offered.
"Ok, thanks. Let me grab my bag... Paul, I'm off now."
"Ok, thanks, Esmeralda. See you tomorrow." Paul, the bar manager, called back. Rick opened the door for me and I walked through it in silence.
"Hey, you ok? You seem quiet?" He asked.
"Yeah, it's just... Oh, never mind."
"Come on, tell me."
"Ok, but you can’t say anything, I haven’t even told Marce."
He nodded at me, so I continued with; "Jackson came over to my house last week, he knew I was in the middle of writing a song and he wanted to help me with it.” I looked down at my feet; “… We had a meal and some wine, and ended up writing this great duet. We were laughing and everything and... And... We almost kissed. You ringing him interrupted us... I feel so awful and awkward. I know he has Cindy. But I wanted him to kiss me and I think he wanted it too... He came in tonight to apologise." I looked back up at Rick and could feel myself blushing. I wasn’t very good at opening up to people, but Rick was so easy to talk to.
"Wow, ok... Wasn’t expecting that. You write songs? That’s great."
"Really? That’s what you say? You’re not surprised about the almost kiss?"
"I don’t know what to say, he knows I'm not a fan of Cindy, I've been telling him for ages that he can do better, but he loves her... But then I have also noticed how protective he seems to be over you."
He pulled me in to a hug; it felt good to have told someone.
“I’m exhausted; I need to get home, thanks for listening.”
“Anytime, Es, I’m always here for you.” He smiled as I got into my car, I started the engine and opened my window as Rick shouted across the car park; “Can’t blame the guy, he would be crazy not to fancy you.” I wound my window up laughing, feeling a lot better about things, thanks to Rick.
Chapter 17
Cindy
“Meet me in the storage room.” I whispered, as I walked past Paul, the bar manager.
He looked me in the eyes and gave me a slight nod. He looked around to make sure no one was looking and then he followed me. I was stood in the dark store room, leaning against a table that was piled high with spare uniforms and aprons. Paul walked in, turned on the light and walked over to me. “Turn off the light, we don’t wanna get caught!” I told him.
He smiled at me, turned around and walked over to turn off the light. As he was walking back to me my eyes were starting to adjust to the dark and I could see he was starting to unbutton his shirt, but he didn’t take it off. The light that was seeping in from under the door was just enough to let me appreciate his toned body. We couldn’t afford to be in here long as I didn’t want anyone to notice we were missing, so I began to undo my skirt and let if fall to the floor. I then slipped my thumbs into the side of my panties and began wriggling out of them. As I did this, I heard a groan from Paul, as he’d noticed that I’d acted on his request from our last little get together and had my pussy completely waxed. He walked up to me, whilst unbuttoning his trousers. He pulled my top up and pulled my bra down, exposing my flesh to the cool air of the store room, and I slipped my hands inside his shirt and pushed it down his arms. This is how I liked it, not enough time to undress, catching a few precious moments. He grabbed the back of my head and proceeded to kiss me, hard. I was out of breath and whimpering at the pleasure it was giving me. He spun me around and put his hand in the middle of my back to lower me face down onto the table. Once I was in that position, I pushed off the piles of uniforms as he kicked my legs apart. I looked at him over my shoulder and saw him pull his cock free. He ripped a condom packet open with his teeth and slid it on. He positioned himself at my opening, then in one swift motion he thrust into me.
“YES!” I screamed, I was obviously making too much noise as Paul placed his hand over my mouth while he started moving back and forth.
I could feel the familiar build up; it was rough and fast, and Paul knew that was just how I liked it.
Esmeralda
It was six o clock on Friday and almost a week had passed since I last saw Jax. I was working the bar alone for an hour while we were waiting for another member of staff to arrive. We were running low on limes for our tequila shots, I looked around for Paul as he was meant to be helping but I couldn’t see him anywhere in the bar. I needed him to grab me some more limes from the store room.
I looked around and saw that no one needed serving, so I decided to dash to the store room myself while it was quiet. I opened the store room door and reached for the light, I walked in and scr
eamed in surprise. Cindy was bent over the table and Paul was half naked behind her. I turned, slammed the door and rushed back to the bar. I couldn’t believe that I’d caught Cindy, again. I really needed to tell Jax, but I could risk losing my job if I said anything. Not to mention the fact that Cindy had already threatened me. I needed to think about what I was going to do. I busied myself washing glasses and tried to get the image of Paul and Cindy out of my head.
A few moments later, I heard someone approach the bar and turned to see Jax standing there, smiling at me. “Hey, Esme. Have you seen Cindy? I was supposed to meet her here half an hour ago, but I can’t find her.”
I avoided eye contact with him and muttered; “Uh, no, sorry but I’ve been really busy, I’m here on my own.”
“Don’t worry; she will turn up at some point like she always does. I gotta find the guys and do our sound check. See you later.”
Cindy
“Shit!” Paul yelled, as we heard Esme returning to the bar. He pulled out of me, yanked the condom off and angrily threw it across the floor.
“Don’t worry, she won’t say anything.” I told him.
“What? How do you know that? Isn’t she like, friends with Flix?”
“I have sorted it, don’t worry. She won’t say anything.” I tried to reassure him.
He was pissed off and annoyed that we had got caught. He got dressed and stormed out of the store room, leaving me leaning against the table still half naked. She will not get away with this, she won’t ruin what I want, I will get everything I want. That little bitch and I need to have another little chat.
Jackson
The crowd were on one tonight, they were singing along, dancing and making this one of the best nights yet. We had just finished the first set. I made my way to the bar and Esme already had my drink waiting for me.
“Thanks, Esme, come up on stage in a bit and we will show them our new song.”
“Uh... No, Jax, I can’t do that.” Esme said to me as she wiped down the bar.
“What? Why not?”
“Because I don’t sing, I’m not the performer. I just like to write the music.”
“So, you’re going to let your talent and a great song go to waste?” I was feeling a bit annoyed now, she had some major talent and song writing capabilities.
“Come on, Esme, once the lights hit you, you won’t be able to see anybody, just look at me, we can pretend we are just in your flat again. Just us.” I said as I reached over the bar for her hand.
She shook her head at me; her pony tail flying from side to side with the speed her head was shaking.
“No, Jax, I can’t.” She spoke the last bit quietly, now I was wondering if I had upset her.
“Look, Esme, I don’t want to upset you, but I would love to perform our song, together.” I gave her a pleading look and thought it was working until she looked at me and said;
“I said no!” She turned and walked away from me. I didn’t mean to upset her, I just knew the crowd would go mad for the song, she wasn’t her usual bubbly self and I wondered why.
Esmeralda
I couldn’t believe Jax went on so much about me performing our song with him, he just wouldn’t leave it alone. Every time I thought about that song, all I thought about was our ‘almost kiss’, and how much I wanted it to become a proper kiss. I got angry with him, I felt bad, it wasn’t his fault, I was pissed off after seeing Cindy cheating again, this time with my boss. I had always assumed that when I’d caught her before that she was drunk or high and that the cheating was part of the lifestyle she was leading with the band, and that the adrenaline was fuelling her need for other men. But this time was different, this time I’d caught her in the middle of the day and the time for making excuses for her was over. I couldn’t erase the image of them from my head and it was making me confused. I didn’t know what to do for the best. Jax needed to know about this, it wasn’t fair on him. I needed to decide whether I was going to tell him or not, I need someone to talk to, someone who would know what was the best thing to do. I needed to talk to either Marcy or Rick.
Chapter 18
Esmeralda
I couldn’t believe it was almost three months ago I met the guys in the band; Jackson had been at the bar every Friday night with the band playing for a crowd that seemed to be increasing each week. Mostly girls, I must add.
Rick and Marcy seemed to be seeing a lot of each other and were happy, I was so glad; it was great to see two of my best friends getting together.
After the night I saw Cindy with Paul, I tried to keep my conversations to a minimum with Jackson, it wasn’t the first time I had caught her and I still didn’t know whether to say something or to just keep quiet. Jackson and I had become quite close and I felt uncomfortable keeping something so important from him. Cindy had threatened me on more than one occasion and since catching her with Paul, she had made it more than clear that my job was on the line if I’d dared to tell anyone.
I was wiping down the side of the bar when I saw Jax walking towards me. I grabbed him his usual of jack and coke, and slid it across the bar towards him.
“Thanks, Es.” He said.
“How you guys doing? All set for your night of screaming girls?” I asked, joking around with him.
He exhaled “Yeah, I guess...” He paused and shifted, then leant in and said to me; “Will you be watching closely?”
I gasped in surprise that he asked me that, and also it felt nice to feel his warm breath on my ear. I responded by biting my bottom lip and nodding my head. I felt myself blush but thought how nice this was, Jax and I were back to our flirty banter after the awkwardness of the last few weeks.
“Esmeralda?” Paul asked “Can you get the guys drinks and take them back stage for me?”
“Sure,” I told him and started to gather the drinks together.
Once I got the guys drinks all poured, two jack and cokes, a whiskey and four shots of tequila, I picked up the tray and started to make my way back stage. Jax followed me carrying his own drink.
I was struggling to get through the door, and all of a sudden the door was propped open for me, I looked behind me and found Jax’s arm above me, opening the door. I smiled sweetly at him and said thanks.
We walked into the back stage area, and I froze. Jax walked into my back and I stumbled forward slightly almost spilling the tray of drinks. He grabbed hold of my hips to steady me before he looked up. In front of me was Will sat on a chair and Cindy was straddling him, moving herself up and down. Oh my God! They were having sex and didn’t even hear us coming in.
“WHAT THE FUCK!” I heard Jackson roar over my shoulder.
I jumped slightly and rushed forward to put the tray on the table and get the hell out of there.
“Jackson!” Was all I heard Cindy gasp. I tried to leave but I was kind of stuck as Jackson was blocking the door.
“What is this? What’s going on?”
“Baby, it’s not what you think…” Was all Cindy said as she pulled herself off Will’s lap, pulling down her skirt. I tried not to notice her panties discarded on the floor.
“Not what I think?” He yelled “You were fucking him! How long has this been going on?” There was a long pause, then the other guys from the band walked in.
“What’s going on? We need to get on stage.” Rick asked.
“She was fucking Will!” Was all Jackson said, I glanced over to Will who thankfully had discreetly buttoned his jeans. He was sat with his head in his hands. Cindy was stood beside him, her hands hanging by her sides in defeat. I felt sick, there was a small part of me that was terrified that Jax would find out that I knew what she had been up to. I glanced up at him, he looked pale, I couldn’t even begin to imagine how he was feeling. I wanted to reach out and touch him to reassure him that I was there for him, but he looked so angry and I didn’t want to make things worse.
“What?” Frank shouted.
“What’s with you, dude? It’s me she’s cheating on.”
Jackson said.
Cindy was stood shaking her head at Frank, as if telling him to be quiet. Both Jackson and I noticed the look that passed between them. “What’s going on?” Jackson asked, sounding angrier by the second, looking between Cindy and Frank, aiming his question at them.
“You said you loved me that you were going to end it with Jackson.” Frank shouted at Cindy.
“WHAT?” Jackson shouted. I tried to get out of the door but still couldn’t get past. “She was sleeping with you, too?” Jackson asked Frank.
Frank nodded, and then Jackson looked at Rick, and Rick just put his hands up in front of him in surrender, and shook his head.
“Cindy get the FUCK OUT!” Jackson screamed at her.
“Wwwhat?” She asked as she began to cry.
“What? You have been sleeping with them two and you ask what?” Jackson spat at her pointing to Will and Frank. Cindy was trembling and crying and shakily made her way towards the door. I followed her as I wanted to get out of there.
Jackson
I didn’t know what to think or feel when I saw Cindy straddled over Will’s lap. What was she doing? How long had this been going on for? Then, to find out she had been shagging Frank too was a second kick in the gut. I noticed Esme was still in the room and she was looking very uncomfortable. I did notice she jumped a couple times when I shouted; the last thing I wanted to do was scare her, but I was so shocked and angry. I was stood in front of the guys in the back room of the bar, not knowing what to do or say. I felt betrayed by them as well as her.
Rocking Esme (The Rocking Series Book 1) Page 8
