“Well, you look happy,” he said. “Fatherhood looks good on you.”
“I can’t believe it still. Seems like a dream.” About that time, a short, petite blonde who I’d spent the night spinning on my cock walked by and gave me a wink.
Jon stared at her ass as she walked away. “You might want to send out a memo. I don’t mind taking on all of your old girlfriends, by the way.”
“The old clients weren’t enough, huh? I’ll tell you what. You send out the memo, and they’re all yours.” I only had eyes for one woman, and it was Kya Campbell.
“Looks like Kya’s radar is on.” He gestured to the door, and she walked in with Sadie and two men behind her. “And it looks like you better behave or that tattooed posse of Kya’s is going to smash you with a guitar.”
“That’s Rob and Liam. They’re in the band. Looks like my gang is all here.” I got up, and he held out his fist.
“Good luck in there.”
I bumped his fist with mine. “Thanks, and right back at you.”
I walked across the room and joined them where they were already drawing a crowd. Kya waved me over. “It’s a bit stuffy in here.”
I should have anticipated the press would be all over them after that last conference. “Let’s go down the hall, and I’ll see if I can find us a private room.”
“That would be great,” said Sadie. “Rob hates reporters.”
Once we were good and settled into the private room, Kya introduced me to Rob and Liam.
Liam was tall and stood as straight as a soldier, which made him look even taller. His thin build wasn’t lanky like I used to be, and he had that lean and laid-back rocker vibe going on. “It’s nice to meet you. Kya tells me you’re Addie’s father.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Congratulations. She’s a good kid.”
Rob cleared his throat. He was more of the big and scary type, the kind of guy who couldn’t help looking like a criminal even though he had a face the ladies loved. “I guess we don’t have to tell you she’s like a niece to us. We’ve been her family a long time, and we look out for her and her mother.”
“I appreciate that.”
“Do you? Because I really hope you do.” His hard look was a warning, and while I’d never backed down from a fight, not even in my geeky high school days, the man was practically like a brother to Kya, and I’d give him all the respect due one.
Sadie laughed. “Knock it off, Rob. He’s on our side.”
Rob smiled big and then nudged Liam. “I think I had him going there.” Suddenly, he didn’t seem so intimidating.
Kya sat next to me and took my hand. “They’re big jokers, those two. Always misbehaving and a handful on the road. But they make it fun, and they have my back.”
The bailiff came to the door and waved us out. “We have to go. It’s show time.”
They all filed out, and we took our seats. I looked to the other side but didn’t see Jon or his client.
Kya whispered to Sadie, and the two glanced over their shoulders at a woman sitting behind where Jon should have been. I looked around, wondering what was keeping him as the courtroom continued to fill.
“Is everything okay?” asked Kya. “You look worried.”
“No, I’m just wondering where Jon and Whit are.”
“Well, he can’t be too far behind, not with Mona Star already here.”
“She might be a witness. Who knows what they’ve got up their sleeve? I only hope they keep their promises.”
It was a tense moment waiting for Jon to walk in, and when he did, he was alone. He got to his table and turned and shrugged at me.
We all rose for the judge, Sarah Carter, to enter the room and as she sat down, she announced for us to be seated. She was an old friend of my father’s and of mine as well, and she’d always liked us both. Being on opposite sides of this case, I wasn’t sure whose favor that could work in, but I gave her my warmest smile and hoped for the best.
It didn’t take Judge Carter long to notice that Whit White was missing. “Mr. Hanson, where is your client?”
“I wish I knew, Your Honor. He hasn’t shown up.”
“Normally, I’d give you another five minutes to find your client, but I’m not in a giving mood. The allegations against Mr. White are too serious of a nature to warrant any leniency, and it is in my opinion that he doesn’t see the severity of the charges against him enough to respect them. With that, I think it’s only fair to the plaintiffs that I—”
“Sorry I’m late,” came a voice in the back of the room.
All of our heads turned, and Jon’s face reddened with embarrassment. I should have known the son of a bitch would be late to his own trial.
“Mr. White, I presume.”
Whit grinned. “The one and only.”
“What an asshole,” whispered Sadie.
Whit wasn’t done digging his hole. “Sorry, I’m late. I got caught up with life. I’m a very busy man as many here know. I hope I didn’t miss anything.”
Sarah’s frown lines were deeply creased by the time he shut up. “What you missed was your opportunity to plead your case. I’ve gone over the preliminary evidence for the allegations brought against you, and I feel you’ve wasted enough of my time.”
“With all due respect, Your Honor—”
She banged her gavel. “Not another word, Mr. White. I’m about to wrap this up for you since you’re so busy. There is not only evidence that you falsified documents and embezzled funds, but you’ve wasted five years of these people’s time by hindering their creativity for your own ego-fed purposes. I’m ruling in favor of the plaintiff and releasing Sabbath Sundae from any legally binding contracts between you. All of their rights and creative freedoms will be returned to the group effective immediately, and your assets will be frozen upon evaluation to determine what kind of restitution you owe the band, during which time, you will be placed on a two-year probation. My judgment is for the plaintiff.” She smacked her gavel on the bench, and as I turned to Kya, Sarah continued. “The next time you have an appointment in my courtroom, Mr. White, you’ll be on time.”
Whit jumped to his feet. “You can’t do this! You didn’t even hear my case!” He stomped his feet and tossed Jon’s case file to the floor.
Sarah banged her gavel again. “Bailiff, please take Mr. White down and show him our lovely accommodations. He’ll be spending the next two nights in lockup for contempt of court.” She banged her gavel one last time, and while we stood to celebrate, Whit was cuffed, and not even Mona Star wanted to have anything to do with him. She wasn’t happy as she grabbed her big handbag and stormed out.
Jon came over to shake my hand. “Well, I have to say, even though we lost, I don’t feel so bad.”
“My father is going to be in a shitty mood, but at least you didn’t lose the case as much as White gave it up.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure of your father’s mood.” He pointed behind me where my father was hugging Kya and greeting the band.
He slapped me on the back. “Congratulations, son.”
“I hate to win a case I didn’t even get to argue.”
“A win’s a win, and the best man came out on top. Now, when am I going to get to see my granddaughter? I’m not getting any younger, you know.”
Kya and I exchanged a look. “I suppose we could come by later if you want?” I said.
“How about we all meet up for ice cream? My treat.” My father’s smile beamed so brightly, I should have worn shades. “She likes ice cream, right?”
“Of course, and we’d love that. Thank you, Mr. Pace.”
“Thanks, Dad.” It was nice to see him excited for a change, and I hoped that maybe Addie would bring a little light to his life again. He’d been so hardened by all the time without Mom, and Addie was the perfect cure.
We cleared the courtroom, and as we filed out into the parking lot, the reporters gathered around us wanting a statement. “Justice prevailed,” I said. “And
now, I’m going home to see my daughter.”
After some quick goodbyes to Sadie, Liam, and Rob, we hurried to my car. Once we were inside, I leaned over and kissed her full on the lips. I didn’t care who knew, who photographed us, or about anything else.
Kya slumped in her seat. “That was the craziest thing ever. I can’t believe the judge tossed his ass in jail.”
“And don’t forget she’s going to make sure you get paid,” I said, holding up a finger. “That’s the best part. By the time she’s done with him, he’ll never want to screw anyone over again.”
“Good. That’s what I really wanted, for no one else to have to suffer what he’s put us through. He’ll be lucky to show his face in public.” Kya reached over and took my hand.
I squeezed it tightly as she leaned over and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. “Thank you for not only helping me through this but for being here for me and Addie now.”
“I’d do anything for my girls, and I hope you know how much I love you, Kya. I’ve always loved you.”
“I love you, too, Leonard. Sorry, Leo.”
I leaned over and gave her a quick peck on the lips. “You know, baby? You can call me anything you want.”
Chapter 32
Kya
“Kya?” Leonard called from the hall.
“In here, red door.” Venues were always a maze when it came to backstage accommodations, and Leonard wasn’t used to navigating his way around.
He stuck his head in the door, and then he and Addie walked into my dressing room. “Jesus, that crowd is insane out there.”
I didn’t want to think about the crowd or how packed it was or that it had been a year and a half since I’d been onstage performing anything, much less being one of the main acts.
Now that we were out of our contracts and free to tour on our own terms, I’d signed us up for a seven-show deal playing just ahead of The Deathgrips, who were the headlining acts. A new band, Seventh Wave, was our opening act, and they were currently in the wings waiting to be introduced.
Addie climbed up into Sadie’s chair beside me. “You look pretty, Mama.”
“Thank you, baby. Did you happen to see Aunt Sadie out in the hallway?”
“No, but I did see Uncle Stones and Papa Blitz. Papa Blitz said he was going to come and see me soon.”
“Yeah, and speaking of grandfathers,” said Leo, “my father sent his love and told me to tell you to break a leg.”
The door opened, and Sadie rushed in. “Have you seen Stones?”
Addie handed me my lip gloss and turned to her aunt. “He was out in the hall, Aunt Sadie.”
She paced the room back and forth. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I don’t know if I can do this!”
“It’s just a sold-out crowd. You’ll be fine. We’ve done this a million times now.” She always panicked when it was a larger crowd than before, but this overreaction was stranger than usual.
“It’s not the crowd.”
“Is Stones screwing around?” It wasn’t unusual for him to have groupies hanging all over him before a show, not that he would have instigated it, but they were imposing that way.
“He better not!” she said, her voice breaking.
She was beginning to worry me, and Leo’s eyes were already wide as he stared at her hand. “Sadie? What’s wrong?”
She walked over and slapped something down on the table in front of me. I looked down, and my mouth hung open, my eyes widened as big as Leo’s. It was a pregnancy test, and the indicator showed a pink plus sign, the same as I’d gotten when I was pregnant with Addison.
“Oh, Sadie.” I covered my mouth, and she covered hers. I knew she hadn’t expected her and Stones to last, but so far, they’d been holding strong, and over the past year, they’d become even closer, with him taking more time off to be with her when he could.
Sadie’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t know how this happened.”
Leo cleared his throat. “I’m pretty sure you do.”
She gave him a glare and then began to pace again.
Addie was confused. “Is Aunt Sadie having a meltdown?”
Leo got up and moved across the room to a sofa where there were a TV and a platter of fruit and cheese. “Yeah, sweet pea, I’m afraid so.” He popped a grape into his mouth, and Addie got down and joined him.
Stones walked into the room, and Sadie stopped walking. “There you are, babe. I wanted to see you before you went onstage. Did you see my newest strap for Wanda?”
“Sally has it. I borrowed it, remember?”
“No problem. Just give it to me after the show.” He kissed her lips and then glanced over at the table where I was getting ready. “Holy shit, Kya, you and Leo expecting? That is a pregnancy test, right?”
Sadie’s eyes widened. “Actually, babe. That’s mine.”
Stones looked like he was going to faint. “No fooling?” His eyes grew wild with happiness, and he stepped closer, pulling her into his arms. He held her stare until she nodded.
“No fooling.”
“Whoohoo!” he screamed. He lifted her up off her feet and spun her around.
The door flew open, and Blitz hurried into the room. “What’s going on in here?”
“Sadie’s pregnant!”
“You’re having a baby?” Addie asked, her little eyes wide with wonder. “When do we get to see it?”
Leo looked up at me. “You’re the one explaining where the baby comes from.”
I walked over to join Leo as Blitz hugged Sadie and Stones. “Well done, my son. You’re going to be great parents.” He turned and picked Addie up in his arms. “And I’m going to be a Papa again!” He spun her around and kissed her cheek until she giggled.
“I’m so happy that you’re happy.” Sadie held him tightly, and the rest of us decided to slip out and give them a moment.
As we walked down the hall, Papa Blitz was strutting as proud as a peacock holding Addie’s hand while Leo and I followed.
We hung around and waited for the call. And finally, we took the stage. Sadie was full of energy, and I knew she better enjoy it while she could. She had a lot to go through for the next nine months, and I was excited that I would finally be an aunt too. The two of us were rock and roll soul sisters, and I couldn’t have asked for a better friend.
Leonard and I had both owed her a lot, especially when it came to babysitting, so we’d soon be returning the favor.
After five songs, I needed a break, so Sadie took the mic and performed a solo. In the end, she took my hand and addressed the crowd as the band played low. “Hey, Chicago, I’ve got a little surprise for you tonight.”
I thought she was about to announce her pregnancy and thought she’d done lost her mind. It was way too early for spilling that kind of information, and the press was going to eat it up. Instead, she turned around and out walked Leo.
He walked out, and I could see Blitz holding Addie just off the stage where she could see, and suddenly, my heartbeat was so strong, it nearly beat out of my chest.
“Hey, Chicago, I hope you don’t mind indulging me, but I think you’ll all agree, this is one hell of a woman.”
The crowd went wild, and my cheeks reddened. I held his hand tightly, and Sadie stepped back, nodding her head as she played a riff.
“She’s so amazing, I just can’t let her go. So, I wanted to ask her tonight, here in front of all of you fine people, in the presence of our beautiful daughter, a very important question.”
The crowd was going nuts, and things got crazier in the audience as he got down on one knee. “Kya Campbell, I’ve loved you my whole life and always will. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
I held the mic to lips. “Yes.” I barely choked out the words, and we embraced as the band continued to play.
“You’re crazy!” I said. I couldn’t believe he’d planned this.
“Yeah, well, when I asked Blitz for his blessing, he said I better make the proposal a good one
.”
I glanced off stage where Blitz was holding Addie’s hand, and he let it go, telling her it was okay to join us. She ran out onstage, and the crowd cheered even more. I readied my mic and signaled Sadie, and while I geared up for the next song, Leo picked up Addie, and I sang them my latest ballad titled The Three of Us.
I ended the song with a kiss and then put my arms around my family. It was the best night on stage ever and one I’d remember for the rest of my life.
After the show, Liam and his wife took Addie for us since Sadie and Stones needed a little time to themselves as well, and Leo and I drove home.
I kicked back in the seat, and it felt good to have on comfortable shoes instead of my thigh-high boots and to have my hair brushed out instead of spiked. And now, all I needed was to get home, take a shower, and make love to my man. “That’s what I love about playing a hometown crowd. I get to go home to my bed when it’s over.”
“That was some show. Your voice was strong, more powerful than I remember it.”
I thought of him on his roof back when we were kids and how I’d found out he used to sneak and listen to me. “And at least this time, you weren’t stuck out on a roof spitting sunflower shells.” I wondered if he realized I remembered that. It was so long ago. We were so young. It was hard to believe how far we’d come over the years.
His cheeks turned red. “I was your biggest fan back then too. When you crawled through that window, wow, you were my perfect fantasy. For a minute, I thought I was dreaming. Always and forever.” He gave me a sideward glance as he slowed down to turn down our street.
“I still think you should have come to see me back then. I’d have rocked your world. We’d have had a lot of fun, you and me.” I moved closer to the seat and held his hand.
“But I couldn’t because it was too soon to knock you up or ask you to marry me.” He gave a chuckle and pulled into our driveway.
My One and Only: A Bad Boy Secret Baby Second Chance Romance Page 20
