by Shawn Bailey
“Good, because one of us in the hospital is bad enough.”
“Funny,” Frankie said.
A nurse entered the room, and Kalen left his side and went over to Frankie. She removed the IVs, checked his vitals, and then told him to get dressed.
“Make sure you stop by the nurses’ station to say good-bye,” she told him.
“I will,” Jonas promised.
The nurse left.
“Do you need help getting out of the bed?” Frankie asked him.
He was up and on his feet before Jonas could answer.
Frankie steadied him, and then Jonas was able to walk to the bathroom.
Jonas showered, dressed, and combed his hair. He walked back into the room. Adam had returned, and all of the stuffed animals and plants were gone. The big bear remained.
“You still look like the walking dead,” Adam teased.
Jonas rolled his eyes at his manager. “Can we leave?”
“Yes, just let me get your wheelchair,” Adam said.
“What do I need one of those for?” Jonas asked.
“Hospital rules,” Adam explained.
He got the wheelchair from the hall, and Jonas sat in it.
Frankie opened the door for them, and Adam wheeled him out and to the nurse’s station, where Jonas thanked the nurses and got his final instructions from his doctor. He felt a bit funny with the blond bear on his lap. The tag read “Love, B. T.” Jonas hugged it all the way home.
There was a package waiting at the front door when they finally arrived at the mansion. It was addressed to him. Jonas opened the box. Inside of it was a book on relationships with another tag from B. T. Jonas took it to his bedroom to read, still wondering who this mysterious person could be.
Chapter Three
The last person Adam expected to see on Monday at work was Sean. Since the big breakup between him and Jonas, no one had seen or heard from him.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to talk,” Sean answered. “Jonas refuses to return my calls.”
Adam invited him into the office and offered him a seat. “I wouldn’t return them either,” he said honestly. “What were you thinking?”
Sean pouted. “I knew you would take his side. You and I were friends long before you met the Kellys.”
“I’m not on anyone’s side,” Adam said. “This has nothing to do with me. You got yourself into this mess. I hope this guy is worth it.”
“He is,” Sean said. “Dexter is a good man.”
“So is Jonas. But is Dexter worth losing your job over?”
Sean looked shocked.
Adam didn’t know why his assistant didn’t see this coming. “You don’t expect to work with us as if nothing has happened, do you?”
Sean scratched his head. “I kind of expected you guys to be mature about this. Luke is still working for you after what he’d done to Gerard.”
“Gerard is not my concern, and Luke doesn’t work for me.”
“We can still work together,” Sean insisted. “Jonas and I will just have to keep our personal lives separate from our business relationship.”
Adam laughed sarcastically. “You’re lucky Jonas didn’t make you a eunuch. Sorry, Sean. It just doesn’t work that way. We’re a family, and I thought you loved Jonas.”
“I do. I mean I did. He can find someone else.”
No one could fall out of love so quickly, so Sean must have been cheating on Jonas for a long time, or perhaps more than once. “And you’d be okay with seeing him kissing another guy and parading him in front of you at functions?”
Sean looked confused. “Jonas wouldn’t do that.”
“Hello, are we talking about the same guy? Like hell he wouldn’t. You want Jonas to find someone else so you can feel better about what you’ve done. Jonas and Frankie trusted you and this is the way you treat them? I know you can’t help falling in love with someone else, but if you want to be with Dexter, then I’m afraid you’re going to have to find yourself another job.”
Sean opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn’t seem to find the words.
“I’m sorry Sean. I think you’re a great assistant, but my number one priority is the Kellys. Keeping them happy is what I do. Jonas just got out of the hospital, and he’s not in any shape to deal with you.”
“Jonas was in the hospital? What happened?”
“Where have you been? It’s been all over the media. He collapsed after arguing with you. Frankie and Gerard found him unconscious and barely breathing. They rushed him to the hospital, and a doctor had to perform a tracheotomy.”
Sean looked shaken. “That’s why I couldn’t get a hold of him. Is he home?”
“Yes, but he’s resting. Tory has given him some time off so he can recuperate.”
“I’m sorry to hear about that, but it’s not my fault he doesn’t take his medication like he’s supposed to. That’s one of the problems. Jonas is spoiled and thinks he can just do anything he wants.”
“He was that way when you met him, and you didn’t have a problem with it back then, so don’t try to use that as an excuse. You made the guy totally dependent on you, and now, when you’re tired, you just toss him aside for someone less threatening. But you’re right. Jonas will find someone else, and his life will go on. But he can’t do that if you’re around being a constant reminder. I’ll have my administrative assistant prepare your severance package. It should be enough to hold you until you find another job.”
“I can’t believe you’re firing me,” Sean said.
Adam frowned. Sean still did not understand or feel responsible for his actions. There is no way he and Jonas can continue to work together. “Where have you been staying?” Sean had been living with his parents when he first met Jonas. The brothers invited him to move in with them once Sean and Jonas got serious about each other.
“With my parents.”
“Not with Dexter?”
Sean shook his head. “No. He has a tiny apartment near the campus. It’s barely big enough for him. But that doesn’t matter since he’s moving back to Chicago soon. That’s where he’s from. He landed a teaching position there.”
“So you put Jonas through all of this for a quickie? Did you think you could have a man on the side and just crawl back into Jonas’s bed after Dexter left?”
“Not exactly,” Sean mumbled. “Of course I didn’t want Jonas to find out about him, but Dexter just got the offer a couple of weeks ago. He asked me to go with him, but I turned him down.”
“And Jonas found out before you could figure out your next move. Do yourself a favor. Go with Dexter. If it were me, I’d move to hell if that was where Frankie was relocating. You have a business degree now. I’m sure you can find a job there.”
“Maybe I should,” Sean said. “I’m going to miss all of you guys, especially Kalen.” He rose.
“Kalen will be fine,” Adam said. “Frankie and I will make sure of that.” He stood up and shook Sean’s hand. “Give me a call in a couple of days after you decide on what you’re going to do.”
Sean nodded. “Okay.” He left Adam’s office.
Adam sat down again. He would need another assistant, but until then, he and Luke would just have to double up on their duties. He looked at his watch. He had a lunch date with Frankie, and he didn’t want to be late. Adam put on his coat, tied his scarf around his neck, and left the office. Later he’d have someone pack up Sean’s office and ship his things to his parents’ home. But as of now, he was no longer on the payroll.
* * * *
Frankie made sure that he fed Jonas and made him take his medicine before leaving for his lunch date with Adam. Frankie was still worried about his older brother. He’d been holed up in his room since Saturday reading that relationship book. And he only came out to eat, and then he returned to his bed. Like the bear, the book had been sent by Brenton Tremayne. He didn’t think Jonas had a clue that his idol cared about him. Frankie just planned to sit
back and wait for Jonas to figure it out.
Frankie hopped into his car instead of taking the family van. It was still freezing outside for March, and the last thing he needed was a cold. He wanted to go to the grocery store later and then pick Kalen up from school. So far, the five-year-old didn’t seem affected by Sean’s departure. Between his school, modeling sessions, photo shoots, and other social obligations, Kalen probably didn’t have time to miss Sean.
Jonas was taking the breakup better than he had expected to. It would be a little weird not having Sean there for the holidays or when they left for their next tour, but he, Jonas, and Kalen would be okay without him.
Frankie found a parking spot at the restaurant, donned his dark sunglasses, and got out. He spotted Adam’s car in the lot. Adam had probably gone inside to secure a table for them. He entered the restaurant. A waitress appeared.
“Seating for one?”
“No, I’m meeting a friend,” Frankie said. “He’s a tall, good-looking, dark-haired guy with green eyes.”
“Oh, yes. He’s already here,” the waitress said. She paused. “Aren’t you Frankie Kerry?”
Frankie lowered his sunglasses and looked at her. “Yes, but please don’t tell anyone. I’d like to eat lunch in peace with my manager.”
“I understand, Mr. Kerry. Right this way.”
Problem averted. Usually women just sprang on him. Fans knew nothing about personal space. He’d had women come up and kiss him, feel him up, and offer their bodies to him. Frankie hoped he and Adam could get through lunch without him having to sign an autograph or pose for a picture.
Frankie spotted Adam before they reached the table.
Adam waved and actually stood up until he and the waitress arrived. He looked smashing in the tan shirt under the dark brown suit. Adam attempted to kiss him on the cheek. Frankie stepped back.
“Oh yeah, I forgot,” Adam said, sitting back down.
The waitress left smiling.
Frankie sat down.
Adam winked at him. “You should wear turtlenecks under your suits all the time. You look so cute.”
Frankie smirked. “You almost kissed me in public. If it were up to me, you could kiss me anytime you please, but we must pretend for appearances sake.” He opened his menu.
“Sean came by the office.”
Frankie lowered the menu. “Why? Where has he been?”
Adam shrugged. “I fired him.”
“What?”
“I had no choice,” Adam explained. “I can’t have him around Jonas, upsetting him. This is not just some argument that they will kiss and make up from. Sean cheated with another guy. Jonas might forgive him one of these days, but things will never be the same between them.”
“Can you do that? I mean aren’t there some labor laws protecting Sean?”
“Probably,” Adam said. “But I don’t think he’ll make a scene. My job is to protect you guys and keep you happy. Sean crossed the line.”
“I suppose,” Frankie said. He’d never seen Adam in such a take-charge way in a long time. He liked it. It was kind of sexy. In his heart, he knew that Adam was right and that this decision must have hurt him too since he and Sean were friends. “I think you did the right thing. Poor Jonas has been in his room all morning. He’s reading that book on surviving breakups.”
“It must be good,” Adam said. The only things I’ve ever seen him read are celebrity tabloids.”
“He has a degree in business, so he had to read a book or two to graduate,” Frankie reminded him.
“Yeah. I know he’s not just a gorgeous face. I know he won’t be able to get over this easily, but hopefully he will find someone who will love and appreciate him.”
“I think that may happen sooner than we think,” Frankie said.
“What do you mean?”
“I think Jonas has a secret admirer. The person who sent him that book is the same person who sent him that teddy bear.”
“Oh yeah? Who is it?” Adam asked.
“Brenton Tremayne.”
“What?” Adam asked. He chuckled. “B-Dog?”
Frankie nodded. “Jonas literally ran into the man leaving the restaurant that day. Jonas got knocked on his ass from the impact, and B-Dog helped him to his feet.”
“Wow,” Adam said. “B-Dog is a pretty, big guy. I didn’t know Jonas knew him.”
“Are you kidding? The man is Jonas’s idol.”
“B-Dog works for Tory.”
“What?” Frankie asked. “How come I’ve never seen him around?”
“He and his band have been on tour for a couple of years, but I heard they were back in town.” He sighed happily. “Maybe there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.” He paused. “Let’s not interfere and let nature take its course. It’s bound to be explosive when the two of them get together. It will be like mixing fireworks and dynamite.”
The waitress returned. “Are you gentlemen ready to order?”
“I’d like a chef’s salad,” Adam said.
Frankie wanted something more filling “I’d like a cheeseburger platter.”
“And would you care for something to drink?”
Adam ordered imported water.
“I’d like a soda,” Frankie said.
The waitress left to fill their order.
“What about your diet?” Adam asked.
“For some reason I’m really hungry,” Frankie answered.
“Fine, but I will help you work it off later.”
Frankie felt the heat rise in his body. It started from his crotch. “Really?”
Adam nodded. “I’m really hungry.”
“I’ll see if I can pencil you in between Kalen’s bath and helping Jonas shampoo his hair.”
“You don’t really wash his hair, do you?”
Frankie nodded. “He’s very particular about who touches it.” He stopped being playful. “He must be hurting.”
“It will get better with time,” Adam said. “I was about to lose my mind when you and I had that falling out over Nico years ago. The hardest part was when you wouldn’t talk to me.”
“It was hard on me, too,” Frankie confessed. “That’s why I’m going to try my best to keep you interested in me so you won’t stray.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Adam promised. “We’re going to grow old together, and we’ll have lots of grandchildren to spoil.”
“We’re going to have kids?”
Adam nodded. “Yeah. I saw it in a dream one night. Two boys.”
Adam was so silly. “Did you happen to see how this miracle was going to happen? Because I’m pretty sure I don’t have a womb.”
The waitress returned with their food. “Enjoy your lunch, Mr. Kerry.” She smiled at him.
Adam frowned from across the table. “What about me?”
“You, too,” the waitress said.
“She smiled at you.”
Frankie sampled one of his fries. “It’s called animal magnetism.”
He stole one of Frankie’s fries “It’s called blond curls and dimples,” Adam said. He then dug into his salad. “I will be expecting dessert tonight, too. You know the kind with lots of whipped cream.”
Frankie blushed. He loved it when Adam talked dirty.
Chapter Four
“You guys still want to go out tonight?” Brenton asked.
“Hell yes,” Carson answered. “I’m itching to dance.”
They hadn’t been hanging out very much since they returned to New Orleans, and Brenton could use a night out, too. They had been invited to a party at a club over on St. Louis Street in the Quarter, and he’d heard there was going to be a lot of local talent there. He could go for some dancing, too, maybe with some cutie that could warm his bed later. Brenton usually wasn’t into one-night stands, but he’d been celibate a long time. Who knew—maybe he might meet Mr. Right tonight.
Brenton wondered if Jonas Kerry liked the book he’d sent him, or the teddy bear. He had gone through a couple o
f messy breakups, and someone had given him the same book. Brenton had sent Jonas the updated version because he’d looked so distraught in the restaurant. The book had helped him, and he hoped it did Jonas some good.
“Let’s go before I change my mind.”
Preston and Carson ended their card game, and Randall stopped watching the television and turned it off. The three followed him outside. Carson hopped in the car with him while Randall rode with Preston. Normally Brenton liked to drive his truck, but parking was going to be a nightmare in the Quarter, so he decided to take his sports car. It got good mileage and was easier to fit in smaller place. What he didn’t like was the fact that Carson just invited himself to ride with him. No doubt he did that to try to block him from picking up on some guy. He liked Carson’s guitar playing, but their romantic relationship had ended when Carson had cheated on him. The guy hadn’t cheated on him only once, but countless times before Brenton had enough and ended it. If Carson tried to interfere in anything tonight, Brenton would not only kick his ass, but also make him find his own way home.
Classic rock played from his CD player as he drove around the neighborhood, purposely passing the Kerrys’ home. He had found out where they lived from Tory in a roundabout way so that he hadn’t appeared noisy. Tory was only too glad to tell him their location because Tory trusted him enough to know he wouldn’t divulge it to their fans. He slowed down just a little, checking out the beautiful mansion with the well-maintained lawn. He could see Jonas living here with Frankie. He hoped the singer made a speedy recovery.
Brenton left the neighborhood and headed east. He took the scenic route through the rest of the Garden District. A streetcar traveled along his right. Brenton left the streetcar behind as he stopped to pick up passengers. Carson had let back his seat and dozed peacefully. Good, that meant he didn’t have to make idle conversation.
