by Jenna Jacob
“I would, too. But you wouldn’t think twice about getting up on stage, shaking your ass, and stripping down to nothing but a neon-green banana hammock to save her, am I right?”
Dad sighed heavily, then bit back a ghost of a smile. “It wouldn’t be neon-green, but yeah, I would do that for her.”
“Me, too, in a fucking heartbeat. She didn’t do this to hurt you or me or even herself, Ed. Tori did it because she loves you, loves you with her whole heart. That makes you one hell of a lucky man.”
Somehow Darren had taken the most embarrassing, humiliating, and lowest point of my life and turned it on its axis.
“So are you, son,” Dad whispered to Darren before he sent me a sad smile teemed in understanding. Then he spread his arms open for me, the way I did for Dustin. The damn burst as a kaleidoscope of emotions slammed through me. Tears streamed down my face, and a sob tore from my throat as I rushed to hug him.
“I’m sorry. I never meant for you to have to go to those extremes, baby girl,” he choked out on sobs of his own. “If I could take it back and fix it…”
“I love you, Daddy,” I sobbed, blindly reaching for Darren.
Instantly, he moved in behind me and pressed his steely body against my back. Then he placed a soft kiss on my nape. Surrounded by the warmth and support of these two amazing men, I knew I could weather the coming assault of judgment and humiliation. Now all I had to do was find a way to keep Dustin from ever finding out his mom used to be a stripper.
God, we couldn’t leave this fishbowl soon enough.
Chapter Ten
Darren
Though livid and wanting to commit murder, I was oddly turned on by Tori’s confession. But instead of getting carried away with dirty fantasies of her giving me a private lap dance, I focused my attention on Ed, who was falling apart at the seams. I couldn’t blame him. The bombshell she just dropped was a big, bitter pill to swallow.
Still, it put the lengths Tori had been willing to go to in a whole new light. The fact that my shy little virgin had swallowed her fears and sacrificed herself before selling my story to Celebrity Access only reinforced my initial impression of her.
Tori Combs was a good girl…a strong girl who’d been forced to make some bad decisions. If I had been in her shoes, there’s a good chance I would have done the same.
Ed raised his head. His eyes were rimmed red and tears stained his cheeks as he gave me a grim nod.
“Thank you.” He cleared his throat. “For helping me put this into perspective.”
“Thank her.” Releasing Tori, I took a step back. “She’s the one who helped me…see the light.”
“You’ve forgiven her?” he prodded.
“Yes. A hundred and ten percent.”
Tori spun and gaped up at me as a whole new round of tears and sobs consumed her.
Plucking her into my arms, I cradled her to my chest and carried her to the couch.
“Shhh,” I softly cooed, caressing her head and holding her close.
Ed palmed his eyes before easing onto the couch beside me. He gently patted Tori’s back and murmured reassurances. She soon pulled herself together, wiped her cheeks and her nose, then lifted her head. I could see the guilt still staining her red-rimmed eyes.
“No more,” I whispered.
“No more what?” she sniffed.
“No more guilt trips. The only trip we’re taking is to Oklahoma.”
She sent me a watery smile and nodded. Peering over at the coffee table, she leaned forward and picked up the note Ed had left there. Anger and pain wrinkled her brow as she read the message.
“Ignore it, beautiful. I intend to snap a photo of that letter and forward it to Reed Landis. He’s Quinn’s lawyer…our lawyer. He’ll take care of the cocksucker threatening to out you.”
She scowled. “I’m not exactly thrilled for anyone else knowing what I did, but if you don’t, the whole world’s probably going to find out.”
“Don’t worry. Reed’s not easily shocked. He’s dealt with much worse. He’s been representing us guys in the band for years.”
“Worse than this?”
“Much,” I assured as memories of the devastation Ross inflicted to a five-star hotel room flashed in my brain. To say the man had lost his shit was a gross understatement.
“Okay.” Tori nodded defiantly. “Send him a photo of the letter, but we’re destroying that CD.”
“No, we’re not,” I challenged. “I’m taking that with me. I want to watch—”
“Oh, no, you’re not. I’m going to break that thing into tiny pieces and throw it in the trash.”
I sent her a wicked grin and leaned in close to her ear. “Fine, but only if you promise to dance for me in private, later.”
Her cheeks flushed crimson as she rolled her eyes and smacked me on the shoulder. “In your dreams.”
“Yes. You’re in all my dreams.” All too aware that Ed was still sitting beside us, I brushed a chaste kiss over her lips.
Tori crawled off my lap, handed me the letter, and picked up the CD before striding to the kitchen. Though curious as hell to see what was on that disc, I didn’t stop her. I knew watching her strip for anyone but me would only send me over the edge of sanity. Besides, I’d much rather see her dance…with me, alone in my bedroom back home.
After breaking the plastic into tiny pieces over the trash can, Tori opened the back door. McCoy and the other two strode into the house. She decided against tenderloins and started preparing lunch while I got busy making calls to Reed, my mom, the car rental folks, and finally Quinn to apprise him of our pending trip.
The rest of the day was blessedly quiet, thank fuck, at least until we started packing Dustin’s clothes and toys. He couldn’t quite grasp the concept of vacation and threw a massive fit until Tori finally tossed her hands in the air and dumped his toys from the duffle bag. Dustin cheered and swooped down, pulling out his plastic dinosaurs.
“No biggie. I’ll just repack them in the morning before we leave.”
My phone chimed and I glanced down, noting the reminder for my four o’clock phone conference call.
“I need to have a conference call with Burk and the guys. Mind if I use your room?”
“Not at all.”
I kissed her, ruffled Dustin’s hair, then strolled across the hall and shut the door.
Plopping down on Tori’s bed, I leaned against the padded headboard and tapped the videoconference app on my phone. Seconds later, Burk and the rest of my rowdy bandmates appeared on my screen.
“Jesus, man. Where the hell are you, Barbie’s Botanical Gardens? What is that shit?” Syd barked, pointing at me.
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw the pink flowers adorning the headboard.
“I’m in Tori’s room, asswipe.”
“What is she, twelve or something?” he taunted with a crooked grin.
“Shut it, fuck-nut,” Ross growled, smacking the bass player in the back of the head. He cocked his head and narrowed his eyes at me. “The shit storm you’re dealing with is trending like a motherfucker. You doing okay, man?”
“Yeah,” Ozzy piped up. “How are you holding up?”
“Is it as ugly as what the vultures are airing?” Syd asked soberly.
My heart expanded. This was the kind of concern, compassion, and camaraderie that had kept us five a cohesive unit for so damn long.
I instantly felt lighter knowing that I didn’t have to mask my frustration, anger, or stress from them. They understood. They weathered this same shit storm, on a daily basis, too.
“Pretty much, but we’re hanging here another night. Then we’re bugging out in the morning. I’m taking them home with me for a while.”
“Don’t feed us that bullshit. We all know you’re just jonesing to get that sexy little redhead alone again,” Syd taunted. “I don’t blame you, bro. She’s fucking gorgeous. What the hell does she see in your sorry ass?”
“Trust me. It’s not my ass she’s after.” I
chuckled.
“No, it’s probably your money,” Ross groused.
“She’s not after that either, asshole,” I growled.
“Settle down, girls,” Burk interceded. “It’s good to know you’re getting the new family out of there. I’m sure it’s not easy on them either.”
“Harder.” I nodded.
“All the better to get them out, then.” Burk sighed heavily. “So, I kinda filled everyone in on what we discussed the other day, and miraculously we’re all on the same page.”
Thank fuck!
A big smile spread across my face as I threw a fist pump in the air.
“All we need to do is iron out the details. Namely how long do we want to enjoy this hiatus, and how many months do we want to spend on the road touring? We need to nail those two things down before we start negotiating with Quinn.”
“I wouldn’t mind spending the next six months chilling,” Ozzy offered.
“Six months on, six months off sounds damn good to me,” Ross tossed out.
“Me, too.” I nodded.
“Six months is a hell of a long time,” Syd murmured.
“Not if you’re spending a month with each of us,” Ozzy offered, nudging the man with his elbow.
“More like three months with you and three with Ross,” Syd scoffed. “I’m not going near Burk or Darren while they’re playing Honeymoon Island. I don’t want that happily-ever-after shit rubbing off on me.”
I didn’t challenge his assumption that Tori and I were working on a happily ever after. While I wasn’t opposed to the idea, I knew she was struggling with the chaos I’d forced on her calm, quiet life. I sure as hell wasn’t putting any more on her plate. Hopefully, once I got her away from the media circus, she might consider her and Dustin spending their lives with me.
“Just wear a body condom around them,” Ross suggested dryly.
“You mean the kind of glove Darren forgot to wear?” Syd cackled.
I flipped him off, which only made him laugh harder. And as always, Burk took control of the conversation, redirecting our resident comedian’s focus.
Twenty minutes later, with our new touring schedule mapped out and ready for Burk to present to Quinn, I said my goodbyes and hung up. If our plan went as well as Sofia assured it would, I’d have six glorious months to spend at home with my now much larger family. And that sounded like a big, fat slice of heaven to me.
♫
Tori
I lay in bed trying to sleep, but the house was too quiet. The loose floorboard in the hall squeaked for a sixth time as Ruben Green made his rounds. The man’s presence brought me peace of mind, but not enough for me to turn off my brain and fall asleep. The parade of worries marching through my mind made that an impossible feat. Knowing I wouldn’t see Darren again until tomorrow was driving me mad.
After McCoy and the others did a little creative automobile jockeying, Ruben’s Escalade was now parked in our garage. Aside from my toiletries, Dad’s shaving kit, and Dustin’s toys, our luggage was loaded and ready to go.
But I wasn’t entirely sure that I was ready to go.
Wasn’t entirely sure running away instead of facing the opposition was a good idea.
Wasn’t entirely sure Darren’s parents were as anxious to meet me, the girl their son knocked up, as they were to meet their grandson.
And I still wasn’t entirely sure how we were going to pull the wool over all those reporters’ eyes, switch vehicles, and skip town without being followed.
Reaching for my phone on the nightstand, I needed to hear Darren’s voice…needed the reassurance only he could provide. But when I saw it was one thirty in the morning, I set my phone back down. Darren was no doubt snoring. I didn’t want to wake him simply to talk my hot mess off the ledge. Besides, I didn’t want him falling asleep at the wheel tomorrow.
What if his folks hated me?
What if we got there and I hated it?
How would Dustin, Dad, and I get back home?
Should I follow Darren in my car, just in case?
More and more questions continued spooling through my brain, until I finally tore the covers off and climbed out of bed. Wrapping my robe around me, I tied the sash, and headed to the kitchen.
“It’s just me, Ruben,” I announced before entering the living room.
“You okay, Miss Tori?” he asked, rising from the recliner.
“Yeah, I just can’t sleep.”
“Too excited about your trip tomorrow?”
“More like too terrified.”
“If you’re worried about getting past all those pesky reporters, relax. I’ll take you and your family out of here right under their noses. They’ll never suspect a thing until you’re long gone.”
“I don’t doubt your abilities, Ruben, it’s the other million and one worries that won’t leave me alone.”
“I’ve got a good ear if you need it.”
I sent the gentle giant a grateful smile. “Thanks, but the sun will be up before I’m even halfway through that list. Dad has a bottle of whiskey in the cupboard. I’m going to take a couple of sips and see if my brain cells will relax enough so that I can sleep.”
“If that doesn’t work, I’ll be happy to visit with you. Maybe I can bore you to sleep.”
I laughed. “I doubt it, but you’ve got a deal.”
The whiskey was still burning my belly as I waved to Ruben and strolled back to bed.
It was a little before three when I finally drifted off, only to wake four hours later to violent pounding on the front door.
“Good god, now what?” I grumbled. Still half-asleep, I reached for my robe.
Flying out of my room, I nearly collided with Dad in the hall as we both rushed to the living room.
“Do not make me physically remove you from this property,” Ruben barked, hand on the doorknob.
“Ha, you little shit. This is my property. I own this house, now open the door before I break it down,” Hank bellowed.
“Let him in,” I groused. “He’s our landlord.”
With a scowl, Ruben opened the door as a pissed-off Hank stormed inside and charged straight toward me. He raised his hand and started to point his finger at me when Ruben tackled him from behind. Hank hit the floor with an audible grunt as Ruben dropped to his knees, gathering both of my landlord’s hands behind his back and clasping them in one beefy fist.
Watching my bodyguard in action was more eye-opening than a pot of coffee…which I desperately needed.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Hank howled. “Get off me, you jackass.”
“Are you going to raise a hand to Miss Tori again, sir?”
“What do you mean again? I didn’t raise a hand at her to begin with, you stupid fool,” Hank growled.
Ruben slowly released the other man’s wrists and stood, but remained poised to strike again if necessary.
Shooting a glare at Ruben, Hank stood and then pinned a venomous stare on me.
“We know why you’re here Mr. Miller,” I bit out. “But you won’t have to worry about your phone ringing off the hook much longer. We’re leaving.”
“You can’t vacate without written notice, missy.”
“We’re not ending our lease, you daft old fart. We’re leaving so all those people out there will go the hell away,” Dad barked, gesturing toward the street.
“Oh. Well, all right then.” Hank looked duly chastised. “When you coming back?”
“Don’t know yet. We’ll keep you posted.”
Clutching our landlord’s arm, dad escorted him to the door. After shoving Hank onto the porch, he shut and locked it, then smiled at Ruben. “You got some pretty slick moves, young man.”
“Just doing my job.” He grinned.
“Mommy?” Dustin called from the doorway, rubbing his eyes.
“Not yet.” I groaned. “I need coffee and a shower.”
“Grab your shower, baby girl. I’ll get the coffee started and put a dry diape
r on our little man.”
I kissed his cheek, bent to hug and kiss Dustin, then made my way to the bathroom.
Forty-five minutes and three cups of coffee later—though pinging with anxiety every time Dustin asked about Darren—I felt almost human again. At least until Ruben announced that we’d be leaving in fifteen minutes to meet up with Darren. Then Dustin started bouncing off the walls with excitement, while I tried to keep myself from climbing them with fear.
I had a bad feeling about leaving the safe fortress of my house and trying to escape prying eyes in a massive black Escalade with tinted windows. We were going to be as invisible as the Snoopy balloon in the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
While Dad worked to calm Dustin down, I quickly packed his toys, grabbed the diaper bag, Dad’s shaving kit, and my toiletries.
Then Ruben led us to the garage.
After stowing my things in the back, he opened the passenger door and instructed Dad to lie down on the thick, leather bench seat. That’s when I realized there was no car seat in the vehicle.
“We can’t use one right now, Miss Tori. You and Dustin are going to have to hunker down on the floorboards next to your dad and keep your heads down.”
“Are you insane?” I snapped. “I’m not going anywhere without my son secured in—”
“Tori,” Ruben began calmly. “If they see your son or any of you in the car, our whole plan is going to fall apart. Trust me. I won’t let a thing happen to any of you. I’m going to get you past the paparazzi and out of town without being followed.”
Heart in my throat, I knew there was no other option.
“Go bye-bye, Mommy,” Dustin said, kicking his feet and giggling as he watched Dad curl to his side as instructed.
“Come on in here with me, and lie down on the floor, little man,” Dad coaxed. “We’re going to pretend to be sleeping dinosaurs.”
“Mommy, too?”
I forced a smile. “Of course. You two don’t get to play sleeping dinos without me.”
Ruben sent me a wink and closed the door behind me as I curled onto the floor and clutched Dustin to my chest. Closing my eyes, I sent up a silent prayer as the garage door creaked and clattered open. Ruben climbed in behind the wheel, and started the engine.
