With You: A Rock Star Romance (Rocked in Love Book 1)

by Jessica Marlowe

  After Jack left, she texted Eddie, Vince, and Nicki that she was okay. Eddie and Vince’s responses were identical: LIAR. Nicki’s response was to please call her. But Emily couldn’t talk now, not without having a complete breakdown, and she didn’t want to cry anymore.

  A second text from Eddie read “Call or else.” She’d already promised to call Vince this weekend, and she had no doubt he’d get on a plane if she didn’t. Now she had Eddie threatening to drive up. She tapped Eddie’s picture, and he answered on the first ring.

  “Talk to me,” Eddie demanded.

  Emily smiled. Eddie wouldn’t tolerate any of the pat answers that she’d been giving people these last three weeks. He’d only accept complete honesty from her, or he’d be on her doorstep. “I’m…confused.”

  “Totally understandable. What else?”

  “I hurt.” Tears welled in her eyes, and it was hard to breathe. “I still don’t know what happened.”

  “With fuckhead? That’s what Vince and I are calling him now.”

  “Yes”—Emily smiled in spite of her tears—“I don’t know what happened with fuckhead.”

  “Did he even try to explain?”

  Emily’s breakfast threatened to come up, so she swallowed hard. “I’ve only seen him once when he came to pick up the ring and tickets and drop off his keys the Tuesday after… I couldn’t even look at him. He said he’d be back to pick up the rest of his stuff.” Shit. She hadn’t told Eddie or Vince about that.

  “His shit is still there?”

  Fuck. “Yeah.”

  “Not for long, I’ll be up later and we’ll clear it out. Call him and tell him to come get his shit today or—”

  “I can’t.”

  Eddie ground his teeth together. “Can’t or won’t?”

  “Can’t. He’s not here.”

  “Where the fuck is he?”

  “Cruise.”

  Eddie growled. “Are you fucking telling me that motherfucking fuckhead is on your goddamned honeymoon cruise?”

  “It’s not my honeymoon anymore.”

  “Emily Grace Prescott.” Eddie took a deep breath, and his voice softened. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I couldn’t…”

  “Shit.” Eddie swore again. “He took her, didn’t he?”

  “Yeah. I don’t know why I care.”

  “You care because you loved him, and it’s an exceptionally shitty thing for him to do,” Eddie said. “Want me to beat him up?”

  “No… Yes… No.”

  Eddie laughed. “Okay, for now I won’t, but I cannot promise that Vince will be so easily swayed. You know he’s a hothead.”

  Emily laughed. Vince was one of the most laid-back people she’d ever met. “Yeah, Eddie, he’s the hothead.”

  “Want me to come get you? You can spend the weekend. The boys will keep you busy.”

  Eddie’s sons, Teddy, Michael, and Nicholas, had been practicing for weeks to be her ring bearers. “No. I’d be terrible company.”

  Eddie scoffed. “What company? You are family, and your nephews miss you. Sheryl and I miss you too, it’s been too long, and the worst thing you can do right now is isolate yourself.”

  “I need time.”

  “Emi, you’ve been down this road before. Too much time alone isn’t good for you.”

  “I just can’t.”

  Eddie sighed. “Okay. But promise me you’ll call. You know I fucking hate texting. It’s a bullshit cop-out for real conversation.”

  “I’ll call you later in the week.” Emily’s heart felt a little less heavy knowing she had such wonderful friends. They’d give her the time she needed, but not so much that she’d drown herself in isolation. “Love you.”

  “Love you too, beautiful. Bye.”

  Emily hadn’t felt this lost since she’d woken up in the hospital with no memory. The doctor had told her she’d been in an auto accident. During the surgery on her leg, she’d gone into cardiac arrest, and she’d been in a coma for a week. He said her memory would most likely come back and not to worry. Those first hours had been so weird. She’d felt like she was inside a bubble where the world around her turned but she stayed still. The way the doctors and nurses spoke to her, she’d known something awful was coming and that everyone around her knew what it was. Then she started asking questions. When the doctor told her that her parents had been killed instantly and Riley had died three days later, Emily stopped asking questions.

  Emily had thought she’d put the accident and everything that followed behind her. It had taken three surgeries and months of physical therapy before she could get around without the wheelchair. Once she’d moved in with the Boyers, Eddie had driven up every weekend to continue her physical therapy. Eddie had refused to give up on her, even when she’d given up on herself. For two years, she’d only left the house for doctor visits. She never thought she’d have a normal life again.

  When she’d fallen in love with Sean, for the first time she felt like she could have a normal life and a family of her own. When she’d caught him cheating, everything she’d planned for her future vaporized. Again. She knew time would heal her pain, and she wasn’t starting from scratch this time.

  Emily liked Jack, but it wasn’t enough. There would be no slow with him and she wasn’t ready. He said he understood that she needed time, but it wasn’t just that. He was famous, and his career depended on visibility, and life with Jack would never be normal. He’d be on tour for twenty months which made dating impossible. Seeing him this week would only give him hope that at some point she’d be able to be with him. He couldn’t give her what she needed. And she doubted she could give him what he deserved.

  Emily had already used Jack once to get through her wedding day. She wouldn’t do that to him again.

  She was a certifiable mess.

  chapter

  THIRTY-FOUR

  Motherfucker! By the time I got to his hotel this morning, Jack was gone. It’s been too long. He needs a reminder.

  It’s my time, and nothing will keep us apart. That stupid whore was an unexpected kink in my plans but that didn’t last. How could it? I’m the woman for Jackie. No one will ever be more devoted to him than I am. I’m scheduling my life around his, and if that’s not devotion, I don’t know what is.

  I lay the magazines on the table next to the scissors, glue, and plain white paper. Grabbing the first one, I tear out all the pages with pretty blonde models and cut their heads off.

  Enough fun, I need to focus. I do enjoy working on my love letters.

  J

  During soundcheck, the band worked on “With You.” The guys from Xerxes and the crew applauded. He ran through his vocal warm-ups and did yoga, as the deep breathing really helped his breath control while singing. Last night he’d fucked up. But tonight, with Em maybe giving them a chance, he felt great.

  When Curt began his pre-gig rituals, Nicki walked over to Jack and sat. “Does she hate me?”

  “No.” He’d hoped to hear from Em by now. “You haven’t heard from her?”

  “She texted me earlier that she was okay. I asked her to call me, but she replied that she didn’t want to talk anymore. I spoke to Eddie, he talked to Emi, but he’s worried.”

  “Eddie?” Em hadn’t mentioned him, only Vince. Then again, he’d known her less than two days.

  Nicki smiled. “He was her physical therapist. Emi said she wouldn’t have made it without him and Vince. They’re all still really close.”

  “She met Vince in the hospital, too?

  “Yeah, they’d both been transferred to the facility where Eddie worked. Vince wrapped his car around a tree and was hurt pretty badly from what Emi told me. I’ve talked to him, but he moved to California before Emi and I met.” Nicki scoffed. “I was finally going to meet the elusive Vince at the wedding.”

  Jack nodded.

  Nicki’s smile faded. “Emi’s so da
mn stubborn, she’s beating herself up for what that fucking bastard did.” She stood and paced. “I still can’t believe it. I never saw it coming. None of us did. She’ll obsess over this until she makes herself nuts.”

  “I wish I knew how to help her.” Jack stood, grabbed a bottle of water, and downed it. An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of his stomach.

  A brisk knock sounded, and Walt opened the door. “Ten minutes, guys.”

  Jack’s muscles were tight, so he stretched to try to loosen up. He couldn’t wait for the gig to start so he could concentrate on something other than the unease that had settled inside.

  Another brisk knock and Jeff entered. “It’s time.”

  The guys formed a circle, all hands in. “Let’s have a great gig,” Curt said. Jeff led as security escorted them to backstage.

  Holden handed Jack his black Gibson Les Paul Axcess, then handed Curt his Gibson Snow Falcon Flying V.

  Curt strummed his guitar. “What the fuck, Holden?”

  Holden hurried back to Curt, and both men looked at the guitar dumbfounded.

  Jack shook his head. All the strings were slack. Curt hadn’t used that guitar during soundcheck.

  Curt ripped the guitar over his head and shoved it at Holden. “Get your shit together.”

  It took a lot to get Curt angry, but Jack understood. Curt’s guitars were being fucked with, but Jack was convinced it wasn’t Holden. The kid was far too grateful to do it on purpose, but someone had it in for Holden or Curt.

  Holden quickly tightened the strings and tuned the guitar. He was the best guitar tech they’d ever had, and Jack had no intention of losing him. “Hey, man, calm down.” Jack gripped Curt’s shoulder.

  The audience chanted for them.

  Curt shook his head. “What the fuck is going on? Guitars don’t disappear on their own, and strings damn sure don’t get loosened like that on their own.” Nicki hugged him.

  Something was going on, but now wasn’t the time to figure it out. Jack was sure Em would’ve had something funny to say to defuse the situation. She had a great sense of humor. His blood pumped faster just thinking about her. Maybe the unease he’d felt earlier had nothing to do with her. Someone was definitely fucking with Curt, and it needed to stop.

  “Curt, I really don’t know how this could’ve happened,” Holden said as he handed him the guitar. Poor kid looked scared.

  Viv stood behind Holden with a worried look on her face. Jack suspected they were seeing each other. They were both sweet kids.

  “Sorry I overreacted,” Curt said, shoulder bumping Holden as he passed.

  Elliot smirked. “Ladies, if you’re done with your tea party, maybe we could get out there?”

  Curt gave Elliot the finger, and the band took the stage.

  The only other bump in the gig was when Holden gave Curt the wrong guitar. Since they were lined up in order of changes, that could only happen if Holden lined them up wrong, which Jack didn’t believe for a second. Someone else had switched them.

  Jack had a word with Jeff about it after the encore. Jeff would have his guys keep an eye on things, and they’d get to the bottom of this.

  When he got to the dressing room, Jack took a quick shower. It was Saturday night, and they were going to grab dinner before going to see a local band, Invisible Pawn, at The Rock House. Jack had talked to the guys about it, and they all wanted in. He hadn’t heard back from Kevin yet, but they all agreed something needed to be done. They couldn’t let The Rock House close.

  They were ready to leave when Jack’s cell rang. “With You” was Emily’s ring tone, and Jack’s heart skipped a beat. Elliot and Curt made kissy faces at him, and Buzz just smiled.

  “Hey, baby,” Jack said as he connected the call. “How are you?”

  “Hi.”

  Something in the tone of her voice set off alarm bells. It must’ve shown on his face because Elliot and Curt stopped. “You okay?” He swallowed hard. He knew she wasn’t.

  “No.”

  Shit, one-word answers were bad. He took a deep breath and tried not to panic. She’d been so upset this morning. “You want me to come over?”

  Silence. She’d had too much time to think, but he needed to stop thinking of himself. Her pain was raw, and he should be trying to help her. He knew what she was going to say before the words left her mouth, so he braced himself.

  “Jack, I’m confused and can’t seem to make up my mind, so I think I need to stop trying to. I don’t think we should see each other again. I’m not ready, even for slow.”

  Stay calm. It had taken all his willpower to leave this morning without begging her to be with him now. He needed to tap into that willpower to let her off the hook. “I understand.” He sat on the couch because he didn’t have the energy to stand.

  “I’m sorry, I don’t want to hurt you again.” She choked on a sob.

  Jack’s heart cracked into pieces. “I know. Of course, you’re not ready. It’s too soon.” The pieces of his heart crumbled as he said the words, but this was what she needed. He’d do it. Jack wouldn’t ask her to keep in touch. He’d send her flowers before he left. She needed time. He’d give it to her.

  “I—”

  “Em, it’s okay. Goodnight,” he said and hung up. If he’d stayed on the line, he’d have begged her to not cut him out.

  Nicki’s mouth dropped open, and she gasped. “You called her Em.” Her smile widened and she nodded. “Just give her some time.”

  “I’ve had enough of this shit. Where does that motherfucker live? He needs to be taught a lesson.” Buzz stood in front of Jack, hands fisted and face covered in fury. Elliot and Curt stood behind him. They were all in.

  Nicki giggled, so Jack looked at her. “I had to talk Vince and Eddie out of beating the shit out of him. Vince knows a good place to bury a body and everything. Now I have to let the air out of your tires.”

  “Why is that funny?” Curt asked.

  “That’s not what’s funny. Emi is always talking me off the ledge over one thing or another, I guess it’s rubbed off on me. I’m not exactly known for being the voice of reason.” She looked up at Curt. “Besides, if you really want to kill him, you’ll have to wait three weeks. He left this morning for vacation with that slut he cheated with.”

  This just got worse and worse. “You mean he’s taking his cheat on what should’ve been their honeymoon?” It hurt to say the words. How was Em even holding up?

  Nicki nodded.

  “Fucking piece of shit,” Elliot growled. He walked over to the wall and punched it.

  They’d all been through bad relationships, but what happened to Em was shocking. No wonder she was confused. His breakup with Christie was a long time coming. He’d known that if she couldn’t clean up it would never work between them, and he’d seen it unfold. Emily had been totally blindsided. Even Nicki, who he’d judged to be savvy, hadn’t seen signs anything was wrong. Em was being strong, so he had to be, too. “Let’s get dinner.” Jack smiled at their shocked expressions. “Nicki thinks Em will come around, and I’m going with that. We need to eat.”

  “What about Invisible Pawn?” Curt asked.

  Jack shrugged. “The show must go on, right?”

  After they finished dinner, Jack’s positive attitude hit the skids when he saw a girl who looked like Em getting into a cab with a guy. He knew it wasn’t her, but the thought of him losing her made his stomach turn. He begged off going to The Rock House, so Jeff drove him back to the hotel.

  Jack couldn’t sleep. He thought about going to her. Em was miserable, he was miserable, why couldn’t they be miserable together? Of course, if he did go to her, he’d be happy, and she’d be more miserable because he wouldn’t back off like she needed him to. He turned over and tried to get more comfortable, but his hand kept feeling the bed for her. Maybe he should get another room. In another hotel. On another planet.

  He closed his eyes, and her face appeared. He tho
ught back to Thursday night, how aggressive she’d been in the limo once she’d made up her mind. He imagined her sitting across from him, sliding onto her knees and walking over to him. Her hands on his belt buckle. He turned onto his back and rested his hand on his abdomen. Her smiling up at him as she lowered the zipper on his way too tight jeans. Ahh.

  His phone was on the pillow next to his head, so when it blared “With You” because he’d forgotten to turn the ringer down, he almost yanked his dick off. He grabbed the phone with his other hand and connected the call. “Hey.”

  “Did I wake you?” she asked in a weak voice.

  “No, I wasn’t asleep.” He sat up and adjusted the pillows behind his head. “You okay?” She didn’t sound okay.

  “I don’t know what I am anymore.”

  “Want me to come over?” Luckily, he’d just gotten started. He laughed. Talking to her was so much better than jerking off. “I can be there in—”

  “That’s not necessary,” she whispered.

  “Okay.” He took it as a good sign that she called him. She was still fragile but wanted to talk to him. Maybe he’d send her flowers Monday, and he could include a copy of the picture that Ariana had taken of them in Casa Amici’s. He’d checked his email when he’d gotten back to The Yorkshire, and Dex had sent it earlier in the day. Ariana’s thank-you package was already on the way to her. He’d added their picture to Em’s phone number. He’d already looked at it about a thousand times.

  “Jack, I’m sorry about before, calling you like that. I was so sure it was the right thing to do for you.”

  “For me?”

  “Yes, ending it before you get more—”

  Jack sat up and said through his teeth, “Don’t you think that should’ve been my decision?”

  Emily sighed. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “And yet you have, twice.” Jack didn’t know why he said it. It was true but mean to point it out.

  “I know, and I’m sorry.”

  She didn’t make excuses, just accepted what she’d done. His anger drained away because he wasn’t mad at her. She’d called him because she had something to say, so he’d wait for her to say it.