Alluring Seduction (Bayou Stix) (10 page)

His head swivels up and even Jude stops to look at me. He pins me with a look. “What do you mean? She’s gone.”

My stomach drops to my feet and I look at him with a blank face. “What do you mean ‘she’s gone’? Gone where?”

“Dude, she left. She went back to LA.” He takes in my shocked face and looks to Jude. “You didn’t know she left?”

“She left? She
left
! Motherfucker!” I throw the set list I was holding and run my hands through my hair. I need to hit something. “How do
you
know she left, Liam?”

He starts to get pissed at my tone. “I know because she texted me, asshole. She said something came up and she needed to get home. I’m guessing her sudden exit had something to do with you. What. Did. You. Do. Jessie?”

“FUCK!”
I kick the closest thing to me, a microphone stand, and it goes flying.

Liam grabs me by my shirt and gets in my face. “What the hell did you do? I thought it was strange she was leaving before the concert, but now I know. What did you do to her, Jessie?”

“Get the fuck off of me. Why are you so concerned about her?” I shove back against him. “I didn’t realize you and Blue were so fucking close. Are you fucking her too?”

His eyes flash and I don’t have time to move. I realize what’s about to happen a second before his fist connects with the side of my face. My head jerks back with the force of the blow. Punching him in the stomach, I tackle him. There are shouts all around us. We’re rolling around the stage, beating the hell out of each other. Both of us are raining punches wherever we can find an opening. I feel blood on my face and it runs into my eye.

Suddenly, I’m pulled off of him and my arms are held behind my back. Jude has grabbed me and is holding me so I can’t get away. Looking over, I see Dade with Liam in a headlock to prevent him from getting back to me. Cruz is picking up the mess we’ve made on the stage.

Jude grits out, “
What the fuck are you two idiots doing?”

I’m still struggling against him, trying to break free and get back to Liam, so he tightens his hold and shakes me. “Let me go! I’m going to kill, Pretty Boy over there!”

Liam grunts at me, “Fuck you! You piece of shit!” He’s also trying to break away.

Dade roars out, “Stop it! Both of you! What the fuck are you doing?”

“I’m going to let you go because I don’t want to break your arm, but if you so much as try to move towards Liam, I’m going to knock you on your fucking ass, you got it?” Jude says.

“Yeah, whatever. Let me go.” I’m breathing hard and my ribs hurt.

Dade lets Liam go and both glare at me. Jude is also glowering at me and Cruz is staring at me with a frown. This is just awesome.

Liam points at me, “What did you do to Blue, Jessie?”

His lip is split and his eye is swelling. I take pleasure in it.

“Why do you care, Liam?” I spit out as blood runs down my face from my split lip.

He growls and tries to step towards me, but Dade grabs his arm and pins me with a glare. “What
did
you do, Jessie?”

“I fucked up, ok? Are you happy? I’m a Goddamn asshole and I fucked up!” I’m raging it at him. “She
left…
”

Jude turns me to face him. His voice is lethally quiet. “What do you mean you ‘fucked up’? What did you do?”

Liam screams out at me, “You treated her like a whore, didn’t you? You son of a bitch!”

Closing my eyes, I grab my hair and pull. Blood is running into my eyes. He must have split my eyebrow. “Yes. No.
I don’t know.
” I point at Liam. “And are
you
seriously on my ass about my treatment of women?!” Shit my face hurts, but not as bad as the clenching in my stomach. I fucked up. Shit!

“Please tell me you did not treat her like a groupie, Jessie?” Jude is so pissed.

“I didn’t. Last night and this morning. Things were good. We fought, but we always fight. Then she said something and it pissed me off… so I lashed out. I hit below the belt… On purpose. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing with her.” My voice fades out at the end. I’m about to rip my hair out and I’m sucking on my lip ring so hard, I’m surprised I don’t pull it out. All I taste is blood and I can’t fucking see.

Liam stares at me. “You’re an asshole, Jessie. And for the record, I have never slept with Blue. What would be the point? She’s in love with you!”

My eyes go wide and I manage to get out, “
Wha– What?
You’re insane. She’s not in love with me!”

Jude is watching my face. He smirks and says, “Yes, she is. And you
are
an idiot.”

I’m looking from him to Liam to Dade. I manage to get out around the knot in my throat, “She’s in love with me?”

Dade smirks. “Man, you are such an idiot. Looks like you have your work cut out for you after tonight’s concert.”

Liam sighs and pulls away from Dade. Walking over, he stops in front of me. “I still want to punch you in the face, but it’s pretty messed up already. You look like shit. Hell, with that face, she’s going to slam the door on you anyway. You’re torn up. That’s good.” He looks at the ground and smiles. “Don’t play with her. She deserves better.”

Then he bumps my shoulder and limps away. I grin and call out after him, “I might look like shit, but so do you, Pretty Boy.”

He turns around and flips me off. “Yeah, but this will work in my favor. The chicks will love it. Now you…” He points at me and laughs. “Yeah, good luck with that.”

Dade and Cruz follow him out giving me one last look. Jude and I are left in the center of the stage. I turn and he’s looking at me with a perplexed face.

“What are you going to do? From the sounds of it, you royally fucked up, dude.”

I laugh at my predicament. For the first time, I want to see what’s there with a woman and I have no idea how to fix the shit storm I created. “I have no fucking clue. Figure it out as I go, I guess?! Pointers would be great.”

He laughs. “Oh, no. That’s all on you. You broke it. You fix it.” He laughs again, holding his stomach. “My advice. Grovel. Oh, and do something about your face. You look like shit!” He winks.

Flipping him off as I turn to walk away, I mutter, “Thanks for your help, asshole.”

He’s laughing as I leave. I guess I need to formulate a plan, but first, let’s see how bad my face looks.

Blue

Ah, home sweet home. I’d forgotten what my apartment looked like. Everything is unpacked and I’m going through mail and messages on the machine. Ninety seven of them. Most are solicitors or other crap. I’m listening as I take stock of my small pantry and make a list of things to grab at the store. Suddenly, my back straightens and my ears snap to attention.

“Blue. It’s Brock. I know you’re probably still mad, but I’m hoping that little break cooled you down. ‘Comeon, Babe. I’m sorry you found out that way, but it didn’t mean anything and she was no one. I was weak and she tempted me. I miss you. Call me when you get home and I’ll come take you out to dinner. It meant nothing and I want you. Call me, Babe.”

My hands grip the counter with white knuckles. ‘That little break.’ This fucktard messed with my
career
because he couldn’t keep his dick in his pants and he hopes I’ve calmed down after my ‘
little break
.’ Oh, I have a break for him. Asshole. I want to break his damn face.

Walking over to the machine, I delete the message.

No Brock, I won’t be calling you. You, douche! Geez, Blue, you are a winner with your choice in men.

I grab my list and head out the door. Food and wine are what I need tonight.

My cart is full and I can’t wait to dive into this bottle of Dornfelder and petite sirloin when I get home. As I’m placing my items on the conveyer, I hear a cough behind me and then, “Hello, Blue. You’re back. I thought the last concert was tonight. I was going to call you tomorrow to see how the tour went. I pray everything went well. Good articles, by the way. The magazine is selling tons of copies from the feature and the website is getting about fifty thousand more hits a day.”

I raise my brows as I take in the white linen pants and the shirt opened too far down a hairy chest. “Hello, Anthony. Yes, it was fine. Glad the articles are doing well. I do aim to please.” I smirk at him, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. “I’m back because my business was done. I’ll be in the office later in the week.”

His lecherous gaze rakes over me and he replies with a wink. “I know my son will be happy you’re back. He’s missed you.”

The fake smile falls as I reply. “Your
son
and I are finished. Have a good night. I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

Swiping my card, I pay for my purchases and march out of the store without a backwards glance. Fucking prick. Sucks that he’s my boss.

Looks like I’ll be drinking the bottle tonight. Could my life be anymore fucking complicated right now?!

Jessie

T
he concert last night was epic. We rocked it and the fans were not disappointed. The party from the label was also great, though all I wanted to do was leave. Women were throwing themselves at me, but for once, I left alone and just went to bed. After talking to Jude and having Lexi chew me a new asshole, I decided to sleep on it and fly out to Los Angeles this morning. The flight was uneventful, but now that I’m here, waiting for my bag to come around, I’m trying to decide if this was such a good idea. I’m armed with Blue’s address, courtesy of Jude, and a threat to be castrated if I hurt Blue again, courtesy of Lexi. Who knew she was such a protector and damn she’s scary when she’s mad. Little firecracker!

Grabbing my bag off of the carousel, I head out to find a taxi.

Lord, please don’t let her slam the door in my face or punch me. Liam did enough damage.

An hour later, I’m at her building. It’s nice. Jude said she’s on the twelfth floor. Shit… here goes nothing. I still have no idea what I’m even going to say.

My hands start to sweat as I wait for the elevator. I feel someone next to me and look over. A pretty teenage girl, about fifteen is standing next to me. I smile as I wipe my hands on my jeans. As the elevator arrives, we let the crowd off and get on.

I am so nervous about my reception; I sigh and run my hands through my hair. The teenager speaks. “You’re Jessie Adams, right? Do you live here?”

I look at her. “Uh, yeah. I’m Jessie. But, no I don’t live here. I’m visiting.”

“What happened to your face?”

“Oh, I was a jerk and a friend decided to let me know what he thought about it.” I chuckle.

She looks at me incredulously. “Your
friend
did that to your face? You must have been a real jerk!”

“I was. I let my temper get away from me, and well, I was a jerk to someone who didn’t deserve it.” I shrug as I look at the numbers. I can’t help but remember the elevator ride with Blue that started this whole thing. I smile.

“To a woman? Is that the friend you’re here to see?”

“Yeah. I just hope it’s not too late.” I smile at her and my split lip pulls. I grimace.

She smiles back. “Well, just tell her you got beat up for her. That should earn you some brownie points. And you’re you and you’re here. So whatever it is, just stay on her. If she lets you in, then she’ll forgive you. If she doesn’t, don’t leave. Calm down. Act confident. Even if you’re not.”

“How old are you kid?”

Her back straightens and she levels me with a look. “I’m not a kid. I’m sixteen.”

Damn, do they teach girls how to look at a man to shrink his balls in the womb?! “Ok. Sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you. You just seem really smart. How do you know so much about women?”

She smirks. “I’m a female.” She cocks her hip, places her hands on them, and she raises her brow at me. “We’re born knowing this stuff. And I read a lot.”

I laugh. She’s delightful. Some boy is going to have his hands full with this one. We’re nearing the eleventh floor; I grab my bag and my stomach clenches. I take a deep breath. “Thank you.”

She smiles again and says, “No problem. Hey, can I have your autograph? I mean you do owe me, since I distracted you on the ride up.” She winks.