A Rock & Roll Romance (2 page)

She stuck her tongue out at me like an errant child.
“Roar!”

I sat at the
table and stole one of her cigarettes. How she smoked those things I would never know.

“Looks like I’m off on another adventure. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone this time.” I said
somewhat sulking.

“Where to this time?”
She raised a brow.

“We’re
off to New York carting around some rock star.”

I waited for her reaction.
Granny
loved
rock stars.

“Who is it?”
She prodded.

“Jake Parker.” I said with disgust.

“Oh, I’d like him to come clean out my cobwebs.” She beamed.

I did not
need the mental picture that followed.

“Granny
, that’s disgusting!” I shrieked.

“Whatever
, it’s true. That boy is a tall drink of water if I’ve ever seen one.”

“Al
right, I’m outta here. Thanks for the nightmares.”

I snubbed out my cigarette and
stood. I walked across the table and kissed her white fluff of hair before heading out the door. To an outsider she looked like a grandma that made apple pies and listened to gospel records. That was the farthest thing from the truth when it came to Granny Jean. She was spry and would much rather listen to The Rolling Stone’s over gospel any day. I loaded my suitcase in the trunk and clambered into my car. I groaned as soon as I turned the key and the muffler sound radiated loudly throughout the car. I seriously needed to start saving up for a new car because this was getting embarrassing. I backed out of the driveway and started back to the airfield. When I arrived I popped the trunk and grabbed my suitcases. I leaned them against the passenger side and went to the office to get the flight details. I also wanted to say goodbye to my dad. I walked down the hallway and opened his office door.

“Hey kiddo
, they’re just finishing the last of the pre-flight checklist. Mark is going to be the pilot since I know the two of you won’t kill each other. Especially, if you end up being gone for a long time.” He sounded hopeful.

He handed me an envelope with some cash and the
company credit card.

“How long is a long time
, Dad?” I pouted.

“Three
months… but before you go all drama queen on me we
really
need this Aubrey. Please be on your best behavior.” He begged.

Three months!

“Fine.”
I relented.

             
He stood up and walked around to where I was standing and kissed my hair.

“Thanks honey,
I love you. Any problems just call.”

I stuffed the envelope in my back pocket and
stalked out of the office cringing. I pulled a Marlboro Red out of my pack and headed outside to light up. I needed to mentally prepare myself for the long flight from Shitsville, I mean, Smithville, Ohio to LA. Then all the way back to New York.

Dave
, who was one of the crew guys, was ogling my ass. “Hey Aubrey, looking good.”

“If you’d like to keep your eyes I suggest you
keep walking, monkey boy.” I blew a plume of smoke in his face.

“Always the lady.”
He laughed and shook his head as he went inside.

I wasn’t a man-hater
. I just didn’t think that I was put on this earth to be objectified as their piece of meat. A couple minutes later Ian came and told me we were ready to go. I walked into the cabin and stowed my luggage. At least my dad was right about being stuck with Mark, we wouldn’t kill each other. I’ve known him since I was a kid, and he treated me as was one of his own. He also understood my twisted sense of humor and wasn’t easily offended. Mark Wilson was in his early-forties, unmarried by choice and suffered from male-pattern baldness. He was an all around great guy, and it made me dread this adventure a little less. Unfortunately, we would have a different co-pilot for each flight. We would get “rogues” which was whoever was coming or going from other private airlines like ours. Today we got Scott, who was drooling after me like a total weirdo. I said a quick hello and went about my business. I was not interested in making another friend. Mark started hitting switches to prepare for takeoff. I plopped in one of the comfortable chairs and pulled out my e-reader. I started reading and hoped that the time would pass quickly. Once we were airborne I started to prepare the in-flight meal so that it would be ready for our guests. I sat back down and closed my eyes for a much needed nap. Unfortunately, Jake Parker was part of my very sex filled dream.
Ugh!

I wasn’t able to get any
more sleep for the rest of the flight.

Four
and a half hours later we touched down in LA. Mark lowered the stairs onto the tarmac. A blacked out Escalade was there waiting. A hulk of a guy that I could only assume was Jake’s bodyguard stepped out. I groaned internally and went to make sure everything was in order. I was stocking up the bathroom when I felt someone breathing near my neck. Acting on instinct I quickly turned and kneed the guy right in the balls. He cupped his crown jewels.
Fuck!
I knew that I should apologize, but hasn’t he ever heard of personal space?

“I’m B
rett Barnes,” He was unaltered by my attack, but spoke in an off-pitched voice. He proffered his hand. “Head of Mr. Parker’s security. I need to make sure the plane is secure before takeoff.”

I glanced
up at the twenty-something beefcake with a buzz cut. He looked ex-military. If I had to guess, I would say he was six-foot-four and two hundred and forty pounds. He was broad shouldered and burly but looked clean cut in his black suit. I offered my hand in return.

“
Aubrey Thompson. Sorry, by the way.” I waved my hand in front of his package. “You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that.” I scolded.

I gestured my
hand for him to have at it and walked out. It was going to be a long night. He looked through every nook and cranny of the plane before giving the go ahead for Captain Celebrity, I mean Jake, to board. Jake stopped at the top step and slid his Ray-Ban aviators to the top of his head. That’s when I got my first real look at him. He was tall, at least six-two, tan and toned with a black Mohawk and intense, penetrating blue eyes. He had two piercings in his left eyebrow and a pair of spider bites on his lip. His face could make the Greek Gods weep with his square jaw and high cheekbones. Even his fucking nose was sexy. Then he smirked at me.
I hate rockstars!

Dammit!
He probably thinks I’m admiring him.
I kind of was, but still.

“I’m Jake
Parker.” He winked and offered his hand.

“I know
who you are.” I replied bitchily.

Then
I quickly remembered I was supposed to be nice. I offered my hand in return and noticed that I didn’t start to feel clammy like I normally would by this time. He had giant hands. They completely enveloped my small one.

“So you’re the flight attendant? You don’t look like the
normal flight attendants that I get.” He was gawking at my chest. “Is that a tattoo?” He pointed.

I looked down and noticed
that my hoodie had slid down, and my chest plate was peeking out.
Just fucking
fabulous!

“
That would be none of your business, kind sir. Now, if you would please take your seat we can prepare for takeoff.”

I adjusted my hoodie and smiled devilishly
effectively giving him the brush-off. He sat in the cream-colored leather seat and stretched his long legs out in front of him.

“Hey.” He called out
, and I grudgingly walked back over to his seat.

“Yes.”
I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes. He was already wearing down my almost non-existent patience.

             
Prison orange isn’t your color Aubrey.
I repeated this mantra on my way over.

“You neve
r told me your name.” He was attempting to play coy.

“Aubrey.” I said flatly
, wishing that I was anywhere but here.

“Pretty name
, for an even prettier girl.” He smirked.

I rolled my eyes and walked away. 

I checked to make sure that the luggage was secure before giving Mark the go ahead to takeoff. On my way back, I made sure that Captain Celebrity was properly buckled. He made a smart-ass remark about how I should check. I ignored the urge to slap him and kept moving.
If he keeps this shit up, I won’t feed him any of the pot roast I have cooking.
It was my mom’s recipe, and it was good enough to make you want to sell your soul. Ten minutes later we were airborne. Once we reached altitude Mark came through the sound system and said that everyone was allowed to move about the cabin. I got up and asked if either of them wanted anything to drink. I told them that I would feed them in about an hour. I brought them each a bottle of water and went back to my seat. I was listening to music and getting lost in the land of fictional characters when the seat next to me shifted.

“Whatcha reading?”
Jake asked, pulling an ear bud out.

“None of your business.”
I replied, not even bothering to look up.

I wasn’t some groupie chick
that he was going to walk all over. He put the ear bud to his ear, and I snatched it away.

“You’re not going to share?”
He cocked an eyebrow.

“It’s an iPod not and
usPod.” I snapped. He ignored my attitude and smiled.

“If you could sum your life up in one song what would it be? Mine would be ‘Turn the Page’ by Metallica.”

I looked at him confused and slightly annoyed.
Why the hell was he so interested in talking to me?

“I hate to say it
, but I think you need to change your pants.” I looked at him curiously. “I think they’re cranky pants.” He started cracking up.

“Actually
, not that it’s any of your business, it probably has something to do with the fact that I’ve barely slept in three days. Oh, and you’re a rock god that likes to make fools out of girls like me. No thanks.” I scoffed.

“Rock
God? At least you admit it.” He beamed. “Listen, we’re going to have to learn to get along if we’re going to be spending the next three months together. So how about a truce? I won’t judge you if you agree not to judge me.”

“I don’t make promises
that I know I won’t be able to keep. We’ll take it a minute at a time.”

“Deal.
So let’s start over. I’m Jake Parker, and I’m not the womanizing asshole that the media portrays me as.”

“I’m Aubrey Thompson
. I
am
opinionated and downright uncensored. Fair warning.” I shrugged.

“
Nice to meet you uncensored, opinionated Aubrey. How old are you?”

“Twenty-three, almost twenty-
four.”

“I’m twenty-five, almost twenty-six.”

“Well
, almost twenty-six year old Jake I’d really like to get back to this.” I held my e-reader up.

“I
like you Aubrey. I can tell by your sarcastic undertones, rude comments and sheer lack of common decency that we’re going to friends in no time. I can just tell.”

“Whatever you say
, Boss.” I grumbled.

I turned my attention back to my book until the timer went off
letting me know that the food was ready. I expertly prepared the dishes. They looked as if they came out of a five-star restaurant. I placed them down on the trays in front of the boys. Jake devoured it and moaned the whole time earning a secret laugh from me. Maybe he wouldn’t be so awful after all.

He called to me over his shoulder.
“If you cook like this all the time we’re skipping the friend stage and getting married.”

I take that back, we’re going to kill each other.
I sat down and curled into a ball. I lost the battle of the heavy lids.

Jake

“This tour is important to the label, and you’re going to do it, whether you want to or not.” Bruce Samuelson, an executive from the recording label was holding up the contract that I signed. His daddy sent him over here to do his bidding. I hated him and his fucking label.

I was supposed to be on
a hiatus for a while. We just returned two days ago from a month long tour all across Europe. Now they go and pull this shit and decide that they need to use me as their cash cow again. I was tired and run down. I needed some R&R. At twenty-five, I was starting to get burnt out. I’ve always had issues with sleeping, but lately I’d be lucky to get an hour or two a night. I also haven’t been able to write a song in almost a year. The rock star life wasn’t all that it was cracked up to be. Sure, there is always an abundance of women willing to throw themselves at you, and you’re pretty much guaranteed free things wherever you go, but it gets old quick. You never know when someone is being your friend for you, or for your rock star alter ego. I looked over the tour schedule. I hit the roof when I saw that we were set to leave tonight. That only left me with a few hours to get my shit together. I stormed out of the room and angrily yanked the luggage that I had just put away out of the closet. Dipshit left with a grin on his face.